Bourne Police Chief: Crime Down in Town

BOURNE – A noticeable drop in crime has happened in the Town of Bourne according to Police Chief Dennis Woodside. 

While presenting the findings to the board of selectmen earlier this month, the Chief noted that instances of breaking and entering, of both houses and cars, have dropped significantly.

He said that type of crime has been decreasing for the past six years.  In 2012, there were 873 cases while this year there were only 414. 

He disagreed with Selectman Peter Meiers’ assessment that the rate of vandalism has increased.

“It’s not up, it’s more visible.  It might appear that way, but it’s not.  There have been a couple of incidents here and there, and they’re being investigated,” said Woodside. 

When Meiers asked about staffing  for the new station house, the chief said more staff would be needed.

“The new building is going to require more people on the desk.  We run a one person desk that does everything, other departments that don’t even answer 911 have two,” he said.

 In the new building, we’re not going to be able to do it with one person.  You can’t check prisoners, you can’t do things like that.” 

Woodside also said they had a young workforce among patrol officers.