Page 5 - 2020 A Year in Review

for change in the criminal justice system will also continue into the foreseeable future.

We must remain committed to investing in our community outreach programs to
educate the public about the law enforcement profession and maintain an open
dialogue with those we serve.

While this year was somewhat an anomaly due to the pandemic, we again saw
substantial reductions in virtually every crime statistical category. The efforts of all

Cranston Police Department members and partnerships with our community partners
have led to a significant decrease in crime. Most notably, Burglary/Breaking and

Entering offenses for the calendar year 2020 were reduced by 26% from the previous
year, which contributed to a cumulative reduction of 63% over the past four years. The
downward trend of criminal activity is continuing with historical laws in violent crime

(-20% since 2016) and property crime (-43% since 2016). We will explore new
technology and crime-fighting techniques while relying on current and new community

partnerships to continue the downward trend in 2021.

On behalf of the men and women of the Cranston Police Department, I want to thank
all of the members of the public, including our elected public officials, for your

unwavering support. Your many notes of encouragement and other kind gestures
throughout the year were highly uplifting. As public servants, it is rewarding to know

that we are respected and appreciated.

Respectfully,

Colonel Michael J. Winquist
Chief of Police

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Cranston Police Department Year in Review 2020