The year began with three months of severe winter weather, bringing extreme cold and snow accumulations to the region.  Police activity included mediating several domestic disputes between cohabitants forced to remain indoors.  For those residents who ventured outdoors in motor vehicles,  many discovered the roads to be more challenging than expected,  resulting in motor vehicle crashes and other mishaps.

The members of the police department became more involved in community activities beginning with the Winter Carnival,  and including the  Bunny Hop,  Riverfest, Scarecrows on the Common,  Trick or Treat Downtown,  Octoberfest and others.  In addition,  as other means of soliciting input from residents, several police events and programs were presented during the year.

Presentations were made to civic organizations and at local schools throughout the year.  Topics included bicycle safety,  legal issues, police procedures, defensive driving, and others.  In addition classes were presented on Rape Prevention, Firearms Safety, and Bicycle Safety for open enrolment.  Two very popular events drew praise within the community when they were introduced during the year.

The First Annual PROCOPS banquet was held in May.  Recognizing several Jaffrey Police Officers and local residents for outstanding acts of community service,  this event brought over 100 people together.  In the Fall, the First Citizens Police Academy allowed several area residents to learn more about how the Jaffrey Police Department operates and resulted in an exchange of information that will contribute toward meeting community needs into the future.

Efforts were taken during the year to reduce overtime costs.  That included a change in the work schedule and additional responsibilities assumed by members of the department. These efforts resulted in a reduction of almost $30,000 in that expense.  The hiring of two part-time police officers, supplemented by a Federal Grant, is expected to further reduce those costs during future years.

Unfortunately, achieving that goal will be challenging.  Jaffrey continues to demonstrate a need for the assignment of highly trained police officers.  Serious criminal activity,  although infrequent,  does occur, as does less serious crimes more frequently.   There is also a great demand for service related calls for assistance.  Animal complaints, false 911 emergency calls, and false building alarms accounted for more than 700 calls for service during the year.  Many of those calls resulted in the response of more than one officer.

As we face the challenges of the future and all the additional steps we must take to provide successful public safety services developed since 9-11-01,  we must recognize that all the policing needs in existence prior to that date remain.   I again call upon the people of Jaffrey to help us, help you experience safe lifestyles as you live, work or play in this wonderful community.

                                                                                    Chief Martin J. Dunn

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