MODESTO-

Residents in Modesto are being told how the police department is responding to budget cuts that have reduced the number of sworn officers from 260 to 182 since 2006.

Residents like Cameo Borges notice the difference.

“Unless it’s something dire where somebody’s being injured or there’s bloodshed they pretty much take a long time to get here,” Borges said.

Modesto Police are well aware of their shortcomings. The average city this size, about a quarter of a million people, has four cops per thousand residents. Modesto has less than one officer per thousand.

It won’t get any better because budget cuts will eliminate 10 officer slots from the department this year.

“The days of law enforcement officers randomly patrolling neighborhoods is gone in Modesto,” Modesto Police Capt. Rick Armendariz said.

The department is trying to make up for the shortage of cops on the street by using a high tech mapping system.  Using historical data, computer software is now being used to predict where crime will occur during each hour of any given day.  It narrows down problem areas to a 500 sq. foot ft of real estate.

Clicking on one hotspot brings up a photo of the area and numbers showing that there were 12 disorderly conducts, nine burglaries, five drug incidents, and three car thefts in the a area.

Focusing on problem areas has reduced crime by 20 to 25 percent in cities who’ve used what’s called predictive policing system.

Technology is all well and good, but what most people in Modesto want are cops on the street.
Many crimes like auto theft and burglary are reported on line or by phone…victims want to talk to an officer in person.

“I feel like it’s a little impersonal and it might get’s push off to the side a little bit,” said Borges of crime reports made online.

Modesto police say the new system will speed up responses to crimes because they can predict where they’re going to occur.  He said using statistics and assigning officers strategically will eventually make policing more efficient and cost effective.

“We’re going to be more vigilant in those areas and the ultimate goal is to deter crime rather than to catch a criminal,” said Amendariz.

Meaning that cops can respond faster to crimes that are reported. They know from three previous town halls that that’s what residents want. But more cops on the streets mean fewer assigned to homicide, gangs, drug units and traffic.

More reason to ask citizens what they want most from police.

“Where do you feel the priorities are and tell us where those resources need to be allocated,” said Amendariz.