Fuel prices squeeze police
High costs force more efficient crime-fighting
By Karl Bickel and Deborah Spence CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

As gasoline prices hover around $4.00 a gallon, fuel costs have put the squeeze on law enforcement budgets in the same way that they have squeezed family budgets. Throughout the United States, police officials are searching for ways to maintain the current level of service that they provide to their communities while using less gasoline. Several law enforcement agencies in North Carolina are among those that are changing operational practices in light of gas prices, and are finding community policing strategies helpful.

Community policing encourages officersto involve citizens as partners to identify and address community concerns, and factors that lead to crime. And this is best done through day-to-day interaction with members of the community. Problem-solving, another aspect of community policing, enables law enforcement executives to identify the biggest fuel drains in their departments; consider geographic, operational, and political factors; and work with local officials, citizens' groups, and merchant associations to develop effective plans.

Most police departments have not reduced patrols or services due to increased gas prices. However, some have started to feel the impact and are taking steps to ensure that they will not be forced to make compromises to public safety if prices continue to increase. Officers, particularly those who patrol our roadways and respond to 911 calls, need cars, and cars need gasoline.

"No matter how high gas prices become, police are always going to rely on patrol vehicles as a big part of their operations," said Carl R. Peed, Director of the U.S. Department of Justice Officeof Community Oriented Policing Services. "What community policing offers is a strategy for being more effective while reducing fuel consumption."

Operational changes. The Hickory, North Carolina, Police Department has changed how officerspatrol their assigned neighborhoods by encouraging them to get out of their patrol vehicles for 10 minutes every hour to conduct property checks on foot.

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