2002 Police Activity Report
The year 2002 proved to be a challenging year for the North Hampton Police Department. Staffing shortages were a major problem due to the continuing military activations of Officer David Pridham and Officer Peter Cormier. Both Officers continue to serve their country and may they remain safe in the uncertainties that lay ahead. The shortage was compounded earlier in the year when Officer James Russell, who was hired to fill a vacancy toward the end of 2001, attended the Police Academy. To help fill the staffing shortages Officer Michael Oliveira was hired. Both Officers Russell and Oliveira have since successfully graduated from the Academy and they are currently on patrol in the Town.
In regard to activity it was another busy year for the North Hampton Police Department. During the year the North Hampton Police Department responded to 7346 calls for service which is a 4% increase over last year’s totals. Although violent calls were down at the end of the year (with the exception of sexual assaults) the North Hampton Police Department experienced a sharp rise in property related crimes such as burglary (+48%), Auto theft (+57%), and fraud (+10%). The sharpest rise in a particular crime category was sexual assault, which was up 82%. Drug related crimes also increased by 31%. Below is a breakdown of the calls for service for the department in 2002:
The Police Department also had to deal with a unique situation when a clandestine mushroom growing operation was found in the Town. This investigation alone required the North Hampton Police Department to work in cooperation with the New Hampshire State Police, the Massachusetts State Police and the DEA.
The North Hampton Police Department also continued working with various schools and the Recreation Department to encourage continued interaction between the Police and students. Some examples of these programs are the Internship program with Hesser College and Winnacunnet High School. We also hosted Santa Claus at the Old Town Hall and participated in the Egg Scramble for the Children at the North Hampton State Beach. As we have from year to year, we again took part in the festivities along with the North Hampton School at the annual school picnic. The DARE program has also remained very successful due to the efforts of the school administration, and of course our DARE Officer Detective Joshua Stokel.
I would like to thank all members of the North Hampton Police Department for their dedicated service to the Town of North Hampton. Their teamwork work made it possible for the department to continue providing a high quality service while struggling through a staffing shortage and a considerable increase in Calls for Service. Congratulations for a job well done! Finally I would like to thank the citizens of North Hampton for their never ending support, which enables the police department to continue providing this high quality service.
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