Polce emphasize drunk driving enforcement
Many Yorba Lindans--especially those whose lives have been tragically altered by the criminal choices made by drunk and drugged drivers--regard enforcing “driving under the influence” laws a top priority for local police agencies.
Fortunately, officers in the Brea Police Department, who patrol Yorba Linda’s 213 miles of streets, share the same concerns, based on information outlined in the agency’s annual report presented to the City Council at a Feb. 21 meeting.
The 13-page report was authored by Capt. Gregg Hayden, a 21-year Brea veteran who was named commander of police services for this city in January. Hayden has several years experience on local roadways, first as a patrol officer, later as a patrol sergeant.
“The department continues to make DUI enforcement a priority for the nighttime patrol officers,” Hayden stated in his report. Police made 197 DUI arrests in 2010, a 9 percent increase from 2009, and 281 arrests in 2011, a 43 percent boost from the prior year.
One department goal--to reduce the percent of traffic collisions caused by drunk drivers to single digits--was realized for the past two years, with an 8.6 percent rate in 2011 (28 DUI collisions out of 325 total collisions) and an 8.9 percent rate in 2011 (29 out of 324).
“To help realize this goal, the department employs several…strategies, including conducting DUI enforcement checkpoints and saturation patrols,” Hayden noted. The two checkpoints in 2011 cost $15,149, funded by a state Office of Traffic Safety grant.
Other noteworthy items from Hayden’s report:
--The average response time for emergency calls in 2011 was 4 minutes, 22 seconds, and total calls for service declined 1 percent to 17,980 for 2011 from 18,150 in 2010.
“A call for service is counted when a call is received by the police department and some level of response by department personnel is appropriate,” Hayden noted, adding that the calls don’t include such officer-initiated contacts as pedestrian checks and vehicle stops.
--Part 1 crimes edged up 1 percent to 871 in 2011 from 864 in 2010, including homicide (up to 3 from 0), rape (up to 4 from 3), robbery (steady at 9), felony assault (down to 33 from 46), burglary (up to 152 from 150), theft (up to 640 from 621), stolen vehicles (down to 27 from 33) and arson (up to 3 from 2).
These categories are down significantly from 2007, 2008 and 2009 totals of 1,084, 1,021 and 1,025. Hayden stated, based on historical trends, “the department recognizes that an increase or correction in crime rates for 2012 or coming years may be likely.”
--Total arrests were up 12 percent, with adult arrests rising 15 percent and juvenile arrests declining 8 percent. Clearance rates for Part 1 crimes were 18 percent, which Hayden reported “were higher than the national average,” except for robbery, theft and larceny.
--Eight “very active” Community Watch groups--revised versions of Neighborhood Watch--are “fully functioning,” including an East Lake Village group that serves 12 neighborhoods, Hayden stated.
The program seeks more groups and will expand with a Business Watch this year, according to Hayden.
Fortunately, officers in the Brea Police Department, who patrol Yorba Linda’s 213 miles of streets, share the same concerns, based on information outlined in the agency’s annual report presented to the City Council at a Feb. 21 meeting.
The 13-page report was authored by Capt. Gregg Hayden, a 21-year Brea veteran who was named commander of police services for this city in January. Hayden has several years experience on local roadways, first as a patrol officer, later as a patrol sergeant.
“The department continues to make DUI enforcement a priority for the nighttime patrol officers,” Hayden stated in his report. Police made 197 DUI arrests in 2010, a 9 percent increase from 2009, and 281 arrests in 2011, a 43 percent boost from the prior year.
One department goal--to reduce the percent of traffic collisions caused by drunk drivers to single digits--was realized for the past two years, with an 8.6 percent rate in 2011 (28 DUI collisions out of 325 total collisions) and an 8.9 percent rate in 2011 (29 out of 324).
“To help realize this goal, the department employs several…strategies, including conducting DUI enforcement checkpoints and saturation patrols,” Hayden noted. The two checkpoints in 2011 cost $15,149, funded by a state Office of Traffic Safety grant.
Other noteworthy items from Hayden’s report:
--The average response time for emergency calls in 2011 was 4 minutes, 22 seconds, and total calls for service declined 1 percent to 17,980 for 2011 from 18,150 in 2010.
“A call for service is counted when a call is received by the police department and some level of response by department personnel is appropriate,” Hayden noted, adding that the calls don’t include such officer-initiated contacts as pedestrian checks and vehicle stops.
--Part 1 crimes edged up 1 percent to 871 in 2011 from 864 in 2010, including homicide (up to 3 from 0), rape (up to 4 from 3), robbery (steady at 9), felony assault (down to 33 from 46), burglary (up to 152 from 150), theft (up to 640 from 621), stolen vehicles (down to 27 from 33) and arson (up to 3 from 2).
These categories are down significantly from 2007, 2008 and 2009 totals of 1,084, 1,021 and 1,025. Hayden stated, based on historical trends, “the department recognizes that an increase or correction in crime rates for 2012 or coming years may be likely.”
--Total arrests were up 12 percent, with adult arrests rising 15 percent and juvenile arrests declining 8 percent. Clearance rates for Part 1 crimes were 18 percent, which Hayden reported “were higher than the national average,” except for robbery, theft and larceny.
--Eight “very active” Community Watch groups--revised versions of Neighborhood Watch--are “fully functioning,” including an East Lake Village group that serves 12 neighborhoods, Hayden stated.
The program seeks more groups and will expand with a Business Watch this year, according to Hayden.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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