Police foot patrols topic of committee discussion

[admin]

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0326/Front_Page/006.html

Police foot patrols topic of committee discussion
Panel member says he would like to see more officers in neighborhoods
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer


FREEHOLD - Police officers can be seen on foot patrol in the borough's downtown area on a daily basis from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. For some residents, however, that may not be enough.

The subject of whether police officers should be assigned foot patrol in other areas of the town was discussed at the March 11 meeting of the Human Relations Committee.

Committee member Ricky White raised the issue. He said he recalled the presence of police officers on foot in his neighborhood when he was younger. White directed his comments to Patrolman Ronnie Steppat, who is the police department's liaison to the committee.

In addition to asking if more areas of the borough should be patrolled by officers on foot, White told Steppat, "I don't see your young officers being very hospitable these days. I remember when I was young we had (officers) walking the beat, saying hello to us, connecting with the neighborhood, all the time. They respected us and we respected them. That love for your community seems to be diminished. Have you talked about bridging this gap?"

Steppat told White about Police Chief Mitchell Roth's plan to focus on community relations. He said officers are showing a presence at local churches and schools. Steppat, himself, spends part of every day at one of the three borough schools as the department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer.

Steppat said Roth has presented two sensitivity training sessions to date, with more possible on the horizon.

"Community relations is one of Chief Roth's main concerns," Steppat said. "It's a shame that is the perception.We have a lot of good officers and this gap needs to be bridged."

The Rev. Frederick Parrish, who chairs the committee, recalled being as- signed foot patrol duties when he was a Freehold Borough police officer in the late 1960s.

"You don't see foot patrols so much any more," he said. "We would say good morning to people, talk to residents, talk to the crossing guards. You just don't see that anymore."

Steppat explained that the foot patrol was reinstated downtown after a robbery occurred at Ballew Jewelers on West Main Street in August 2005. During the commission of that crime more than $1 million worth of jewelry was stolen.

"Downtown is not the issue,"White explained, adding that he was looking for police patrols in other neighborhoods to connect with residents on a more personal level.

Several committee members agreed that having a police presence in other areas of the borough in addition to the downtown would be a good move for the town.

Parrish said he believes that instituting a police presence in neighborhoods sooner than later would be a good thing and that the police presence might result in "less incidents."

In a subsequent conversation with Borough Councilman Jaye Sims, who is the council's liaison to the Human Relations Committee, Sims said he believes Roth is "doing a tremendous job" reaching out to the community.

"He has planned meetings with the Freehold ClergyAssociation to implement outreach programs. As far as getting out into the community, I feel the chief is putting the department in the right direction to bring back" the relationship between the police and the community.

Sims said Roth is "doing a top-notch job. As a council member, I stand behind what he's done so far."

Sims said he understood White's comments and concerns and saidWhite's suggestions are valid, but he believes the police exposure is there in the community.

"In a short time the gap will be bridged. It doesn't get done overnight. He (Roth) is doing his best to mend fences in the community," Sims said. "It takes time and patience and I think the chief is really reaching

[novillero]

I have to agree with the majority of White's sentiments, although I don't know enough to discuss the "young officers not being hospitable these days" comment. I personally haven't had any problems, and haven't noticed that. But foot patrols in areas other than downtown - like Center Street may go a long way with preventing crime, community relations, etc.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

novillero said:

I have to agree with the majority of White's sentiments, although I don't know enough to discuss the "young officers not being hospitable these days" comment. I personally haven't had any problems, and haven't noticed that. But foot patrols in areas other than downtown - like Center Street may go a long way with preventing crime, community relations, etc.

"foot patrols in areas other than downtown - like Center Street" what, is this the 1930's lower east side in need of beat cops?

There is a more serious problem and the beat-cop is not the solution. People are shooting guns and dealing dope out of the same building as FBDP. The criminals have gotten bold, and a foot cop is not the answer. (how about 287g Brian?)

OPERATION clean sweep of known bad-guys, including outstanding warrants would be a long overdue start.

A few of us have seen curb side dealing happening on Center street at 3:00PM, in clear light of day. Sure rely on the police work, but the community needs to stat saying "NO" too.

[admin]

novillero said:

I have to agree with the majority of White's sentiments, although I don't know enough to discuss the "young officers not being hospitable these days" comment. I personally haven't had any problems, and haven't noticed that. But foot patrols in areas other than downtown - like Center Street may go a long way with preventing crime, community relations, etc.

I agree with you and White. I think this is a very good topic that the HRC picked up on.

I know our police are good about community relations. The foot patrol is always a good step in positive community relations, as well as being a good tool for patrols. The possible set back with the foot patrol is staffing. It is important to remember, when a cop is on foot, that is one cop who can not respond to emergency calls. That has to be considered.

One very good happy medium is already present in our town-- bike patrol. This way of patrolling gives a bit of a compromise between foot/car patrols. We still get the personal interaction with police not found from a car, and yet the officer is more mobile and able to around to more places than on foot.

Th car/foot/bike patrols all have their ups and downs and they all have their place. It all depends on what the needs of the community and police, as well as what staffing allows.

[bergsteiger]

If the officers were walking a beat to fight crime, that would be enough for me. I have too many friends now. Stop with the public relations crap. That’s a waste of time so let Wilson and LeVine continue to do that because they need to practice.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

admin said:

novillero said:

I have to agree with the majority of White's sentiments, although I don't know enough to discuss the "young officers not being hospitable these days" comment. I personally haven't had any problems, and haven't noticed that. But foot patrols in areas other than downtown - like Center Street may go a long way with preventing crime, community relations, etc.

I agree with you and White. I think this is a very good topic that the HRC picked up on.

I know our police are good about community relations. The foot patrol is always a good step in positive community relations, as well as being a good tool for patrols. The possible set back with the foot patrol is staffing. It is important to remember, when a cop is on foot, that is one cop who can not respond to emergency calls. That has to be considered.

One very good happy medium is already present in our town-- bike patrol. This way of patrolling gives a bit of a compromise between foot/car patrols. We still get the personal interaction with police not found from a car, and yet the officer is more mobile and able to around to more places than on foot.

Th car/foot/bike patrols all have their ups and downs and they all have their place. It all depends on what the needs of the community and police, as well as what staffing allows.

Again, let be honest and admit what the problem is.

Foot patrol keeps honest people honest. Criminals are not stupid, lookouts with cell phones and text messaging easily render foot patrol an ineffective joke.

Where is the discussion of why this section of town needs kit gloves policing?

Just clean up the gang house, drug dealing, and consumers of contraband. This girl thingy footing is what has allowed these conditions to prosper.

Methods that work are zero community tolerance, surveillance and enforcement.

If customers know that there is a 100% risk of apprehension
they shop elsewhere.

We know where the hot spots are. The Rugmill is the High Ground, and believe me the criminals know how to use it as a fortification and a look out for the surrounding streets from upper floors.

When you have people who shoot at the Police HQ building, deal drugs from this building, and who use weapon with the serial numbers removed, Office Joe Bolton is the solution after serious cleanup has been conducted.

[novillero]

"Methods that work are zero community tolerance, surveillance and enforcement."

Don't you think foot patrols will foster your goals?

And for all you environmentalists, and for all those people eye-ing the financial books and records, foot patrols = less gas being used, less wear and tear on police vehicles.

There, now everybody is happy. Foot patrols and 287g, and as Casual noted, we'll have heaven on earth.

[admin]

bergsteiger said:

If the officers were walking a beat to fight crime, that would be enough for me. I have too many friends now. Stop with the public relations crap. That’s a waste of time so let Wilson and LeVine continue to do that because they need to practice.

Berg,

I am responding to both you and Fiber. You are both right in your concerns in dealing with some of the real problems in town. I do not think that foot patrols or bike patrols necessarily negates that.

You would both be very surprised at how effective getting cops out of the cars can be in fighting some of the rotten things we have to deal with.

On the other side, don't ever underestimate the value of enhancing police/citizen contact. Ka19 mentioned in another thread about the police utilizing the people as a vital resource. He is right and I am often critical that our town doesn't always do that enough. The rental issues are one other example.

When you get that cop out of his car and he is in front of people, he becomes more accessible. With that is the very real possibility of getting some really good information from people. If people start talking to the cops, they will know far more about what they need to target. Do not under estimate that line of communication.

On the other side, when it comes to getting the bad guys, cars are easily identified from afar. The patrol car actually hs little use in actually catching people in the act. Drug dealers and other who engage in criminal behavior are often good at identifying under cover cars as well. Putting a cop on a bike or foot gives them the advantage of surprise as well as keeping the bad guys on their toes.

