New London Crime Significantly Down: Police

Post from New London Police Department:

Mayor Finizio, the New London Police Command Leadership, and members of City Administration held a press conference in the New London Police Headquarters lobby this morning [Thursday, Jan. 8]. The topics discussed include: crime rates, contributing initiatives and upcoming strategies.

Crime:

• 2014 was the first year with no murders in the City since 2002
• New London’s 2014 part 1 Crimes are down 4.8% since 2013
• Lowest total number of annual Part 1 incidents since 2011
• Violent crime (murders, rape, aggravated assault, and robberies) are down 36% since 2013 and 41% since 2011 — resulting in 107 fewer victims of violent crime in 2014 than in 2011

These numbers are according to those sent to the state by the City of New London. If comparisons were made using the State’s annual Crime in CT report, the drop in violent crime numbers would be even greater.

Contributing Initiatives:

While the police numbers are low, the Command Staff of the Department meet daily to discuss the most effective deployment of officers, based on ongoing conditions, incident trends, and special events.

A major heroin/cocaine investigation initiated in 2012 at NLPD, expanded to state, federal and internationally. This investigation led to 104 arrests in 2013, approximately 90% have already resulted in convictions. This investigation and subsequent raids dismantled 2 of the largest heroin/cocaine rings in Connecticut.

Community Policing / Engaging the community

• CopLogic – Online reporting system for nonemergency crimes with no identified suspect
• Tips411 – Anonymous text-a-tip hotline to NLPD
• NLPD Facebook page enlists community help and provides information to the public
• Downtown officer liaison; NLPD attendance at CCD meetings, crime prevention officer has spoken at public housing meetings
• Forums: Beginning in late January, Command Staff will be hosing monthly open forums in locations throughout the City.
• These forums will allow residents a chance to speak one-on-one with the department’s Commanding Officers, ask questions, and express concerns.
• Lighting and surveillance: monthly citywide streetlight inspection, LED lighting downtown, more cameras
• Anti-panhandling initiative
• Beautification: murals, increased building occupancy with the CreateHereNow project.
• Showing the City is maintained and cared about, attracts more people, which increases the number of eyes on the street.

Looking forward and Building on Recent Successes

The improvements in public safety came even though we have decreased patrol strength and still have a great deal of outdated technology (software from the 80s). Imagine what we could do with a fully staffed police department and modern crime analysis software.

We’re celebrating good crime numbers, but we still need more boots on the ground, walking the beat in our neighborhoods.

We have resumed hiring. We have three recruits currently attending the police academy and we have 2 spaces reserved for the April class.

With 80 officers, we will be able to do more pro-active community policing. Officers will be deeply familiar with their assigned districts, working hand-in-hand with residents to improve quality of life.

We are receiving support for our officers with new equipment. City Council has authorized the purchase of new marked patrol vehicles. We will be gradually replacing our aging fleet; which will reduce maintenance costs, and improve officer safety.

We have a new Use of Force policy, which better documents officers’ uses of force, and the depth of the investigation into such force.

While the City of New London has been on some well-publicized “most dangerous” lists, we’ve turned that around. People should feel safe here. It’s time for this unsafe perception to catch up with reality.

The entire New London police staff has done an outstanding job with working long hours, being understaffed, and utilizing outdated equipment. These successes are a testament to their tremendous skills and unrelenting dedication.

The citizens of the City of New London deserve a great deal of credit as well. They’ve been vigilant and eager to report suspicious and/or illegal activity.

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