--- title: "Neighborhood Crime Reduction Plan 91G Squad" type: "pdf" year: "1996" canonical: "/projects/983" --- # NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME REDUCTION PLAN # Table of Contents - [NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME REDUCTION PLAN](#neighborhood-crime-reduction-plan) - [Submission to Police Executive Research Forum August 16,1996](#submission-to-police-executive-research-forum-august-161996) - [INTRODUCTION](#introduction) - [SCANNING](#scanning) - [ANALYSIS](#analysis) - [RESPONSE](#response) - [ASSESSMENT](#assessment) ## Submission to Police Executive Research Forum August 16,1996 CITY OF PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT 620 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, ROOM 142 PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85003 # INTRODUCTION The Phoenix Police Department consists of six precincts and various resource bureaus. Cactus Park Precinct encompasses the northwest portion of the city. The precinct is divided into three separate squad areas, with the 91 squad area historically having the highest number of calls for service. Members of the 91G squad noticed a sharp increase in the number of calls for service in a particular beat area. An analysis of the increase indicated that a chronic problem was beginning to develop due to illegal drug trafficking, prostitution activity, and criminal trespassing. Officers confirmed their findings through interactions with local residents and businesses. The squad addressed the problem with the assistance of various departmental and community resources: Neighborhood Patrol Officers, Quick Response Team, Department of Public Safety, "GITEM" Task Force, Drug Enforcement Bureau, Gang Squad, Operation Safe Streets, and Blockwatch Associations. .The squad members formed partnerships with these resources and utilized their input and assistance as they formulated and implemented an action plan to deal with the problems in the target area. # SCANNING Officers of the 91G squad determined through contacts with local residents and business owners that the main target area of criminal activity involving prostitution, drug sales, and trespassing, was a corridor one mile long by one quarter mile in width. This area, identified as the 912 beat, encompasses the area bordered by W. Indian School Rd north to Camelback Rd, and 27 Ave east to the Black Canyon Highway. The 912 beat was targeted, as it was shown to have the highest calls for service in the 91 squad area. A statistical analysis of crime trends in the 912 beat revealed a higher number of calls for service, increased departmental reports, and numerous arrests. The need for an innovative plan to combat the problem was apparent. ## ANALYSIS The 912 beat was acquired from a bordering precinct approximately one year ago, and although the 91G squad members were unfamiliar with the area, its reputation for having a longtime and formidable crime rate was well known. Upon gaining the new 912 beat, the 91G squad continued routine patrol as had been done in the past and responded to calls for service as needed. Contacts with subjects in the area were brief, as a comprehensive course of action had not yet been implemented. Officers of the 91G squad began to contact residents and business owners in the target area. They learned that the main concerns of the citizens in the 912 beat were the high occurrences of prostitution, illegal drug sales and criminal trespassing. Business owners complained of transients defecating and urinating on their property and conveyed to officers their fears about losing reputable customers. Individual residents of the 912 area related to officers that they did not feel safe in their own neighborhood. Residents said that it was a common occurrence to find subjects sleeping, loitering, and soliciting sex and drugs on or around their property. Both the residents and business owners agreed to cooperate fully with the police department in order to reduce or eliminate the criminal activity in their neighborhood. Officers of the 91G squad then utilized the crime analysis data obtained from the Police Automated Computer Entry System (PACE). This information revealed the high number of calls for service in the area, particularly calls related to prostitution activity, illegal drug sales, and criminal trespassing. # RESPONSE Officers of the 91G squad developed a plan of action as a response to chronic problems of criminal activity in the 912 beat area. The goal of this plan was to reduce the occurrence of these crimes and their harmful effect on the community. During implementation of the plan, outside agencies such as the Department of Public Safety, "GITEM" task force, as well as inner agency specialized units (Drug Enforcement Bureau, Vice Squad, Neighborhood Patrol Officers, Gang Squads, and the Quick Response Team) were engaged in periodic enforcement. This enforcement, although temporary in nature, assisted the 91G squad's effort to achieve their goal. The following actions were taken specifically by 91G squad members: - Educational contacts with subjects advising them of the prostitution activity, illegal drugs, and criminal trespassing statutes. - Interrogation and photographs of suspicious persons contacted. - Obtaining the authority to arrest for trespassing from business owners and a coordinated effort to post no trespassing signs. - Becoming educated, utilizing Vice Squad contacts, in the proper procedure for identifying and prosecuting prostitutes. - Inter-squad communication regarding the chronic criminal activity in the target area. - High visibility of police in the target area. - Zero-tolerance enforcement policy. These actions were enforced with the constitutional rights of all citizens in mind. Standard street interrogation methods were utilized to gather the vast majority of intelligence information regarding subjects in the target area. Through contacts with business owners, they were eager to add their names to the list, giving the authority to arrest for trespassing. Business owners posted "no trespassing" signs at strategic areas of their property. Vice squad members provided the 91G squad with facsimile reports and explanations of the "manifesting prostitution" statutes in Arizona. The 91G squad provided high visibility in the target area by performing Concentrated Neighborhood Patrol when not responding to calls for service. # ASSESSMENT Within two and one-half months of implementing the plan, the squad noticed a decrease in the number of calls for service and in the number of suspicious persons in the area. The reduction in the number of calls for service appeared to be directly related to the proactive zero tolerance enforcement policy involving the arrest of violators for criminal trespassing. This was reflected in the crime analysis reports for the target area. 'One specific corner within the area yielded 24 arrests for trespassing during the period of May 16,1996, to July 29, 1996. This can be compared to only 2 trespassing arrests at the same location for the period of March 1,1996, to May 15,1996. Review of the officers' Daily Logs for arrest data indicated that the total number of arrests for all crimes in the target area had increased dramatically as the plan was implemented. From the period of May 16, to May 31,1996, only 8 arrests were made in the target area. During the following months of June and July, the number of arrests increased to 42 and 44 , respectively. The squad's Concentrated Patrol Time and On-view enforcement efforts increased by approximately $600 \%$ during the same time period. This high visibility and increased police presence was implemented utilizing available resources and without additional funding. The concept of Concentrated Neighborhood Patrol was employed and enhanced through the Community Based Policing philosophy. The 91G squad members re-contacted the residents and business owners of the target area and found they unanimously agreed that the number of incidents of prostitution, illegal drug activity, and criminal trespassing had significantly decreased. Though the officers of the 91G squad have experienced positive and encouraging results, they regard this action plan as an on-going project, in both the Implementation and Assessment phases. This is indicated by the continued increase in the number of arrests in the target area. The officers anticipate that as the Action Plan continues, the number of arrests will begin to decrease.