Police Corner

By Joanna Robertson
PIO, Bethnay Beach Police Dept.

Bethany Beach Police had another troop meeting last week. We talked about the productivity of the last month, new challenges for the future, improving our services, etc. Most of all, we discussed our relations with the public. Our supervisors stressed the fact that no police department can control crime without the consent and voluntary compliance of the public. I remembered reading one of Sir Robert Peel’s principles: “The power of the police to fulfill their duties is dependent on public approval and on the ability to secure and maintain public respect.” This brings us to the term of “community policing.”

What is community policing and how is it different from traditional policing? In order to answer this question let’s look back to the beginnings of policing. The earliest record of an ancient society’s rules to control human behavior dates back to approximately 2300 B.C. when Sumerian rulers codified the concept of offences against society. Since then the rules have been changed many times by kings, wars, revolutions and economic situations. “Modern” policing began with the formation of the London Metropolitan Police, founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, which was a fundament for policing in the northern part of the United States. Some of the first police departments were established in Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, Newark and Cincinnati. Early police officers’ duties included a lot of community services. At that time welfare, parole, probation, or unemployment offices did not exist; therefore it was the police department’s job to satisfy the needs of the community.

Policing in the South had different origins. The colonies, concerned about the dangers coming from slaves, had established a code of laws to regulate this issue (they could not possess weapons, leave the plantation, or gather in groups). The slave patrols were the first police system created to punish or even kill any slaves found to be violating the slave code. Even later on “free men of color” were hired as cops only in order to keep other African Americans in line. Until the 1960s black cops were not given powers of arrest over white citizens, no matter how criminal.

The evolution of law enforcement in America can be divided into three eras. First was the political era (1840 to 1930). During this era police were closely tied to politics. The chief had no rights to fire officers so they were often undisciplined. The relationship between police and citizens was intimate since foot patrol was very common. Next came the reform era (1930 to 1980), when the main goal was to disassociate policing from politics. Police became crime fighters relating to citizens in professionally neutral and distant terms. During this era the concept of the “thin blue line” developed, suggesting the separation between the police and the public they served. This did not work for a long time. Police were not respected or understood and helpless to fight crime.

The community era began when police shifted from crime fighting to crime prevention, from being reactive to proactive. Police efficiency was no longer measured by detection and arrest rates but by the absence of crime. This concept is visible, especially in our department. The crime rate is very low, not only because the citizens of Bethany Beach are less likely to commit crime, but also the police are very proactive and stays visible. We also have a good rapport with the community because we are paid to give full-time attention to the duties of every citizen. We encourage citizens to solve many of their own problems and volunteer to assist neighbors. We encourage other service providers like animal control, firefighters and other police agencies to work together and become involved in problem solving. Therefore, we utilize a R.U.O.K. program for citizens, residential checks, DNA kits, bicycle and foot patrol, car seat checkpoints, etc.

If we were to survey members of our community to find out what they consider the most serious problem in their neighborhoods, traffic problems would be at the top of the list. I know that because every time we receive a complaint from a citizen, it involves drivers going too fast through the development or passing on Rt. 1. People fear for children’s safety, pedestrians and bicyclists. Excessive speed increases the risk of vehicle crashes and serious injury. Citizens of Bethany Beach strongly support aggressive traffic enforcement practices.

This is why everybody knows that they have to slow down coming into town, because most likely they will be caught. Staying on the subject — you will definitely see police cruisers traveling faster — remember that there is a reason for it. You may wonder why the police car does not activate the lights or siren. Well, there are certain types of complaints in which it is better practice not to use emergency equipment when responding. Average drivers get intense and nervous seeing a police cruiser in their rearview mirror with its emergency lights on. This may even cause an accident, therefore we use our good judgment in whether to activate the equipment or not.

We go through extensive aggressive driving courses and we are trained to be excellent drivers. Our department also strongly encourages the citizens to report impaired drivers. The community provides “extra eyes” for us, so we can take appropriate action and prevent crime from happening.

Our Residential Checks Program has been a real success. Every development and every street in town has its own officer assigned to prevent burglaries. In addition, we stress the fact that single-family burglaries can be prevented by installing burglar alarms; target hardening locks, windows and doors; marking property; improving visibility, etc. Bicycle and foot patrol officers keep a close eye on shoplifters. In addition, business owners need to know that shoplifting might be prevented by improving store layout and displays, upgrading security, establishing early warning systems.

A perfect example is the incident last summer when a group of gypsies entered the town stealing goods from stores. We witnessed business owners notifying one another about the situation. What great teamwork!

Theft prevention is another issue that needs to be addressed. Whether it’s a bicycle theft or the theft of gas, community involvement is crucial. Let me give you a perfect example. Last week my partner and I received a call from the Store Stop gas station. The employee witnessed a theft of gas when the driver drove off without paying for it. When I arrived at the scene, the store clerk handed me a form with the suspect information, his description as well as the vehicle information. I could relate the data to my partner via radio, who immediately apprehended the suspect. I was very impressed with the detailed information from the Shore Stop employee. What great teamwork once again.

Partnership between the public and police is a necessity. The community is responsible for reporting the crime and communicating with the police. Police have the greatest responsibility by being entrusted with the freedom an entire free society. Without your partnership, our chances of solving problems are slim. Having said this, I want to assure you that Bethany Beach Police Department is accessible to citizens and trustworthy in problem solving.