Newfields Police Department 

A Level I New Hampshire Accredited Agency

Annual Report 2007  

It is time again to reflect on another year which has now past us all and in doing so we all  think of what we have accomplished in our personal lives as well as at work. The police department continues to look forward, always looking to improve its self to better deliver services to the Town with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity. Your department is still only one of two agencies in the entire state of similar size which is State Accredited.

As in past years we still actively look and apply for grants to bring money back to your Town. This year proved difficult because a great deal of the available Federal and State funds have been diverted to other projects within the government. This year, the department was able to secure over $11,000.00 for patrols to decrease speeding vehicles and the apprehension of impaired drivers. Part of this money also went to fund a new program to monitor and apprehend the sale of alcohol to minors. The program was a joint effort with Newmarket and Stratham Police Departments.  We will continue throughout the next year to apply and secure grants to help the Town.

I would like to thank Lieutenant Anne Gould for her hard work in securing and the monitoring of the grants this year. I would like also to recognize her for her hard work, dedication and professionalism.

Those of you who have called or stopped by to see us throughout the year have more likely spoken with Maureen Smith, the Departments’ Administrative Assistant. Maureen is an outstanding employee and allows to office to run very efficiently and professionally. I appreciate her loyalty and hard work.

This past April officer Stephen McAulay graduated from the full time academy after spending fourteen weeks there. Since returning to patrol, he has done an outstanding job protecting the Town. Officer McAulay has investigated many felony and misdemeanor crimes consisting of burglaries, stolen firearms and drugs. He has made over 76 quality arrests to his credit since graduating from the police academy. Because of his hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to the profession he was awarded the Chief’s Achievement Award for his hard work.

Below, I have included a cross section of some of the typical calls for service we have responded to throughout the past year and how it compares to previous years. This year we had more felony arrests and indictments than ever before. Our total number of arrests for the year increased significantly while the number of accidents and motor vehicle stops has decreased.

We all have come to live or work in Newfields for a variety of reasons. Many of those reasons are because of the quaintness of our New England town, good neighborhoods, schools and a low crime rate. We are very fortunate for such low a crime level considering what our neighboring towns have to deal with. This year we did see over a thirty five percent increase in arrests. Some of that increase can be attributed to our philosophy of proactive policing and good investigative work and by the increase of vehicle traffic and the reporting of crime. We strongly urge residents to always lock their homes and vehicles when unattended and to report suspicious activity when they see it. We continue to work with outside law enforcement agencies to help decrease the current trend of drugs sales and usage. Over the last year, with the assistance of the Federal Government we have been successful with a number of forfeitures as a result of extensive drug investigations.

The department, this year, has chosen to place two warrant articles on the ballot for consideration. The first warrant article is asking for funds to purchase bullet proof vests for the officers. If the warrant article is approved, the Town will be reimbursed 50% of the overall cost from a previously approved grant. The second warrant article is asking the Town to approve money so an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) can be purchased and placed in one of the police vehicles.

This year the department has logged an immeasurable amount of hours in community service in a variety of events. Some of those areas are the D.A.R.E. Program, Easter egg hunt, Holiday Celebration, food baskets and the annual road side trash pick up along Route 87 in an attempt to maintain its beauty. I would like to thank the Community Church and the Christian Faith Church for their role in the annual food basket drive. We have now done the food baskets for the last five years. I would also like to thank the many other individuals and organizations who help with the food drive. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

The department continues to offer the Helpful Hands Program for any resident who feels they could utilize extra assistance during a declared emergency event. Currently we have over twenty residents who participate in the program. If you are interested in the program you can find more information on the department’s web-site or the attached forms.

We have continued the D.A.R.E. program in the 5^th grade at the Newfields Elementary School. It has been a long established program offered at the school for about a decade and we feel it is a worthwhile investment in the children. This year officer Tanya Lampi taught at the school and was very well liked by the children, parents and the school staff. She did an outstanding job with the program and we look forward to her teaching the program in coming years.  A special thanks to those who have, in the past, donated money to the program. The program is operated solely on donations and without your continued support the program would not be possible.

I would like to thank all the men and women of the Newfields Police Department for their continued dedication to the Town and their profession. I personally appreciate your hard work, commitment and loyalty. A debt of gratitude goes to my two part-time officers, Guy Philbrook and Rainsford Deware. With three part-time vacancies going unfilled for a year, you have stepped up to fill open shifts when needed while sacrificing your valuable time away from your family as well as your full time careers.

Regards,

Art Reed

Chief of Police

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