Overall, there were 82,141 calls for service to city police departments in 2009, down from 83,725 calls the previous year.
The Woodstock Police Department saw the biggest decrease, from 35,056 in 2008 to 27,895 calls in 2009.
Police Chief David Bores said he's not sure what has led to the drop in calls, noting there have been increases in property crime and burglaries in the city.
Last year, the city responded to 43 residential burglaries, up from 26 the previous year. Commercial burglaries also slightly increased to 38 from 32, and car break-ins climbed to 101 from 62.
To crack down on these crimes, Bores said he plans to introduce a Police and Citizens Together initiative, which would assign officers to neighborhoods for patrols. They would also serve as nonemergency contact for services.
Bores said this year he will continue his efforts to gain Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for the department, and may fill one patrol officer vacancy if the budget allows.
"We've got a full plate," he said.
The department has 63 people, including 53 sworn officers and 10 civilians, on staff, an increase from 52 people including 44 sworn officers and eight civilians in 2008.
Bores said he was glad to see his department achieve a full staff last year.
The department in 2009 also re-organized its staff, brought reserve Chaplain Ron Anspaugh on board and secured funding for laptop computers to be placed in police cars.
Because of the Woodstock High School gun scare in 2009, Bores said the department also provided training for rifle use for officers. All officers using patrol vehicles now have a rifle on board with them.
Bores, who was tapped in January 2009 to lead the department, said he is especially proud that morale has increased in the department.
"I think the climate is showing it's being taken care of," he said.
The Canton Police Department received 18,096 calls for service last year, down from 18,571 in 2008.
Chief Jeff Lance said he hopes the effort by his staff to "be a proactive department instead of reactive department has been a factor" in the decrease.
Lance said his goals for the year include completing the department's communications upgrade, which will improve its radio system and repeaters.
Lance said he also wants to install laptop computers in patrol cars, which would give officers the ability to file reports from their cars.
Another goal, he said, is to "give the department a facelift" by renovating the station. Among the changes he's proposing are the construction of two rooms for more office space and evidence storage and updating the building's fa ade. The installation of a new roof already has been approved by the council.
Lance said he and assistant Chief Todd Vande Zande this year also will do public evaluations to gauge how the community feels about the department.
The department had a tough year in 2009 on it personnel side, Lance said, adding the staff picked up the slack.
"These guys kept doing the job they were expected to do," he said.
The staff dipped to 50 people down from 55 in 2008. Lance said he froze five positions: two patrolmen, two clerks and one training/evidence custodian.
"We feel really good," he said about the outlook for 2010. "With the economy, we're hoping everything will turn around."
The Holly Springs Police Department received about 36,000 calls for service in 2009, up from 30,000 the previous year.
Chief Ken Ball said the economy is a factor in the increase, but noted there was a decrease in felony crimes such as murder, burglaries, rape or domestic violence.
His goals for the year include expanding its Teamwork, Results, Accountability, Communication and Enforcement program.
The program focuses on reducing crime by working with the community to address concerns and correct problems as they occur.
"We certainly can't do it alone," he said.
Ball said he also wants to begin replacing older patrol cars, but the economy will be a factor in determining what route he takes. The department still has been able to provide each officer with a take-home vehicle, he said.
The department had 23 people on staff in 2008 and added one last year. Due to budget cuts, part-time positions have been eliminated, and the total now is down to 22.
"We've been very good stewards of watching the budget," he said.
The Ball Ground Police Department saw a drop in its calls for service. In 2009, the department received 4,793 calls, down from 5,190 made in 2008.
City Manager Eric Wilmarth said the city continue to see a low crime rate, which could be attributed to its decrease in calls.
For 2010, Wilmarth said the department's goals include providing more leadership, crime scene investigation and accident reconstruction training to its staff.
The department employs two full-time officers and Police Chief Dana Davis. In 2008, the department had three officers on staff.
"We've got an aggressive training program going on right now," Wilmarth said.
The department had set a goal of gaining full accreditation. However, since it's not a 24-hour-per-day operation, it can not obtain the accreditation it would like, Wilmarth said.
The Nelson Police Department also saw a rise in calls for service to 150 last year, up from 98 in 2008.
Chief Brad Carroll said the department stepped up its DUI and drug patrols and investigations.
The department made 15 DUI and 23 drug arrests in 2009, up from the one drug and nine DUI arrests made in 2008.
"It's been happening here for years," he said of drug use in the area.
The department successes for the past year also included the creation of a Web site at www.nelsonpolice.com.
Carroll said his goals for the year include beginning a reserve police program with three to five people to start.
The department has two full-time officers including himself and, if the budget allows, he'd like to add a third.
Carroll said he also hopes to upgrade the department's communications equipment, possibly obtain another vehicle and replace older guns and shotguns.
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