Boardman police say crime dropping in city

Published 5:20 pm Monday, March 15, 2004

BOARDMAN – The Police Department reported a drop last year in major crimes of 13 percent, according to the report provided to the City Council recently.

The report said 72 percent of all crimes committed in the city were solved, which speaks highly of the department, Chief Mark Calbick said.

Good communication with the public is one reason the police were able to crack big cases in 2003, he said. One tip alone resulted in the recovery of more than $10,000 in stolen property.

Part of the challenge for Boardman police is the number of cars passing through town from Interstate 84, said Calbick, noting, “The Interstate coming through is a unique situation.”

That makes it even more important for the public to be the eyes and ears for the police, Calbick said.

This year Calbick is looking forward to starting a Neighborhood Watch program in the Boardman area to boost public involvement even more.

In addition, “Any citizen is welcome to come into my office,” Calbick said of his open door policy.

Calbick also said he would like to have his officers receive more training in dealing with crime scene investigations, child abuse cases and domestic violence.