The Swarthmore Borough Police Department is pleased to present to the community its annual report for 2006. The officers and staff of the department appreciate the support we receive and welcome this opportunity to present this information to you. PERSONNEL The department personnel provide around the clock daily police service to Swarthmore and Rutledge. They provide assistance in all types of weather and under all types of conditions. The list below shows the years of service as of December 31, 2006, provided by these dedicated members of the department: NAME POSITION YEARS OF SERVICE Joseph Maginnis Patrol Officer 22 William Thomas Sergeant 15 Raymond Stufflet Sergeant 14 Ann Bardo Patrol Officer 13 James Terrell School Crossing Guard 13 Barbara Burgett Clerk 10 Roger Hinckley Patrol Officer 10 Edwin Kline Patrol Officer 10 Brian Craig Chief of Police 8 John A. Wesley School Crossing Guard and 7* Meter Maintenance Technician John Stilwell Patrol Officer 3 Charles Rowles School Crossing Guard 2 Anthony Aloi Police Officer 1 *Mr. Wesley is a retired Swarthmore Police Sergeant. This figure only represents his current, part-time position. The department has been fortunate to have had a stable work force throughout the year. It is at full strength and the personnel provided the normal services without any major interruptions. We look forward to continuing this level of service throughout the coming year. INCIDENT AND CRIME DATA Crime in Swarthmore continues to be low. To continue that trend there must be a continuing working relationship between the police department and the citizens we serve. The officers are on duty around the clock and perform constant patrols. However, as everyone knows, they can’t be everywhere. As a result we rely on the residents to be vigilant and report unusual or suspicious activity. We continue to enlist the assistance of our constituents. If questionable activity is observed or suspected 911 should be called immediately. Officers will respond quickly, assess the situation, and take appropriate action. Quick citizen reporting during 2006 resulted in crimes being prevented and suspects being apprehended. 1 While violent crime is very low there has been an increase in the overall serious crime category. This is primarily due to an increase in thefts from auto. An analysis of these crimes revealed that 95% of the vehicles entered were unlocked. The stealing of items from an unlocked car is a crime of opportunity. While there may not be an injury the victim can suffer a considerable loss. Items of great value can be taken as well as items that aid a thief in committing identity theft. The overall Part 1 crime rate in Swarthmore could have been reduced this year if residents and visitors locked their car doors. Appendix A contains various charts and graphs related to crime data. Data comparing the experience of crime in Swarthmore to surrounding communities, Delaware County and Pennsylvania is presented on page five of the appendix. As noted above Swarthmore is below the average for the County and State. Swarthmore continues to be among the safest communities. It should be noted that the data presented is based on the latest data for 2006 but it may not be complete. Other municipalities still have time to review and enter data for 2006. However, the data is informative for comparison purposes. Persons interested in researching additional reported crime data can check the Pennsylvania State Police website at www.psp.state.pa.us. While our officers wear a uniform and drive marked police vehicles they spend little time actually dealing with crime. Of the 29,502 incident reports recorded since June of 1999 (an average of 3,934 per year), only a small percentage is crime related. The incident reports are classified under 443 different codes. They are constantly analyzed to see where we are performing our services, for what reasons, and how we can better utilize our resources. Once again, of the top 25 reasons for incident reports being generated only two are crime related. For the first time since these statistics have been reported traffic offenses was ranked number one. The department frequently receives complaints of speeding and stop signs being ignored as well as reports of aggressive driving. Enforcing traffic is a priority with the aim of improving driving safety for everyone who travels through the area. We have been able to increase our enforcement efforts thanks to financial assistance received from Buckle Up PA, an organization dedicated to increasing seat belt use throughout Pennsylvania. Their funding has allowed the department to stage special enforcement efforts to make people aware of poor driving habits and provide enforcement when needed. It should be noted that officers do more than just issue tickets. Frequently they observe traffic violations that can be handled with instruction or information. This is reflected by the fact that traffic warnings is the third highest incident category. The second highest frequency of incidents is providing assistance to other departments. With the limited resources of a small department it is important to be able to rely on assistance from other agencies. Likewise, we have to be prepared to offer such assistance. While only one or two Swarthmore officers may be on duty at any one time they know they can rely on help from other departments if it becomes necessary. The mutual aid agreement accepted by the departments in Delaware County allows the officers to count on one another as if the county had one large police department in an emergency. The ability to do this has become increasingly important as Homeland Security continues to be a concern. 