Problem-Oriented Policing Initiatives

Current information from the Salvation Army was updated and a meeting was attended to determine funding. Department records were updated with all current shelter information in the area and the state. Bus passes will be obtained to be used to transport people to a Milwaukee shelter. Information has been disseminated to officers and will be periodically updated as received.

Updated and made a macro for tavern inspections, which is stored on the in-house computers for future reference.

Continuation of a 3-year project that focuses on criminal damage, disorderly conduct and open intoxicants in the downtown area using bike patrol and plain-clothed officers to increase the department's presence in the area. Officer Bergin became Co-Director of District 1 of the Wisconsin Community Oriented Policing Association earlier this year. The Port Washington Police Department also received the 2011 Sir Robert Peel Award for this initiative.

Continuing our commitment in assisting our community related to citizens affected by Autism. Information was received from Fond du Lac Police Department, who has a special needs outreach program for citizens in their community, which will be followed up on. Training was also attended for Alzheimer's/Dementia with the possibility of creating an outreach program in 2012.

I.D. checking guides received for use by officers in determining the validity of various forms of identification. Pricing of various UV lights is also being researched to further assist officers in determining I.D. authenticity.

Officers attended training for Recognizing Persons With Autism. Upon completion, a handout sheet was created with guidelines for officers to follow when responding to a call that may involve a child or adult with Autism.

A concern was heard by an alderman that the sign posted by the crosswalk at Possibility Playground does not give adequate warning for motorists. Officer Schleg agreed with this assessment and the matter was turned over to the Street Department, who erected a "slow" sign before the pedestrian crossing.

Due to the re-working of Lincoln Ave. and Portview Dr. to allow traffic to flow all the way to W. Grand Ave. from Portview Dr., there is significantly more traffic that flows eastbound on Lincoln Ave. from Portview Dr. This extra traffic flow, combined with the morning and after school traffic, makes watching speeds in this area a priority during peak times. It was noted that there is no signage posted on Lincoln Ave. near Portview Dr. indicating to drivers that they are approaching a school zone. It was also noted that there is a 15 mph speed sign posted east of the eastern-most driveway to the main entrance of Dunwiddie School. It was felt that by the time drivers see this sign, they have already passed the main entrance to the school and were heading away from the school zone. It was proposed that this sign be relocated to the area of Portview Dr. and Lincoln Ave. City Administrator Mark Grams was spoken to regarding this concern and gave the go-ahead to have the Street Department move this sign. The sign was relocated on Lincoln Ave., just east of Portview Dr., prior to the new school year.

Brochures and stickers from America's Waterway Watch/Department of Homeland Security, along with City of Port Washington Visitor Guides, were handed out to marina tenants.

Implemented a 2nd year of directed patrol on Franklin St. in an attempt to curb property damage and disorderly conduct in the area. This was done through the use of bike patrol, foot patrol and normal police patrol with an emphasis on visibility, public relations and strict enforcement of city ordinance violations. After six city-owned trees were damaged between April 17 and August 14, 2010, Police Reserve Officers were utilized for covert surveillance on the weekends. Posters were also created informing the public that the area was being monitored. Lastly, it was proposed that the City install tree guards around all the decorative trees on Franklin St. Due to cost restraints, only trees in the hot spots of Franklin St. received the guards. A press release was also released announcing the Anonymous Tip Hotline for reporting information about suspects committing acts of vandalism to public/private property.

Citizen complaint received over concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists as they enter the roadway from the bike path at Kaiser Dr. Residents in the area have had problems backing out of their driveway and finding pedestrians/bicyclists in the middle of the road on Kaiser Dr. as they use the bike path. The bike path starts from the north using the Electric Company right-of-way. The right-of-way then ends and flows onto Kaiser Dr., crosses E. Monroe St., Hales Trail, and then continues south again on the right-of-way into the downtown. Pedestrians/bicyclists use the roadway as there are no other means to get from the north portion of the bike path to the southern bike path. Vehicular traffic is allowed on Kaiser Dr. In reviewing the area, it was noted that there is no sidewalk on the east side of E. Monroe St. A sidewalk in this area would flow pedestrian traffic from the bike path onto the sidewalk instead of the roadway. A designated bike lane painted on the western side of the roadway on Kaiser Dr. may also prove beneficial.

The Med Return box is a project involving the police agencies in Ozaukee County. The purpose of the Med Return box is for the public to bring in their unused medications, which keeps these medications out of the hands of children and out of our waters. The Med Return box has been a very successful program and a huge plus for the community.

Information regarding strangulation and domestic abuse was distributed to officers along with printed pocket cards.

A growing national problem of fake marijuana is being looked into. The product, sometimes called K2, Spice, or New Marijuana, has no THC to test for and is currently legal to sell and possess. Many smoke shops are selling this item as incense. The substances, containing herbal or sprayed-on synthetic chemical cannabinoid, have the potential to produce a physiological reaction much greater than that of marijuana, and are therefore, dangerous. Many municipalities are enacting ordinances to deal with this substance until such time that the state enacts a standard statute. This matter has been turned over to the City Attorney and City Council for passage of an ordinance banning these substances.

A complaint was received from a resident on W. Michigan St. of a continual problem with people parking too close and adjacent to their driveway, making it difficult for them to exit their drive. It was found that the problem seemed to be persons visiting the business next to this residence. If a vehicle pulled up next to the last legally parked car, the sign indicating "no parking beyond this point" was in the driver’s blind spot and therefore not visible. However, if the subject would look at the road there was an obvious white “L” shaped line indicating you could park up to that point, which was set back five feet from the driveway. This white "L" was from an old parking regulation prior to the "no parking" sign being put up. The Street Department was advised and the white line was painted over. A check back with the residents approximately 2 weeks later confirmed that covering up the parking line did solve the problem that they were encountering.

Concerns were received regarding the Yamaha Rhino, which is used for beach patrol, was not easily identifiable as a police vehicle. The vehicle was outfitted with a short light bar from leftover inventory. Two fog lamps were also added as the headlights were not shining far enough out in front. These additions have made the Rhino a more effective beach patrol vehicle.

It was noted in the summer of 2010, there were no street signs for Indigo Drive and Blazing Star Circle in the Bielinski Homes neighborhood. Without street signs, it is difficult for emergency personnel and first responders to effectively and efficiently reach those who are in need of their assistance. To resolve this problem, installation of street signs at the following intersections was proposed: Indigo Dr. at Foxglove St., Aster St. at Indigo Dr., Indigo Dr. at Blazing Star Circle and Aster St. at Blazing Star Circle. The Street Department was contacted regarding this. As of November 2010, three of the four signs have been installed. The fourth sign will need its own pole, and at the present time there are no homes on that street (Indigo Dr.). It is anticipated this sign will be installed in the near future.

Recommendation to have the street painted by the Patio Bar because of problem parking, making it a safer corner.

Continuation of the 2008 project. There were two squad cars that were not yet equipped with KeySecure devices (Knox boxes). Two more devices were ordered and received in 2010. Installation will be coordinated with the Street Department. After installation, Officer Keller will be working with the Fire Department to get the devices programmed.