Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: NOVEMBER 2016 25 S ome law enforce- ment commentators and television per- sonalities say that cops need more intelligence to get the job done. Intelligence in this con- text obviously means infor- mation rather than brain power – al- though there’s an argument to be made that they’re not mutually exclusive. But how do cops acquire intel – aside from the traditional use of informants? In Los Angeles County, they’re trying something new. Cops are talking to resi- dents to find out what the hell is going on. The Los Angeles Times re- cently spoke with Corner Pocket resident Elizabeth Lopez about a recent survey run by LA County Sheriff’s deputies on policing and safety issues in the area. In an effort to gather information and improve trust in law enforcement, the agency sent in an excess of 100 deputies and volunteers to talk to residents and hope- fully get them to take the survey. Deputies set out to knock on 1,200 doors in the area, well known for gang activity, and were shooting for 600 written surveys to bring back for analysis. “I think this is great,” said Samuel T. Williams, 78, after filling out a survey in a friend’s yard on Wayside Street. He told L.A. Times re- porters that he found the “no snitching” attitude among some younger people tiresome and hoped the deputies’ show of concern would be a reminder that “the police are not our enemies.” T h e s u r v e y asked residents seven questions. It was stuff like whether they feel safe walking after dark in the neighborhood and what they would con- sider public safety priority number one. Capt. Jeffrey Perry of the Community Partnerships Bureau, which organized the survey, said it’s a way to re-engage with the com- munity. Some people don’t call 911 because “[they think] it’s not going to do any good. But when you knock on their door they are like, hey, these deputies really do want to know,” Perry said. Capt. Kerry Carter, who took over command of the Century Sheriff’s Station six months ago, is a local guy. He raised his family in nearby Compton and knows the area well both as a resident and because he’s worked there. He says it’s safer than the bad old days but there’s work still to be done. He says he still wouldn’t feel comfortable walking at night by himself because of gang violence. “This is a tough area,” he said. Mariana Amar, a mother of two, said she was excited to fill out the survey. “I’m very pleased that you guys are actually walking around,” she told deputies. She told a story from years ago when police stopped her and her husband as they drove with their children in East L.A. Someone in the family apparently fit a description of a suspect and the thing was resolved quickly but the encounter scared her kids. But now her daughter now wants to be a detective and she thinks that’s great. Simple is smart Can asking local residents about crime help agencies and officers be more responsive? Mariana Amar, a mother of two, said she was excited to fill out the survey. “I’m very pleased that you guys are actually walking around,” she told deputies. P.R.I.D.E. Protection | Respect | Integrity | Dedication | Excellence Heroes Wanted. Apply Now. PRIDE “PRIDE starts with the badge” Learn how you can earn yours at: Phoenix.gov/police Now accepting applications for both recruits and lateral transfers!