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Prospect police report shows spike in enforcement; part‑time investigator to start Dec. 1
Summary
Chiefs told council the department increased traffic enforcement and communications in its first year, reported crime‑category trends (burglaries down, vehicle thefts down), and said a part‑time investigator with homicide experience will begin Dec. 1.
Prospect police officials reported to the City Council on Nov. 17 that the department has expanded communications and enforcement since reorganizing about a year ago and expects to fill a part‑time investigator position on Dec. 1.
Chief Tony (last name not specified) said the department added an email/tip line and a Ring‑app distribution channel, which he said improved resident communications. He said traffic enforcement increased substantially: traffic stops rose roughly 246% (from 148 to 513) and 'armed traffic enforcement' rose 306%; warnings and citations for traffic also increased.
The presentation included crime comparisons for rolling 12‑month periods: burglaries decreased (from seven to three, a drop the chiefs characterized as a 57% reduction), thefts increased slightly (24 to 26, attributed in part to higher reporting from a Kroger), and vehicle thefts fell (from 14 in 2024 to four in 2025). Non‑injury accidents rose; injury accidents were down 11%.
Chiefs said the department obtained a small traffic grant, two new portable speed signs and a traffic trailer to support speed‑limit changes on U.S. 42. They also reported administrative improvements, including fixing a dispatch/system issue so all residents are in the city's reporting system.
Chief Tony said the department will hire a part‑time investigator, a retiree with more than 10 years of homicide investigation experience, who will begin Dec. 1. Council members asked about the hire's timing and how the department will manage inspections tied to other agenda items.
The council did not take an action on staffing at this meeting; the report was informational. Council members expressed appreciation for the department's work and asked follow‑up questions about statistics and specific investigations, which the chiefs said are ongoing.
