Lower Report Shows Assaults on Officers Up; 32,000 Calls Handled in 2009

ERMA — Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue released the police department’s Yearly Activities Report for 2009.
The Lower Township Police Department responded to and/or investigated a total of 32,030 Calls For Service in 2009.
Donohue noted an increase in the following 10 areas over 2008: Simple Assaults, Domestic Violence Complaints, Domestic Violence with Assaults, Robberies, Burglaries, Drug Possession Arrests, Reported Sexual Offenses, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Residential and Commercial Alarm Calls and Fire Alarm Calls.
On the other hand, the report showed decreases in Theft, Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct complaints.
Donohue noted a disturbing trend that has been emerging over the last several years and that is the number of Aggravated Assaults on his Police Officers while working in the line of duty.
He noted that in 2006, five police officers were physically assaulted in the line of duty compared to nine in 2007 and 12 in 2008. Last year that figure increased to 15 officer assaults.
The department also had an officer involved shooting last year during a Domestic Violence call, where an officer fired a round from his duty weapon to stop a subject from striking a woman with a large wooden pole.
“Fortunately none of my officers were seriously injured in these incidents, however this should be a wake up call for some of our younger Class II Officers to remain diligent while working the streets,” Donohue stated.
Veteran officers are well aware of the threats out there having already experienced two of their brother officers being shot in the line of duty. Donohue noted that in his 29 years as a police officer, the responsibilities of law Enforcement have certainly increased along with the risk and threats encountered by police officers on a daily basis across the country, which now include Domestic and Foreign terrorist threats and various armed gangs attempting to spread their influence across the country and state.
Major Crimes 2009
During 2009, Lower Township Police Officers responded to 446 Domestic Violence Complaints, 85 of which involved assaults with mandatory arrests while handling criminal complaints which included the following offenses: Reported Rapes, 5; Reported Sexual Offenses, 26; Robberies, 7; Aggravated Assaults, 26; Simple Assaults, 196; Burglary w/ Forcible Entries, 71; Burglary w/no force, 96; Thefts, 340; Stolen Motor Vehicles, 11; Reported Arsons, 8; and Aggravated Assaults on Officers, 15.
Patrol Division Operations
Lower Township Officers responded to and investigated 510 Motor Vehicle Accidents on Lower Township roadways while conducting a total of 5,428 Motor Vehicle Stops which resulted in 1,728 traffic summonses being issued, along with 509 traffic warnings issued. Officers also issued 36 Local Ordinance complaints, along with 68 Warnings for Local Ordinance violations.
Total arrest made for the year include; 543 Adult arrests, with 112 Juveniles arrested. In addition, Lower Township Police Officers arrested a total of 80 drivers for Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated.
Officers assisted the Lower Township Rescue Squad with over 1,487 Emergency Medical Calls and responded to 518 Fire Alarm call outs with the township’s three (3) Fire Departments.
Patrol Officers responded to 656 Commercial and Residential Alarms, 814 Disorderly Conduct complaints, 453 Criminal Mischief complaints and along with Animal Control Officers, 483 Animal complaints.
Officers completed 1,385 Investigation Reports and conducted 9,308 Residential and Commercial Property Checks throughout Lower Township during the reporting period.
DETECTIVE DIVISION OPERATIONS
The department conducted a total of 32 Sudden Death investigations in 2009 of which one (1) was ruled a suicide, two (2) were determined to be drug overdoses, two (2) resulted from Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents and the remaining 27 deaths were ruled non-suspicious in nature.
One (1) of the Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents resulted in a charge of Death By Auto.
The Detective Division and Patrol Division conducted numerous Drug/Narcotic investigations in 2009 which resulted in the arrest of 85 subjects for Narcotics violations. During 2009, the department seized and/or confiscated:
• 428 Packets of Heroin
• 108 Packets of Crack/Cocaine
• 87 Packets of Marijuana
• 824 Illegal Narcotic Pills
• 56 Pieces of Drug Paraphernalia
(to include pipes, bongs, hypodermic needles, etc.)
The Detective Division executed seven (7) Residential Search Warrants and confiscated over $34,000 cash monies used in narcotics transactions. The Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutors Office will receive a certain percentage of these monies based on forfeiture funds regulations.
The department also confiscated one (1) pick-up truck used in narcotic activity and has requested forfeiture of same through the Cape May County Prosecutors Office .
