“Personal Peace & Safety” Discussion Tonight at 4PAC

Tonight’s Fourth Precinct Advisory Council (4PAC) meeting will include as presentation by Lt. Bret Lindback of the MPD’s Community Response Team (CRT) on the topic “Personal Peace and Safety Issues.”  There will be a social time from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at the 4th Precinct headquarters at 1925 Plymouth Avenue N (you can park in the lot across the street).  The formal meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and usually runs for about an hour to an hour-and-a-half.   It includes an update from the Inspector’s office on how things are going in our neighborhoods so far this year, what they anticipate for the summer, and a time to ask questions.

From the MPD web site, here is what CRT does for us:

Community Response Team

The Community Response Team (CRT) uses a two pronged approach in responding to the concerns of citizens in the precinct.

The first approach is directed patrol which uses uniformed CRT officers to respond in the high crime areas of the precinct or areas that are experiencing specific problems. This gives a greater police presence in these areas, which helps prevent crime and increases the chances of catching criminals. This approach gives the precinct commander more flexibility in responding to crime trends in the precinct ranging from speeding cars, burglaries in a neighborhood, and drug dealing on a street corner, without affecting services to the community.

The second approach uses the expertise of the CRT Team’s “plain clothes”/ undercover officers to respond to precinct drug problems. The approach can be very effective because officers work closely with the community receiving complaints about drug houses and drug dealing. The CRT Team also investigates street level prostitution, disorderly houses and illegal liquor and cigarette sales.

This two pronged approach creates a highly responsive and effective team for the citizens.

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4PAC is a joint effort between the police department and citizens to provide information about neighborhood issues from both sides.  Citizens can learn first hand what police response is to recent crimes, and police can learn more about problems that citizens are experiencing.  4PAC meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the 4th Precinct.  It is open to all, and includes useful information and educational programs to help us all enjoy peace and safety where we live.