If I were looking to catch people in the act, I would look to do it by foot or bike any day. My only advice for the town cops is to get rid of those bright yellow shirts that stick out from a mile away.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

admin said:

bergsteiger said:

If the officers were walking a beat to fight crime, that would be enough for me. I have too many friends now. Stop with the public relations crap. That’s a waste of time so let Wilson and LeVine continue to do that because they need to practice.

Berg,

I am responding to both you and Fiber. You are both right in your concerns in dealing with some of the real problems in town. I do not think that foot patrols or bike patrols necessarily negates that.

You would both be very surprised at how effective getting cops out of the cars can be in fighting some of the rotten things we have to deal with.

On the other side, don't ever underestimate the value of enhancing police/citizen contact. Ka19 mentioned in another thread about the police utilizing the people as a vital resource. He is right and I am often critical that our town doesn't always do that enough. The rental issues are one other example.

When you get that cop out of his car and he is in front of people, he becomes more accessible. With that is the very real possibility of getting some really good information from people. If people start talking to the cops, they will know far more about what they need to target. Do not under estimate that line of communication.

On the other side, when it comes to getting the bad guys, cars are easily identified from afar. The patrol car actually hs little use in actually catching people in the act. Drug dealers and other who engage in criminal behavior are often good at identifying under cover cars as well. Putting a cop on a bike or foot gives them the advantage of surprise as well as keeping the bad guys on their toes.

If I were looking to catch people in the act, I would look to do it by foot or bike any day. My only advice for the town cops is to get rid of those bright yellow shirts that stick out from a mile away.

Brian, go back and read my post, and later today, I want you to walk or drive through our section of town in need of feet on the street....

[concerned]

Everyone needs to realize one thing...there is study after study that shows foot patrol is the most UN-EFFECTIVE way to police. The department already sacrifices one officer 16 hours a day to apease the business owners downtown for no apparent reason. The officer on foot and the other officers on his shift are having not only their safety compromised, but the residents will suffer greatly. It will not work....the majority of residents in the areas of town being discussed wouldn't talk to a cop for any reason, that's reality. The solution- hire more officers and allow them to enforce a zero tolerance policy and not be expected to be a welcoming committee for those interacting with the police.

[novillero]

concerned said:

Everyone needs to realize one thing...there is study after study that shows foot patrol is the most UN-EFFECTIVE way to police. The department already sacrifices one officer 16 hours a day to apease the business owners downtown for no apparent reason. The officer on foot and the other officers on his shift are having not only their safety compromised, but the residents will suffer greatly. It will not work....the majority of residents in the areas of town being discussed wouldn't talk to a cop for any reason, that's reality. The solution- hire more officers and allow them to enforce a zero tolerance policy and not be expected to be a welcoming committee for those interacting with the police.

Oh yes, studies, of course, of course... They DO say that, DON'T they.

I whole-heartedly agree that the only real solution is that of our friend here, Concerned. Let us throw some money at the problem and I am sure that it will go away. Yes, yes, money is the only solution and perhaps another commission or new study of some sort may help us through this bit of rough patch. After all, I wouldn't want to go awry of some study that some such person or another spent some time and taxpayer money to examine.

yes, yes, I forgot about THOSE studies... Sorry, dear boy, no matter and never mind, pip pip and cheerio and rot like that. Yes, studies, they do say that, countless of them...

[richardkelsey]

some things just keep going around in circles! My dad was a big proponent of foot patrols when he was police commissioner in the early 70's.

Foot patrols have real ups and downs. It is good that a community committee is studying the issue carefully. I would be very wary of applying any study to Freehold unless the demographics and the size and terrain are similar.

To me -- a small town like Freehold would benefit from a nice mix of foot patrols and squad cars. There is no better way to "outreach" then to get out and humanize the force by working the streets, listening to the chatter, talking to residents, workers, and business owners.

At the same time, the Borough is so small that rapid response via vehicles can back up foot patrols and alleviate any safety concerns.

Good to see the issue being looked at closely.

To me -- it is easier to make friends and reach out when to human -- rather than people viewing police as an all mobile unit to "lookout" for.

Hope the committee takes its time with this issue -- and I applaud them for considering it.

[concerned]

Richard,
Your father should be able to relate the relationship the police had with the residents in areas where foot patrol was implemented...there was no relationship despite evry cop on the shift being on foot except for the call car. It doesn,t work, and you vastly under estimate the safety concerns for the officer, alone and isolated with no vehicle for protection.