SBPD sets goals for upcoming year
By: Joseph Harvie
South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said that the township police force hopes to reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents and improve the quality of life for residents in 2007.
Chief Hayducka said Wednesday that there were 1,934 motor vehicle accidents in the township this year, and that through increased traffic patrols and driver education he hopes to reduce that number.
He said that the department has already applied for grants for 2007 from the state to educate drivers to be more cautious and safe.
In addition, Chief Hayducka said that the department is going to continue to reach out to community members to help to improve their quality of life.
"We’re looking for any quality of life issues such as loitering or anything that impacts the citizens," Chief Hayducka said.
He said that he wants to increase communication with residents to help solve problems. For instance, he said, there was a problem earlier this year in the eastern section of the township where people were driving all terrain vehicles on private property. After residents reported it, police were able to get information out to the residents, through local newspapers that it is illegal to ride on other people’s property without their permission.
The department is also going to increase its training in 2007, Chief Hayducka said.
"We’re going to do criminal investigation training, and there are street-survival seminars," Chief Hayducka said. "And there’s technology training for everyone in the department, civilians and sworn officers."
The department is also pursuing a grant to get a new dispatch system installed to help make responses to 911 calls safer for police, Chief Hayducka said.
"Say you get a call to 121 Main St.," Chief Hayducka said. "It will come up with a history from that address. It’s an officer-safety issue."
The department will also prepare for its final New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Department Accreditation Program assessment, by having a mock assessment in 2007, Chief Hayducka said.
Through the program, departments must adopt best practices measures put forth by the association, and addresses issues such as use of force, authority and jurisdiction; recruitment, selection and promotion of personnel; and training, discipline and internal affairs, according to the association brochure for the program.
"Studies have shown that through accreditation there are less lawsuits and morale is higher," Chief Hayducka said. "And there is also a 5 percent reduction in (insurance costs), which is significant in a town of South Brunswick’s size."

