HomeMy WebLinkAboutInfo Rprt - 2012 Holiday Theft Suppression Pgrm410
TO:
PALM DESERT POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Served by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department
Stanley Sniff, Sheriff - Coroner
Palm Desert Public Safety Commission DATE: January 15, 2013
FROM: Lieutenant William Sullivan
SUBJECT: 2012 Holiday Theft Suppression Program Report
SUMMMARY
The 2012 Holiday Theft Suppression Program ran from Friday, November 23, 2012,
through Sunday, January 6, 2013. The program was conducted utilizing staff assigned to
the Palm Desert Police Department's Business District Team as well as the Special
Enforcement Team. Overtime positions were staffed by officers of the Police Department
using Cal COPS (SLESF) funds. This year's funding was reduced $5,000 dollars from
the previous year. As a result, other resources were called upon to assist with this year's
program. Volunteers from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's Mounted Posse
patrolled the parking lot at Westfield Shopping Center on two weekends and the Palm
Desert Citizens on Patrol (C.O,P.'s) conducted a special operation during the entire
program.
During this special operation, C.O.P. members would actively look for opportunities to
steal items from vehicles such as purses, phones, gifts and anything of value. If items
were located, a notice indicating such would be left on the windshield of the vehicle
educating the owners of ways they can help stop theft. Additionally, while patrolling
residential neighborhoods, members would look for garage doors left open and
unattended. A total of 481 notices were distributed during the program period.
C.O.P ACTIVITY
Vehicles left Property Left in Garage Doors
Unlocked Vehicle Left Open
November 113 47 17
December 118 89 20
Total 231 136 37
The activity generated by officers of the Business District Team, Special Enforcement
Team and overtime positions during the program this year was as follows:
Traffic Stops: 21
Traffic Cites: 1
Vehicle Checks: 101
X-I
1
RECOMMENDATION
It is difficult to fully gauge the success of this program due to its crime prevention
mission and objective as a "suppression" program. However, as noted above, we saw a
decrease in theft related calls for service during the 2012 program when compared to the
same reporting period of the previous years. Additionally, we saw a decrease in all calls
for service, throughout the program area, during the 2012 program when compared to the
same reporting period of the previous years. The assistance of the mounted posse and
Palm Desert C.O.P may have contributed to this decrease in calls for service. It is the
recommendation of the Police Department that the program be continued with full
funding in 2013. The Police Department also recommends the Palm Desert C.O.P and
Riverside County Sheriffs Department's Mounted Posse is utilized in future programs.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is difficult to fully gauge the success of this program due to its crime prevention
mission and objective as a "suppression" program. However, as noted above, we saw a
decrease in theft related calls for service during the 2012 program when compared to the
same reporting period of the previous years. Additionally, we saw a decrease in all calls
for service, throughout the program area, during the 2012 program when compared to the
same reporting period of the previous years. The assistance of the mounted posse and
Palm Desert C.O.P may have contributed to this decrease in calls for service. It is the
recommendation of the Police Department that the program be continued with full
funding in 2013. The Police Department also recommends the Palm Desert C.O.P and
Riverside County Sheriff's Department's Mounted Posse is utilized in future programs.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
APPROVED DENTED
RECEIVED 4 OTHER
MEETING DATE
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Original on File with City Clerk's Of ice
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