{"id":283,"date":"2011-01-17T12:05:43","date_gmt":"2011-01-17T16:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/site.stungunmikes.com\/blog\/?p=283"},"modified":"2012-10-14T21:28:04","modified_gmt":"2012-10-15T01:28:04","slug":"can-you-count-on-your-local-police-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/site.stungunmikes.com\/blog\/can-you-count-on-your-local-police-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Count on Your Local Police Department?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You will need to use your judgment here.<\/strong> Staffing Levels are determined differently in every area, and so is crime. The best thing to do is try and get an overall feel of the department. Let them know that you are interested in moving into the area or starting a community watch program, and not trying to judge or rate them and their quality of work.<\/p>\n

Ask yourself, \u201cAre the neighborhood police helpful and responsive?\u201d<\/strong> \u201cDo the police officers show feelings of umbrage at their treatment by the community, the politicians, or their own infrastructure?\u00a0 Do they appear understaffed, unable to keep up with the crime in the area?\u201c<\/p>\n

These are the types of questions you need to ask your local police department to determine your neighborhoods overall safety.<\/p>\n

Below is a checklist of questions you can take with you to help assess the police station in your neighborhood.<\/strong> Remember, they may be very busy, so the first visit may just be setting a time to meet with someone who can answer your questions.\u00a0 This is normal, and should be looked at a sign of efficiency as opposed to “not helpful” or “understaffed for the amount of crime” <\/strong><\/p>\n

Questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Do they feel their staffing levels are adequate<\/strong>?
\n2.\u00a0 How many cars are out during day and night patrol? (usually half the officers assigned to a station are on patrol at any given time)
\n3.\u00a0 How long does it take to respond to emergency calls<\/strong> in the area on average?
\n4.\u00a0 Do they work with any neighborhood watch programs<\/strong> in the area? Will they help facilitate the creation of one?
\n5.\u00a0 Do the check up on vacant properties<\/strong> when the owners notify them that they are going on a trip
\n6. Do the merchants and other commercial businesses in the area have surveillance cameras<\/a><\/strong> in front of their shops, or just in their stores? Do they co operate with police who may need the footage when investigating a crime?
\n7. Is there a business community watch program<\/strong> set up between late night and daytime businesses?
\n8.\u00a0 Is there a current record of all the reported crimes<\/strong> in your area? And if so, what are the numbers like?<\/p>\n

These crimes might include:<\/strong><\/p>\n