Webster Police Department 2007 Year in Review

  by Chief Gerald Pickering 

It is my pleasure to bring to you the Webster Police Department’s year 2007 highlights. I am honored to lead a fully New York State accredited police department which is arguably one of the best local police agencies in the state. It is only with the continued support of your elected leaders and a high approval rating from the citizens of this community that we can effectively provide top quality policing to our Town.

 The Webster Police Department tirelessly strives to make all of who live and visit our community feel secure and protected as we safeguard the freedoms enjoyed in our great nation.

 Webster Police Officers take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States in addition to the laws of the State of New York, County of Monroe, and Town and Village of Webster.  We take the affirmation seriously as we proudly wear the uniform which distinguishes us as your law enforcement guardians. The professional policing standards we adhere to provide the highest principals of conduct for the officers who serve you. 

 Statistics:

Webster Police responded to 34,426 calls for service in 2007 which represents a slight increase (242 calls) over 2006 calls for service, yet a 13%   increase in calls over 2005. Our calls for service are most certainly indicative of the commercial and residential growth we have experienced in this rapidly expanding town.   The good news for 2007 is that all reported crime was down in the Town.

 The more serious reported crimes, known as “Part 1 Crimes” (murder, rape, robbery, felonious assault and larceny, burglary), were down 4%↓ over 2006 with clearance rates remaining constant at 28-29% of reported crime.  “Part 2 crimes” (criminal mischief, drugs, alcohol related, forgery and fraud, simple assault, disorderly conduct, petit larceny, family offenses, etc.) were also down 13%↓ with clearance rates of 72% for those reported crimes.

 “Juvenile” arrests were down ↓ from 127 in 2006 to 113 in 2007. “Adult” arrests increased  slightly from 381 in 2006 to 385 in 2007. 

****Note: For a detailed statistical crime analysis for the Town, please check the Webster Police Department Annual Report released in April and filed with the Webster Public Library.

 I would note that the Webster Police Department has not grown in size relative to the explosive growth of the Town. In 1984, the department was staffed with 31 sworn officers as compared to the 33 sworn officers that provided public safety to the Town in 2007.  As an alternative of increasing numbers of police personnel, we have instead tried to work smarter and utilize technology in order to keep up with the demands in service and control costs.

Dedicated Traffic Enforcement Unit:

 Effective October 1, 2007, The Webster Police Department rolled out a new Traffic Enforcement Unit in a proactive response to traffic safety concerns throughout the Town of Webster.  This unit will help us achieve our goal of promoting roadway safety through fair and consistent traffic enforcement.

The Unit currently is staffed by one full-time officer who is dedicated to keeping our community roadways safe through enforcement and education.

 Surveys in community after community cite increased traffic enforcement as residents’ number-one priority, and road rage/aggressive driving as one of their worst fears. Our community has spoken loud and clear by expressing the same fears and priorities as other community surveys. Communities strongly support traffic enforcement when it is done with courtesy and professionalism. 

The focus of our Unit will be to not only reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents, but to increase the public's satisfaction with the traffic conditions on our Town and Village roadways.

NYS State Senator Michael Nozzolio has once again assisted the police department with a grant to purchase a patrol vehicle for the unit. The $40,000 grant will allow for a purchase of a patrol car and the associated equipment necessary to outfit it for use as a Traffic Enforcement Unit.

 New Equipment:

In addition to the dedicated traffic unit, the department purchased a new and updated speed measurement trailer and associated software in order to conduct traffic studies which include density and speed measurements.  The trailer will also be placed throughout the town as needed as gentle reminders to our motoring public of the area traffic speed zones and their relative vehicular speeds.  The trailer placement will generally be followed by aggressive and varied enforcement efforts in the same area, so be forewarned.

Community Service Programs:

In 2007, The Webster Police Department continued to provide many community service programs. These public outreach programs help us to achieve an important goal of promoting mutual understanding with an open and responsive approach to community needs. These programs also allow the building of citizen trust with our agency and our personnel.  

One of our programs, Neighborhood Watch, has grown considerably and continues to attract more neighborhoods into what we feel is a very worthwhile and important program.   

Webster Police Officers consistently provide education in our high school, middle school, and elementary schools during the school year.  In partnership with Webster Central School District’s Chemical Abuse Prevention Program, the Webster Police Department delivers the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Curriculum to every fifth grader in the school district. 

Teaching Aids:

The Webster Police Department was awarded a Law Enforcement Grant from the Target Corporation in Webster in order to assist our Community Service in their educational role.  The grant money was used to purchase an Intoxiclock® This device, created by Innocorp, Ltd., helps educate audiences about impairment and blood alcohol content or B.A.C. It illustrates how factors such as time, weight, gender and the number of drinks all play a role in a person’s impairment level and B.A.C. 

The Intoxiclock® device is an interactive display that inputs information such as gender, drinks, and time spent drinking to show intoxication levels. The device will also calculate how many hours it will take alcohol to metabolize in the body. This interactive educational tool will be used by the Community Service Section in school classrooms and alcohol awareness events around town.  We applaud the continuing corporate cooperation we receive from Target and their very professional security staff. 

The Community Service Officers continue to conduct car seat checks and performed over 200 this past year.  In April, the Webster Police Department obtained a cargo trailer affording officers opportunities to conduct car seat events at various locations in the Webster Community.  This was made possible by funding through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Council.  If you wish to schedule an event, please contact Community Services at 872-1216 x 233. 

Wrap Up:

In the last decade, the Webster Police Department has made considerable progress including technology, training, equipment, record keeping, and day to day operation. We have maintained New York State Accreditation, a status just 17% of police departments in New York State have achieved.  This is a complex recognition to achieve and is not only a testament to the professionalism of our department, but helps to alleviate tax burden by providing for significant reduction in our liability insurance premiums.  

The Webster Police will continue to focus on quality of life issues as we strive to improve on service to our community. Thank you for allowing us to continue as your first line of defense.