'How Are We Doing?' -- That's What Greenwich Police Want to Know

The Greenwich Police Department is taking a page out of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch’s book.

The gregarious leader of the Big Apple was known for his oft-asked question ‘How am I doing?’

And that’s the question Police Chief Jim Heavey is asking the Greenwich community. The department is conducting an informal “How are we doing?” survey. Residents can voice their comments online or via comment cards that can be picked up at Police Headquarters and Town Hall. There are plans to place the cards at the town library branches, according to Heavey.

The comment program is an outgrowth of a town-wide survey of residents was conducted in the fall that measured satisfaction with various town departments and services.

“On a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest, we were a six,” Heavey said. “”I’m pleased with that and we continue to strive to improve our performance and public perception.”

Heavey added, “It’s another way to look for input. We really need the community to be a partner with us.” As an example, Heavey cited a Thanksgiving holiday weekend night-time burglary spree. “With the burglaries, we found three neighbors who either heard or saw something suspicious but didn’t call us. We need to engage the community as a partner to help prevent crimes,” Heavey said.

In its post on the town website, the department added, “We also desire to receive any ideas or suggestions from the public regarding how police services can improve or positively impact the Greenwich community.”

And one resident took advantage of that using the comment card. Heavey said that less than a week after the cards were placed at headquarters, one resident wrote about their concern that motorists were not heeding the pedestrian warning signals on Field Point Road, in front of town hall.

“It’s one of those things that will need a little enforcement by our officers,” Heavey said.

Heavey said there are plans to have a Spanish-language version of the card printed and posted on the town website.

The online comment card can be accessed here, or residents may write a note to Heavey, ℅ Greenwich Police Citizen’s Comment Program, 11 Bruce Pl., Greenwich, CT 06830; or via email: citizencomment@greenwichct.org.

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