Definition: “A Community Based Policing Philosophy that empowers Beat Officers to act as the first and most important level of Problem Solvers in their area (assigned beat) through community interaction & developing partnerships.”

Three Basic Philosophy Elements:

• Safety First
• Radio Calls for Service
• Beat Specific Results, Driven Problem Solving

During the month of January 2007, Cactus Park Precinct supervisors received training on the Beat Accountability Program. The Cactus Park Precinct has designated the 921 Beat (Northern to Dunlap, 1-17 to 43rd Avenue) as the location for implementation of this program with a start date of March 1, 2007. This program will eventually transition to every beat in the precinct and will remain in place indefinitely.

Background and Assessment:

This location is also adjacent to the 922 Beat (I-17 to 43rd Avenue, Dunlap to Cholla, 31st Avenue to I-17, Dunlap to Peoria, 31st Avenue to 43rd Avenue) which is the Metro Center Neighborhood Fight Back area. Initiating the Beat Accountability Program in a beat this close to the current fight back target area will allow some flexibility to assist with the numerous fight back programs and eventually enable a smoother transition for the implementation in other precinct areas.

Response:

The 92 Area Squad sergeants have identified six primary officers and six secondary officers to work in the 921 Beat. Coverage will be provided on a 24 hour, around the clock basis due to the benefit of coverage provided by six different squads. Each officer has been designated as a Beat Accountability Representative (BAR), and is tasked with providing the skills and expertise towards identifying and problem solving in the 921 Beat.

Area concerns include:

• Violent Crimes/Robbery/Drug & Narcotic activity
• Disorder Crimes/Criminal Damage/Graffiti
• Aggravated Assaults/Assaults
• Transients/Homeless/Trespassing
• Curfew/Juvenile Delinquency
• Burglary/Burglary from Vehicles

Communication and collaboration will be an intrinsically valuable characteristic that will drive the success of the Beat Accountability Program. The program will include internal and external partners working together to resolve identified social and criminal problems within the boundaries of the 921 Beat and the surrounding areas if necessary. The role of Beat Accountability Representative is merely to facilitate this process as well as provide those resources required to reduce crime, while at the same time developing a network of communication between the BAR officers.

Internal Partners will include:

• Property Crimes Bureau
• Violent Crime Bureau
• Traffic Bureau, TESU
• Police Reserves Bureau
• Crime Analysis Research Unit, Precinct Analyst
• Precinct Community Action Officers
• Neighborhood Enforcement Squads
• Specialty Units (Organized Crime Bureau, Downtown Operations Unit, Drug Enforcement Bureau)

External Partners will include:

• Community and Economic Development
• Housing
• Human Services
• Neighborhood Services Department
• Parks and Recreation Department
• Phoenix Fire Department

Community involvement will be specifically addressed by introducing the BAR officers to the members of the community through daily interaction and various neighborhood events. Education will be an important component of the Beat Accountability Program and will include: Educating the community members on crime prevention methods and the legal process.

• Providing the community an opportunity to establish liaisons with specific officers.
• Expand on programs involving local apartment complexes and the Crime Free Multi Housing programs

The Beat Accountability Program is a comprehensive developmental program designed to meet the social needs of the community. Crime is only one of many issues that will be addressed during the program and the anticipated results are positive. Activities will be added to this program as the need arises based upon crime analysis and modifications recommended by the BAR officers.