Ashland Police recognized by VML for reducing crime, calls for service in troubled neighborhood
October 15, 2009 | VACP
In Ashland, police were confronted with a substantial spike in crime concentrated in a single neighborhood. From 2005-2007 the corridor encompassing South Taylor, Arlington and Randolph streets (S.T.A.R.) averaged 4.1 police calls for service per residence compared to the average volume in comparable neighborhoods of 1.8 calls per residence.
Residents living in the S.T.A.R. corridor began voicing concerns about their safety and the department responded beginning in January 2008 with a comprehensive strategy designed to increase its presence in the neighborhood and decrease crime. The result was a 50 percent reduction in crime and calls for police service in the targeted area.
The 2009 VML Achievement Awards will be presented October 20 during the VML Annual Conference in Roanoke, VA.