2 ANALYSIS OF TOP 26 INCIDENT CATEGORIES FOR 2006 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 7373665653524946454439383634323030 148143140135 276 206 404 502478 (Total Incidents = 3,896) DEPARTMENT OUTREACH In August 2006 the department instituted a new procedure to check vacant properties. Persons leaving a business or residence for vacation or other reasons requiring an extended absence are encouraged to complete a Vacant Property Report. The information from the forms is entered into the department computer. Officers consult this database on a daily basis. Once every day they will make a physical check of the property to insure it is secure. If a problem is discovered the officer will make a notification in accordance with information left on the form. Since the inception of this process officers performed 608 property checks until the end of 2006. As a result of the checks officers have discovered several open properties and other conditions that were able to be addressed prior to the property owner returning from vacation. This is a service the officers are happy to provide. Persons interested in having this service provided can complete a form at the police station, make a phone notification, or obtain a copy of the form at www.swarthmorepa.org. 3 The men and women of the Swarthmore Police Department welcome the opportunity to interact with our residents and visitors. Officers are routinely present during community events such as the Independence Day and Memorial Day celebrations, the Charity Fun Fair, and other activities that take place throughout the year. We look forward to speaking to those present and answering any questions a person may have. Please feel free to approach an officer and ask a question or make a comment. Sergeant Thomas and Officer Bardo teach Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) to the 5th grade at Swarthmore Rutledge School. While the message to avoid drugs and tobacco is an important component of this program its main value is the opportunity for children to see the officers in a setting where they learn they can interact with the officers on a personal level. Over the course of the ten lessons the students and officers build a relationship that lasts well beyond the culmination of the course. There have been many experiences where former students, when they were older, approached these officers with problems or situations that they may otherwise have been reluctant to share with a police officer. The members of the police department routinely provide tours of the police station and give instructional presentations. Topics include home security, safe driving, information on laws and general police practices, police procedures, bicycle safety, how to avoid becoming a victim, and any number of topics of interest to various groups. Anyone interested in having a police officer make a presentation is encouraged to call the police department, send an e-mail, or send a letter. We will honor every request we can accommodate. The relationship with Swarthmore College has taken a new direction with the continuing dialogue established and reported on in an earlier annual report. Regular meetings are held to discuss items of common interest and concern. The meetings are attended by Dean Jim Larimore, Vice- President Stu Hain, Associate Dean Myrt Westphal, Counseling Associate Tom Elverson, Mayor Eck Gerner, Chief Brian Craig, Sergeant Raymond Stufflet and Sergeant William Thomas. Others may attend as the topics and concerns change. These meetings have helped establish a regular line of communication which is instrumental in identifying topics of mutual interest and addressing them before there are problems. This line of communication has also served to allow a continuing exchange of information about ongoing incidents and prevents problems due to misunderstanding and the spread of rumors. While the process of dealing with incidents and current issues is important the most valuable aspect of these meetings is the proactive action to identify issues of possible concern and address them appropriately. The department continues to reach out to the Swarthmore College student community. Mayor Gerner, Chief Craig, Sergeant Stufflet and Sergeant Thomas addressed the incoming resident assistants to inform them of the concerns of the department, how to interact with the police in certain situations, and explain to them why police follow certain procedures. This interaction has helped foster an understanding between the officers and students and allows the resident assistants to educate the students in their dorms. The officers and students appreciate this opportunity to interact in a positive manner and become acquainted in a non-emergency setting. 4 Officers want the community to understand we are here to serve their needs within the context of public safety. While some enforcement activities may result in a certain level of community resentment we try to stress the positive services we provide. As noted in previous sections the activity of the officers is directed at providing assistance and many times it is not recorded on an incident report. We respond to medical emergencies, make sure persons who dial 911, even accidentally, are safe (we follow up on all 911 calls), and help people who have locked themselves out of their cars. We value the input of the community and continue to welcome any ideas or recommendations on how to improve service. Mayor Eck Gerner and Chief Brian Craig addressed the Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management Fall Managers Meeting. The topic was Cooperative Policing -Maximizing Services in an Era of Shrinking Resources. Mayor Gerner and Chief Craig were invited because of their experience in providing police service by contract to Rutledge Borough in a manner that serves the communities of both Swarthmore and Rutledge. Their insight was helpful to other municipalities considering such arrangements. TECHNOLOGY AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT The ALERT incident reporting system continues to produce data that helps the department identify places where service can be improved. As part of the discussions with Swarthmore College we addressed the high number of 911 hang-ups that took place on campus. The problem was identified as the requirement to dial 9 to get an outside line. Swarthmore College took action to rectify this problem by instituting a new dialing process. The result has been a significant reduction in the number of responses to mistakenly dialed 911 calls. The Media Police Department hosts a centralized booking station for several surrounding police departments including Swarthmore. This cooperative effort results in a much more effective procedure for processing prisoners. An Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is located inside the Media police station. Suspects entered