1. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
APRIL 2006

2. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
CHANGING and FOCUSING
Strategy
Structure
Systems
On CRIME REDUCTION

3. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Need Involvement from All Concerned Citizens
Plans include:
Prevention
Visibility
Enforcement
Accountability
Education

4. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Objectives:
Increase police enforcement at every level.
Insure the timely delivery of police services.
Make the police more visible.
Prevent, deter, or solve crimes and incidents at the patrol level more frequently.
Refocus specialty units and outside agencies on supporting efforts of the patrol officers.
Identify persons and properties causing recurring problems more quickly and devise plans of actions to abate their impact on the community.
Engage the community in crime and disorder reduction efforts.

5. Crime is Concentrated Offenders account for 55% of crimes.
10%
Offenders account for 55% of crimes.
Victims account for % of victimization.
Locations account for 60% of the police calls for service.

6. Crime Triangle
Crime Triangle
Victim
Offender
Location

7. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
One of the police officer’s objectives should be to eliminate at least one of the elements of the crime triangle each and every day, over and over again, by employing crime fighting strategies.
OFFENDER
LOCATION
VICTIM

8. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
What works?
Increased directed patrol
Proactive field interviews and investigations
Aggressive and continuous investigations of serious crime
Proactive traffic enforcement
Dealing with community priorities
Low tolerance of disorder and quality of life issues-(Broken Windows Policing)
Courteous and professional police response
(from research of Dr. Lawrence Sherman and Dr. George Kelling)

9. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Less Effective Strategies?
Unfocused community policing initiatives
Random patrols
Neighborhood Crime Watch programs that lack police interaction and only organize around crime issues.
Response to ‘interest groups’ rather than the community
Incident driven, rapid response strategies
GUN BUY-BACKS DON’T WORK EITHER.

10. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS)
WHAT WE NEED FROM OFFICERS
Ownership of Police Patrol Districts
Problem- Solving Plans and Actions
Crime Prevention Techniques
Tailored for Each Neighborhood
The overall strategy of this plan relies on the patrol officers taking ownership of their assigned patrol districts.
Each of the district officers will become accountable for traditional as well as proactive police service within the district.
The officer will respond to calls for service, engage in problem-solving strategies, form partnerships, and engage in crime prevention programs for residents, crime watch groups, and business owners within the district. All patrol officers become neighborhood police officers.
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) becomes the method of service delivery

11. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Patrol Officers
Officers will adopt low tolerance enforcement policies on all violations, especially quality of life violations.
Arrests and citations will be necessary to stop, identify, and charge persons. Those that don’t respond to summonses and citations will get warrants issued against them.
These warrants will be an additional tool to take action to remove part of the crime triangle.
Officers will concentrate on known suspects and problem persons, hot spot locations, and problem properties, such as houses where police are frequently called to quell disturbances and bars where incidents frequently occur inside and/or outside the premises.

12. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Patrol Officers
Every Case is a Big Case
Don’t always be looking for the “big” arrest and forsake the “little” ones.
All arrests, including citations for nuisance crimes, help to deter crime and slow predator activity.
Disrupting the business of the drug trade and other criminal enterprises is an effective crime suppression method.
If crime doesn’t pay well in Reading and the risk of continuing illicit activity is high, criminals will move on.
We want to interrupt the drug trade using any and all legal means at our disposal. Citations, Codes, Cooperation from landlords, visible monitoring of hotspot area, interviews, surveillances, community education, are all means to our end.
Officers must target areas of the city where crimes is high and bring citations against persons who are involved or suspected of causing trouble. We want to catch the right people in the net.
Zero tolerance is more like low tolerance.

13. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Patrol Emphasis on:
Quality of Life Enforcement – increase the ratio of citations to warnings.
Problem solving – Evictions, Problem Bars, Problem People, Interrupt Drug Trade, Make Positive Contacts with people.
Hot Spot Policing – Maintain high visibility in problem areas.

14. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Steps Include:
Making crime and disorder reduction the central focus of the police department and increasing communication and accountability at every level of the department.
Imparting responsibility for crime and disorder abatement to teams of patrol officers, investigators, and supervisors working in specific geographical areas.
Empowering police officers to take action without unnecessary bureaucratic interference.
INCREASE PARTICIPATION OF OFFICERS AND INSURE ACCOUNTIBILTY AT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION. CRIME REDUCTION IS JOB 1.
HAVE OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORS BECOME EXPERTS ON PROBLEMS AND TRENDS IN THEIR PIECE OF THE CITY.
PROVIDE OFFICERS WITH MORE FLEXIBILITY AND SUPPORT TO MAKE DECISIONS AND TAKE ACTION.

15. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Steps Include:
Identifying specific locations and persons who account for a disproportionate amount of police attention, either by repeat calls for service or by acts of crime and disorder.
Using problem-solving skills to eradicate, diminish, mitigate, and move problems from neighborhoods.
Partnering with a large number of organizations, agencies, and citizens to set priorities and increase the network of active crime-fighters.
WE ARE IDENTIFYING THOSE PROPERTIES THAT REQUIRE TOO MUCH ATTENTION FROM POLICE OFFICERS. THOSE LOCATIONS WHERE WE HAVE TO RESPOND TOO OFTEN.
WE ARE ASSIGNING OFFICERS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND TO TAKE OR RECOMMEND ACTIONS TO SOLVE OR ABATE THE PROBLEMS.
WE WANT TO TRY TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE CONDITIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS CRIME, INCLUDING REMOVING EITHER THE OFFENDER, VICTIM, OR LOCATION FROM THE CRIME TRIANGLE.

16. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Steps Include:
Fostering better police-community relations by creating a shared vision for safety and security, providing education and training, and constantly engaging in dialogue to identify problems and challenges and possible solutions.
Maximizing the percentage of police officers actively engaged in street level crime and reduction activities.
KEEPING MOST OF THE COMMUNITY ON OUR SIDE IS ESSENTIAL.
THERE WILL BE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED WHEN POLICE INCREASE ENFORCEMENT AND CUT THE NUMBER OF WARNINGS. THE COMMUNTY MUST REALIZE THAT THESE ACTIONS BY THE POLICE ARE BEING DONE FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY PURPOSES.
AT THE SAME TIME, POLICE MUST SRIVE TO REMAIN PROFESSIONAL, EVEN IWHEN THEY MEET WITH ADVERSITY, AND WE WILL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POLICE OFFICER ACTIONS, SUCH AS WHEN, WHY, AND HOW OFFICERS USE FORCE WHEN NECESSARY.
TO PUT MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET, WE HAVE TO TRANSFER SOME OFFICERS FROM THEIR CURENT ASSIGNMENTS. THIS WILL RESULT IN SOME REDUCED SERVICES AND A LACK OF SUPPORT IN SOME AREAS. WE HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES AND KNOW WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS ATTENDING TO THE CROME AND DISORDER PROBLEMS THAT PATROL OFFICERS ARE BEST SUITED TO HANDLE. CONSIDER CIVILIANS TO RELACE SWQORN OFFICERS IN CERTAIN FUNCTIONS

17. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Steps Include:
Applying technology to make downtown Reading and neighborhoods a harder target for criminals.
Increasing resources by seeking non-traditional funding, such as alliances with the business community, neighborhood associations, private foundations, and other government entities.
WE PLAN TO INCLUDE THE USE OF CAMERAS TO HELP MONITOR PUBLIC SPACES. USE OF SUCH CAMERAS IN OTHER CITIES HAS RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF CRIME, PROVIDED EVIDENCE FOR INVESTIGATIONS, AND INCREASED THE PERCEPTION OF SAFETY FOR CITIZENS.
WE ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED). THESE ARE MEASURES, SUCH AS INCREASED LIGHTING AND CREATING BUILDINGS AND SPACES WITH NATURAL SURVELLANCE, THAT CAN HELY MAKE LOCATIONS LESS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE CRIME.
THERE IS A NEED TO FIND SOURCES FOR FUNDS OTHER THAN TAX DOLLARS. CREATING A POLICE FOUNDATION OR A MEANS OF GETTING DONATIONS AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS CAN HELP PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE POLICE.

18. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Management and Supervision
City is divided into Quadrants
A Platoon Lieutenant is responsible for crime and disorder abatement in one assigned quadrant
Through periodic crime status meetings
commanders also become more aware of
crime trends the in entire city.
THIS WILL HELP INSURE THAT ALL POLICE OFFICERS ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE CURENT CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS FACING THE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHHODS OF THE CITY AND WILL HELP US DEVICE STRATEGIES AND ALLOCATEI RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THEM.
THE DISTRICTS WILL INCREASED FROM 10 TO 14, POSSIBLY MORE IF ADDITIONAL OFFICERS CAN NBE OBTAINED.
ALTHOUGH INCREASING THE DISRICTS WILL NOT OCCUR THIS YEAR, MORE OFFICERS ARE BEING PUT ON PATROL DUTY NOW.
The number of Patrol Districts
expanded to 14 for more
visibility and coverage

19. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Criminal Investigators
VIPER – Violent and Pattern Crime Reduction
Consists of a team of criminal investigators, vice detectives and patrol officers who will specifically target the violent criminals who commit crime after crime.
Will alter their hours and tactics as necessary.
Will use crime analysis and intelligence information to determine targets.
Will be more proactive instead of waiting for crimes to occur.

20. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Our strategy is the best of:
TRADITIONAL POLICING
Directed patrol
Hot spot policing
Low tolerance
Field interviews/contacts
Criminal investigation by Patrol and CID
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Problem solving
Crime prevention
Community partnerships

21. Examples of Problem-Solving
Rental House - Used a variety of nuisance laws against tenants. Also evicted through back rent and destruction of property.
Speakeasy - In addition to issuing citations, officer called Philly landlord at 4:00 AM several times after witnessing noise and disorder coming from property. Quick eviction after the phone calls.
Mini Mart - High call load due to fights, curfew, thefts, loitering, etc.. Calls reduced as a result of increased signage, lighting, cameras, removal of pay phone.

22. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Public Safety Advisory Committee
An umbrella advisory group to study and research crime and disorder issues.
Advise Mayor and police department and help involve all facets of the community.
Reviews and advises on city crime reduction plans and initiatives.

23. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
CAMERAS
TECHNOLOGY
Design and implement a camera
safety system in downtown
and surrounding neighborhoods.
Provide paid and volunteer
monitoring center
Equip officers with cell phones with direct connect capabilities to safety center.
Approach foundations for funds for police community relations, such as recruitment efforts
Secure sponsors for downtown and neighborhood camera project.

24. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Seek grants and local funds for implementing neighborhood improvement projects, such as increased lighting, better locks, and landscape design that make locations a harder target for criminals.

25. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Police Involvement in Site Plan Review
Work more closely with
PLANNING
ZONING
HISTORIC PRESERVATION

26. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
Best Practices in Law Enforcement
Public Safety Research Coalition
ALBRIGHT
ALVERNIA
KUTZTOWN
PENN STATE
READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

27. solve or prevent one problem or crime at a time
READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
How do we judge success?
At the basic level:
solve or prevent one problem or crime at a time
In a broad scope:
reduction of crime and disorder
safer community

28. READING CRIME REDUCTION PLAN
YOUR COOPERATION AND SUPPORT ARE NEEDED FOR SUCCESS!
Obtain incentives and rewards for police officers successfully engaging in problem solving, community relations, and crime fighting activities.