APD Annual Reports - 2017 Annual Report | Page 34

2017 Volunteers Arlington Police Volunteers Made a Positive Impact On Crime 29,623 Volunteer Hours Volunteers in Action The North Police District was recording spikes in burglary and theft calls when they deployed a crime prevention initiative with their volunteers to document incidents where garage doors were left open. Richard Sinner, a Citizen on Patrol volunteer in the North Police District, began logging addresses where crimes occurred when a garage door was left open for a burglar. The addresses he logged allowed crime prevention officers to follow up with homeowners and educate them about ways to lock and secure their home from crime. “Because of our volunteers, this initiative significantly reduced thefts in the North Police District,” Deputy Chief Jeff Petty said. In the West District, a volunteer organized close to seventeen community events that put the spotlight on motor vehicle thefts and break-ins. Phil 34 Livers organized volunteers in 2017 to distribute Burglary of Motor Vehicle Report Cards to educate motorists about the risks associated with leaving valuables in plain sight inside their vehicles. Because of his training, he conducted security surveys last year to help businesses in his district reduce crime and enhance safety for their customers. For their contributions to public safety, Richard Sinner and Phil Livers were two of nearly a dozen volunteers recognized at the 2017 APD Volunteer All-Star Awards Luncheon. Twenty-seventeen was another good year for police volunteerism across the city, according to Sergeant Vincent Pewitt of the Community Support Division. Volunteers logged 29,623 hours in 2017. They worked in partnership with the Arlington Police Department and contributed to safety in their neighborhoods in many different ways. Dennis DeNeale was another peak volunteer performer in 2017. He drives the streets of the South Police District and logged the most volunteer hours of any COP Mobile member in the city. “Every time you see him, there is a smile on his face and a spring in his step. You can tell he does Annual Report 2017 345 Active Volunteers Serving what he does because of a desire to help,” said Lt. Donald Fulbright. All 345 volunteers pour their hearts into the community and to helping APD. “Because of what our volunteers do each and every day, there is a sense of pride for all we have been able to accomplish together as a department. It takes an entire team and a community working together.” — Police Chief Will Johnson