The employees of the POLICE DEPARTMENT were put to the test in 2004, and  passed with honors.  As the result of retirement of Sgt. Reynolds, and Ptlm. Laflamme resigning to accept a position in his hometown, the department fell two officers short.  It took almost the whole year to recruit replacements who possessed the high level of integrity and intelligence currently in place within the force. That left the rest of us to pick up the slack.

Calls for service actually increased from 2003, almost reaching 5,800. Unfortunately, a significant amount of police resources were wasted once again during the year as police responded to over 600 calls resulting from false alarms, irresponsible animal ownership and abuse of the 911 emergency system. If ever there was a year when we needed those abuses to disappear, it was 2004.

Officers handled several serious motor vehicle crashes, including one that resulted in the death of a Jaffrey woman. More than a dozen burglaries were investigated, including one where a resident was savagely attacked and another involving a home invasion. Most were solved by Jaffrey officers, including those two.

Incidents involving transgressions committed by juveniles presented additional challenges during the year. Officers arrested 113 juveniles for committing crimes while attending school in Jaffrey or in the community at large. Incidents of substance abuse, violence and disorderly conduct were common behaviors associated with those arrests.

Somehow, officers found time to continue presenting important crime prevention or community service programs. Another Citizen's Police Academy Class was held, a Police/Community Day reached hundreds of children and their parents, Ride-A-Long engagements, building tours and safety presentations were active throughout the year.

Of special note was the high level of community service employees performed during their off duty time.  Police volunteers participated in several TEAM Jaffrey and Chamber of Commerce events. The Police Association presented a college scholarship to a graduating Conant student to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. Several Jaffrey families were assisted with challenges they faced during Thanksgiving and Christmas and cash donations were made to various local organizations.

As your Police Chief I pledge to continue seeking efficient and creative ways to provide the police services you demand and need. I urge you to behave in ways that will minimize the amount of your tax dollars needed to meet those demands. Encourage friends and relatives to be responsible pet owners, exercise care when using building alarms and only use 911 system to report emergencies.

Take a part in supervising young people close to you so they receive the guidance and direction needed to become contributing members of society. They are the future of Jaffrey and doing so will be a good investment.

Respectfully submitted:

Martin J. Dunn

Chief of Police