POLICE REPORT
August 12, 2008
TO: Mayor Corners
Town Council
RE: July 2008 Monthly Report
Please accept this written report in my absence for the Town Council Meeting. Bill Corners and I are in Salt Lake City to pick up the new patrol vehicle.
This report finds us still quite busy with our summer call load still on the rise. I would like to point out that in our calls for service it appears that we have had a huge increase in the area of Criminal Complaints. This is some what skewed by the fact that we have included a case number for each of the abandoned vehicles that we have tagged. So don't think that we have had a criminal surge that we need to be overly concerned about.
While speaking of the abandoned vehicles we have to date over 100 vehicles that have come into compliance with the ordinance. Either through license, removal or placement of car covers. This certainly is a noticeable improvement since we began enforcement in May. We currently are able place in our impound 25 vehicles. We have 20 vehicles that are tagged presently and by mid month will begin towing any of those that are not in compliance. I believe our citizens should be praised for their efforts in removal and compliance to this ordinance thus far.
The Baggs Police Department is in receipt of another $1,000.00 donation from Patterson & Wilder Construction Company. This is the second year in a row that they have donated to our department. Chief Owen will be sending a thank you letter to them. This money will go toward additional equipment for the department that was not budgeted for this year.
Additionally, Chief Owen has requested from Homeland Security permission to purchase Two (2) new Digital Ally on board cameras for the patrol cars. It appears that our County Attorney is leaning toward more video and audio tapes to be used in court than ever before. Our current VCR tape system in the truck is not recording audio very well and this will be updated with a new digital system that we can process thru our computer systems as evidence on traffic stops and criminal complaints. The new systems would be paid through out grant for 2007 Homeland Security funds, at no cost to the Town.
CALLS FOR SERVICE BREAK DOWN
Traffic accidents 3
Traffic complaints 24
Traffic Summons 15
Criminal Complaints 37 (20 of which are abandoned cars)
Criminal Summons 1
Arrest 0
Assist to other Dept 7
Assist to Citizen 7
VIN checks 9
Total Calls for Service 103
Also with the coming of School we have purchased two new bright green traffic cones for the cross walks. They are in the council room for your viewing. We will be placing these in the cross walks to bring attention to the cross walks and that “School's Open”. We will also be making proper adjustments to our school zone traffic enforcement with the change in school schedule.
Respectfully,
Edward Owen
Chief of Police