Friday, January 16, 2009

We're Number Four, We're Number Four!


Fourth-safest city in LosAngeles County, that is. Torrance also ranked as 23rd safest city in the
country for cities with populations over 100,000.
Part of the Torrance Police Department's success is due to its use of Focus Based Policing, which
empowers the whole chain of command to act on policing issues, rather than relying on a top-down way of doing things. The thinking is that the cop on the street is more in touch with what's really happening in the community and is aware of what is needed to make Torrance a better place for everyone. One program they use is the Community Lead Officer Detail. These four units (one for each section of the city) are responsible for quality of life issues in the city and because they are community-based, they are able to develop strategies for that particular area.
Related to the CLO program are the Department's numerous outreach programs for the citizens. Getting people to be knowlegeable and involved about crime and safety is a big part of making the city safer for everyone. I've gone through the Partners In Policing program and it was fascinating.
Sometimes TPD gets a bad rap for maybe being a little over-vigilant. The message they want to tell is don't come to Torrance to do crimes. Sounds good to me. My own experiences with the TPD have been nothing but excellent--every officer I've met with is professional, courteous and obviously takes pride in the job they do.
Way to go TPD! Thanks!

5 comments:

Miss Healthypants said...

That's wonderful! It's nice to know that you live in a pretty safe place. I wonder how Milwaukee's crime rate is VS Torrance's??

goldenrail said...

Well, at least some parts of Cali have good police forces...

MaryRuth said...

MHP--Milwaukee was 361 (of 380) They got some problems there.

goldenrail said...

Pleas tell me MKE was at least ahead of Oakland...

MaryRuth said...

GR--I got it a little off....
Last place @ #385 was New Orleans
Oakland was 381, MKE 361
Here's a really interesting look at Milwaukee
http://journal.davidbyrne.com/2008/10/10152008-milwaukee.html