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Page 10 Quartzsite, Arizona- The total calls for service and activity for the Quartzsite Police Department (QPD) recorded by La Paz Central Dispatch for the calendar year 2011 was four thousand seven hundred and twenty (4,720). (Full report online at www.Quartz- siteBlog.com). The statistics indicate an approximate 18% reduction in dispatched generated calls for service from the previous year, 2010. In conjunction with the calls for service recorded by Central Dis- patch, eight hundred and eleven (811) department reports (DR) were generated. (See attached report). The statistics indicate an approximate 5 % reduction in DR's generated by all calls for service from the previous year. Approximately 41% (333) of these cases were cleared by an arrest, indicating no change from the previ- ous year 2010. In addition, there were one thousand one hundred and forty-six (1,146) civil traffic citations issued indicating www.DesertMessenger.com QPD releases 2011 crime/activity statistics an approximate increase of 15%, and three hundred and sixty-three (363) criminal citations issued indicating an approximate increase of 3.5% over the previous year 2010. These figures do not account for all "walk-in" traffic that is reported directly to the police department at the front window. These calls include general information to the public, V.I.N inspections, and public assis- tance. This type of traffic generates between four (4) to ten (10) calls per day depending on the time of year. While the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is primarily responsible for ac- cidents on Interstate 10 in our juris- diction, the officers of the Quartzsite Police Department are often the first responders. These accidents often involve fatalities and/or serious inju- ries and are very demanding and time consuming. Along with this, we are often the first responders to hundreds of medical calls throughout the year. The Quartzsite Police Department currently has nine (9) full time patrol officers (including the Chief) that provides 24 hour shift coverage an- nually to a population of anywhere between thirty-eight hundred (3,800) year round residents, to estimates of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) at peak times. In addition to the ever fluctuating population, our crime statistics and ac- tivity are generated by our geographi- cal location along one of the major crossroads in the State, this being Interstate 10 and State Highway 95. In conjunction with these routes, we are also in one of the largest drug traf- ficking routes in the nation as well as having regular contact with document- ed gang members who travel between the Phoenix and Los Angeles areas. The Quartzsite Police Department does not have anyone assigned to the La Paz County Task Force that deals with organized drug activity, money laundering, and other organized crime, at this time. The patrol activi- ties and calls for service remain the priority of the department as we fill our vacancies. KBUX Quartzsite Radio 94.3 FM http://kbuxradio.com • Quartzsite's Favorite "CLASSIC HITS" • Local Information • Weather • 24 Hours Day / 7 Days Week! 928-927-5111 First locally-owned and operated music station in Quartzsite, Arizona. Proudly serving the communities of Quartzsite, Bouse, Brenda, Rainbow Acres, La Paz Valley and beyond, since 1988. 690 E. Main - Quartzsite (one block east of Family Dollar) 928-927-6551 Over the past several years, the Task Force has dismantled several drug trafficking organizations that had a direct impact on our community and the entire county, and beyond. We continue to work with the Task Force April 18, 2012 members with matters that directly impact our immediate area. In addi- tion, the department addresses the criminal drug activities from a more direct approach. Due to the personnel issues and bud- get restraints the department is faced with, we suspended the K-9 program that was in effect earlier this year. The department will re-evaluate its effec- tiveness at a later time once we fill the needs for general patrol and services. While the department was faced with a major challenge last year with the ultimate dismissal of six (6) police officers, the department carried on without any lack of service to the community, and effectively managed the large volume of calls for service. The Quartzsite Police Department collectively has over one hundred and fifty years of experience among its cur- rent officers. The dedication, experi- ence and commitment the officers displayed when faced with the chal- lenge of continuing the service to our community earlier this year says it all. Quartzsite remains to be a very safe community with a relatively low crime rate when compared to the large population of people we serve. The Quartzsite Police Department works very hard at keeping our community a safe place to live, work, play and retire. JOSEPH BRUNO • BACK FLOW SPECIALIST 115 N. Emelia, PO Box 581, Quartzsite ABPA Certified No. 29-00027 928-916-4965 775-790-3260 READER'S OASIS BOOKS Local Resident! Serving Quartzsite area!