 | Steve Jensen
Chief of Police |
|
2010 was a year of
challenge for the Lynnwood Police
Department. The world-wide recession
struck Lynnwood particularly hard as
revenues plummeted. The lack of
dollars available to the City
resulted in curtailment of funding
for all departments of the City. The
police department, having one of the
larger budgets, was severely
impacted. During the course of 2010
we lost numerous officers to other
law enforcement agencies. This was
not only heartbreaking in the sense
that we were extremely proud of each
of these employees but also a very
expensive loss of human resources,
investments in training and
expertise that each officer brought
to police services rendered to our
citizens.
Through this
difficult period our employees still
maintained their performance as
professional in all disciplines in
the department. Our sworn and
civilian staff recognized that
despite any reductions in funding
and staffing their obligation was to
render the highest level of police
services to the community. The men
and women of the department met this
standard in 2010 and continue to do
so today.
On a positive note,
2010 showed a reduction of 7% in the
F.B.I. Uniformed Crime Reports Part
1 offenses. These offenses consist
of homicide, rape, robbery,
aggravated assault, burglary, theft,
vehicle theft and arson. The
specific offenses are set forth in
particular in
the LPD Annual Report for 2010.
As part of the
financial challenges to the City the
Lynnwood Municipal Court and our
Jail Division worked hard to reduce
incarceration expenses. This
resulted in a savings of over a
million dollars as sentences were
responsibly reduced by our municipal
judges and alternatives to
incarceration were enhanced.
Our Patrol Division
and Traffic Section provided
consistent high quality services
with reduced staffs. Officers have
risen to the occasion and worked
very effectively and efficiently.
Specifically, response times to
citizen calls for service have been
maintained with the reduced staffing
levels although, inevitably,
self-generated activities have
declined as the time available has
diminished.
Volunteerism remains
a pivotal part of the Lynnwood
Police Department service model. We
continue to utilize volunteers to
enable us to provide services to the
public that we would otherwise be
unable to provide. Specific programs
and activities are outlined in this
report.
Investigators
continue to diligently pursue
criminal investigations and have
maintained exemplary clearance
rates. The L.P.D. still, despite
dwindling resources, investigates
all crimes with suitable leads be
they misdemeanors or felonies.
Narcotics officers have addressed
neighborhood illicit drug activities
as well as investigating major
sources of drugs being introduced
into our community.
We are hopeful that
2011 marks a significant transition
to economic recovery that will allow
the City to regain a secure
financial footing.
Chief Steven J. Jensen,
Lynnwood Chief of Police
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