Directed patrols
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Posted 2:31 AM 1/17/2012 : Directed patrols
PICTURE ROCKS-Picture Rocks is a rural community just northwest of Tucson. It's population is small but up until a year ago it had major crime issues.
A special unit called Directed Patrol stepped in and together with the residents they worked together to rid their community of people causing the crime.
A special tip line (351-3868) has been set up where deputies personally answer the calls and then respond. That's how they solved a major burglary ring.
Sgt. Terry Parish heads the Directed Patrol unit, "We had three burglaries in one weekend. By Monday morning we knew who our bad guys were by Tuesday we had them under arrest Wednesday we were digging up the stolen items that were burglarized."
This couldn't haven't happened without information from the Picture Rocks community. Sgt. Parish says, "We want to help them help us basically solve the quality of life crime that come into the neighborhood and affect all of us."
Greg Mattison has lived in the area for 3 decades, and the once quiet and peaceful desert community became a hot spot for meth labs, drug houses, and the criminal activity that follows. Directed Patrol shifted into high gear. "We feel there is much less meth activity out here than there ever has been before."
Matthison credits Directed Patrol. "Our motto here has always been good support for good law enforcement."
All of the information provided by the residents is reinforced in crime analysis and that's to help Directed Patrol deputies zero in on the bad guys.
Not only do the deputies go out and talk to the residents to help solve crimes, they also get involved in the community by attending meetings, helping plant a community garden, and sometimes going the extra mile in getting residents help with social service agencies.
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