February service report shows 9.91% increase in calls and successful arrests

The Police Commission Meeting held on March 19, 2025, in Laconia, New Hampshire, focused on the department's performance and budget status for February. The meeting began with a report on service calls, revealing a total of 2,201 calls, marking a 9.91% increase compared to the previous month. The police conducted 73 park walk-and-talks and 257 extra patrols, alongside five community policing events.

The department reported investigating 238 criminal offenses, with 159 cases cleared through arrests, including 91 physical custody arrests. Notably, officers took 16 individuals into custody for intoxication and responded to 29 domestic disturbance calls, 50 other disturbances, six cases involving suicidal subjects, and 11 violations of restraining orders. The Victim Services Unit contributed eight hours of volunteer time.

Following this, the Criminal Investigative Unit presented its statistics for February. They were assigned 11 new cases and conducted 15 follow-ups, resulting in one felony arrest and one felony charge. The unit executed four search warrants, registered 19 offenders, and handled seven cyber-related cases. They also conducted four cell phone extractions and participated in a community presentation.

The meeting transitioned to budget discussions led by Chief Canfield, who reported that the department is currently 71.15% through the budget year and is trending well, being 1.512% under budget, which translates to approximately $135,579.39 in savings.

The meeting concluded without further questions, highlighting the department's proactive approach to community safety and effective budget management.