High Point Police Department 2021 Report

HIGH POINT POLICE DEPARTMENT 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

WELCOME TO YOUR DEPARTMENT Striving to partner with our citizens to provide a livable and prosperous city in which they can live and work free from the fear of crime.

CHIEF OF POLICE Many would consider 2021 to be a down year. A charged political climate, civil unrest and the COVID pandemic continued to loom, putting a cloud over 2021. The High Point Police Department would agree. It was a down year; crime was down. Total impact crimes were down 9 percent, violent impact crimes were down 12 percent, property impact crimes were down 8 percent, and gun-related crimes were down 15 percent. Those are stellar numbers and speak highly of your High Point Police Department's work throughout 2021.

Unfortunately, our criminal homicides rose from 13 in 2020 to 19 in 2021. Homicides will be the statistic in the spotlight because of the impact that loss of life has on the community. Officers and Detectives were able to clear 16 of those criminal homicide cases and only three remain open. Investigations into those cases will be ongoing, and we want to bring justice to the victims and their loved ones in those cases. Our goal for 2022, as is the goal every single year, is for High Point to experience zero homicides. There is no acceptable number in this category other than zero.

The High Point Police Department continues to take a proactive approach towards crime. Through years of experience and consistent examples in other cities across the nation, we have learned that you cannot stand back and be reactive to crime. This sort of approach will only accumulate victims and negatively affect the safety of the citizens. Instead, our officers and employees will continue to identify impact offenders and hot spot areas of the city through a data-driven approach. Our deterrence and enforcement efforts will center around the offenders we have identified and the portions of the city where the citizens are requesting the most police assistance. This proactive approach, combined with our enhanced community engagement efforts, is why 2021 was a down year in overall impact crimes.

I want you to know that everything you see detailed in this year-end report was done with fewer people. As with many industries, the law enforcement community has seen many officers leave the profession for various reasons.

The High Point Police Department has not been immune to this issue, and we have seen our share of officers choose another career path outside of police work. These staffing issues undoubtedly influence the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our department. It would help if you had good people to do this job. Law enforcement is a tough business, and it takes a particular person to endure the rigors of the job. The officers and employees that have remained steadfast are committed to making High Point the safest city possible. Their efforts, which are outlined in this report, are to be applauded.

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~ J. Travis Stroud

MAJOR ANTHRO L. GAMBLE DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE SUPPORT SERVICE DIVISION

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The Support Services Division is under the command of the deputy chief. This division consists of sworn and non-sworn employees whose purpose is to provide services that aid the 262 sworn officers and the 46 civilian employees in the efficient delivery of police services to the City of High Point. The section consists of one captain, one lieutenant, five sworn police officers, three non-sworn civilian employees, three animal control officers and two custodians. All newly hired employees, interns, volunteers and police recruits are processed and integrated into our agency through this section. The Support Services Division also handles the task of K-9 training and assignment. In the Support Services Division, individual employees are responsible for recruiting, hiring, intra-departmental training, extra-departmental training, volunteer coordination, bi-annual Citizens Academy classes, firearms training, equipment procurement, animal control education and enforcement, facilities maintenance and K-9 purchase.

MAJOR MARC A. KUN ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION The High Point Police Department Investigations Division is responsible for handling investigations based on their scope, complexity, length or location that require unique expertise or cannot be completed by the patrol officer taking the initial report. Investigations also assist the Patrol Division with their investigations as needed. In addition to working on criminal cases, the investigations division works with members of our community and other law enforcement agencies/ partners to develop information on issues that may impact the community's safety, such as gang activity, dignitary visits, demonstrations and behavioral threat assessments. Finally, investigators work closely with our federal law enforcement partners to share information on cases and pursue prosecution at the federal level when warranted.

MAJOR PETULLA T. SELLARS ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE

MAJOR KEVIN M. RAY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE

The High Point Police Department Community Engagement Unit partners with organizations and individuals to build ongoing, permanent relationships to apply a collective vision for the benefit of the High Point community. This unit includes a special projects coordinator, whose responsibilities include scheduling, planning and logistics for any events in the city where police are present. In addition, the two community outreach officers plan to attend and provide education at various community events throughout the city, which has a population of about 116,000. Finally, this unit has two patrol units assigned to the downtown portion of the City of High Point. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to creating and building partnerships with community and business organizations, providing support to downtown special events and conducting traditional patrol operations.

The High Point Police Department Patrol Division is the most prominent and most visible unit that operates around the clock 24/7/365 to make the city safer and a better place to live. Through high-visibility, proactive patrolling, the objective is to protect life/property and deter criminal behavior. As with every police department, patrol is the “backbone” of the department. Functions include responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance, initial investigations, observing criminal behavior and enforcing laws. The patrol division consists of six teams: Adam, Baker, Charlie, David, Edward and Fox. Each unit consists of one captain, three lieutenants and twenty officers. The officers are assigned to “patrol beats,” strategically created to serve distinct areas around the city. Currently, the city is divided into six patrol beats. The department’s K-9 unit is also part of the Patrol Division and consists of one lieutenant, seven police K-9 handlers and their canine partners.

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LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT The High Point Police Department members are committed to keeping our community safe. We are, first and foremost, a crime-fighting agency. To achieve this mission, we pledge to work within the parameters of the law, policies and procedures, training, law enforcement best practice and common sense, all while constantly striving to find a balance with positive community engagement.

