Laconia Police reports spike in May calls, reviews Motorcycle Week response

Laconia Police reported an increase in activity for May and described operational work tied to Motorcycle Week and Wake the Lake.

Chief Canfield told the Laconia Police Commission the department responded to 2,573 calls for service in May, a 9.91% increase from the prior comparison period. The department carried out 134 park walk‑and‑talks, 488 extra patrol requests and 13 community policing events. Investigative numbers reported for the month included 377 criminal offenses assigned; the department reported clearing 220 cases and noted 129 arrests by physical custody. The department took 30 people into protective custody for intoxication, responded to 26 domestic disturbance calls and 69 other disturbance calls, and investigated eight allegations of violating restraining orders.

Traffic and enforcement figures for May included 19 parking tickets issued, 45 motor vehicle accidents investigated (nine with injury), and a total of 642 motor‑vehicle stops when citations and written warnings are included. For the Motorcycle Week period specifically, staff and operations divisions prepared an operational plan with partner agencies; Lieutenant Hubbard and Captain Grama were named as leads on camera setups, radar signs and light towers. The department said two officers attended in‑house training start dates on July 7 and one officer attended a two‑week accident reconstruction school during the month.

Comparative figures given in the meeting noted 65 custodial arrests for the Motorcycle Week period (up from 46 the prior year) and eight DWI arrests (up from four last year). The department also reported 35 motor vehicle crashes in the relevant period compared with 19 the previous year and reported 386 motor‑vehicle stops compared with 239 the prior year for that same period. The commission discussed the monthly reports but took no policy vote related to enforcement thresholds at the meeting.