PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – There are more police officers on the streets in Philadelphia. It’s a strategy that started earlier this year through mobile peaking units.
Now the strategy to reduce crime is getting a boost through another specialist unit. Welcome to the roll call for members of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Elite Highway Patrol Unit.
“We’re really trying to make a visible difference,” said Philly Deputy Commissioner James Kelly.
From Friday evening, these officers will help supplement mobile surge teams and district staff across the city.
Kelly adds that they can also supplement PPD’s ATV data.
“It’s just another way to double or triple, I think, on top of the mobile peaking units to have a bigger presence out there,” he said. “A truly visible presence.”
The mobile surveillance units launched earlier this year and put more officers, many of whom work in administrative areas, on the streets on Friday and Saturday evenings to tackle crime.
While Philadelphia Police believe the operation has been successful so far, there is still room for improvement.
“The community has been very supportive and we’re not just focusing on the violence, we’re also focusing on quality of life issues,” Kelly said.
The biggest quality of life problem, PPD says, is ATVs. Kelly estimates that nearly 200 have been taken off the streets this year.
“We’re not going to give up on this ATV issue,” he said. “If anything, you’ll see increased deployment of ATVs.”
The highway patrols will remain highly visible in the community while riding motorcycles.
“They’re going to spend some time in the areas where we have a lot of ATV activity and then they’re going to go to certain areas where we have the most crime for highly visible patrols,” Kelly said.
He notes that the key here is lowering crime rates and making people feel safe.
“Wherever the highway patrol is, there is a calming effect,” Kelly said.
Nikki De Mentri
