Moorestown’s crime rate decreased 36.9 percent last year, with 103 fewer offenses, according to the state’s recently released Uniform Crime Reporting statistics.
“We find that crime is cyclical in nature. One year we might be up, and one year we might be down,” Moorestown Police Lt. Lee Lieber said.
Burglary decreased by 71 percent (38 to 11) from January to June 2012.
Theft also decreased by 29.4 percent to 139 offenses in that time period, according to the state’s UCR report.
Lieber said last year the department cracked down on two burglary rings, which played a large factor in comparable numbers for the next year.
According to Lieber, the yearly report is pertinent for long-term planning. For “day-to-day operations,” the department has an in-house, county-based system used to make adjustments where needed.
“Most of the departments in the county use a county-wide records keeping system, and we are able to generate reports through that to give us an idea where we are at and what we are doing. We do that frequently so we are on top of things,” he said. “We want to be proactive.”
According to Joel Bewley, spokesman for the Burlington County Prosecutors Office, the county invested $4.8 million in New World Systems — a software, hardware, training and support company for local government and public safety agencies — using a federal grant in 1996.
Departments in the county have the option of using the system, and a majority of them do, he said. When residents dial 911, the system locates where the call is coming from. The information from the call is entered into the system by the dispatcher and the proper authorities are sent to the scene. The program allows direct communication with an officer and mobile data terminal located in squad cars, and departments can look back and analyze incidents entered in the system, Bewley said.
“We view it as a very effective program,” he said.
Lieber said “manpower” has increased in Moorestown. The department recently replaced two retiring officers, and there are 32 full-time officers and four part-time Class II officers — who are trained and have the same responsibilities as full-time officers. The buck doesn’t stop there. Lieber said the increased presence in the police force and records aiding in department improvements are not the only things used to help reduce crime — they use social media.
Lieber said the department recently signed up for a Twitter account and uses Nixle and the township’s announcement database to inform residents.
“We are trying to keep people up to date as far as major events that are occurring,” Lieber said. “Our residents are our eyes and ears. Calling the police helps solving crimes.”
He said Twitter makes it easier for officers to notify the public quickly if there has been a burglary, road closure or even announcements during a natural disaster.
“We are keeping the public informed. That’s putting out hundreds of eyes and ears that can assist us,” he said.
Lieber encourages residence to follow the department on Twitter, @moorestown_PD, and sign up for Nixle announcements at www.nixle.com.