The scope and responsibility of the community’s safety extend far beyond just that of the Police Department. We strive to partner with our citizens to provide a livable and prosperous city where they can live and work free from the fear of crime. The Police Department has a never-ending mission that requires transparency, cooperation, constant evaluation and communication from all involved.

"Our mission is to make High Point a safe city by developing leaders and employees in crime fighting, community engagement, training and professional policing."

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YOUR ORGANIZATION

The men and women of the High Point Police Department are professionals dedicated to making High Point safe for everyone who lives, works or visits the city.

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CHIEF OF POLICE J. Travis Stroud 1 Administrative Assistant

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Capt. Kramer 1 Lt.

INVESTIGATIONS Major Kun 1 Police Finance Specialist

CAPTAIN Cheeks

CAPTAIN C. O'Tool

VIOLENT CRIMES 1 Lt. | 5 Detectives

VICE & NARCOTICS ABC 1 Lt. | 9 Detectives

SPECIAL VICTIMS 1 Lt. | 7 Detectives 1 Court Liaison STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE 1 Lt. | 7 Detectives (Gang|Gun|VCTF|ATF)

2 Crime Analysts

1 Crimestopper Cord.

PROPERTY FINANCIAL 1 Lt. | 12 Detectives STREET CRIMES 2 Lt. | 9 Officers 1 US Marshall | 1 FBI CRIME LAB

1 Forensic Mgr. 1 Crime Scene Supervisor 1 Latent Print Examiner 8 Crime Scene Techs

PROPERTY ROOM 2 Evidence Techs

PATROL Major Ray

ADAM TEAM CAPT. Abernathy 3 Lt. | 20 officers

TRAFFIC UNIT 1 Lt.

9 Traffic | Motor Units 1 Hit | Run Investigator 2 DWI Task Force

BAKER TEAM CAPT. Griffiths 3 Lt. | 20 officers

CHARLIE TEAM CAPT. Truitt 3 Lt. | 20 officers

DAVID TEAM CAPT. Weisner 3 Lt. | 20 officers

EDWARD TEAM CAPT. Weisner 3 Lt. | 20 officers

FOX TEAM CAPT. English 3 Lt. | 20 officers

POLICE ATTORNEY Brian Beasly

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Major Sellers 1 Administrative Assistant

SUPPORT SERVICES Major Gamble 1 Administrative Assistant

CAPTAIN P. O'Tool

CAPTAIN Lane RECRUITING TRAINING BLET | FTO

HOUSING AUTHORITY 1 Lt. | 6 Officers

2 Recruiting Officers

SCHOOL RESOURCE

2 Range Officers 1 Training Officer 1 Travel Specialist

OFFICERS

1 Lt. | 8 Officers

K-9 UNIT 1 Lt. 7 Officers

CIVIL EMERGENCY UNIT Consist of officers from all units SWAT TEAM Consist of officers from all units CRISIS NEGOTIATORS Consist of officers from all units

**The organizational chart above indicates the Police Department structure at full staff. In 2021, the High Point Police Dept. was down on average 20-25 employees.** TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 262 Sworn | 46 Civilians

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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 1 Civilian COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

1 Lt. 2 Com. Outreach Officers 2 Downtown Patrol Officers 1 Special Projects Officer

RESERVE OFFICERS Consist of sworn volunteers POLICE CHAPLAINS Consist of volunteer community members HONOR GUARD Consist of officers from all units

EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST 1 Civilian

CUSTODIANS 2 Civilians

ANIMAL CONTROL 3 Civilians

RECORDS

1 Records Mgr. 6 Clerks | 1 Payroll 1 IT Tech

POLICE INFO TECHS (PIT) 7 PIT's

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS UNIT The men and women who serve in the High Point Police Department are held to a very high standard of conduct. It is the responsibility of the Professional Standards Unit to ensure that the public is receiving the best police service possible.

Citizens' concerns are taken very seriously, and their questions about police actions are answered promptly.

While the challenges of modern law enforcement change constantly, the basics of treating people with dignity and respect are a cornerstone of the High Point Police Department's operating principles.

POLICE ATTORNEY

Brian Beasley serves as the Police Attorney for the High Point Police Department. Because of the complex legal requirements of law enforcement operations and the high liability risk inherent to police work, the Police Attorney is available around the clock to provide immediate legal advice. Beasley is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law and worked as an Assistant District Attorney in North Carolina for eleven years before becoming the Police Attorney. He is a lifelong resident of Guilford County.

In addition to serving as counsel to the Chief of Police and command staff concerning civil lawsuits filed against the department and its members, the Police Attorney provides legal counsel for criminal investigations such as high-profile homicides and officer-involved shootings, as well as for critical departmental tasks such as the processing of prisoners and the handling and disposition of evidence.

Beasley is also available to provide immediate legal direction to officers when the advice affects an active, ongoing criminal investigation. He prepares and handles the various legal contracts and agreements that the Police Department must enter into to carry

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Professional Standards investigates all citizen's complaints of misconduct against the police department or its members, reviews policy and procedures, audits evidence and currency records and administers the awards/commendations program.

In addition, all use-of-force incidents are thoroughly investigated to determine if they are in accordance with policy. This unit works directly for the Chief of Police to ensure that a fair, objective hearing is given to all sides of a dispute and that the department always remains accountable to the public.

out its duties.

