1996-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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there has been a better response to traffic-related mat- schedule and retain. As department's activity levels ters and citizen appreciation has increased. continue to increase, the additional personnel have made it easier for us to schedule fully-trained dis• Our total number of Traffic Control and Directed patchers around the clock in sufficient numbers to deal Patrol statistics also reflect our commitment to solve with virtually any emergency call that might be 'I problems through Community Policing techniques and received. greater levels of assignments on a proactive and not a reactive basis. The Town is now in its second year of the use of the E-9-1-1 emergency number service, with our calls ini. A very significant 24% decrease was noted in auto- tially going to the Barnstable County Communications E Center, where they are relayed to our Dispatchers.We mobile accidents reported to us.Throughout Mashpee, there is continuing frustration with the high cost of receive about 505 of our total emergency calls through the new number and we will continue to try to educate automobile insurance. Although the formula for set- ting such rates by the Commonwealth is a complicat- citizens to call 9-1-1 in emergencies. Using the new ed one, perhaps the continuing decrease in accident number provides us with visual computer displays showing caller's identification and location for better levels will prove to be of help in that area. service from us. I have noted another increase in the intrusion alarms received and positive steps are underway to attempt to We have been negotiating with the commonwealth j reduce that number by using the provisions of our to enter into a partnership with them on a radio system bylaw that permits fines for false alarm calls that that will serve our public safety needs with little or no endanger officers and waste valuable time that we expense by us. That communications system could be could use much more productively on many of our implemented as early as the Fall of 1997 if plans stay Community Policing Programs. on track. We will continue to study a number of other high technology developments for possible implemen- Our statistics, which are attached for your review, tation recommendation if they prove to be of financial continue to reflect that the Town of Mashpee is a safe and logistical benefit to the community. place in which to live and work. Within the depart- ment, the credit for continued success under truly dif- SUMMARY: On behalf of the Police Department ficult conditions goes to our police officers "on the and all of the fine men and women who comprise the street",who are working hard to provide the front-line department, I would like to thank the Town's officials defense for us against crime in our town. Additionally, and employees for assistance to us during 1996.A spe I must thank our Public Safety Dispatchers for the pro- cial thank you goes to all of our citizen-customers and fessional manner in which they successfully interact voters for your much appreciated support in 1996. with citizens and direct our police resources every day. I continue to be gratified by the high level of sup- PERSONNEL ACTIONS: During 1996, Adminis- port and cooperation that I have received from our trative Secretary Barbara Costello resigned and the elected officials,the other Town departments,the staff selectmen appointed Nancy Peterson as her replace- of the Police Department, and from throughout the ment. the Selectmen also appointed Police Officers community. Together, I believe we have made a Lisa Hettinger and Leo Perry; Public Safety Dispatch- marked difference in improving the quality of life in ers George Kleowdis, Ben Perry and Stephen Tippo to Mashpee and I pledge that I will continue to work very vacant positions. They also appointed four new Spe- hard on behalf of all of the citizens as your Chief of cial Officers, Steven DeMatos, John Doyle, Ralph Police. Mahoney and Alcott Tobey to the department. The members of the police department welcome COMMUNICATIONS: Our Public Safety Commu- your input and your suggestions as to how we might nications Center begins its seventh year as the prima- better serve you every day in the forthcoming year.We ry control point for all Police, Fire, Emergency Med- know that through solid community partnerships,we ical Services and Civil Defense for our community. can continue to provide our professional services � have come The continued success of that very complex operation the Town at the outstanding level that you must be directly attributed to the dedication and exper- to expect from us through the years. tise of our Public Safety Dispatchers. Respectfully submitted, During the past year, _our Town Meeting voters William C. Przybylek approved development of better service from the Dis- Chief of Police patch Center by adding additional full-time personnel and removing our previous reliance on part-time dis- patchers, who we found difficult to recruit, train, 82