This reorganization is more then just a name change. Previously, the Community Resource Officer (CRO) Program tried to focus on too many areas with little guidance or direction. What the Crime Prevention Unit will do is focus back on what the goals of Community Policing have been over the past 30 years - working with communities to prevent crime and address "quality of life issues". It also expands the program to include, not only a Crime Prevention Officer (CPO), but now the bike unit, which is comprised of Officers Joe Pierce and Josh Spence. They will be a critical resource that allows the public greater access to police officer not tethered to their patrol cars responding call to call. Rebecca Edwards, the Animal Control Officer (ACO), will also fall under the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU).
Under the supervision of Lt Charles Bost, the Support Services Division Commander, the programs that the CPU will focus on will be revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch Programs, reorganizing the Business Watch Program, and introduce Community Educational Presentations that will include Financial Identification Fraud and Computer Safety, to name a few. The CPU will also deal with issues that may not directly involve violations of laws but fall under what are general known as "nuisance" calls, such as barking dogs and loud noise complaints. Several of these have already been addressed by Officer Michael Landen (CPO) and ACO Edwards. The final piece of the CPU will be communication with the citizens of Leland through personal contact and employing technologies such as Facebook and Twitter.
The CPU has already began working on these issues. On June 19th, they participated in Wal-Mart's Safety Month program with a display of programs offered by the department and information on personal and home safety and security. They have also been visible at the Movies in the Park and the Farmer's Market and have several other projects and programs in the works.
Residents of Leland are encouraged to contact the Crime Prevention Unit with their concerns and questions at (910) 332-5002 or by email at cpu@townofleland.com. Also, you can visit the Leland Police Department's web-page and follow the links to the CPU's Facebook and Twitter pages.