As a legal adviser, Beasley is responsible for ensuring that officers are informed and up to date on changes and additions to relevant laws and new decisions handed down by the courts. To accomplish this, he teaches officers in a classroom setting and publishes various articles for them throughout the year. Beasley works closely with the department’s executive staff to keep departmental policies and procedures with current law.

Beasley’s duties include representing the City and the police department in court when necessary, advising the Chief on employment law and personnel issues and occasionally drafting city ordinances or state legislation to help further the department’s mission. The Police Attorney is the contact person for citizens or other agencies that make legal requests of the department. For example, most requests for the public records of the police department are sent to him for clearance, in addition to the usual legal papers such as motions or subpoenas.

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION HIGH POINT POLICE ANIMAL CONTROL 2021 CALLS FOR SERVICE ANIMAL RELATED -HPD 859 ANIMAL FOLLOW UP 210 LEASH LAW VIOLATION 178 ANIMAL INFORMATION - HPD 100 ANIMAL NEGLECT - HPD 94 WILDLIFE - HPD 93 TETHER LAW - HPC 88 VICIOUS ANIMAL 81 ANIMAL BITE - HPD 46 BARKING DOG 32 ANIMAL - OTHER 15 TETHER LAW - HPC 12

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS The High Point Police Department has three employees who serve as animal control officers. They are not sworn police officers but enforce animal-related city ordinances and laws. They also respond to animal control-related calls for service within High Point city limits. These employees have received a vast amount of training in handling animals and evaluating the condition of injured, sick or abused animals. Each animal control officer attends the annual North Carolina Animal/ Rabies Control Association conference to stay up to date on animal control laws and current best practices for their profession. Each animal control officer is also certified through the National Animal Control and Humane Officer (NACHO) Training Academy, which is the nationally recognized benchmark for animal control officer training.

These employees are very knowledgeable about city ordinances and state laws related to domesticated animals. They investigate animal abuse and mistreatment accusations and follow up on animal bite calls. Additionally, they routinely help with public presentations and work with other organizations to provide rabies clinics and other public service activities. These three officers have specially designed trucks to transport injured, captured or seized animals. They are also specially trained in using tools such as catch poles, traps and other special equipment, which help ensure the humane treatment of the animals.

High Point Animal Control Officers are not certified to handle wild animals; they deal with domestic animals only. Therefore, unless a wild animal is sick, injured or vicious, they do not take action related to its mere presence. If community members are experiencing problems with a wild nuisance animal, they should contact a private wildlife damage control agent. These private companies charge for their services.

The three animal control officers are responsible for overseeing one of the highest numbers of calls for service received by the Police Department on an annual basis. They work rotating eight-hour shifts, Monday through Friday.

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SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION RECORDS SECTION The Records Section consists of five units managed by Linda Hodgson: records, police information technicians, staff duty, payroll and information services. Each team provides support to the officers and the community. In addition to the regular staff, these units also have some very dedicated and talented volunteers who help provide excellent customer service. The following shows the breakdown of the Police Information & Technology Division.

RECORDS UNIT The Records Unit is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays. This unit consists of four full-time employees and one part-time employee. They are responsible for processing and archiving thousands of police documents each month. Employees of this unit process approximately 11,000 incident reports, 11,000 arrest reports and 5,000 accident report each year. When community members come to the police department, it is probably a records unit employee who will greet them. Examples of the service they provide are copies of reports, referrals to appropriate personnel, answers to questions, directions, background checks, taxi permits and releasing impounded vehicles, to name just a few. High Point Police Department provides access to police reports online at p2c.highpointnc.gov. It takes approximately 48 to 72 hours for a report to go from the officer obtaining the information to being available to the public. Strict laws govern what can be released to the public, so only that information will be available. If you have any questions concerning a report, please feel free to ask any records personnel.

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POLICE INFORMATION TECHNICIAN | PTI The PIT unit is supervised by Nicole Morgan and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These employees monitor the FBI’s National Computer Information Center and the SBI’s Division of Criminal Information databases. They always must be available to respond to requests from other agencies regarding wanted persons, missing persons, stolen property, etc. They are also responsible for making entries into the databases when officers take reports.

The PIT unit receives and processes an average of 15,000 warrants and subpoenas each year. They research each process for the most current demographic information and then assign it to the zone for service. Many of these processes must be entered into the NCIC database within 24 hours of receiving them.

The PIT unit is responsible for providing information to the officers via the radio. In addition, they conduct research and provide the officers with vital information that allows them to complete their investigations. This information often includes driver’s license and registration status, warrant checks, criminal histories and identity confirmation.

The PIT unit is staffed with one person per 10-hour shift. This one employee is first and foremost responsible to the officers on the radio and the NCIC/DCI terminal. Then, other tasks and requests are prioritized as they come. When the records unit is closed, this employee is responsible for all phone calls coming into both units and helping all walk-in customers.

HighPointNC.gov/Police

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNIT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS The School Resource Officers (SRO) provide law enforcement and police services to the school, school grounds and the areas adjacent to the school, with the primary responsibility being school safety. In addition, the SRO investigates allegations of criminal incidents per High Point Police Department policies and procedures, enforces state and local laws and city ordinances and makes appropriate referrals to juvenile authorities and other governmental agencies.

The HPPD has eight officers assigned as School Resource Officers (SROs) and one lieutenant through a contractual agreement with Guilford County Schools covering the middle and high schools. SROs are full-time High Point police officers who serve Guilford County Schools in multiple capacities. In addition, SROs have committed to numerous other services.

