Commission approves detective’s ICAC training as department reports rise in calls and enforcement

The Laconia Police Commission approved travel expenses for a detective to attend Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) training and heard monthly activity reports showing increased calls for service and expanded enforcement activity.

The commission voted to approve travel for Detective Kendra Neary to attend an ICAC course in Greenville, South Carolina, July 28 through Aug. 1 at a total cost of $1,404.15. The packet noted the training itself carried no tuition cost and that expenses covered travel and meals. The item passed after a motion and second with a unanimous voice vote.

Chief Canfield delivered the department’s monthly highlights. "For the month of April, we responded to a total of 2,946 calls for service, which is up just over 9%," Canfield said. He reported 273 park, walk and talks (up from 96 the same month last year), 538 extra patrols, 353 criminal offenses investigated with 229 cleared by arrest, 16 physical custody arrests, and 14 people taken into custody for intoxication.

The Criminal Investigative Unit reported 20 new initial cases, one felony arrest, eight search warrants, 26 sexual/offender registrations, three cell phone extractions and 106 training hours, much of which involved teaching other topics. Canfield also summarized traffic enforcement for April: 31 parking tickets, 33 motor vehicle accidents (five with injury), 957 motor vehicle stops, 90 motor vehicle summonses and 819 written warnings.

Department staff described training and grant activity: support division personnel attended conferences and training including an Axon vendor conference and a New England accreditation conference (NEPAC). Staff said the COSAP grant funded training attendance for Detective Eric Adams and others, and administrative staff attended virtual training on NIBRS (National Incident‑Based Reporting System).

Commissioners raised local safety concerns on Route 106; Canfield described a Route 106 Safety Corridor enforcement effort from the Meredith traffic circle to Pembroke and said the state grooved the center line to warn drivers crossing the yellow line. The police regional accident reconstruction team has responded to several severe collisions in that corridor.

The chief noted upcoming public events and dates of interest: a budget presentation before city council scheduled for June 9 at 6 p.m., a Motorcycle Week press conference June 4 at 10 a.m. at the Colonial Theater and Laconia Motorcycle Week June 13–22.

The commission approved the travel request and received the monthly activity reports; no other budget or policy actions were adopted at the meeting.