By Cindy J. Roth
"There is an increase in crime therefore the streets are safer because we are getting the bad guys off the streets, which will ultimately result in less crime," said Don Putke, Malverne Police Department commissioner.
Crimes reported from January to July 2001 compared with the same time period in 2002 rose significantly owing to the vigilance of the police department. Driving while intoxicated arrests increased 112 percent from eight to 17, overall arrests increased 100 percent from 22 to 44 and vehicle and traffic law summons increased 97 percent from 1,175 to 2,318.
"We're in the reputation business and I'm trying to make the Malverne PD's reputation of delivering the finest police service to the community that we can and that involves being out there, being seen and being involved in the community," said Jacobsen.
With the department's overhaul, which started in January 2002, came the adoption of a community-based policing theory that focuses on increased police presence, better community relations and increased efficiency in officer scheduling.
"The whole theory behind community based policing is that you take care of the small things and the big things disappear, or the big things take care of themselves," said Putke. "The theory is our police have got to be out on the street in a highly visible manner."
Officer driving mileage has increased about 50 percent during the last year, not including the Malverne Police Reserve unit's mileage, which is also on the rise. The reserve is a volunteer quasi law enforcement agency that patrols the village.
The police department now also has some of it's 24 officers patrolling areas beyond the 25 miles of the village roadways via bicycles, which allows them to safeguard areas like parks and bike paths that were once otherwise inaccessible.
"Glen has turned the department around," said Mayor Anthony Panzarella. "He's a very innovative young man with great ideas and he's putting them into effect."
While crime activity has increased, the majority has been pick-up crimes. Pick-up crimes are ones that go unreported unless caught by a police officer, which can include driving while intoxicated or speeding. Even though the Malverne police officers are out in the community with greater presence and diligence, overtime for the department has decreased.
"I've been striving to have an overall increased police presence and because of that the cops are out there making more arrests then they were before and that's why it's a little misleading when I say crimes reported are up 10 percent," said Jacobsen. "When you compare the arrests made last year to this year, so many of these arrests are pick-up arrests. It's self-generated by the police. That's why I want to credit my men for the stepped up enforcement and the vigilance they have that they didn't have before. The men really rose to the occasion. They are all highly trained, dedicated professionals."
Jacobsen and Putke said the police department has renewed a strong commitment to accident reduction and keeping the roads as safe as possible. Creating a partnership with the community is also essential to the community policing model's success.
"We try to really bond with the citizens we serve," said Jacobsen. "It's all about the police and the public forming a partnership to solve crime."
