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ASHBY POLICE DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT 1998
MISSION STATEMENT
"The mission of the Ashby Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the Town of Ashby by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the United States Constitution to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and to provide a safe environment."
As your Chief of Police, I am pleased to present this report of your Police Department activities for the year 1998.
CRIME CLEARANCE:
Our performance this year compares very favorably with the last several years in spite of personnel turnover. Ashby experienced a reduction in serious crime as did the nation, state and area communities during this past year. However, as a rise in less serious crime, that which affects the quality of life issues, continue to cause concern and we are making every effort to address these issues.
The shift in crimes occurring mirrors our area with Domestic Violence continuing to take a toll in a small department such as ours with limited staffing as we strive to provide a safe resolution to families in crisis.
INVESTIGATIVE INCIDENTS: CLEARANCE
(Includes Part 1 Crimes and Part 2 Offenses)
| 1996 | 190 |
74% |
| 1997 | 254 |
80% |
| 1998 | 257 |
77% |
COURT APPEARANCES:
These figures include Ayer District Court, Superior Courts in Cambridge and Lowell
| 1996 | 97 |
|
| 1997 | 115 |
|
| 1998 | 137 |
TRAINING AND EDUCATION:
The training and education of our officers continues to be an integral component of police service in Ashby. This list below will give you and idea of the varied courses that were attended by members of this department.
| TRAINING / EDUCATION 1998 | Hours |
| Substance Abuse and Family Issues Seminar | 16 |
| Constitutional Issues Seminar | 8 |
| Financial Crime Seminar | 16 |
| Search Warrant Seminar | 8 |
| Arson Investigation Seminar | 8 |
| Domestic Violence Task Force Meetings | 48 |
| Community Policing Seminar | 32 |
| Domestic Violence Round table Meetings | 36 |
| Critical Incident Command Seminar | 16 |
| Detectives In-Service School | 40 |
| Drug Investigation School | 24 |
| Firearms License Training Seminar | 8 |
| Infrared Breath Test Operator School | 8 |
| Middlesex County Community Justice Meetings | 12 |
| Armorers School | 24 |
| Family Protection Unit Training | 16 |
| Firearms Qualification | 24 |
| Basic Recruit Academy Training, 2 Officers | 1480 |
| D.A.R.E. Training School | 80 |
| Radar Training School | 128 |
| Officer Survival School | 24 |
| Bias/Hate Crimes Seminar | 16 |
| LEAPS Computer In-Service School | 40 |
| PAMET Computer Seminar | 8 |
_______ |
|
| TOTAL TRAINING / EDUCATION HOURS | 2,136 |
GRANTS:
These include D.A.R.E., Community Policing and the Universal Hiring Program which is responsible for two Full Time Officers being appointed under this three year Federal Grant.
| 1996 | $32,639.66 | |
| 1997 | $56,232.66 | Third and final year of the COPS-FAST Federal Grant |
| 1998 | $69,412.00 | First year of the UHP including the 75% Federal Share |
ASHBY POLICE DEPARTMENT
ROSTER 1998
| CHIEF | Robert N. Willhauck, Sr. |
| Lieutenant | James A. Victoria (Grant Funded) |
| Patrolman/Detective | Matthew D. Callahan |
| Patrolman | Derek J. Pepple (Grant Funded) |
| Patrolman | Fred S. Alden IV (Temp F/T Appt.) |
RESERVE OFFICERS
James E. Hamel
James R. Raymond
Elizabeth A. Miles
Kevin J. Arsenault
Gregory P. Gushlaw
Kevin M. St. John
Justin L. Saball
Steven C. McLatchy
Susan A. Brennan
SPECIAL OFFICER
Robin M. McRae
COMMUNITY POLICING EVENTS 1998
Pinewood Derby
Community Policing Conference
AES, Career Day
ATV Community Policing, MT. Watatic
Community Policing Consortium
Domestic Violence/Teen Dating Presentation
Law Enforcement Memorial Day
Easter Egg Hunt
AES, Memorial Day Exercise
Ashby Memorial Day Parade
MAAD Awards
Jane Salsbury Memorial Run
AES, Sex Offender Law Presentation
July 4th Celebration
Eight Band Concerts
Fingerprinting Demonstration
Family Protection Lecture
Safety Day, Camp Middlesex
Halloween Patrols
Pumpkin Festival
Veterans Day Ceremony
COMMUNITY POLICING:
In May, Anna Maria’s Graduate School students conducted a Community Policing Survey as part of their graduate studies. The results are encouraging to this department as they identify the 4 major areas of concern by residents. 1. Response to calls, 2. Emergency Services, 3. Neighborhood Patrols, 4. Youth Programs. Our delivery of services in those areas of concern resulted in a satisfactory rating of 75% of those residents who responded to the survey. Although we are pleased with this figure which is above the national average, we promise to improve upon our quality of services.
TECHNOLOGY:
This department initiated the first phase of the PAMET information Management System which was funded by yet another Federal Grant. When completed, this system will enable us to have functions such as Arrest and Booking, Incident reporting, Statistical analysis, Warrant Management, Motor Vehicle Citation Tracking, Property Control, Personnel and Payroll.
CRUISERS:
| MAKE / MODEL | MILEAGE as of 12-31-98 |
| 1994 Chevrolet Caprice | 107,202 |
| 1996 Chevrolet Caprice | 85,839 |
| 1996 Ford Taurus | 32,550 |
The two oldest units are showing their age with repairs on these vehicles this year in excess of $8,000.00. They are becoming unreliable and I intend to seek the approval of the Finance Committee and you the voters to support the replacement of these two oldest units with 2 FWD Ford Explorers on a 3 year lease purchase agreement at the Annual Town Meeting in the Spring of 1999.
CONCLUSION:
I wish to thank all of the personnel of the Fire, EMS, Highway, Communication Departments and Town Hall who have provided us with support this past year. Without such teamwork a small agency such as ours would be hard pressed to serve you in the manner that you have come to expect, and deserve. Most of all my sincerest appreciation to all those fine citizens who have come forward this year to help us with our many tasks in order to make Ashby the fine community that it is. Thank you from a grateful Chief and department.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert N. Willhauck, Sr. Ph.D.
Chief of Police