The Longview Police Department is taking a focused approach to crime "hot spots" in the city limits by using computer data that identifies those high crime and traffic collision areas.
On June 1, 2012, the Longview Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies from across the country in using a new policing method to reduce crime and traffic crashes. Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) is a proactive strategy that maps crime and crash information to develop areas where crime and crashes overlap, called "hot spots." The goal of DDACTS is to use the data to increase patrols in the identified areas and times as a visual deterrent to such crimes and violations as well as reducing the number of vehicle crashes.
The police department collected and analyzed five years of crash and crime data, identifying several hot spots. High-visibility traffic enforcement is deployed to these hot spots, serving as a countermeasure that simultaneously addresses both issues through a common intervention. It is expected that increasing the visibility of police in those areas will act as a deterrent to those who come into the community looking to commit crimes.
The kickoff to DDACTS will take place on Friday June 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Longview Police Department has selected its initial focus as the 2900 to 3300 block of Ocean Beach Highway to the border of Maple Street and Olympia Way. The number of extra officers deployed and the hours the hot spot will be patrolled may vary, but the goal is to deploy current resources into the target area without additional costs to the City.
"This gives us the ability to use technology to concentrate our resources in a way they will be most effective," Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha said. "This program is about using our existing resources in a more efficient and effective manner."
The Longview Police expect a 10% reduction in traffic crashes and specific crimes in the target area. Those crimes include auto thefts, robbery, burglary, malicious mischief, thefts, vehicle prowls, non-domestic violence assaults, and collisions.
Sgt. Kazensky commented, "The goal is to reduce crime and crashes in the target area, reducing the social harm and victimization within the community."
On April 30 around 12:33 p.m., a robbery occurred at Fred Meyer located at 3184 Ocean Beach Hwy. The suspect was contacted by Loss prevention employees as he was exiting the store. When the loss prevention employees identified themselves, the suspect pulled out a knife that had been concealed in the suspect's coat. The knife was described as having a blade approximately 18" long, and looking like a small Samurai sword. The suspect fled the area on foot.
On May 4, Longview Police received information that the suspect responsible for the Robbery was at a residence in the 200 block of 19th Ave, Longview. Officers surrounded the residence and took the suspect, David L. Renie (44 yoa) into custody. Renie was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail for Robbery 1st Degree and Theft 3rd Degree.
Lower Columbia Longshoremen Credit Union Robber Arrested
On March 7 around 1:11 p.m. the Lower Columbia Longshoremen Credit Union was robbed by a suspect claiming to have a bomb in his backpack. The suspect fled on foot and left in an unknown direction. The suspect was identified later that afternoon as Tracy R. Thiel (47 years old). Thiel was known to be a transient in the local area. As the investigation continued, Longview Police detectives were able to verify that Thiel had fled Longview and spent the night of the robbery in a Kalama hotel. Thiel left Kalama the following day for an uknown location. Detectives received information a couple weeks ago that Thiel had been in the Portland area. This information was confirmed and detectives checked the area where Thiel had been frequenting, but he was not located. This morning detectives received information that Thiel had checked into a hotel in the Vancouver area. Detective Dennis went to the area of the hotel and observed Thiel walking to a nearby store. Vancouver Police Department patrol officers were contacted and they assisted in the arrest of Thiel. Thiel was booked into the Clark County Jail on an arrest warrant stemming from the credit union robbery. It is unknown at this time when Thiel will be transferred to the Cowlitz County Jail.
Citizens dropped off 57 pounds of pills at the Longview Police Highlands Satellite Office on April 28 as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's national "drug take-back" campaign. Highlands community coach Liz Haeck and Shannon Miller from Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition were present and assisted the police department during the event.
Approximately 50 responsible citizens used the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of medications no longer used. This is a great way to keep unwanted prescription drugs out of the hands of drug abusers. And, by disposing of the drugs at the many local disposal bins now in Cowlitz County, we help keep the medications out of our water supply.
Current drop-off sites include:
* Longview Police Department, 1351 Hudson St., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* Kelso Police Department, 201 Pacific Ave. S., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, 312 SW 1ST Ave., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
On April 30 around 12:33 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at Fred Meyer in Longview. The suspect pulled out a long bladed knife described as a small Samurai sword when loss prevention officers attempted to contact the suspect outside the store. The photos below are snapshots taken from the store surveillance video.
The suspect is described as a white male in his thirties, approximately 5'07", pock marked face, dark hair with a goatee and mustache. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black leather coat, black t-shirt, and black or blue jeans.
People with information about the robbery or possible suspect information can call Det. Dennis or Sgt. Reeves at the Longview Police Department 360-442-5800.
Date: April 30, 2012
Contact: Detective Sgt. John Reeves
Phone: 306-442-5800
For Immediate Release
Fred Meyer Robbery
Today around 12:33 p.m., a robbery occurred at Fred Meyer located at 3184 Ocean Beach Hwy. Loss prevention officers contacted the suspect as he left the store carrying a box of boots and some alcohol that did not appear to have been paid for. When the loss prevention officers identified themselves, the suspect pulled out a knife that had been concealed in the suspect's coat. The knife was described as having a blade approximately 18" long, and looking like a small Samurai sword. The loss prevention officers backed away as the suspect turned and ran toward Ocean Beach Hwy. The suspect was last seen cutting through an apartment complex in the 3000 block of Maryland St.
The suspect is described as a white male in his thirties, approximately 5'07", very skinny, dark hair with a goatee and mustache. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black leather coat, black t-shirt, and black or blue jeans. The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time.
Surveillance video from Fred Meyer is being reviewed to see if the suspect can be identified.
People with information about the robbery or possible suspect information can call the Longview Police Department at 360-442-5800.
