by ELIZABETH JOHNSON

BRADENTON -- The Bradenton Police Department has been recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its community policing efforts.

The organization announced Bradenton made it to the final round in its population category for the worldwide 2012 IACP/Cisco Systems Community Police Award.

Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski noted the success of Neighborhood Liaison Communication Project as a main reason for the recognition.

"The citizens expressed that their efforts were effective in reducing crime, thereby reducing fear, and increasing the feeling of safety, ownership and teamwork alongside members of the Bradenton Police Department," he said in a news release. "This collaborative effort has saved the Bradenton Police Department 6,000 man hours, and $200,000 in taxpayer monies."

Since fostering the program and relationship between the agency and residents, Radzilowski said businesses and home sales have increased by 17 percent and 41 percent, respectively. During that time, crime has dropped 28.8 per cent, he said.

The Bradenton Police Department was one of four finalists for jurisdictions with a population between 20,001 and 50,000 people. The other finalists in that population category were from Illinois, Texas and Vermont.

The city of Clearwater won the award it its population category of 100,001 to 250,000 residents.

Other agencies recognized were from Minnesota, California, Canada and Israel.

Bradenton Police Deputy Chief Keith Davis and Tami Spyker, a private citizen who serves as the Neighborhood Watch Liaison for Patrol Zones 5 and 6, will attend the finalists' reception Sept. 30 in San Diego.

Community Policing Is Paying Off In Columbus

The Columbus Police Department's focus on community policing is paying off.

According to police officials, officer-initiated activity has surpassed calls for service for the first time in the memorable history of the police department. As of August 31, officers initiated 19,129 contacts with citizens this year as compared to 10,729 in 2011. Calls for service during that same time amounted to 18,230 in 2012 as compared to 18,434 in 2011.

Officer-initiated contacts include the following:

• · Extra patrols - 680 percent increase over 2011
  · Finding open doors - 65 percent increase over 2011
  · Follow-up on reports - 42 percent increase over 2011
  · Checking on suspicious individuals - 26 percent increase over 2011
  · Traffic stops - 14 percent increase over 2011

The increase in officer-initiated activity is based upon a number of factors. A re-organization of CPD early in the year resulted in less administrative positions and more officers in enforcement roles. A culture of accountability and consistency has resonated throughout the department beginning in the Chief's Office and working its way down. Responding to the needs of the community and focusing on a "quality versus quantity" approach has resulted in solid police work taking criminals off the streets.

As an example, this past Friday Officer John Searle observed a traffic violation near 8th and Werner. When he tried to stop the vehicle, a pursuit ensued which eventually ended with the arrest of the driver for a felony warrant and the discovery of methamphetamine lab components in the vehicle.

Chief Jason Maddix stated, "The numbers tell the story, but the untold part is that we have a police department of dedicated officers who work hard and truly care about the community they serve. I couldn't be more proud of their efforts. Our criminal arrests have actually decreased by approximately 8 percent this year as compared to last year. Our proactive policing model is serving as a deterrent to potential criminals. Over the long term, this should help reduce the community's crime rate."

Despite the efforts, Chief Maddix stated that the department is still "flooded" with calls requesting more extra patrols, traffic enforcement, and drug enforcement.

Mayor Kristen Brown stated, "Chief Maddix and his command staff are doing an absolutely outstanding job. Their leadership has motivated and guided a great group of officers to produce exceptional results for our community. Chief Jason Maddix, Deputy Chief Todd Harry, Captain Jon Rohde and Captain Mike Richardson deserve great credit."

Senior citizen safety focus of Lowell police group meeting

LOWELL | The Lowell Police Department's September Community Policing Program will focus on senior citizen safety.

Keeping the Elderly Safe in the 21st Century will be presented from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Lowell Health Center, 710 Michigan Ave.

Officer Aaron Crawford will cover financial fraud, identity theft, telemarketing scams and physical abuse. There will be a PowerPoint presentation and handouts.

All senior citizens within the facility, their families and the general public are invited to attend.

Crawford said caretakers, healthcare professionals and those holding power of attorney are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Crawford at (219) 696-0411, ext. 118, or by email at acrawford@696cops.com .

National Preparedness Month: Pledge to Prepare

If a disaster strikes, how will you and your family be ready? During the month of September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Ready.gov teams are focusing on planning and preparing for disasters during National Preparedness Month .

This month, DHS is asking you to “ Pledge to Prepare.” Visit ready.gov/prepare to see simple steps you can take, such as keeping an emergency kit in your office and at home and keeping copies of important family documents in a safe place.

Being prepared means having a plan . Whether you are at home, at work or on-the-go, it's important to create a plan in case of an emergency. Planning ahead will ensure that you and your family will know what to do and have the supplies you need to be safe wherever you are. In your home? Think ahead with your Family Emergency Plan . At work or school? Ensure you and your family are informed about hazards in your surrounding area and know the best ways to contact one another if you are separated during a disaster.

We have already seen a number of disasters this year, including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and most recently, Hurricane Isaac. When an emergency strikes your area, knowing what to do before, during and after may make all the difference when seconds count.

Watch the video of myself and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate asking for your help in keeping each other safe, and then head to Ready.gov to take the pledge today.

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