Fairhope Police Say No Crime Wave in Montrose

ONLY NINE BURGLARIES REPORTED THIS YEAR

Assistant Fairhope Police Chief Sanders, Investigators King, Nolte and other officers told a large group of Montrose-area residents (about 1/3 who live in the city limits according to informed sources) there have been only nine "break ins" reported there this year, but one resident, Kent Hendricks, has been hit 5 times. (Officer King reported that in 2009 over 60 such electronics thefts occurred in the Scenic Pt. Clear neighborhood.)

Hendricks (who reportedly does live in the city limits) had been burglarized again over the Memorial Day weekend (flat screened TV) -- and had distributed video of the crime to the media. He said 2 unarmed men in a white SUV had been involved: one had a visible tattoo; and he fired into the air to scare them off.

Hendricks had complained the investigation was proceeding too slowly--since he gave officers the video tape early last Friday morning. Investigator King said he was" handed the file Tuesday." Officer King said he had a suspect in mind that has yet to be located--but declined to further comment on the active investigation.



UNLOCKED DOORS/CARS A PROBLEM

When asked what citizens should be doing, the officers said keeping  doors/windows locked  would significantly reduce thefts. Recording serial numbers of valuables, "getting a dog" or security cameras/lights, reporting suspicious vehicles, etc.  -- were also encouraged.

LACK OF MANPOWER/ LARGE JURISDICTION A FACTOR

In response to a question raised by a citizen, the officers said the four men (per shift) assigned to cover the whole police jurisdiction (88 square miles) were at times overwhelmed by the volume of calls/false alarms; and it was hoped more officers could be hired next year (up to 7/shift). As an example,  Daphne has 12 officers on duty per shift they said. Reducing the size of the police jurisdiction has also been discussed previously.

It was surprising to some that there is currently no penalty imposed for the 100-200 false home burglar alarm calls police have to answer every month; but Chief Sanders said that is currently being considered (fines).

The Fairhope Police Department responds to about 600-800 total calls per month they said; this data is available at the Police Advisory Committee meetings held second Tuesdays each month at the Nix Center.

NEW RESOURCES COMING

Thanks to a new CAD computer system purchased last year by the city council, the officers said a crime tip-line and e-mailed alerts to citizens will soon be implemented. The officers said there was a Montrose Community Watch program at one time and they could help re-institute it if the community so desired.

USE OF DEADLY FORCE DISCOURAGED

Chief Sanders said residents are allowed by current Alabama law to defend themselves as necessary only if their lives are in jeopardy, but the law doesn't allow them to  "shoot thieves in the back . . .  carrying off their tvs." See Alabama Code 13A 3 23.