Abington Town Report 2008

It is with great pride in the men and women who wear the uniform of the Abington Police Department that I submit this year’s annual report to the townspeople. Once again, I am happy to report that the members of this department continue to serve the residents with dedication and compassion. The relatively simple phrase “Community Partners” that is inscribed on every marked police vehicle accurately reflects how each member of our department is fully committed to working with the townspeople and other professionals to combat the current issues that we face. Although this year will prove to be even more challenging than others due to the difficult fiscal times ahead, I assure you that the police department will continue to offer quality service and will work with the community to insure that Abington is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.
However, I must point out that in difficult fiscal times, there is often an increase in calls for services and in crime. By way of example, during the past twelve months, members of the department arrested or criminally charged a record setting 1,111 suspects; completed another 1,100 Offense Reports; issued close to 5,000 traffic citations; and investigated 500 traffic accidents. Additionally, officers answered 29,931 calls for service from the residents of Abington. I bring this information forward so that the townspeople can clearly understand the impact that the growth in residences and businesses in this town and the surrounding communities has had on the police department.
I would also like to highlight the fact that in 1998 we received 9,278 calls for service and had 30 full time police officers to respond to these calls. Currently, we are budgeted for 28 full time police officers and received more than three times the number of calls for service in 2008. I would be remiss in my duty as your police chief if I did not mention that this 300% increase in calls should lead to an increase in staffing and not a decrease. Without an increase in our current staffing levels, we will not be able to continue to act as proactively as we have in past years. It is my belief that a well-planned, incremental increase in personnel is essential for protecting our community and preserving your quality of life.
As I have stated in past town reports, I strongly believe that the time has come to hire and appoint a School Resource Officer in our public school system. Besides law enforcement duties, this officer’s primary responsibility would be to work hand-in-hand with school personnel to educate our youth about the dangers of substance abuse. Furthermore, this officer would act as a mentor and a positive role model for our youth. However, with this said, the department first needs to increase our current staffing levels before we can afford to take an officer off of patrol duties.
On another note, I would like to take the opportunity to again thank the townspeople and all of the members of the Police Station Building Committee for allowing us to realize our goal of building a new police facility. It will surely serve the community for many years to come. The Committee’s tireless commitment to this project over the past few years has been nothing short of remarkable; so, thank you to Committee Chairman Kevin R. Donovan, Secretary Shawn P. Reilly, Senior Advisor John R. Buckley and Sergeant Kevin R. O’Neil!
In closing, I would like to once again thank the fine officers of this department, the hardworking board members, and the always vigilant residents of the town for their continued support.
Sincerely,
David G. Majenski
Chief of Police