into this system can be positively identified within minutes and their criminal records obtained. Several persons providing false identities have been correctly identified through AFIS including some with outstanding arrest warrants. The central processing at Media also allows Swarthmore Officers to return to local responsibilities more quickly instead of being tied up for additional hours dealing with prisoners. TRAINING All Swarthmore Police Department sworn personnel received their required annual training including legal updates, firearms, and less lethal weapons training. Additionally, all officers were trained in the basics of the National Incident Management System. Understanding this system allows the officers to interact with other agencies in an emergency while sharing common terminology and procedures. Sworn personnel also received their certifications in first aid and CPR including the use of AEDs which are carried in the marked police vehicles. Officers Ann Bardo, Roger Hinckley, Edwin Kline and John Stilwell were trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing Practices. This course taught the officers how to better identify vehicle operators who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The training also taught the officers how to administer standardized field tests to determine if a driver is impaired and how to testify about the testing and observations. This training helps the officer better prepare for presenting the information in court so impaired drivers will be held fully accountable for their DUI violations. 5 Officer Ann Bardo and Roger Hinckley attended a Street Survival Seminar. Topics covered in the seminar presented the officers with information about current issues of street violence and how to deal with the threats presented by today’s criminals. Officer Edwin Kline completed training resulting in his being certified by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency as a certified Community Emergency Response Teams trainer. Officer Kline now delivers training to citizens in municipalities in Delaware County to help them prepare for and react to emergencies that impact the community, natural and man-made. He has delivered several of these training sessions including one in Swarthmore Borough Hall. Officer Ann Bardo was busy in 2006 receiving training in Hostage Negotiations, Anti-Terrorism Training, and Aspects of Criminal Sexuality. She is a certified DARE instructor and received DARE update training in bullying so the subject can be included in the DARE curriculum. In addition to taking advantage of training in police subjects the Borough and department encourages officers to pursue higher education. Officer John Stilwell and Officer Anthony Aloi had attained bachelor’s degrees prior to being hired by the police department. Currently Sergeant Stufflet, Sergeant Thomas and Officer Kline are attending institutions of higher learning. Sergeant Stufflet is working toward a criminal justice degree at Albright College, Sergeant Thomas a similar degree at Neumann College, and Officer Kline is taking emergency management courses at Delaware County Community College. VEHICLES The police department continues to maintain a four car fleet, three marked vehicles and one unmarked. The unmarked car is used by the chief of police, for administrative purposes, surveillance and traffic enforcement. The marked fleet includes a Ford Explorer 4 wheel drive, a Dodge Intrepid low profile car, and a Chevrolet Impala. A 2006 Impala replaced a 2001 Impala with 98,000 miles. The unmarked car is a Ford Taurus. The composition of the police fleet is constantly evaluated. A four wheel drive vehicle is kept in the fleet to insure we can provide service in all weather conditions. The Intrepid was outfitted as low profile -no overhead emergency lights -to allow a marked vehicle to assume a profile that is not readily recognized as a police car. Such a profile enables this car to be used effectively in traffic enforcement. The Impala serves as the standard police vehicle. It is more economical to operate than the standard police cruiser and serves well as a Swarthmore police vehicle. The Taurus is economical to purchase, operate, is not readily recognizable as a police vehicle therefore making it an ideal platform for traffic enforcement and surveillance. The Ford Taurus is scheduled to be replaced in 2007. The replacement vehicle will be another Ford Taurus. Although this vehicle has changed significantly from the original model it is still expected to be economical and reliable. This car is being purchased with an all wheel drive option to make it better able to continue operations in adverse weather conditions. The color will also be changed from the standard white to a more common color thus allowing the car to appear more like a standard sedan. 6 As reported in previous annual reports the fleet’s operations are constantly monitored for opportunities for improvement. Below is an overview of the vehicle’s operations for 2006: Total Miles: 13,072.0 RPC 95-4 2003 Dodge Intrepid Total Gallons: 1,383.18 Average MPG: 9.45 Total Miles: 1,816.0 RPC 95-21 2000 Chevrolet Impala Total Gallons: 182.63 Average MPG: 9.94 Total Miles : 16,777.0 RPC 95-3 2006 Chevrolet Impala Total Gallons: 1,662.69 Average MPG: 10.09 RPC 95-23 2001 Ford Taurus Total Miles : 12,367.0 Total Gallons: 576.69 Average MPG: 21.44 Total Miles : 23,801.0 RPC 95-2 2004 Ford Explorer Total Gallons: 2,559.16 Average MPG: 9.30 All Vehicles Total Miles : 67,833.0 Total Gallons: 6,364.35 Average MPG: 10.66 Miles per day: 118.8 Gallons per day: 11.15 CONCLUSION The Swarthmore Police Department consistently strives to provide the highest level of service to Swarthmore and Rutledge Boroughs. Most of our work is invisible to the ordinary citizen. We strive to maintain a constant presence in the community and hope that the marked police vehicle and uniform worn by the officers serve as symbols of the safety and security provided by the members of the department. We are well aware of, and greatly appreciate, the support it receives from the residents and businesses in Swarthmore and Rutledge. We will continue to work towards earning the respect and support given to us. Respectfully submitted, BRIAN H. CRAIG Chief of Police 7