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Show lew crime low in 1977 locally Space expansion Chief Bolton hopes this space expansion ex-pansion will be followed in 1978 by an increase in manpower and a comprehensive com-prehensive re-organization. A manpower increase, states Bolton, would not only provide more extensive patrol services but would help check the increase in juvenile crime which is plaguing the entire state. "We would be able to assign a juvenile officer to work in the areas of juvenile education and juvenile law enforcement," Bolton stated. Bolton emphasized that juveniles are responsible for a great deal of the thefts, vandalism and burglaries in Cedar City and that the Police Department is interested in helping parents educate juveniles about the price of crime. Chief Bolton suggests that 1978 will prove to be another effective year for crime prevention in Cedar City with the help of the citizens. Encourages citizens "I would encourage people to become more involved and take a more active part in helping by doing such things as calling the police when they have a suspicion," Bolton said. As an example of he importance of citizen involvement in crime prevention Bolton points out that shoplifting in Cedar City decreased in 1977 because merchants are taking an active role and are following through on the arrest and prosecution of offenders. 1977 was a good year for Cedar City and for the Cedar City Police Department, crime-wise. According to Police Chief Douglas Bolton, it was an excellent year in which the Department and the citizens of Cedar City "held the line" against crime. The 1977 year end report for the Cedar City Police Department shows that crime still remains well below levels recorded six years ago and that some crime categories continue to decrease. Thefts of all kinds, for example, decreased 10 percent from the 1976 totals. Coiiipai ilivi'ly speaking The report also shows that burglaries increased by 15 incidents to total 48 illegal entries in Cedar City over the twelve month period. This compares with 70 burglaries in 1972 and 105 in 1971. "Considering the population increase in-crease and business expansion," said Chief Bolton, "We're doing very well." "We had three different gangs working in the area last year and their arrests cleared a great number of burglaries," continued Bolton. Three adults and 12 juveniles were allegedly involved in the series of burglaries. During a one week period, according ac-cording to the Chief, one gang committed com-mitted 10 burglaries where losses totaled no more than 15 dollars each. Losses for the entire year due to burglaries were approximately $10,000. No armed robbery Cedar City had no incidents of murder, rape or armed robbery in 1977. Chief Bolton feels that one of the high points of the year was the Vacation Check program which was instituted last summer. In four months 648 security checks were made of the residences of 51 vacationing families who notifed the Department of their planned absences. ab-sences. Other notable changes in the Police Department in 1977 included the appointment of a detective and the sponsoring of a little league baseball team for the first time. Very important to the Department was the move with the rest of the city employees to the offices where the police now have eight times the usable space in offices and storage than they previously had in the City and County Building. |