Minneapolis takes Crime Prevention Seriously by Heather Woodbine
Although most major statistics show that the crime rate has been steadily falling across the nation since the 1990's, it can still be a huge problem to contend with in some of the bigger cities across the nation. Like anything, more people tends to breed more problems. While law enforcement agencies and government officials are working diligently to fight crime in their areas, it is a never- ending battle but one that must be waged every day or else anarchy and social unrest ensue.
With population currently hovering around 400,000, Minneapolis, Minnesota keeps its emergency services constantly busy with requests for aid and assistance. It has been estimated that over a 1,000 emergency calls are received and processed every day by the police, EMT and fire departments.
Due to budget constraints and the sheer reality of the situation, it is not always possible to immediately respond to all calls made for emergency services. All calls involving life threatening problems are given first priority. The less severe calls for assistance are prioritized and processed in the most logical manner to ensure the best service possible.
During peak times, a situation is assessed using the following criteria before a cop is dispatched to the location. The process of such verification and dispatching a cop takes around one hour. An incoming call is considered high priority if 1. there is an immediate threat to life, 2. there are any injuries 3. there is any ongoing criminal action and 4. the offender is present in the immediate vicinity or is expected to return.
Minneapolis devised this method of prioritization of incoming calls in order to handle crime more expediently. It is effective because it reduces the chances of spending time and energy on low priority calls. Moreover, they can focus their resources to handle ongoing crimes quickly and effectively. These strategies are all part of the new CODEFOR plan.
The acronym CODEFOR means Computer Optimized Deployment-Focus On Results. CODEFOR, which involves all sections of the police force, is driven by four basic principles viz. a. providing timely and accurate intelligence on an ongoing crime, b. rapidly deploying resources and personnel in appropriate circumstances, c. ensuring tactics that are effective and d. relentlessly following-up and assessing the situation.
Minneapolis is also using the "Watch Your Car" program to help reduce car theft. This is a voluntary program on the part of registered owners who must sign a release form stating that they are not normally driving their vehicle between 1-5 a.m. and therefore give police permission to pull their car over should it be seen on the road during these hours.
Reflective stickers are provided to the participants to be pasted on the vehicles. The police identify the vehicles by these stickers and have the right to pull over the vehicle even if no crime has been witnessed. Thus far, the citizens are finding this radical program effective and the results of this program seem to please all sides.
However, it is presumptuous to consider a crime fighting initiative will be 100% effective. But, the Minneapolis police department is certainly trying its best to make the community as safe as possible for its citizens. It is a great incentive for people considering relocating to Minneapolis as the community is committed to fighting crime to make the city safe to live.
Heather Woodbine is the webmaster for F minneapolis, the best place on the internet for information about minneapolis. For questions or comments about this article why not visit: http://www.yominneapolis.com/articles
Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory
Although most major statistics show that the crime rate has been steadily falling across the nation since the 1990's, it can still be a huge problem to contend with in some of the bigger cities across the nation. Like anything, more people tends to breed more problems. While law enforcement agencies and government officials are working diligently to fight crime in their areas, it is a never- ending battle but one that must be waged every day or else anarchy and social unrest ensue.
With population currently hovering around 400,000, Minneapolis, Minnesota keeps its emergency services constantly busy with requests for aid and assistance. It has been estimated that over a 1,000 emergency calls are received and processed every day by the police, EMT and fire departments.
Due to budget constraints and the sheer reality of the situation, it is not always possible to immediately respond to all calls made for emergency services. All calls involving life threatening problems are given first priority. The less severe calls for assistance are prioritized and processed in the most logical manner to ensure the best service possible.
During peak times, a situation is assessed using the following criteria before a cop is dispatched to the location. The process of such verification and dispatching a cop takes around one hour. An incoming call is considered high priority if 1. there is an immediate threat to life, 2. there are any injuries 3. there is any ongoing criminal action and 4. the offender is present in the immediate vicinity or is expected to return.
Minneapolis devised this method of prioritization of incoming calls in order to handle crime more expediently. It is effective because it reduces the chances of spending time and energy on low priority calls. Moreover, they can focus their resources to handle ongoing crimes quickly and effectively. These strategies are all part of the new CODEFOR plan.
The acronym CODEFOR means Computer Optimized Deployment-Focus On Results. CODEFOR, which involves all sections of the police force, is driven by four basic principles viz. a. providing timely and accurate intelligence on an ongoing crime, b. rapidly deploying resources and personnel in appropriate circumstances, c. ensuring tactics that are effective and d. relentlessly following-up and assessing the situation.
Minneapolis is also using the "Watch Your Car" program to help reduce car theft. This is a voluntary program on the part of registered owners who must sign a release form stating that they are not normally driving their vehicle between 1-5 a.m. and therefore give police permission to pull their car over should it be seen on the road during these hours.
Reflective stickers are provided to the participants to be pasted on the vehicles. The police identify the vehicles by these stickers and have the right to pull over the vehicle even if no crime has been witnessed. Thus far, the citizens are finding this radical program effective and the results of this program seem to please all sides.
However, it is presumptuous to consider a crime fighting initiative will be 100% effective. But, the Minneapolis police department is certainly trying its best to make the community as safe as possible for its citizens. It is a great incentive for people considering relocating to Minneapolis as the community is committed to fighting crime to make the city safe to live.
Heather Woodbine is the webmaster for F minneapolis, the best place on the internet for information about minneapolis. For questions or comments about this article why not visit: http://www.yominneapolis.com/articles
Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory