Stratton Speaks on Crime Issues

OPENING: Don Pendleton was at his position as Sergeant-at-Arms, noting the presence (or absence) of members attending SGR’s last weekly meeting of 2010. Ray Robinson led members in “Silent Night.” Bob Bramlage led members in a recitation of Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things we think, say and do. Debbie Justice invited members to follow her in the Pledge of Allegiance and Steve Radmall asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: PDG Gil Trujillo presented a check in the amount of $15,000 which represents unexpended funds from the Utah Rotary District Conference in May. These funds will fund such Rotary youth programs as Youth Exchange, RYLA, Rotaract and Interact.

Ken Sizemore and SGR’s nominating committee conducted election of officers to serve with Linda Baker during FY2011-12. Durant McArthur was selected to serve as President Elect-nominee. Board members elected are Janet O’Riley and Lowry Snow. Quinn Hadley will serve on the Youth Committee.

PROGRAM: Marlon Stratton, Chief of the St. George Police Department for more than 10 years, shared information about his agency, which includes 104 officers, 45 civilian employees and 30 volunteers. Working together, the department strives to deal with issues of crime not visible to the community through five divisions: patrol, investigation, special enforcement, traffic, and administrative services /communications.

The chief noted he is frequently asked how the downturn in the economy has affected the local crime rate. According to the law enforcement administrator, the economy has created a decrease in the population, but there has been an increase in thefts and burglaries. The newest challenge for the department is prostitution, which always involves drugs and violence. Fighting drug use “is like trying to drink from a fire hose,” notes the chief. “It is a fulltime problem requiring a lot of manpower.” Prescription drugs, heroin and marijuana are the three biggest addictions and implicated in criminal activities at least 99% of the time. Gangs are a continuing problem, too, with more than 600 gang members in Washington County.

On the positive side, graffiti is down by 42% because of the city’s policy of removing it within 24-48 hours. VIPS (Volunteers in Public Service) are a real boon to the city’s efforts to control crime during a time when the SGPD’s budget has been cut by 18%.