Mobile patrols added in 1997

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FPSE Mobile Patrol Begins

Were you one of the 72 percent of households that expressed a desire to see more police on the streets in the recent Safety and Housing Survey?

In an effort to improve safety in Forest Park Southeast, advertisements were placed in two area newspapers, and 19 private security contractors received a Request For Proposal to establish and administer a mobile patrol for the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood.

The Request for Proposal named several criteria:

two off-duty police officers form the 3rd District,
two fully equipped and marked vehicles,
approximately 12 hours of coverage per day (six hours per officer),
periodic activity reports / statistics from the security contractor,
regular meetings between the security contractor and the Security Subcommittee of the Community Advisory Group, and
cost of program.

Funds for the mobile patrol program, approximately $100,000 annually, is available through the HUD grant to Washington University for the revitalization of FPSE neighborhood. These funds will be augmented by about $12,000 form Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation. WUMC will act as the representative of Washington University in the contract. Suzanne Goodman, Program Manager for the WUMC Community Revitalization Program says, "Voluntary contributions to the patrol are welcome. Extra dollars will add to the number of hours the patrol is on the streets of FPSE.

The mobile patrol does not take the place of police officers assigned to Forest Park Southeast. Instead, mobile patrol officers will fully coordinate and work with all the 3rd District and mobile patrol officers will fully coordinate and work with the 3rd District and Mobile Reserve police officers already stationed in the area. Captain Joe Richardson, commander of the 3rd District, is supportive of the safety initiative.

"I look forward to working with the new mobile patrol to further stabilize FPSE," says Richardson. "I plan to keep a close line of communication open with the security company and the off-duty police officers so that information can be shared by all, possible even directing the activities of the officers where added attention is needed."

A selection committee made up of the Security Subcommittee of the Community Advisory Group, WUMC Revitalization Program staff and independent security experts will review the proposals and schedule interviews with chosen contractors.

Start-up of the mobile patrol is scheduled for February 1997, though it is expected to require fine-tuning and adjustments as the needs of FPSE residents and crime statistics change.

Although the patrol will be made up of 3rd District officers, they will need some time to get to know the residents; don't be surprised if you are stopped by them and asked a few friendly questions. The mobile patrol officer's job is to protect you, your loved ones and your property. Please be patient as they get to know you and your neighbors!

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