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Wasco Police chief reports nearly 18,000 incidents, 3,000 traffic stops and 148 DUI arrests in first year
Summary
At the April 15 council meeting, Wasco Police Department leadership reviewed first-year operational statistics, citing nearly 18,000 incidents handled, about 3,000 traffic stops, close to 1,000 arrests and 148 drunk-driving arrests since the department began operations in April 2024.
The Wasco Police Department presented its first-year operational summary to the Wasco City Council on April 15, reporting substantial officer-initiated activity, enforcement numbers and technology-driven improvements in vehicle theft recoveries.
The police chief told council members that from April 18, 2024, through the meeting date the department had handled ‘‘just north of 18,000 incidents’’ and performed more than 3,000 traffic stops. Officer-initiated contacts represented about 40% of department activity, the chief said, and the agency recorded nearly 1,000 total arrests and roughly 325 narcotics-related investigations during the year.
The chief highlighted a DUI-prevention grant application and said the department had arrested 148 drivers for driving under the influence over the 12-month period. He also drew attention to vehicle-theft figures: the department reported 174 stolen vehicles in the most recent 12 months compared with 243 in the prior 12-month period, and a recovery rate of about 66 percent. The chief credited proactive enforcement, the installation of fixed license-plate-recognition cameras (referred to as FLOT cameras) and adding the capability to patrol fleet units for the improved recovery rate.
Council members praised the department’s visibility and community contacts — the chief said officer-initiated activity and community engagement (more than 10,000 citizen contacts in the reporting period) have helped deter crime and improve reporting. Council members asked whether repeat offenders accounted for a significant share of activity; the chief said frequent offenders typically make up a large portion of reported crime in many jurisdictions.
The chief also noted data-reporting caveats when comparing the city’s numbers with county statistics: agencies use different reporting systems and definitions (the chief referenced Part I/Part II classifications and the transition to newer reporting systems), which can make direct comparisons misleading.
The council and city manager noted the Powell Building grand opening and the department’s one-year anniversary celebration on April 22, and discussed whether to time a public badge-pinning or recognition for the newly promoted assistant chief to coincide with that event.
Why it matters
The numbers underscore the city’s effort to reestablish a local police force and to increase proactive, visible policing, staff said. Council members framed the statistics as evidence of improved community trust and responsiveness since the department’s launch.
Context and caveats
The chief cautioned that differences in reporting standards among agencies can alter comparative figures; he also noted that some earlier media requests for crime data had shown different outcomes because of those reporting differences. The department said it will continue to pursue grants (including DUI-prevention funding) to support enforcement programs.
Ending
Council members commended the department’s first-year results and asked staff to prepare for Powell Building anniversary events. The department expects to continue seeking grant funding and to use presentation materials, technology and community engagement as part of its enforcement strategy.
