Pubdate: Tue, 26 Aug 2008
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Copyright: 2008 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Contact:  http://www.telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509
Note: Rarely prints LTEs from outside circulation area - requires 
'Letter to the Editor' in subject
Author: Scott J. Croteau

PATROLS IN MAIN SOUTH AIM TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE

Police Want To Repeat Spring Success

WORCESTER-- As students wait to hop on buses or walk to  school, 
police will be making sure that they do not  encounter any drug 
dealing or prostitution in the Main  South area and that school bus 
and walking routes stay  safe throughout the city.

A month before the end of the last school year, the  Main South 
community met with police.

The 50 to 60 residents, business owners and community  officials who 
attended expressed concern about the  "aggressive" drug dealers and 
prostitutes near school  bus stops early in the morning, police Chief 
Gary J.  Gemme said.

The vice squad was dispatched to ensure the children  were safe and 
to clean up the streets. It was so  successful that parents began 
feeling safe enough to  leave their children at the bus stops.

Vice squad officers were joined by foot patrol officers  who walked 
the Main South area to keep a high profile.

"My understanding is it has been quiet for most of the  summer, but 
we want to make sure that at the beginning  of the school year, we 
have a visible presence and set  the tone for the school year," the 
chief said  yesterday.

Those two programs will roll out again today as school begins.

"We wanted to address some of the issues that we faced  at the end of 
the school year, particularly along the  Main South corridor," Chief 
Gemme said.

The vice squad will be back out, and officers who  normally finish 
their shifts at 7 a.m. will stay out  for a few more hours and walk 
the Main South area.

Across the city, the traffic and patrol officers will  hit the 
streets and check on all school bus routes and  crosswalks for 
schools. There will be strict driving  and crosswalk enforcement.

"We had a relatively safe summer," said the chief,  noting the city 
did not have a homicide or nonfatal  shooting over the summer. "What 
we are trying to do is  extend that into the school year."

The Main South patrols and traffic enforcement will be  in place for 
two weeks and could be extended if the  Police Department finds them necessary.

Chief Gemme said the programs could also be implemented  on an as-needed basis.

Finally, the Summer Impact Unit will remain active an  additional 
week, until Sept. 7. The Summer Impact Unit  is an added patrol that 
has officers out during the  summer from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The programs will cost $30,000 to $35,000 with the  funds coming out 
of the department's regular overtime  cash.

With the department down 38 officer positions -- the  most the chief 
has seen since he took over in October  2004 -- the department is 
finding it has to maximize  its resources to address these types of 
quality-of-life  issues.

The department has 340 officers, with the Traffic  Division and 
Community Impact Unit down several officer  positions.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart