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Sergeant says WPPD plans proactive policing |
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 Jason Browne/Daily Times Leader
Sergeant Romelle shows the West Point Lions Club one of the West Point Police Department's new flashcams, a device which takes photos and video in addition to providing light. Matthews has been with the WPPD since October. He was brought in by Chief Steve Bingham, with whom Matthews used to work at the Clarksdale Police Department.
By Jason Browne
Sergeant Romelle Matthews of the West Point Police Department said Tuesday that citizens can expect more proactive policing on behalf of the department.
Matthews was brought into the WPPD investigation division in October by Chief Steve Bingham. He previously worked for Bingham at the Clarksdale Police Department.
Bingham says he asked Matthews to join the WPPD because Matthews is a "good investigator."
During an address to the West Point Lions Club, Matthews described several areas in which the police department is increasing its efforts.
"The biggest thing is officers working hand in hand with citizens," said Matthews.
He says the department hopes to increase police presence in the community and encourage better communication. The police want to find out what's going on in the community when crime occurs and "not just file a report for insurance."
A more proactive patrol element will be evident day and night.
"If we see a kid on the street at noon, we want to find out why he's not in school," said Matthews. "If I see a car in a neighborhood at 3 a.m., I'm going to check you out."
Matthews says the more proactive patrolling differs from profiling or harassment, but acknowledged that some members of the community may feel put out. He asked that citizens bear with the police department.
"I'm sorry. This is West Point and we're going to protect it," he said.
Bingham says an increased police presence to discourage crime is a benchmark of effective law enforcement.
"Most progressive police departments are proactive. You focus on the trouble areas and try to flood them and the police presence can slow down crime," said Bingham.
Bingham says the department remains shorthanded, but says some new equipment should arrive soon to help officers on patrol.
One such piece of new equipment is the flashcam, a flashlight fitted with a camera which can take still photos or record video and audio.
Bingham says the flashcam recordings will serve as evidence in court.
According to Matthews, better equipment and proactive policies will both help control crime. He says crime is low in West Point compared to communities like Columbus or Aberdeen, but with a growing population comes new problems. The WPPD hopes to keep those problems in check.
Gang graffiti, for instance, has turned up in several areas of West Point, according to Matthews. He says the graffiti in itself is only a nuisance, but is indicative of a larger problem. West Point doesn't have a gang problem, but territorial influences from nearby communities could become a problem if they are not addressed.
Out-of-town crime has also hampered investigations, says Matthews.
"In the past, it was easy to come to West Point and commit a crime, then leave," he says.
Crimes committed by passers-through have led police to suspect locals, but improved investigation techniques should give police a better idea who they are looking for.
Matthews and Bingham both say the new patrolling policies will cut down on narcotics activities.
Bingham says recent funding issues experienced by the Tri-County Narcotics Task Force will not stop the police department from aggressively pursuing dealers.
"We're going to continue narcotics work with or without (Tri-County)," he said.
Matthews says the police department will be focusing on building stronger cases against dealers to avoid giving them the opportunity to plead to lesser charges.
He says it may take up to a year for the new policies to produce visible results, but expects changes in crime trends to become evident.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 January 2008 )
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