2004 Annual Report - City of Fairbanks

DOWNTOWN FOOT AND BIKE PATROL
Downtown foot/bike patrol offers law enforcement officers a unique opportunity to
interact with the public in a very accessible and positive way. The Downtown foot
patrol area is bordered by Slater Street on the north and 10 th Ave on the south.
The east border is the Steese Expressway and Barnette Street the west border.
This area includes Golden Heart Park, Graehl Landing, the Visitor’s Center and
numerous local businesses and restaurants. The hours for foot patrol are from
noon to 10 pm. The volume of foot traffic downtown during the summer is
considerable and consists of business owners, patrons, and tourists.
A foot/bike patrol officer has the ability to
interact with the public in a relatively lowkey
manor. Officers can build a rapport
with people who otherwise may have very
little police contact. Being on foot or on a
bicycle reduces the barriers between the
public and law enforcement. This gives the
public and opportunity to ask general
questions or address concerns that are not
emergency oriented. Establishing a police
presence in the downtown area fosters a
feeling of confidence and safety.
During the summer of 2004 the foot/ bike
officer responded to a variety of complaints to include drinking in public,
trespassing, thefts, and assaults. Twenty one arrests were made and six citations
written. Most of these offenses involved the nuisance crimes such as open
container, drinking in public, and disorderly conduct.
One concern frequently mentioned by business owners and patrons is the number
of chronic inebriates who hang out in mass in the downtown parks during the
summer. A foot patrol officer is able to enforce liquor violations and respond
quickly to problems that invariably occur. The Officer’s ability to quickly respond
to even minor problems discourages those who engage in illegal behavior and often
encourages them to move their activities out of the downtown area.
Another problem arose during the summer of 2004. A group of juveniles was
targeting the chronic inebriate population for late night assaults and robberies.
Initially victims were not reporting the assaults to police, but after some
questioning about injuries a pattern of attacks emerged. By analyzing the crimes,
police and social service were able to focus directed patrols and resources to
combat the problem. These actions provided more protection to a vulnerable
population and ended the assaults.
Overall a foot patrol officer is in a unique position to act as a liaison between the
community and the department. Through networking and extensive community
contact a patrol officer can help address community concerns, identify effective
strategies, track crime trends, and provide services to people who may otherwise
slip through the cracks.
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