Beginning March 1, 1976, the St. Louis Police Department is introducing a new concept of law enforcement in the 7th District. Through a reorganization of district personnel, the Department plans to provide the 7th District with more effective patrol and enforcement without increasing the Department’s budget.
Team Policing is a concept that is used in varying forms in many cities throughout the nation. Under the St. Louis plan, a team of 20 officers under the supervision of a Lieutenant will be assigned to a specific neighborhood and is given exclusive responsibility for enforcements in that area.
The Team will be fully acquainted with his area, its strengths, problems. An important aspect of the program is that the team and the residents of the area will grow to know one another. The officer responding to a call will be known by the residents which will hopefully increase police-citizen cooperation.
Citizen support and cooperation is vital to the success of the program. Members of the Team will be at many meetings throughout the Skinker-DeBaliviere area. They are willing to come to discuss the programs. If you wish them to attend a meeting, a call is all that is needed.
Original photograph caption
Ptn. James Burgoon, John Thomas, and Sgt. George Maurer, guests of the Women’s Crusade Against Crime at a neighborhood kaffee klatsch held at St. Roch’s gym on February 23. The Paper, March 1976, page 1. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1976.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1976_03.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
