New Boston Police Department 2008
2008 has proven to be a challenging yet successful year for this agency. We have experienced personnel changes, struggled to complete a $28,000.00 grant project, filed for accreditation recognition, endured yet another natural disaster, investigated serious incidents such as a fatal traffic accident, a homicide and numerous felony level crimes, all while seeing increases in our calls for service and traffic enforcement with a reduction in criminal complaints. These challenges and successes have provided this agency with valuable experience and have strengthened us all.
During last year’s budget, the community saw fit to change one of our positions from part time to full time and in addition add a full time position. The challenge has always been personnel retention, particularly for a small agency. While we gained these positions, we had two officers move on; one in January and one in October. We welcomed entry level Officer Joseph Wilson in February and in May welcomed Corporal Richard Widener. Corporal Widener is a twenty-two year veteran of law enforcement, retiring as a Sergeant from Nashua Police Department. He has brought a continuity of command and his experience in investigations has been invaluable. In July we welcomed Officer Hertik, who comes to us with six years previous experience. By the time this report
is published we expect that the remaining two open positions will be filled.
In 2007, we were awarded a $28,000.00 Homeland Security Grant in support of communication infrastructure. This grant is for a repeater and antenna, which was sought to improve our communications and its current shortfalls. This project has been a challenge, which has utilized hundreds of man-hours in my attempts to see its successful completion. I had run into numerous road blocks involving the company who currently owns the communications tower we are seeking to install the equipment on. In May 2007 the Grant was supposed to close and we would have lost the funds. However the Federal Government provided all grant recipients an extension until May 2009. After twenty-one months of relentless determination I have successfully broken through the bureaucracy and have
gained access to the site. The antenna should be up and running by March 15, 2009. I point out, that this is an example of this agencies effort to bring your federal and state tax dollars back to this community.
While we were not able to entertain a preparatory inspection for Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) Recognition in 2008 as expected, this past November, we applied for Recognition and expect to have our mock inspection by the end of March. The actual inspection should be completed at the end of August and we should receive recognition in November. Although we had not accomplished the goal of recognition in 2008 as expected, we have continued to both live the model of an accredited agency and fix physical plant problems that could hamper this effort.
The Ice Storm of 2008, along with the other natural disasters in the past two years has shown us the importance that our citizens play in the midst of the emergency as well as the aftermath. I was grateful to the many citizens who volunteered their time and efforts in assisting all the town departments and their fellow citizens during and after the emergency. These citizens helped with cleanup of debris, assisted in running the emergency shelter and helped the Police and Fire departments at the Emergency Operation Center. Thank you all!
In collaboration with Fire Chief Daniel MacDonald and the New Hampshire Volunteer Corps, we are moving to start a Citizen Emergency Response Team. When fully trained, these citizen volunteers will help supplement Police and Fire personnel so our emergency services can better utilize their personnel during an emergency. If you would like to join New Boston’s CERT Team, contact myself, or Fire Chief MacDonald.
With improved patrol shift coverage we have seen a fifty-six percent increase in traffic enforcement. It is has been the expectation of the community and this office, that we provide a high degree of visibility and enforcement, particularly during the school zones; these are the times that children are being dropped off and picked up from the New Boston Central School. This enforcement has been achieved through education (the use of the radar trailer) and through the issuance of verbal / written warnings, traffic summons and some arrests. This high priority enforcement during the school zones has resulted in drug arrests and two driving while intoxicated. I can’t stress enough, the importance of this enforcement as the two DWI arrests occurred between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. This enforcement has also resulted in many calls and letters thanking this agency for its efforts. Often a higher level in traffic enforcement results in lower criminal activity. While our over all calls for
service were up twenty-eight percent our criminal complaints saw a reduction of thirty-four percent.
This is a relatively young agency with regards to job experience, but our officers have encountered investigations that have provided some intense on the job training. In June, Officers investigated a fatal motorcycle accident, which occurred on Route 114. Throughout the year the officers have handled numerous felony investigations. We had three burglaries within the community. Due to the diligence of the officers involved, all but one has led to arrests and recovery of the victims’ property. Unfortunately the community experienced one homicide. This homicide was domestic related with a suspect being immediately identified and arrested.
I would like to point out some of the dangers our officers’ face while on patrol. Officer Joshua Santos had responded to a DWI related accident. During his investigation he determined the suspect was under the influence and was subsequently arrested. When searched the subject was found to be in possession of a loaded .38 caliber Revolver and a military style knife. A search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed the suspect had a fully loaded nine-millimeter machine gun, a .40 caliber automatic handgun and a .32 caliber semi-automatic handgun. It is clear that the officer’s thorough investigation took an intoxicated subject off the road, secured potentially dangerous weapons and possibly saved a life that night. I could not be prouder of our officer’s diligence and hard work.
The departments Goals for 2009 are to:
- Achieve CALEA Recognition
- Conduct a Community Survey
- Conduct an Open House
- Start and Active CERT Team
I would like to thank the community for the continued support you have shown your police department. We look forward to serving you further in 2009. Should you have any question, concerns or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me, or one of my officers.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher L. Krajenka
Chief of Police
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