Vehicle crashes were down again for the month.  We thank everyone for driving defensively and with care.  Our officers took part in the statewide campaign, dangerous and impaired drivers, for selective enforcement during the month of March and April.  This is another Criminal Justice Grant for officers to work extra to aid in making our highways and roads safe and to further reduce vehicle crashes.  During May officers throughout the state will be taking part in an enforcement effort to get better compliance to use safety restraints.  In our surveys we are at over 90% compliance.  Thank you to everyone who wear their safety restraint.  We ask and remind everyone to always wear safety restraints properly. “It is truly a law you can live with”.

During April, our officers conducted 34 criminal investigations and reports.  There are some previous cases that are still active investigations.  Identity theft and fraud cases still come in.  The con artists keep coming up with new and more creative ways to attempt, or even worse, get money out of their victims.  Be guarded and know who you are dealing with.  Be extremely cautions when doing online business.  Official and proper business will never ask for social security numbers in written correspondence.  Remain cautions and careful.  Know your neighbors and please report any suspicious activities.  Remembering it is “together we can make a better community”.  Thank you to everyone for your support and cooperation.  We have received several complaints on town ordinance violations and letters have been sent out to violators.  We ask for your assistance in correcting these issues.  Remember that town clean up is May 4th & 5th, with dumpsters available at Hermance park from 7 am – 3 pm both days.

The Posse had mounted training also this month in preparation for the upcoming season and will be doing their annual certifications at the end of April.

April 17th the police department trained with the Bristol Fire Department on Med Flight, there process and proper way to set up a landing zone.

April 20 – 21 the officers will be doing emergency vehicle operation training; both classroom and practical.  April 21st members of the Reserves, Posse, and Full Time officers will be assisting the Wakarusa Police Department with their annual Maple Syrup Festival.

April 28th our officers had planned to assist CAPS in their annual fundraiser collecting donations to go to the efforts of helping in preventing child abuse.  This was cancelled due to inclement weather.

May training will be firearms.  Officers will be shooting the required annual PPC course.  This is the overall proficiency course.

Respectfully,

Michael L. Swallow,

Marshal

Bristol Police Department

Activity summary for

April 2012

Calls for Service: 832

Traffic Enforcement-

• Traffic citations– 24
• Traffic warnings– 106
• Prop. damage accidents–4

Junk & Abandoned Vehicles-

• Impounded– 6
• Tagged– 1
• Fixed or Removed– 1

Criminal Enforcement-

• Cases Taken– 34
• Cases Closed By Arrest– 9

Hours worked-

• Full time officers: 1022.5
• Reserve Officers: 285
• Trainees: 56
• S.E. Patrol: 15
• Civilians: 160

On the Lighter Side

-By Marshal Swallow

As I hear about the planning for the upcoming annual Homecoming Festival, I am reminded of the Tug of War event that was held for a few years.  Teams were made up from community organizations and the Bristol Fire and Police Departments made a tradition of competing against one another. We were pretty evenly matched.

One year in a best out of three competition, we were tied at one each.  The police department decided to pull out all stops and bring in one of our newest members.  She was a big girl, built for the long haul, and muscular to boot. Yes, Belle and I were going to take on the fire department team. As I brought her to the front of the line, much discussion and convincing proceeded along with proving that “Belle” was an official member of the police department. After doing so, the challenge was on.  Well, with me to guide her, we were off and pulling with all of our might. The crowd drew in to watch this pair off and cheer for their favorite team.  The fire department would pull, Belle would pull, both putting forth a lot of effort.  Belle was winning only slightly.  The pulling started going back and forth, again and again with much greater intensity when it took on a bit of a dangerous course, drawing too close to the spectators.  Both teams decided that year would have to end in a draw between the fire and police departments with both teams getting to the mud once each. Belle, our 1,700 pound part Purturon Posse horse, was rewarded with an apple.