WVC PD's Community Services Division Change

Officer Buchanan spoke with me directly about this...it is something I am so very disappointed about.

Beginning January 19 the Community Services Section has been ordered to report to the Patrol Section for temporary reassignment. It is our understanding that they will be there for 4 months until low staffing levels in the police department can be corrected with new hires. For matters that require police attention, please make use of the emergency and non-emergency dispatch numbers. 911 or (801) 840-4000

For matters needing additional police support, similar to what you would have requested from your Community Services Police Officer, please direct those requests to Lieutenant Scott Buchanan. scott.buchanan@wvc-ut.gov or (801) 963-3309. He will make every attempt to assist you, or ...have a patrol officer respond.

Again, this is a temporary reassignment, the community services officers should be returning to their areas in 4 months. If you have concerns about this situation, I would ask that you please share those with your City Council members, and/or City Manager Wayne Pyle.

There is also a survey that takes about 3 mintues to share your concerns about the city. I would highly recommend taking THIS opportunity to voice your opinions!

School Lockdown...Update.

A resident on Laurel Canyon (by the Wakefield intersection) emailed me this: My neighbor a few houses down from me just called me and told me their house was broken into. It happened at 12:30. A guy was walking around knocking on doors and he knocked on their door, but she didn't answer or let on that anyone was home. He started pounding on the door and then left. About 2 minutes later he kicked in their basement door. The dog went after him and he escaped. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

I spoke with Officer Buchanan & he verified this.  He also said that police set up a perrimeter & used K9's to seek out the suspect.   They were unable to locate the individual.

It's a good reminder to keep your eye out around your home & your neighbors!  If you see something out of place, please call the police! 

-A good tip from Lt. Merritt (from the post below)

• When should I call 911 vs the Non-Emergency 801-840-4000?

We have a non-emergency phone number that may be used in lieu of 911 that is open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When should you call it instead of 911? When you need to report a crime that is no longer in progress and doesn't require an immediate response. For instance, you notice someone sprayed graffiti on a nearby wall. Call the non-emergency phone number. But, let's say you come home and find your neighbor's garage door open with a suspicious vehicle backed up in the driveway. Your neighbors are on vacation and no one should be in their home. Call 911. Call 911 even if the suspects leave seconds after you discover them.

If you are ever in doubt, do not be afraid to call 911. No one has ever been reprimanded for calling 911 instead of the non-emergency number....that is, except for the person who calls 911 to report the light burned out in their refrigerator. And yes, we did get that phone call once. :-)