Recently, it has come to our attention through members of the community that they would like to see more of a presence in city parks due to various issues and concerns. Some of the problems reported to us include vehicular racing, possible drug use, people fighting, and people using vulgar language or slurs around their family.
This initiative will refocus the resources of the department towards utilizing not just patrol officers, but also detectives, the special investigative unit (SIU), and school resource officers to be more effective. They will focus on community policing by conducting not just vehicle patrols, but foot patrols of the parks and Saline River access points to be a visible deterrent to those intent on conducting criminal activity.
Although there have been some complaints, the parks in the city are safe places for residents to visit and enjoy. With summer arriving, this initiative is designed to send the message to those that might participate in illegal behavior that it will not be tolerated and that our parks will continue to be good places for people to enjoy without fear.
As part of this initiative we will also partner with other agencies, such as the Arkansas Game and Fish near the river access points, to be more proactive in dealing with issues that may arise. Officers are being tasked to not only conduct additional patrols during the daytime, but also during ball games and other nighttime activities.
The Benton Police Department recently completed the May warrant initiative and amnesty program. That initiative resulted in a total of 421 warrants being served including 360 misdemeanor and 13 felony warrants out of our department. There was also 48 warrants issued out of other agencies as a result of this initiative.
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