Waterford’s police chief told the City Council on Tuesday that the department is seeing modest reductions in crime and announced a school resource officer (SRO) who will be assigned to the Waterford School District, though the officer’s full-time start may be delayed until December.
The chief reported 294 total calls for service in July, including 87 self-initiated incidents. Midyear statistics show Part 1 crimes down 2%, Part 2 crimes down 3% and property crimes down 7.6% compared with the prior reporting period, the chief said.
On the school safety position, the chief said the SRO will be Leticia Serrano, identified as a Waterford native who previously patrolled the community and will serve under funding from the school district. The chief cautioned that, because department staffing levels have dipped — he said the agency is down about 17 deputies — Serrano’s full-time transfer to the school may be delayed; she is expected to begin auxiliary duties at school events and safety meetings and could be fully assigned in December when staffing permits.
The chief also praised the department’s investigative work in a recent arrest of a person alleged to have targeted young females; he said detectives quickly obtained warrants and arrested the suspect, who remains in custody. The chief and council members also thanked staff and volunteers for a successful National Night Out event.
No formal council action was taken on these operational updates; the SRO assignment involves funding from the Waterford School District and will require internal staffing adjustments before the officer’s full-time transfer.