2003 Annual Report
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Increases in Arrests - Substance Abuse Issues Continue - Size of Force Reduced
he year 2003 continued the statistical contradictions observed in 2002 that was based upon levels of activity. For the most part reported crimes declined during 2003. At the same time the service demand, measured by the calls for service to the Police Department, increased.
2003 Review
For 2003 the Part I Uniform Crime Report figures showed a significant drop in crimes. This drop coincides with other reports during the first half of 2003 in other communities in the United States of a similar size to Montpelier. The only statistical increase was in the area of motor vehicle theft. This crime is a relatively easy crime to prevent in Montpelier. The majority of vehicles stolen were done so with the keys being left in the ignition.
Using another measure of crimes, NIBRS, (National Incident Based Reporting System) there was a drop in the "A" Offenses of 45% and a drop of 457% in the "B" Offenses. This is the third consecutive year that this measure has declined. By way of explanation the "A" Offenses are the more serious offenses which are deemed to affect society. These include the traditional Part I crimes as well as crimes of fraud, thefts of service, drug offenses, sexual offenses, vandalism, and threats. The "B" Offenses include offense such as hit and run accidents, bad checks, domestic abuse, disorderly conduct and other so called lesser offenses. The categories were established based on factors that have a greater impact on society. Beginning in 2004, the NIBRS reporting method will be in effect and a mandated method on a nationwide basis.
The Vermont Crime Information Center publishes a report titled Vermont Crime. For the year 1999 those rates were 47.82 for Part I crimes and 138.67 for Part II crimes. For the year 2000 those rates were 55.27 for Part I and 163.11 for Part II crimes. These rates reflected the increases that we experienced in 2000. For the year 2001 the rates were respectively 61.85 and 154.70 for Part I and Part II crimes. During 2002 the rates were 63.22 and 116.99. These rates are based on the population and presented as an amount per 1,000 in population.
A word of caution is in order on rates. Rates are influenced by many factors that have as much to do with demographics, economy, exterior influences and community activity. Even the estimated population, which changes from year to year can affect the rates. Social factors such as community reporting based upon perceived police response, arrest rates and other interventions can have a profound effect on the rates.
Crime Stats
| UCR Reports |
1997
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1998
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1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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| Rape | 8 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Aggrevated Assault |
5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Burglary | 32 | 45 | 28 | 54 | 35 | 52 | 22 |
| Larceny | 322 | 397 | 344 | 348 | 418 | 403 | 308 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft |
20 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 20 |
| Arson | 2 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Total Part I | 390 | 474 | 400 | 449 | 492 | 489 | 361 |
| Domestic Abuse |
100 | 105 | 119 | 117 | 87 | 58 | 35 |
| Total Activity |
16,510 | 15,585 | 15,549 | 16,965 | 16,038 | 15,786 | 16,129 |
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Robbery: forceably taking something from another Burglary: forceably entering into a building in which something is subject to theft Larceny: stealing |
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Over the last three years in this annual report we have noted the sudden and dramatic fluctuations in drug offenses and arrests. Two years ago the community witnessed a much larger concern on the part of the community for the use of heroin. Its obvious appearance in the community was sudden with all of its negative effects. For the years of 2001and 2002 the number of reported offenses and arrests declined significantly. For the year 2003 the number of offenses and arrest increased over 2002 and 2001. This would indicate that the community still needs to focus on the issues related to substance abuse.
This is underscored even more by the increase in DUI offenses. During 2003 there was an increase of 59% in DUI offenses and arrests. Part of the increase is due to the Department returning to near normal strength as well as the increased experience level of new officers who have joined the Department over the last two years.
Two years ago we reported that at one point during 2001 there were 25% fewer officers due to vacancies. We then noted that the vacancy rate was high for agencies all across the country. Currently the Vermont State Police have in excess of 30 vacancies. While the City has addressed recruiting issues there is currently no active recruiting as there are no vacancies nor are there any anticipated.
Due to budget reductions beginning in 2004, the Department will be down one officer than anticipated due to a vacancy that was not filled in anticipation of budget reductions. As this report is being written, we know that the next two basic police academy classes will be full. Should there be a vacancy during the next year it will more than likely be 18 to 24 months before the Department can get back to full strength and operate in a manner that will allow us to provide full services in a timely manner. Emergency responses will be managed in a timely manner in any event.
More than one-third of the department has less than two years of experience. As those new officers' experience level increases so will all the other measurements that lead to a quality service being delivered to the community.
As a part of the budget decision process one part time dispatcher position was eliminated. As a work group they have not only the 16,000 plus incidents mentioned above, they have managed an additional 4,596 calls related to EMS and Fire. This is an increase over 2002. It is impressive to watch the dispatching staff often multitask these emergencies and provide pre-arrival medical aid to not only the citizens of Montpelier, but to those in 14 surrounding communities.
They are an integral part of ensuring that emergency services arrive at the correct location with the critical information needed for a proper response. The last half of 2004 will be watched very closely to make sure that this workgroup will be able to effectively deliver services. The optimum is to have two dispatchers assigned to the two busier shifts. After July 1 there will be a total of five shifts per week that will not have that staffing. One aspect that will be examined is the agency will decline to preform the holding station function for relief from abuse orders within Washington County. The Barre and Montpelier Police Departments agreed to take on holding station duties for warrants and RFA orders as both are the only 24 hour dispatching locations in Washington County. These duties take time on one side and yet save officer time on the other side of the equation. However, if the "routine" activity is such that it will not allow for time to deal with RFA issues then that function will probably be dropped.
In conjunction with all of the related matters in dispatching, there are inquiries made into different data bases such as motor vehicle files, and NCIC checks. During 2003 the dispatchers made in excess of 111,000 such transactions which averages to one transaction every four and three-quarter minutes. A job well done.
The City and the School District have agreed again to jointly fund the school resource officer in the FY 05 budget based on the multiple benefits that the position brings to the community. This partnership with the school district has provided many rewards in terms of dealing with potentially violent and other disruptive issues on a calm basis rather than disrupting school or having this issue continue out into the community. We believe that there is a significant benefit in that the number of juveniles having to be arrested continues to decline. Our collective missions to provide a safe environment dictate that we work cooperatively on this initiative. Mission Statement
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The
ultimate responsibility for peace, good order, and law enforcement
rests with the community of citizens in a democratic society.
The complexity of modern society dictates that police efforts
must be coordinated and directed by the services of law enforcement
professionals.
Therefore, the Montpelier Police Department will be devoted to providing professional and quality police services, and will strive to remain effective, efficient, and responsive to the changing needs of our community while providing a safe environment that enhances the quality of life in Montpelier. |
Contact Us
| Police Department Montpelier City Hall 1 Pitkin Court Montpelier, VT 05602-2950 (802) 223-3445 FAX (802) 223-9518 Website: http://www.montpelier-vt.org/police/index.cfm |
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Page updated August 17, 2007
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