For example, they partner with High Point University to host a summer Youth Leadership Academy for high school students, assist with the department's Christmas program "Angels in Blue" and support the City of High Point in other capacities involving youth.

In addition, many SROs volunteer their time at their schools by getting involved as coaches, mentors and club advisors. Being an SRO is very challenging but rewarding. SROs enjoy the opportunity to shape young lives. Their impact on our youth can last a lifetime. As students progress in school, many will remember the impact of their SRO years later.

TO CALL A TIP: 336.889.4000 USE OUR APP TO SUBMIT A TIP

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNIT The High Point Police Housing Authority Unit enforces the law equally and fairly regardless of race, age, gender, religious beliefs or national origin. In addition, the housing unit works closely with the Housing Authority of the City of High Point to ensure residents of public housing live in the safest neighborhoods possible.

The housing unit works tirelessly with the housing authority in resolving problems that are primarily public safety concerns. However, the unit also assists with matters other than public safety when it is in the best interest of the community members.

The housing unit also conducts a Summer Youth Academy for children 13-15 years of age that live in housing properties in a partnership with High Point Housing Authority’s Seeds to Success program. The academy consists of eight days spread out over five weeks. The participants visit numerous businesses in the triad and universities to expand their educational and career options after high school. There are also three “team building days” or “fun days.” On these days, the officers and the participants visit fun destinations like Discovery Zone, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Lazy-5 Ranch. The unit consists of one lieutenant and six officers.

HOUSING AUTHORITY

HIGH POINT HOUSING AUTHORITY CALLS FOR SERVICE

Communities Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Astor Dowdy 6 Beamon Ct 0 Carson Stout 10 Daniel Brooks 2 Deep River Homes 3 Elm Towers 21 JC Morgan 5 Juanita Hlls 13 Morehead Court 17 Roberts Court 0 Spring Brook Meadows 1

18 5 14 10 1 19 3 14 14 0 0

3 0 32 2 0 26 12 10 19 2 0

7 3 23 0 1 27 1 13 21 0 2

3 4 15 4 2 31 0 3 7 2 0

7 3 13 0 2 23 4 8 8 0 0

5 2 5 0 0 22 5 10 7 0 0

8 1 7 2 1 13 12 14 13 0 0

7 0 9 0 0 31 8 2 15 0 0

4 1 3 1 0 16 5 10 12 1 0

7 0 11 0 0 40 1 12 16 0 0

1 1 9 5 1 24 13 6 13 3 0

76 20 151 26 11 293 69 115 162 8 3

Total

Scattered Sites 13 West Green Apts 0 Monthly Totals: 91

5 0 103

1 0 107

4 0 102

11 0 82

17 2 87

1 0 57

3 0 74

5 0 77

4 1 58

5 0 92

2 0 78

71 3 1008

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMEN

HONOR GUARD

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The Police Honor Guard is a group of officers representing the department, the law enforcement profession and the City of High Point at various functions and events throughout the state. The most prestigious and honorable service is that of a slain law enforcement officer's funeral or memorial service. The honor guard's primary purpose for these services is to pay respects to the officer and his family and offer support to them, the department, friends and the community.

NT UNIT

POLICE RESERVES The High Point Police Reserves is a unit comprised of sworn and non-sworn personnel who support the patrol function of the department. The High Point Reserve Unit has provided continual service to our department and community members for over 50 years.

The sworn reserve officers have arrest powers like full-time officers and can assume any same duties. They must attend monthly training to maintain their state law enforcement certification. These officers provide critical backup when patrol teams are understaffed and require additional officers.

The unit also handles most traffic direction and public safety for community events like charity walks, 5K runs, small parades and festivals.

In addition, they participate extensively in annual events like parades, the semi-annual furniture markets, CROP Walk, GO FAR, Gradfest, Pink Heels Tour and other events that require police presence. By handling or assisting with these events, regular patrol units can maintain their normal duties without the need for additional full-time officers, allowing police services without additional costs to the city or community agency.

Our non-sworn personnel usually serve the department through their career expertise, such as chaplains or health care professionals. These individuals are church pastors, counselors, victim advocates, doctors and nurses in their civilian lives.

POLICE CHAPLAINS The High Point Police Chaplain Team consists of five professional clergy members who volunteer their services to department employees, their families and community members during times of crisis, sorrow or conflict.

Chaplains donate several hundred hours to the community and department each year to lighten the officers' burden by performing tasks of a greater spiritual or social nature. Chaplains are on call 24 hours a day to assist police personnel with various situations in the field, such as homicides, suicides, traffic fatalities and other accidental deaths. The Chaplains average about five to six call-outs per week.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST With the growth of the City of High Point continuing, changing societal views and the need for transparency on all fronts, the department incorporated a new civilian position into the functions of the High Point Police Department. The communications specialist is responsible for enhancing the department's mission, promoting strategies on crime prevention and developing practical solutions utilizing social media platforms. In addition, the communications specialist builds proactive relationships with the media & community members and finds resources to address issues that arise.

PATROL DIVISION HPPD CALLS FOR SERVICE BY BEAT

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

BEAT 1 BEAT 2 BEAT 3 BEAT 4 BEAT 5 BEAT 6 UNVERIFIED/ OTHER

18,708 18,451 18,643 14,653 17,940 14,662 3,482

18% 17% 17% 14% 17% 14% 3%

TOTAL 106,559

SELT-INITIATED/PROACTIVE POLICING Proactive policing is an essential component of the High Point Police. Despite the challenges law enforcement faces daily, officers continue to self-initiate calls and proactively police to prevent and reduce crime. Traditionally, officers respond to a crime or incident after it occurs.

