Mobile Command Post Targets Crime and Community Policing
March 28, 2008
The concepts of community policing are well known to the law
enforcement community. In order for a law enforcement agency to
remain successful in its crime fighting mission, they must
explore different ways to maximize the effectiveness of
community policing. Imagine if you could move a police station
to different locations on a weekly basis to help reduce crime
and increase community involvement in policing. The Mesa Police
Department's Superstition Patrol Division is responsible for the
implementation of a mobile command post that is placed in a
strategic area within their work area to effectively direct and
concentrate limited resources into the areas most affected by
crime. When it comes to discussing the financial difficulties
for law enforcement agencies nationwide the word "limited
resources" seems to echo. Utilizing a mobile command post helps
to utilize the limited resources available in the most effective
way.
The mobile command post consists of working out of a large
command vehicle that is placed in a targeted area. The command
post acts as a.area for patrol officers where they can
attend briefings, pre-book prisoners, write police reports, and
receive updated information on criminal activity so they can
properly deploy their efforts. Specific resources and manpower
are utilized to saturate the targeted area in order to reduce
crime. The targeted area is chosen after a careful review of
criminal activity within the patrol district.
Patrol squads will conduct their pre-shift briefings at the
mobile command post. They will receive assignments within the
crime box, targeting specific areas that have seen increases in
criminal activity. A Mesa City Jail detention officer will be
assigned to the command post to assist officers in the booking
of prisoners. The Mesa City Jail is located at police
headquarters. Patrol officers working the east side of town
often have extended drive times when booking prisoners. Allowing
officers to bring their prisoners to the mobile command post
where a detention officer and transport van is available will
allow the officer to return to the crime box and concentrate on
reducing criminal activity. The Traffic Division's DUI squad
will also work out of the mobile command post.
This week's mobile command post will be utilized in the
Superstition District. It will be located in the parking lot of
the Superstition Springs Center from 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. The
Mesa Police Department would like to thank Westcor for use of
their parking lot and look forward to a successful and
continuous partnership in making our community a safer place.
The Members of the Superstition Patrol Division have done an
exceptional job coordinating this program. We look forward to
utilizing it citywide.