Concord Police Beef Up Patrols, Visibility In Recreation Areas, Trails

CONCORD, NH — Concord police have stepped up patrols on trails and recreation areas in the city in an effort to ease concerns in the community about their safety in the wake of the shooting deaths of a retired couple more than two weeks ago.

Stephen and Djeswende Reid were shot and killed 15 days ago on the Marsh Loop Trail off Portsmouth Street. Their bodies were discovered three days later on April 21.

Since that time, local, regional, state, and federal officials have undertaken what Concord Police Chief Bradley Osgood called the most extensive investigation in his three-plus decades with the department. The case, he said, was a top priority for the department. More than 70 tips have also been submitted to the Concord Regional Crimeline about the case.

Osgood, in a public safety update, said the department was also stepping up patrols to the city’s trail network, which includes 31 different trails, spanning many miles. The added patrols will include the department’s Mountain Bike Unit as well as the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office bike officers.

The city has also received two ATVs from Nault’s Powersports in Manchester to be used in partnership with New Hampshire Fish & Game conservation officers.

A map of the city’s extensive trail system. Credit: City of Concord

Everyone involved, Osgood said, will “embark on additional high visibility patrols in the city's trail network” and other recreation areas.

“Concord police hope that though high visibility patrols; whether by foot, bike, ATV or traditional police vehicles, that we might ease some community concern,” he said.

The sheriff’s office is also providing an additional investigator to assist with a backlog of other police investigations not related to the Reid slayings.

The safety update comes 24-hours after detectives and FBI agents were seen canvassing the residential neighborhoods up to two miles from the trail where the Reids were killed.

The Concord Police Department can be reached at 603-225-8600, or tips can be submitted anonymously by contacting the Concord Regional Crimeline at 603-226-3100. Tips can also be submitted online through the Crimeline website at concordregionalcrimeline.com, or text message TIP234 and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Crimeline awards cash to anyone whose information directly leads to information concerning the Reid's murders. All tips remain anonymous.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.