Crime lower
Washingtonville releases statsBy MATTHEW WHITE
WASHINGTONVILLE - Washingtonville Police Chief John Finch said the village's crime rate dropped 11 percent in 2008.
According to statistics in the department's annual report, 62 arrests were made in 2008, which is eight fewer than the 70 arrests made in 2007.
Nearly all of the arrests, 59, were for misdemeanor, or less serious, criminal activities.
"Eighty-percent of law enforcement is officer presence," Finch said. "People are deterred [from committing crimes] because we're out there."
In addition to the arrests, the police department responded to 5,312 security checks, 482 public service calls and 11 traffic accidents.
In his four months as chief, Finch has built upon the structure put in place by former chief Jim Craven, who is now serving as the department's staff sergeant.
Finch added the department's first female officer, Becky Nickelson, and several male officers to form a complete staff of 15 part-time officers.
In addition, the department replaced an aged police
See STATS, Page 5A
cruiser with a new one and updated its computer system.
Finch praised the report, which was prepared by Craven, saying it is very important in fighting crime.
"The man's very intelligent. He prepared a great report," Finch said. "It lets us know what areas we need to be in and when we need to be there to reduce crime."
Matthew White may be contacted at mwhite@salemnews.net.
