Hightstown Police Receive Positive Response from Foot Patrols
Each officer conducts two foot patrols during a 12-hour shift.
Photos
Nearly three weeks into the Hightstown Police Department mandated foot patrols in the downtown, the police director said he has already received positive feedback from the community.
“I have heard from many people that they already feel safer when shopping in the down town area,” said Police Director James Le Tellier.
Since the patrols have only been implemented for a few weeks, Le Tellier said it is too early to determine if it impacts crime levels in the downtown, but feels it will serve the community policing initiative.
“It’s to early to measure its impact on crime rates but I believe it will have a major impact on the quality of life issues and act as a deterrent,” he said.
During each of the officer’s 12-hour shifts, they conduct at least two foot patrols in the downtown which consist of walking around the area and visiting local businesses.
Click through the photo gallery to see Patrolman David Chenoweth during a foot patrol.
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B.Bennett
7:27 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
We have lived here over sixty years and we used to walk downtown at night and felt safe. Now people don't feel safe in town in the daytime? This town has way too
many secrets now. What happened?
Kara
10:27 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
That is a really nice thing to see downtown! What happened? Well, Walmart, Home Depot, Mega Malls...ect...the vacuum has to be filled with something. Unfortunately we have not been able to find the way yet and our taxes don't help. I hope things change.
E
10:44 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The one thing I've noticed since PD LeTellier implemented the community policing initiative is that the downtown area looks "uncluttered" and feels safer. You no longer see groups of people blocking the sidewalks and I have seen more people strolling through the downtown area then in previous months. I applaud PD LeTellier and the HPD for taking steps to make downtown Hightstown a more shopper/pedestrian friendly zone.
Hightstown Blues
3:52 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The photos reminded me of a question I've had for a while...when did the HPD uniform take on the SWAT appearance and why? It's unlike any other town in the area. Even Trenton officers where the traditional police uniform.
rogersavenue08520
6:39 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The same uniform, specifically the outer vest are worn in Hamilton Twp., Ewing Twp., and Trenton just to name a few. All of whom have been wearing the outer vest a few years before Hightstown. Good to see that they are keeping up with the changing times.
c
10:02 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I think is a great idea. The officers need to get out and start mingling with their town. Plus. the exercise is beneficial. When I was a teen growing up in that town, the officers were actually friendly and looked out for us.