Police: nightly checkpoints curb crime

If you work in the downtown area, you might have noticed that for the past two weeks the police have been manning nightly check points at all three bridges connecting the city’s north and south sides. The operation is just one of many initiatives the police department is conducting in what it says is an effort to combat crime. And while the checkpoints are causing a few delays, today Police Press Officer G. Michael Reid maintained that the exercise has yielded success.

G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
?There is a crime prevention operation in place. It has paid dividends. As you know, over the past two weeks things have quieted down considerably. We believe that many of the times these criminals do use these bridges in getting back and forth. Police certainly do not look at the city as northside/southside, but as one city that needs to be policed. We know that there are three main points, main crossing areas which is the three bridges and so whenever there is a checkpoint, it?s not like the checkpoint?s erected within the northside or within the southside, but they are on the bridges and there?s no prejudices involved in here.?

?At the same time, it?s also used to ensure that the vehicles have their proper insurance or license in place and we think that by putting a police presence out there then the criminals understand that we are there, we are working. And at the end of the day if there?s a crime anyway near then those very personnel can respond also.?

Reid says the checkpoint initiative will be a sustained effort.