To:   Mayor Lisa Wong, City Councilors

      & Fitchburg residents

When people say we must do more with less, I can reply without reservation, “we have”. Your Police Department has been reduced by 33 positions since 2007. The loss of professional personnel included 17 police officers and 16 experienced civilian staff support positions. Although the number of calls for service has increased in the past year, officers and civilian staff stepped up and continue to respond and perform professionally to the needs of the community. 

This annual report reflects a reduction of total crime reported by 3.78%. During a period that we were required to reduce the total number of officers on the street and assigned 9 police officers to full time dispatch duty on a 24 hour 7 days a week schedule, I find this reduction to be not only outstanding but also representative of dedication and commitment of the professional men and women of your Police Department.

Former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton was nationally recognized leader in policing and I proud to say that he was a mentor of mine. Wherever Bill went his methods reduced crime. I learned Bill’s secret; STAFF! Chief Bratton was always successful in raising awareness in the public and political sectors that to make a city safe, your police department will always be the first line of defense. Chief Bratton also noted that effectiveness was directly related to staffing.

Today I tell you that to reduce crime we need staff. Police Departments in some cities are not only the first line of defense, but may be the only line of defense. When an individual who is deciding to either open a business or purchase a home, they check to see if the city is safe. This is accomplished by appropriate staffing.

We have been fortunate over the last few years that our officers and staff have done more with less, as seen by this year’s reduction in overall crime. Our student interns, Citizen on Patrol, Fitchburg Community Action Team, and our law enforcement partners, such as the Massachusetts State Police and in particular the MSP Gang Unit have proven to be invaluable. I would like to thank you for doing your part to make the streets of Fitchburg safe and I look forward to your continued cooperation in expanding this effort.

In closing, I ask all of you to set future priorities which you feel would benefit the City of Fitchburg. As I stated over two years ago, “public safety” is the linchpin of economic development. Your Police Department should be on the top of that list of priorities. I can assure each and every one of you that it will always remain at the very top of mine.

Robert A. DeMoura

Chief of Police