Chief reports drop in overdose deaths, rise in downtown enforcement and expanded CAD messaging
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Summary
Chief Canfield told the commission December and year‑end statistics showing no documented drug overdose deaths year‑to‑date, elevated downtown arrests and greater use of Spider Tech CAD text messaging; he highlighted accreditation work and training on swatting and bomb‑threat response.
The Laconia Police Department reported declines in suspected drug overdose fatalities and increases in enforcement activity downtown during the monthly chief's report.
Chief Canfield said "so far for year to date, we've had no drug overdose deaths," contrasting that with 21 overdose deaths the prior year and two to three suspected fatalities in that period. He described changing local drug patterns, noting more methamphetamine and a higher‑purity form of cocaine than seen several years ago.
Canfield highlighted downtown enforcement work: during the year the department made roughly 350 downtown arrests and issued about 100 summonses targeted at quality‑of‑life issues in public parks and the downtown area, and said extra patrols and walk‑and‑talks increased significantly.
The department also described its Spider Tech CAD system, which sends an acknowledgement text with a case number and officer ID to callers and can send follow‑up notifications; in December the system sent 311 text messages and achieved a 17% survey completion rate. Canfield said he reviews Spider Tech comments and follows up with citizens who leave contact information; overall he characterized public feedback as “extremely positive.”
The chief added that the department completed a remote year‑1 accreditation assessment, is carrying out promotions for sergeant and lieutenant and that dispatchers and others participated in training on bomb threats and swatting hoaxes to refine investigative and response protocols.
