This week we were privileged to hear from Marlon Stratton, Chief of Police for St. George City. As always, it was a pleasure to have him join us and also, as always, it was very informative.
He began by sharing with us the terrific news that St. George has been named by State Farm Insurance as The Safest Place to live in the category of communities under 150, 000 population. In addition we heard the good news that type 1 crime is down 23% in our city and that there were less motor vehicle accidents in Washington County in 2009 than there have been in 12 years (1,500, down from 2,500).
While St. George has faced declining revenues like the rest of the country cuts have been made in other areas allowing the Police Department to retain its full compliment of officers which right now is 103 with 5 motorcycles and 2 cars assigned to traffic management, and 12 officers in local schools.
We heard that drugs continue to be a problem in our area with continued marijuana grows in the Pine Mountain area. Chief Stratton also confirmed what many of us have heard that the drug(s) of choice on the streets these days are prescription drugs obtained by various criminal methods including convincing people with legal pain medication prescriptions to sell the drugs for very inflated amounts. Sadly we continue to have a gang presence in the area. Currently there are approximately 35 gangs with give or take 700 members. However, the gang task force continues to focus on both the problem and prevention and has been successful in keeping the numbers as they are rather than growing.
A final word from our Chief was a warning about the dangers of text messaging while driving. The results of the distraction of texting are not only as bad a drunk driving, but probably worse. Distracted driving is UNSAFE.
Chief Stratton, we thank you and your officers for keeping us safe.
Marla Shelby-Drabner, President
Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise
2 comments:
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