In 2021, officers self-initiated 48,784 calls for service or 48 percent of the 106,559, which increased 2 percent from last year.

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PATROL DIVISION TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT TRAFFIC CITATIONS 11,008 -8% FROM 2020 VEHICLE CRASHES 4,229 +7% FROM 2020

CRISIS NEGOTIATORS

CIVIL EMERGENCY UNIT

Crisis negotiators, also known as hostage negotiators, are highly trained law enforcement officers who attempt to talk people out of creating or maintaining dangerous situations. For instance, they may use their communication skills to stop a person from committing suicide or a subject who has barricaded themselves inside a building. The main focus of a crisis negotiator is to resolve situations with minimal harm to anyone involved.

The primary mission of the High Point Police Department’s Civil Emergency Unit is to ensure citizens’ rights to peaceably assemble and exercise free speech while protecting lives and property. Secondary roles of the unit include response to manmade and natural disasters, searches for endangered missing persons, large-scale article searches or any other event that requires personnel beyond those normally available.

HighPointNC.gov/Police 19

TOP THREE TRAFFIC CITATIONS 1. DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED/REVOKED 2. SPEEDING 3. REGISTRATION EXPIRED WARNING TICKETS 5,340 +65% FROM 2020 TRAFFIC FATALITIES 9 DWI ARRESTS 231

PATROL DIVISION TRAFFIC UNIT The High Point Police Department Traffic Unit is responsible for traffic safety in the city. Traffic safety encompasses safe driving, roadway engineering, community education and professional crash investigations. The traffic unit includes traffic investigators who investigate the most severe crashes. The investigators are all traffic crash reconstruction trained and hold other professional or technical certifications. One officer is assigned as the hit-and-run investigator and is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations on hit-and-run crashes. The enforcement group of the traffic unit includes marked police motorcycles. Motor officers focus on traffic enforcement in the areas of the city with documented traffic concerns. The goal of enforcement is to stop dangerous driving behavior.

The traffic unit also includes two officers assigned to the Greater Guilford County DWI Task Force. The task force officers work primarily in High Point but can also conduct enforcement anywhere in Guilford County. As the name implies, they focus on DWI enforcement and education. School crossing guards are assigned to some of the elementary schools and the traffic unit. The traffic unit also works closely with the City of High Point Transportation Department to ensure the roads and intersections in High Point are safely engineered for community members.

The High Point Police Department Traffic Unit is data-driven. Driver behavior and crash data are collected using several methods to enhance the efficiency of the traffic unit. Crash report data is analyzed for location, crash type and damage. RadarSigns are used to collect speed data on roadways and monitor driver behavior. A tailored response can be provided for traffic incidents utilizing the information that is gathered about the time, date and type of violations being observed. This is being used successfully in the form of the Traffic Safety Surge and Driver Reset. Nearly 1,000 drivers were reached during the Traffic Safety Surge to stop dangerous driving behavior.

The High Point Police Traffic Unit consists of a lieutenant, hit-and-run investigator, three crash investigators, three motor units and two DWI task force units. Additionally, the lieutenant is responsible for 10 school crossing guards.

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PATROL DIVISION INFRACTIONS ASIAN BLACK INDIAN UNKNOWN WHITE TOTAL CHECKPOINT 1 49 - - 33 83 DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED 1 12 1 - 19 33 INVESTIGATION 27 538 4 5 435 1,009 OTH MV VIOLATION 7 142 1 3 95 248 SAFE MOVEMENT VIOLATION 67 555 14 4 613 1,253 SEAT BELT VIOLATION 3 133 1 - 114 251 SPEED LIMIT VIOLATION 261 2,727 26 27 3,478 6,519 STOP LIGHT/SIGN VIOLATION 53 627 13 3 485 1,181 VEH EQUIP VIOLATION 76 1,521 27 8 1,78 2,910 VEH REGULATORY VIOLATION 121 3,651 23 9 2,840 6,644 TOTAL 617 9,955 110 59 9,390 20,131 VIOLATION RESULT ASIAN BLACK INDIAN UNKNOWN WHITE TOTAL ARREST 9 374 3 - 249 635 CITATION 269 4,749 33 25 4,627 9,703 NO ACTION 19 267 3 8 192 489 VERBL WARNING 96 1,271 28 7 1,165 2,567 WRITTEN WARNING 224 3,294 43 19 3,157 6,737 TOTAL 617 9,955 110 59 9,390 20,131 SEARCHES 4.33% OF STOPS RACE CONSENT SW PC INC TO ARREST PRO FRISK TOTAL ASIAN 1 0 4 4 0 9 BLACK 98 1 376 48 7 530 INDIAN 1 0 0 1 0 2 UNKNOWN 0 0 0 0 0 0 WHITE 105 0 186 38 2 331 TOTAL 205 1 566 91 9 872 POSITION ASIAN BLACK INDIAN UNKNOWN WHITE TOTAL DRIVER 586 9,115 94 56 8,631 18,482 PASSENGER 31 84 16 3 759 1,649 TOTAL 617 9,955 110 59 9,390 20,131

PATROL DIVISION K-9 UNIT The High Point Police Department began a K-9 Unit in 1986 with a single dog team. It did not take long for the department to realize the wideranging benefits of the police/working-dog team. Since then, High Point’s K-9 Unit has grown not only in reputation but also in size to eight dual-purpose working-dog teams and one single-purpose working dog team. The K-9 Unit consists of one lieutenant, seven police canine handlers and their partners.

The K-9 unit currently consists of eight Belgian Malinois and one Black Labrador Retriever in a unit known throughout the region for strong, solid and dependable teams.

All of our Belgian Malinois come to us from Holland. K-9 handlers attend a rigorous training and acclimation course here in High Point.

The unit’s trainers train the new dogs and handlers, ensuring that the teams are street-ready and dependable upon course completion.

Each K-9 team is assigned to work with a specific patrol team as a dual-purpose working-dog team, except for the units assigned to vice/narcotics and highway interdiction. These K-9s’ purpose is to locate narcotics. Our single-purpose dog is trained to perform article searches as well. Dual-purpose patrol dogs are trained for narcotics and apprehension work, including tracking, building, article and area searches and handler/officer protection.

Training is conducted weekly, year-round and sometimes includes out-of-town seminars. Regular patrol officers go through training to learn the best ways to utilize K-9 teams. Continual training keeps the dog teams and the patrol officers well prepared and accustomed to working together. In addition, the training creates team spirit and a sense of cooperation between the patrol officers and their assigned dog team. This partnership enables each dog team to manage situations while keeping their sights on the long-range goal of safer neighborhoods and building a better city.

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PATROL DIVISION SWATT TEAM While all police officers train and prepare to deal with situations they may encounter on the streets, specialty training and assignments ensure that some officers have the advanced training and equipment needed to efficiently and safely resolve critical issues.

Unfortunately, extensive training hours are required, and the expense associated with the training and equipment make it unreasonable for the department to provide it for all officers. Examples include officers assigned to the traffic unit, who received more intensive training in traffic accident investigation.

In addition, officers assigned to investigate juvenile abuse cases receive additional training on interacting with the victims. Finally, vice/narcotics detectives train and are equipped to address drug investigations on the street.

The SWAT team is a specialty unit that fills a similar function. The team itself is a part-time unit whose composition includes officers assigned to a wide variety of duties ranging from patrol to administration.

These officers have full-time responsibilities that they perform daily. However, in a critical incident, the team is activated and they respond to assist.

In addition to the standard equipment, SWAT team operators are provided with extensive protective gear. This equipment is beneficial during high-risk operations where suspects are known to be armed and where innocent people are exposed to this threat. This protective equipment consists of bulletresistant items, including protective body bunker vests, shields, helmets and an armored vehicle. Although expensive, this equipment provides excellent security during high-risk confrontations. Additionally, this equipment is supplemented with specialty weapons, including scoped rifles, chemical munitions and night vision devices.

To be prepared to deal with any critical incident at a moment’s notice, the tactical team works hard throughout the year training and maintaining equipment and individual skills in a constant state of readiness. Physical fitness and firearms skills are an essential part of this training. Beyond that, constant exposure to various technical challenges helps the operators develop the tactics and skills needed to resolve real-life emergencies as safely as possible.

The SWAT team participates in high-risk search warrant services, barricaded subject situations involving subjects armed with guns, mental commitment assists, high-risk warrant services, disturbance calls, dignitary protection operations, missing person searches and furniture market security.

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INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE UNIT The Strategic Intelligence Unit (SIU) supports the High Point Police Department by collecting, analyzing and disseminating information relating to criminal offenses, crime patterns and trends. SIU helps investigate crimes that have already happened but put a large amount of effort into preventing the next crime.

Using the tools of focused deterrence and proactive deployment, SIU aids the department's mission of preventing and suppressing criminal activity, gaining the community's trust and working closely with the High Point Community Against Violence (HPCAV). The strategic intelligence unit encompasses both sworn and civilian personnel. This unit includes a lieutenant, violent crime task force (VCTF) detective, ATF task force officer (TFO), gang detective, gun detective, two crime/intel analysts & a Crime Stoppers coordinator.

Since the late 1990s, the High Point Police Department has driven down violent crime through its focused deterrence strategy. This approach began in 1998 and is centered around an effort to address violent repeat offenders. The High Point Police Department, combined with community support, reduced violent crime dramatically within the first year. The effort has since spawned into other problem areas such as street-level drug dealing and domestic violence offenders. Numerous police departments nationwide have adopted this strategy and implemented the focused deterrence concept in their jurisdictions to help deter and prevent crime.

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION VIOLENT CRIME UNIT The Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) conducts specialized investigations into robberies, aggravated assaults and suspicious deaths, including suicides and homicides. These cases are complex and require various investigative techniques, practices and experiences. The one lieutenant and five detectives of the VCU are dedicated to solving these mysteries and providing answers and justice for the victims and their families.

FORENSIC UNIT The forensic section encompasses the crime scene unit and the property and evidence unit.

The forensic section is staffed by two evidence technicians, a latent print examiner, eight crime scene technicians (including technicians who specialize in ballistics, footwear and latent), one forensic manager and one crime scene supervisor.

The mission of the forensic section is to continuously provide high-quality services in crime scene investigation, evidence and property and latent print analysis yielding an excellent work product.

The crime scene unit’s primary function consists of processing crime scenes through photography, videography, sketching, various chemicals/ powders, crime scene search and the collection preservation of evidence.

The property room’s primary function includes storing, housing and preserving confiscated or found property and evidence.

