2007 POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

The Danville Police Department, with an authorized sworn staff of 12 positions, provides a complete range of public safety and community based services.  These include emergency response, criminal investigations, motor vehicle enforcement, animal control, juvenile services, and a wide array of community focused crime prevention programs.  

2007 could definitely be summed up as a year of challenges.  A default budget, failing equipment, and loss of a full-time officer forced a reduction in some of our services.  While we would typically provide 24-hour patrol coverage, nearly 200 shifts had to be reduced to “call-time”, which involved emergency response only.  In October, the department’s 1988 truck was taken permanently out of service for rust and mechanical issues, followed by the 1999 cruiser in December for the same reasons.  While some of the officers sacrificed vacations and offered more than 600 hours of combined overtime, almost half of which was donated, we simply were unable to meet the demands placed upon us with the available resources.  Although our call summary was down approximately 10% when compared to the previous year, it comes as no surprise since we had a 23% reduction in total patrol time.  Below is a partial summary of our calls for service:

One area of concern that did show an increase in activity was the number of thefts reported; particularly items which were stolen from motor vehicles.  In all of the reported cases, the vehicles were unlocked at the time.  Some of the items taken include wallets, loose change, jewelry, cell-phones, CD’s and cameras.  Another popular item of interest for thieves is portable GPS systems, which more and more motorists are installing in their vehicles.  The devices can be easily spotted in vehicles parked in driveways and public parking lots and removed in a matter of seconds.  Please remember to keep your vehicle locked at all times and secure your valuables whenever possible. 

We were actively involved in several community-based events last year.  In October, we hosted an open house for second graders from the Danville Elementary School where they were able to tour the building and venture through police cruisers and the Homeland Security OHRV.  At the conclusion, each student was “booked” and given a mug-shot photo to take home.  In December, we co-sponsored the 9^th Annual Christmas-Tree Lighting Ceremony with the Danville Recreation Committee.  The event drew perhaps the largest crowd yet, which left the post activities at the Fire Association Hall to standing room only.  Perhaps the most memorable event was the Phillips Fundraiser that we assisted the Danville Fire Association with in June.  The event raised hundreds of dollars for Tom and Becky Phillips, whose lives were dramatically changed following Tom’s tragic accident that left him confined to a wheel chair.  The money was raised through donations, raffles, and a dance with music provided by the Coupe Deville Band with yours truly sitting in for the evening on bass guitar.  

Once again, my sincere thanks for all the public support expressed to the police department throughout the year.  I would particularly like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Frederick and Kathleen Eid and their entire family for their enormous contributions.  Although sadly Frederick died in May after a long struggle with cancer, I am one of the lucky ones whose life was touched by this very special man.  I join the many others who will miss him, but I remain grateful still for having known him. 

To the entire community, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you for the past twenty-four years.  I want you to know how grateful I am for all the support you have shown, and I pledge my continued efforts in providing the best possible police services. 

Lastly, and although it has nothing to do with politics or law enforcement, I was blessed with my proudest title ever last year, “Grandfather”. 

As always, my best wishes to all of you for a safe and happy 2008. 

Wade H. Parsons
Chief of Police

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