NCJ Number
144716
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 41 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1993) Pages: 53-57
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes how the Gaston County Police Department (North Carolina) has maintained and increased police productivity in the midst of budget limitations that prevent an increase in personnel and other resources.
Abstract
The major features of the effort to "work smarter" are problem-oriented policing and the Citizens Oriented Police Enforcement Unit (COPE). Problem-oriented policing encourages officers to identify problems and seek their resolution rather than simply respond repetitively to incidents that manifest an ongoing pattern. The COPE Unit was established in July 1991 to address the problem of having more than 200 mobile home parks in Gaston County. The unit has been involved in specific problem identification as well as long-term problemsolving. The COPE Unit has focused on solving problems of high drug-related activity, poor rapport with police, fear of crime, and a lack of data to combat problems. Improvements are being made through citizen-oriented partnerships established between the police, other government agencies, and the community. Other efforts that have improved police efficiency are the use of the same officers to patrol fixed districts, such that officers can address problems of a district based upon their familiarity with citizens needs and problems; the use of call prioritizing; crime analysis; and proactive crime prevention.