After having reviewed Chief Miller's plans for the GPD with respect to proactive policing and reorganization, a few question marks arise. The first is reflected in a question Councilman Danny Thompson asked, as discussed in the Rhino:
Thompson asked if along with the reorganization there would be a change in the shift structure. Miller said he had no intention of changing the shifts. He said, I have heard of no one who wants to change the schedule inside the Police Department."
Miller's response was politically astute, because tinkering with work shifts certainly was one of the factors that caused GPD officers to rebel against David Wray. But the question is whether the late night shifts are going to be adequately covered.
Another factor that raises questions about adequate coverage at night is the fact the downtown will be receiving more police resources. Does this take away from the rest of the city?
Finally, there is no mention of "broken windows" policing in the chief's plan as far as I can tell.
I suppose we should view his plan with guarded optimism.
In Charlotte, The fire trucks would hose down the streets & it prevented cruising. How, you all ask? Well, the chief said the cruisers did not want to get their fancy just-washed cars all dirty & grimy from the very wet streets. Sidewalks were fine for pedestrians, but the streets were inhospitable to the cruisers. And so a few weeks of that & the cruising problem was cut back enough to not have to bother with an ordinance which would have been costly to enforce & drained resources from other problems. The chief himself explained this solution.
Please, no one ask how much the water cost..... I am sorry I do not know. I was too incredulous at the solution at that time to ask!
Posted by: axelskater | March 01, 2011 at 09:29 PM
If it works, axel, then it sounds like a winner to me.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | March 01, 2011 at 09:37 PM
I suppose the reason I liked it is because I figured, at least he is thinking outside of the box on how to fix some of these problems. The same old same old is not working.
Posted by: axelskater | March 01, 2011 at 11:30 PM
How about just blasting Celine Dion tunes from city-owned loudspeakers on every corner after 1 am??
Posted by: jaycee | March 03, 2011 at 08:40 PM
jaycee - no thanks, I live downtown & have to retain my sanity
Joe - I attended a meeting tonight where the chief spoke extensively about the restructuring of the department, how the divisions are being updated to better serve their areas, the planning and execution of police presence - where & when more or less presence is needed, for example. He spoke about the restructuring as being something that is necessary to better serve the public and more efficiently use "on duty" time. He spoke about gangs and some of the new approaches which the department is beginning to utilize to put a dent in their presence. He also took questions. All in all, a very interesting and positive look at changes being implemented. I hope he is able to accomplish these things because if he is - then we will be at the top of the class in Greensboro. You would have enjoyed the talk.
Posted by: axelskater | March 03, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Thanks, Axel. Overall, I was pleased with the plan. As someone who has been calling for proactive policing for years, I am glad he is embracing it. Let's hope the implementation works, and the plan is successful in spite of the warning signs I mention in the post.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | March 03, 2011 at 10:57 PM