The latent print office’s primary function is to link suspects, victims and witnesses to crime scenes and evidence through finger and palm print impressions.

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INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION STREET CRIMES

ILLEGAL FIREARMS

The High Point Police Department Street Crimes Unit addresses violent crime and repeat offenders by being focused and data-driven. The unit accomplishes this by implementing the Violent Crime Reduction Strategy principles. These include tracking violent crime trends, targeting career criminals and providing immediate response to drug complaints using various enforcement methods.

The street crimes unit also supplements the vice/narcotics unit with its operations and searches for wanted subjects who have committed violent offenses. The street crimes unit consists of one lieutenant, six officers, and two task force officers (TFO) - US Marshals & FBI.

Like many of our neighboring communities & across the United States, gun-related crime is a growing concern. Overall, High Point has seen a 12 percent reduction in violent crime in 2021. The High Point Police Department takes a firm approach to violent acts, focusing on repeat offenders who drive crime. Removing a gun from these offenders and the streets means one less that can be used during a future crime.

We are not concerned with legal gun owners or their weapons; we respect the second amendment of the Constitution and honor that right. However, if a gun is used to commission an offense or is in the hands of an individual who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, we want to take that gun off the streets. There is an abundance of weapons on the street, and some of them are in the hands of impact players who drive violent crime. Every “illegal” gun we seize is one less that can be used to commit a crime against our community members.

STREET CRIMES SUMMARY CHARGES 1238 ARRESTS 619 SEARCH WARRANTS 30 TRAFFIC STOPS 608 CALLS FOR SERVICE 2821 GUNS 109

411 GUNS REMOVED FROM THE STREETS 1,552 CASINGS COLLECTED AS EVIDENCE 1,093 SHOTS FIRED CALLS FOR SERVICE MOST COMMON SEIZED GUN - 9MM 11 OF 19 CRIMINAL HOMICIDES - GUN

GUN CHAGES AGE RANGE

AGE GROUP COUNT % CHG FROM 2020 13-17 41 173 18-25 105 -13% 26-35 95 -21% 36-50 44 38% 51+ 21 62% 1 OF 4 MANSLAUGHTERS - GUN 113 GUNS TAKEN FROM TRAFFIC STOPS MOST COMMON SEIZED GUN BRAND - GLOCK 200 SUBJECTS CHARGED ON 306 GUN CHARGES

VIOLENT CRIME -12% IN 2021

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE The challenges of the COVID pandemic continue across the nation. For example, people adapting to stay-at-home restrictions put family members and intimate partner relationships in close quarters for long periods. This different lifestyle adds extra stresses to everyday life, including changing protective COVID measures, job loss, housing issues and the death of family members. Even though most communities continue to see an increase in domestic violence calls for service, the City of High Point Police Department has experienced an 8 percent decrease in 2021 compared to last year.

The High Point Police Department partnered with the Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC) in 2018. The FJC, located at 505 E. Green Drive, is a “one-stop-shop” for domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and elder abuse victim support. The High Point Police Department Special Victims Unit (SVU) is housed in this facility. It works closely with FJC staff and other community partners to address a wide array of crimes that require a specialized approach. This partnership has helped streamline victim services and bring offenders to justice promptly.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS FOR SERVICE 2020 - 4,404 2021 - 4,052

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE -8% IN 2021

SPECIAL VICTIMES UNIT The special victims unit (SVU) is responsible for investigating crimes against the city’s special victims population, including all domestic violence, crimes against children and the elderly, missing persons and runaways. SVU is housed in the Family Justice Center (FJC). It is in cooperation with FJC staff, DHHS, Family Services and High Point Community Against Violence (HPCAV), along with a variety of community partners. The special victims unit prides itself on successfully prosecuting violent offenders while offering tailored services to the victims of these crimes. The SVU is comprised of one lieutenant and five detectives.

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INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION PROPERTY CRIME UNIT The property crimes unit is responsible for following up on the reported property and financial crimes. These crimes include residential and non-residential burglaries, robberies, stolen property fencing operations, motor vehicle thefts, vandalisms, shopliftings, counterfeit currency, identity theft, frauds and other financial crimes. The unit consists of one lieutenant and 12 detectives.

Detectives within the property crimes unit are grouped by the following specialized investigative areas: pawn shop, non-residential, residential and fraud/ financial crimes.

The cases they investigate are assigned based on these technical areas of investigation.

The property crimes unit currently has two detectives, specially deputized with the United States Secret Service. They are members of the United States Secret Service Greater Greensboro Financial Crimes Task Force, which helps prosecute white-collar crimes.

Three of the financial crimes detectives are also digital forensics examiners. They handle the forensic examinations of all cell phones and computers that the police department seizes.

The detectives, who work in the property crimes unit, network with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to solve crimes across jurisdictional boundaries.

They also work closely with risk management personnel at local banks and other retail businesses.

A digital forensic examination is a scientific acquisition, analysis and preservation of data contained in electronic media that's information can be used as evidence in a court of law.

PROPERTY CRIME UNIT The responsibility of the police finance specialist is to ensure funds are available to support the department’s mission and strategy for growth and prevent fiscal pitfalls. This position is responsible for generating, monitoring and analyzing financial activity and budget development and management, grants coordination and management, procurement and account payables and receivables activities. This role is critical in planning, organizing and directing activities related to fiscal matters, communicating with the general public, other City employees and the executive staff to explain and interpret accounting practices and policies and to provide guidance to staff regarding budget and funding questions.

