Absence of Crime is the Best Measure of Police Effectiveness
Absence of Crime is the Best Measure of Police Effectiveness
Editor,
I read with interest the recent guest column by Sgt. Ray Wood (“Officers Doing Their Job, Despite Staff Cuts,” April 21) addressing the issues of crime, staffing, and morale at the Hollister Police Department.
His comments are well taken and as a fellow criminal justice professional I share his frustration and agree with his optimistic approach to this complex problem.
My only issue with his assessment is that officers may have left Hollister Police Department in favor of the San Benito Sheriff’s because, at the sheriff’s office, they do “half the work.”
As a criminal justice educator and researcher I can say that there is more to the measure of “work” at a police agency than the level of calls for service including: proactive patrol activities, crime prevention programs, school services, jail operations, court services, and special events to name just a few.
Truly, the most accurate measure of the effectiveness of law enforcement is the absence of crime, not calls for service.
I appreciate and support the Hollister Police Department. They are indeed a thin blue line and deserving of the support of the city administration and their community.
Steve Smith
Administration of Justice Department,
Gavilan College
Thanks to All Who Helped With Downtown Cleanup
Editor,
On behalf of the board of directors of the Hollister Downtown Association, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the volunteers and businesses who helped with our annual spring cleanup of Downtown Hollister.
Specifically, I would like to thank event coordinator Emily Millar and volunteers Terri Lamb, Nathan Torres, Christian Hernandez, Michael Torres, Jakob Torres, Dakota Manley, Kjersti Nystrom, Noelle Mercure, Susan Nystrom, Madison Wahl, Maggie Cook, Maricela Vallejo, Jennifer Farrone, John Garner, Marisa Belotinsky, Shella Basanese, Cindy Biesemeyer, Ellen Fisher, Brenda Zanger, Nate Zanger, Dominic Zanger, Kim Johnson and Jett Johnson for their time and energy.
These volunteers collectively logged about 90 hours in time with their efforts to make our downtown look great.
Many thanks also to the Elegant Touch and Hollister Disposal/Waste Management for their contributions to this effort.
Brenda Weatherly
Executive Director, Hollister Downtown Association
