NCJ Number
53395
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS EVALUATION DESCRIBES THE EFFORTS OF A SMALL TOWN POLICE FORCE TO INCREASE ITS COVERAGE FROM 16 HOURS A DAY TO 24 HOURS A DAY AND TO AUGMENT 2 FULL-TIME AND 2 PART-TIME POLICE OFFICERS BY ADDING A FULL-TIME PERSON.
Abstract
SANBORNTON, N.H., HAS A RESIDENT POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,600 WITH ABOUT 2,000 SEASONAL RESIDENTS AND VACATIONERS. THIS IS A 65 PERCENT INCREASE IN POPULATON SINCE 1970, AND SIGNIFICANT LAND DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING PLACE AROUND THE COMMUNITY. BEFORE THE GRANT WAS AWARDED, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CONSISTED OF THE CHIEF, A FULL-TIME OFFICER, AND TWO PART-TIME OFFICERS WHO COVERED FOR SICK-DAYS AND VACATIONS. THE GRANT PROVIDED FOR A THIRD FULL-TIME OFFICER. THE EVALUATION POINTS OUT THAT, DUE TO THE EXTREMELY SMALL DATA BASE, CHANGES IN NUMBER OF REPORTED CRIMES ASSUME A SIGNIFICANCE THAT IS NOT REALLY VALID. ALSO, THE LARGE NUMBER OF EMPTY VACATION HOUSES, WHICH ARE ATTRACTIVE TARGETS FOR BURGLARIES, LEAD TO HIGH CRIME FIGURES. FOR THESE REASONS THE EVALUATION FOCUSES ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE THIRD OFFICER, RATHER THAN STATISTICS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE THIRD OFFICER IS NEEDED FOR EFFECTIVE POLICE SERVICE AND THAT, IF PRESENT POPULATION GROWTH CONTINUES, A FOURTH MAY BE NEEDED BY 1980. (GLR)