2020 HEROIN OD'S/DEATH - 26 | 12 2021 HEROIN OD'S/DEATH - 245 | 22 HEOIN OD'S -6% FROM 2020 PLACE RESPONDED LOCATION 2020 2021 BEHIND BLDG 1 2 CONV STORE 3 2 FAST FOOD 1 1 FIRE STATION 0 0 HOSPITAL 2 3 HOTEL/MOTEL 40 27 PVA 67 35 DRIVEWAY 1 0 RESIDENCE 103 135 RETAIL 0 0 ROAD/STREET 30 20 THEATRE 0 0 FOOD STORE 1 0 RESTAURANT 0 0 BUSINESS 3 11 DIRT PATH 0 0 LAUNDRY MAT 1 0 WOODED AREA 3 6 CHURCH 0 0 ATM 0 0 SHELTER 4 1 CAR WASH 0 0 GRASS 1 2

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION VICE | NARCOTICS DETECTIVES

The vice section is a group of detectives who are experts in gathering and reporting narcotic and vice intelligence data and capable of formulating a tactical plan to thoroughly investigate that data and gather sufficient evidence to build a prosecutable case in the State or Federal Court System. Many investigations culminate with the execution of search warrants at the residences and businesses of those involved in the illegal narcotics distribution. Personnel assigned to this unit are skilled in mobile and stationary surveillance techniques and are proficient in visual and audio recording devices. In addition, they possess the ability to infiltrate groups or individuals in an undercover capacity who are known or suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and vice activities. Many cases are worked in cooperation with various state and federal agencies and other detectives from nearby cities and counties. Vice/narcotics detectives are also responsible for most of the intense background investigative work done in preparation for the Violent and Street Drug Offender Notification sessions held several times each year. The High Point Police Department’s notification strategy has resulted in sustained dramatic crime-reduction rates throughout the city since its inception in 1998. In addition to the vice/narcotics detectives, two ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) detectives are also assigned to the unit to monitor establishments that possess ABC permits and investigate illegal alcohol sales. With the onset of the opioid epidemic, an additional duty for the vice/narcotics unit is investigating suspected opioid overdoses and tracing the drugs back to the alleged dealers. This unit consists of one captain, one lieutenant, and eight detectives.

2021 HEROIN OD'S BY MONTH MONTH 2020 OD 2021 OD JAN 19 19 FEB 19 19 MAR 25 21 APR 28 26 MAY 35 28 JUN 31 27 JUL 17 23 AUG 20 22 SEP 26 17 OCT 15 12 NOV 20 17 DEC 6 14

RACE/GENDER 2020 2021 BM 23 34 WM 162 147 WF 70 50 BF 5 11 WMH 0 0 OM 0 0 IF 1 0 AM 0 3

NARCAN ADMINISTERED

BY HPPD 2020 2021 13 33

HighPointNC.gov/Police

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION ARREST AND CHARGES RACE OF PERSONS ARRESTED RACE COUNT % OF TOTAL PERSONS ASIAN 76 1.6% BLACK 2643 57.0% INDIAN 8 0.2% WHITE 1907 41.1% OTHER 4 0.1%

2021 ARRESTS AND CHARGES TOTAL ARRESTS 7,007 CHARGES 10,979 PEOPLE 4,638

% CHG FROM 2020 -0.5% -1.7% -1.7%

GENDER OF PESONS ARRESTED MALE FEMAL

3,161 1,477

AGE RANGE TOTAL CHAGES % OF TOTAL TOP CHARGE 2ND CHARGE 19 & UNDER 847 18.3% RESIST DELAY & OBSTRUCT FAILURE TO APPEAR 20-29 3,583 77.3% FAILURE TO APPEAR POSSESS SCHEDULE VI 30-39 3,230 69.6% FAILURE TO APPEAR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARPHENALIA 40-49 1,755 37.8% FAILURE TO APPEAR TRESPASS (SECOND DEGREE) 50-59 1,164 25.1% FAILURE TO APPEAR TRESPASS (SECOND DEGREE) 60+ 400 86% FAILURE TO APPEAR TRESPASS (SECOND DEGREE)

In September 2021, the High Point Police Department moved from 1009 Leonard Ave. to 1730 Westchester Drive. The new location was originally built in 1980 as the Old Dominion Freight Line headquarters. The City of High Point purchased the property in 2018, and construction upgrades began. The new facility is 76,000 square feet, with significant technological enhancements needed to keep up with everevolving crime trends. An additional three-story building was also built to house the High Point 911 center and customer service personnel.

HighPointNC.gov/Police

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HPPD YEAR-TO-DATE 2020-2021 TOTAL IMPACT CRIMES

VIOLENT AND PROPERTY

2020 2021

VILENT IMPACT CRIMES

3,934 3,580 MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ASSULT

2020 2021

PROPERTY IMPACT CRIMES

547 480

-12%

BURGLARY, LARCENY, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT

2020 2021

GUN RELATED CRIMES

-9%

3,387 3,100

-8%

ANY CRIME INVOLVING A FIREARM

2020 2021

662 560

-15%

1,462 1,160

37% 32%

IMPACT CRIME CLEARANCE RATE 2020 2021

1009 Leonard Ave. | High Point, N.C. 27260 Emergency: Dial 911 Non Emergency: 336.883.3224 FOLLOW US: HighPointNC.gov/Police @HighPointPoliceNC @HighPointPolice Nextdoor.com

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