by Chris Munzing
Officials say the numbers are down due to the ever-present Long Beach Police Department and its commitment to making sure that every issue is treated seriously. "We follow the community policing model of paying attention to the little things," said Police Commissioner John Laffey. "We pay attention to the quality of life."
The crimes reflected in the new statistics are considered "serious" crimes, such as assault, burglary, larceny, grand larceny auto, arson and murder. As police have cracked down on lesser crimes such as DWI, drug charges and disorderly conduct, the more serious crimes have become less likely to be committed. A visible police force is also a very effective criminal deterrent, Laffey said.
Only two of the more serious crimes have seen an increase since this time a year ago. Burglaries have increased slightly, and the city's single murder this year -- a murder/suicide involving an elderly couple on West Broadway -- is an increase from no murders last year.
Overall, Laffey is very pleased with the numbers and feels that they are indicative of his staff, particularly the detective division, which he has often lauded for its aggressiveness in pursuing leads until detectives have their man. The commissioner recalled a stabbing that took place last Memorial Day weekend in which, he said, the suspects were in custody within 36 hours of the incident.
The dropping crime numbers came to light at the Nov. 5 City Council meeting, when the police department was awarded an annual grant of $13,649, part of a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. Laffey said that, as has been the case in the past, the grant will largely go toward paying for overtime for officers who work to stem emerging problems. A recent stalking case reported in the Herald was one example given by Laffey of how the money was used to pay the overtime of his officers, who put in many hours to stop a man who had been terrorizing several women around Riverside Boulevard.
The grant this year, however, is not as large as usual. Laffey said this was due to the success the department has been experiencing. "It's ironic in a sense, because it's calculated by how much crime you have," he said. Laffey added that he would gladly take a smaller grant if it meant the police department was doing its job well. "I can't complain about being successful," he said.
The department will also receive four new vehicles as part of a $1.18 million bond expected to be adopted by the City Council. The bond will pay for several vehicles throughout the city, including a new tractor for the Recreation Department.
The four vehicles that will be coming to the Police Department will be two new marked Crown Victoria cruisers, one unmarked cruiser for use by the department's executive officer, and one Chevy Tahoe 4X4 to be used for patrol in the southeast section of the city.
Laffey explained that 4X4s are necessary because the beach sometimes needs to be accessed by the police. The new vehicles will replace four older vehicles. Laffey said that he has been committed to streamlining the budget, and has shrunk the fleet by seven vehicles since his arrival.
Drug sting continues to bring results
More than 50 suspects nailed in last two years
By KEITH GRANT
Police have taken more than 50 alleged criminals off Long Beach streets in the past two years in connection with an ongoing drug sting. Guns, cocaine and gang members have been among cops' finds in the numerous raids and busts carried out by the LBPD and Nassau police.
Nearly 150 arrests have been made during the wide-ranging operation that targeted Long Beach, Hempstead and Roosevelt. Of those, about 120 face felony drug charges. "This has been a long-term cooperative effort, spearheaded by Detectives Jimmy Canner and Billy Roche," said LBPD Commissioner John Laffey. "They've work very hard on this stuff."
Laffey said the investigation targeted drug activities in the county involving potentially violent gangs, and has continued to produce results even after an October press conference at which Laffey, Nassau Police Commissioner James Lawrence and District Attorney Denis Dillon announced the fruits of the two-year long sting.
"It's a continuing effort to get the drug sellers," said Laffey. "It doesn't end. There's an inexhaustible supply of people to sell [drugs]."
According to Canner, local cops have seized numerous handguns, rifles, large quantities of cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy, and large sums of money. Police were also able to shut down activity at a house that was considered a nuisance in the North Park neighborhood. "It was a large-scale narcotics investigation and took us in different directions," Canner said, noting that some of the local suspects had alleged gang ties.
Dillon reported that 32 of the approximately 150 suspects were members of gangs, including Bloods, Crips, Folks and Latin Kings. Thirty-four had prior felony offenses, some had previous drug-related convictions, and others had been convicted of attempted robberies and burglaries, criminal possession of weapons, attempted assault and possession of stolen property. As of last month, more than 80 of the suspects had pled guilty, with most having already been sentenced.