Our Detectives assisted DYFS Case Workers with 34 Child Abuse/Neglect Investigations in 2009.
In addition, the Detective Division is responsible for tracking and monitoring the addresses of the 53 known sex offenders currently residing in Lower Township.
FIREARMS PURCHASER IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND PERMITTS
FOR REQUESTS TO PURCHASE HANDGUNS –
Following lengthy background investigations, by the Detective Division; Lower Township Police Chief, Edward Donohue issued and/or approved 60 Firearm Purchaser Identification Cards and 206 Permits for request to Purchase Handguns in 2009 with one (1) permit being denied and two (2) being withdrawn following background investigations.
POLICE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
The Lower Township Police Department Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by full time Public Safety Telecommunications Operators. They are the initial point of contact for a majority of the public requiring police services. They are an extremely vital component in delivering effective police services to the community and their dedication and importance should not be overlooked. Often times they are required to maintain a reassuring and calming demeanor in the face of extraordinary circumstances in order to assist the caller and police officer responding to an emergency. All of the Public Safety Telecommunication operators are required to receive and maintain certification by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services in the Department of Law and Public Safety. Some of the examples of work performed include:
• Receive and respond to telephone requests for emergency services
• In response to medical emergencies, provide First Aid or CPR instructions to
stabilize the medical condition of persons until arrival of medical assistance.
• Relay all vital information to responding police officers
• Utilize radio, telephone or other electronic equipment to dispatch specific law
enforcement. Fire Department or Medical units to the scene of an emergency.
• Refer non-emergency situations to the appropriate public or private agencies
• Make data entries into the Police Departments computer system as well as
various system databases such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
and the State Crime Information Center (SCIC),k stolen vehicle file and Missing
persons file.
During the year of 2009 Lower Township Police Department Telecommunications Operators processed over 30,000 calls for Service into the computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, while answering a total of 8,134 incoming emergency 911 calls as well.
GOALS ACHIEVED IN 2009
In 2009, the Lower Township Police Department received full Accreditation Status Recognition from the Commission on Accreditation For Law Enforcement Agencies or (CALEA).
The department had to meet 112 strict standards that included updating its Rules & Regulations, General Orders, Special Orders and Training Requirements.
The department underwent a three (3) day assessment by assessors from the New Jersey Police Chiefs Association that included ride alongs with police officers prior to receiving State and National Accreditation Recognition.
The Lower Township Police Department was only the 30th police department in the State of New Jersey to receive such accreditation status and as a result, Lower Township received a discount on its joint insurance fund premiums.
COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES
In cooperation and in conjunction with Mayor Michael Beck, Township Manager, Kathleen McPherson and Council Members, the Lower Township Police Department initiated the following Community Based Police Programs in 2009:
• Crimereports.com – a web based program whereby local residents can track police calls for services occurring in Lower Township and even get messages on their emails for incidents occurring in their neighborhoods.
• Child Find Notification Alert System – a phone notification system whereby residents are alerted to missing children or elderly persons within Lower Township.
• Placed into service two new trailer message display boards for use on streets where complaints of speeding are received and to display community notification messages.
GRANTS/FUNDS RECEIVED
In 2009, the Lower Township Police Department in conjunction with Mrs. Colleen Cripton,
Lower Township’s Grants Coordinator, requested and received the following grants
and/or funds for Special Law Enforcement Activities:
1. Cops In Shops – $1,600.
Allows Officers to work in an undercover capacity in liquor stores to discourage
the purchase of alcoholic beverages by minors.
2. Click It or Ticket – $4,000.
Allows for extra patrols to enforce seat belt and other motor vehicle violations.
3. Over The Limit/Under Arrest – $11,000.
Allows for patrols to target motorists for DWI and other violations.
4. BYRNE JAG GRANT – $31,275.
Federal Grant which will allow the township to purchase a new Dodge Charger
Police Vehicle and ammunition for the police department and SWAT Team
members.
5. Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund – $12,900.
Annual fund which also allows for supplemental DWI patrols.
Total Grant/Fund Money received by the Lower Township Police Department in 2009: $60,775.
NEW LOOK FOR POLICE VEHICLE FLEET
In 2009, the police department began to replace its Ford Crown Victoria’s with new black and white Dodge Charger Police Vehicles.
This was a totally new look for Lower Township Police Vehicles. In addition, the emblem on the side of the cars was updated as well to include the Cape May Point State Park Light House which is actually located in Lower Township with the wording, “Serving Ocean To Bay Since 1955.”
MADD RECOGNITION AWARD
In 2009 Lower Township Patrol Office Jennifer Anzelone was recognized at an awards ceremony in Princeton New Jersey by the New Jersey chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for having the most DWI arrests of any municipal police office in Cape May County during 2008.
Officer Anzelone arrested 14 drunk drivers on Lower Township Roadways in 2008.
GOALS FOR 2010
Maintain CALEA Certification status by meeting all established standards and training requirements in preparation for recertification.
Continue to faze in the new Dodge Charger Police Vehicles into the fleet.
Implement new Cop/Stop Program in conjunction with township government and the Mayor Advisory Board whereby residents can periodically visit local establishments and talk one on one with police officers.
Implement new Global Connect Reverse 9-1-1 Phone Notification System in cooperation with the township government and the local office of Emergency Management.
The phone notification system will allow authorities to contact all residents of the township via phone with information regarding special weather statements, power outages, evacuation information if needed, along with information regarding school lock downs, etc.
Continue to apply for grants to assist with extra traffic law enforcement patrols to combat drunk drivers, and impact community issues such as speeding, careless and aggressive drivers.
Upgrade the Detective Division’s Crime Scene Investigation Response Vehicle which houses equipment used to process crime scenes including burglaries, robberies, sexual assaults, arsons, and major motor vehicle accidents.
The equipment includes still cameras, video cameras, fingerprint lifting devises, night vision equipment, and lasers for mapping crime scenes and motor vehicle accidents.
CALLS FOR SERVICE COMPARISON
2009 vs. 2008
NOTE: Calls for Service numbers include two (2) categories. Actual 9-1-1 and other phone calls made to the police department for assistance and Officer Initiated Activities.
Therefore the amount of officers actually working the street will have a direct impact on the total number of Officer Initiated activities for the year, such as: Motor Vehicle Stops, On View Arrest, DWI Arrest, Community Policing Activities, Property Checks, Etc.
In 2008, the Lower Township Police Department had a total of 46 sworn officers.
In 2009, the department lost three (3) full time positions that were not replaced.
Specifically a patrol officers position, a Sergeant First Class position and a Lieutenant’s
position.
This brought the total number of sworn officers at the Lower Township Police
Department, to 43.
Lower Township Police Department
2009 – Calls For Service
General Complaints and Service Calls 32030
Emergency Medical Calls with L. T. Rescue 1487
Fire Alarm Call Outs (Total) 518
Villas Fire Company 156
Town Bank Fire Company 203
Erma Fire Company 169
Assaults 222
Robbery 7
Domestic Violence Complaints 446
Domestic Violence with Assaults 85
Motor Vehicle Accidents 510
Traffic Warnings 509
Traffic Summons 1728
Motor Vehicle Stops 5428
Local Ordinance Warnings 68
Local Ordinance Complaints 36
Assaults on Police Officers 15
Residential and Commercial Alarm Calls 656
Property Checks 9308
Death Investigations 32
Burglaries 167
Thefts 389
Criminal Mischief Complaints 453
Disorderly Conduct Complaints 814
Animal Control Complaints 483
Adult Arrests 543
Juvenile Arrests 112
D.W.I. Arrests 80
Drug Possession Arrests 85
Investigation Reports Completed 1385
Supplemental Investigation Reports Completed 515
2008– Calls For Service
General Complaints and Service Calls 39791
Emergency Medical Calls with L. T. Rescue 1609
Fire Alarm Call Outs (Total) 502
Villas Fire Company 127
Town Bank Fire Company 197
Erma Fire Company 178
Assaults 214
Robbery 6
Domestic Violence Complaints 443
Domestic Violence with Assaults 71
Motor Vehicle Accidents 460
Traffic Warnings 1202
Traffic Summons 2461
Motor Vehicle Stops 7810
Local Ordinance Warnings 61
Local Ordinance Complaints 100
Assaults on Police Officers 12
Residential and Commercial Alarm Calls 615
Property Checks 12783
Death Investigations 45
Burglaries 143
Thefts 443
Criminal Mischief Complaints 520
Disorderly Conduct Complaints 838
Animal Control Complaints 1042
Adult Arrests 870
Juvenile Arrests 142
D.W.I. Arrests 115
Drug Possession Arrests 77
Investigation Reports Completed 1418
Supplemental Investigation Reports Completed 553