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Police Mark 2010 with Increase Community Involvement, Decreased Crime

Monday 7th of February 2011

February 7, 2011: WENDELL, NC – Chief Vance Johnson and the Wendell Police Department will present the 2010 Police Annual Report on Tuesday, February 8, 2011at the Town Hall during the first Community Watch Meeting of 2011. The meeting will start at 7 pm.
 
The report will present information describing a 16.6 percent decrease in violent crime for 2010 from 2009. Property crime is also the lowest it has been in five years with a 25.7 percent decrease from 2009 to 2010. “Last year far exceeded my expectations. I do not generally track crime rates during the year and it was a pleasant surprise to see such a decrease” said Police Chief Vance Johnson.
 
Crime reduction was supplemented by new and expanded community policing projects. The Wendell Police Department received a grant to create a youth oriented camp for 30 fourth and fifth graders called Camp Choices. Attendees were taught alternatives to drugs and alcohol, healthy eating and exercise. During the week, students were taught by police officers. Other community policing activities included a driving while impaired simulator and the second annual Public Safety Day. “The community projects were a huge success, with the camp being a standout for me,” said Johnson.
 
During 2010, the Police Department sampled several citizens on how safe they feel while in Wendell. Out of 161 respondents, only three said they felt unsafe some of the time and only one answered they felt very unsafe. In all, 97.5% of respondents said they felt relatively safe to very safe in the town of Wendell.
 
Citizens are encouraged to come to the Community Watch meeting to meet police officers, share ideas and concerns and learn more about the annual report. “It is an ideal time to release information at the Community Watch meeting. The attendees are citizens and business representatives that are looking for ways to help out in their neighborhoods. Letting these citizens know what we are all about is vital. Also, some good ideas for future projects can be generated from these discussions,” said Johnson.
 
Citizens interested in receiving additional information about the report or would like an officer to come share information about any programs, please contact the Town of Wendell Police Department at 919.365.4444.
 
For more information:
Vance Johnson
Chief of Police
Town of Wendell
919.365.4444
 
 
About the Department:
 
The Town of Wendell Police Department is led by Chief Vance Johnson with assistance from Lieutenant Bobby Langston. The department has 19 sworn officers and two dispatchers, including one investigator.