Herbert Blake

Chief of Police

2018 Annual Report

A message from Chief Blake

A message from Chief Blake

On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the Hendersonville Police Department, I

am presenting our 2018 Annual Report. This report serves to concisely highlight areas

such as crimes reported, traffic data, operational expenditures, service oriented

accomplishments and various operational information for our citizens and our

community about HPD for the specified year.

The mission of the Hendersonville Police Department is to provide professional law

enforcement services to our constituents to preserve and improve the quality of life for

those who live in, work in, or visit our city.

Our vision is to help make Hendersonville a safe destination, and to be viewed as a fair,

respectful, transparent, and well-trained department with employees who are

accessible, accountable, and responsive to our customers.

Organizational Structure

Our department is organized into three bureaus or divisions; Uniform Patrol, Support

Services, and Criminal Investigations. Each bureau falls under the command of a

Captain who oversees those divisions. HPD officers completed approximately 4,446.50

hours of relevant training and professional development in 2018.

Police Chief

Captain of PatrolAdmin Assistant

Four patrol teams

Team 5 Housing, Main St

Animal Control and SROs

Captain of CIDEvidence Assistant

Six detectives

Captain of Support ServicesComm supervisor

Dispatch and records

Sr AdminAssistant

Support Services Bureau

Captain Tracey Cox

The Support Services Bureau includes the Police Records Division, Police Dispatch, police

equipment, radios, and the departmental budget and billing. It also handles the

department time and payroll functions as well as many other operational tasks.

Our Police Dispatch Center handles all police calls within both Hendersonville and Laurel

Park and answers both emergency 911 lines as well as general business calls. The Police

Dispatch Center dispatches all Police Units and maintains call logs via computer

systems. The Communications Center is staffed 24/7. In 2018 79,913 phone calls into the

9-1-1 center and 54,713 calls for service, the 9-1-1 line received 5,886 calls in the City.

All telephone calls and radio calls are recorded, and logs of all reports, citations, and

arrests are maintained here. The Records Division is responsible for documenting,

organizing, filing, scanning and entering into the computer every report submitted by an

officer or detective. These reports cover every aspect of our operation including incident,

arrest, and accident reports. In 2018 HPD took a total of 1,778 incident reports.

Our records personnel process thousands of documents every year. These reports are later

used for investigations and court purposes. Most of the accident reports taken are later

copied for the parties involved or for their insurance companies.

The police department’s annual operating budget for FY 2018 was $ $5,217,874. Staff

costs which include salary and benefits accounted for 82% of the budget. Operating

costs, which includes equipment, uniforms, and training, among other expenditures

were 11%. Capital outlay for vehicles and computers was 7 % of the annual budget.

Phone calls received by HPD dispatch 79,913

Calls for Service: 53,428 Arrests: 1,103 Citations: 1,056 Traffic Stops: 3,544 Radar Patrols: 363 Warrant Service: 306

82%

11%

7%

FY Budget

Personnel

Operations

Cap outlay

Security Checks: 4,770 Foot Patrol: 1143 Drugs Complaints: 337

Patrol Services Bureau

Captain Bruce Simonds

The Patrol Services Bureau is comprised of 45 authorized officers that make up five

teams, consisting of a Captain, five Lieutenants, five Sergeants, several reserve officers, a

parking enforcement officer, four school resource officers, a Main Street Officer, two

Housing Officers, two Animal Control Officers and an administrative assistant. The

bureau is responsible for all initial calls for service in the field. Calls range from

disturbances such as loud music and barking dogs to auto accidents, assaults, domestic

disturbances, and other crimes within our jurisdiction. The Bureau is also responsible for

subpoena and warrant service and is a first line of defense in the interdiction of illicit

drugs within our community. Our patrol officers logged in approximately 203

community-oriented outreach initiatives in 2018. And our reserve employees logged

approximately 2,026 hours. Our patrol officers received a myriad of advanced

professional trainings to enhance their skillsets as well.

The Hendersonville Police Department was one of the state's first D.A.R.E. agencies. In

1986 our department was selected as one of seven pilot sites to present the D.A.R.E.

program and the only agency in Western North Carolina at that time. Since then the

department's D.A.R.E. program has grown in leaps and bounds and continues to be one

of our signature outreach programs.

The Hendersonville Police Department also conducts the Alive at 25 Young Driver Safety

Course with the intent of allowing some of our young area offenders to present their

certificates of completion to the courts for favorable consideration for traffic offenses; in

2018 HPD hosted 18 students. Patrol was an instrumental fulcrum helping ensure the

successes of programs such as Trauma Intervention Program (TIP). HPD requested a TIP

volunteer 13 times in 2018. Seventeen clients received assistance because of these

requests. Patrol assisted with the Hide It - Take It -Lock It initiative executed to combat

thefts from vehicles; and our annual Shop with a Hero program to help area kids with

gifts giving and receiving for Christmas to name a few. In 2018, our patrol assisted 830

motorists who were locked out of their vehicles. To end, patrol has two K-9s for patrol

purposes and one K-9s for tracking. 2018 deployments are highlighted below:

K9 personnel include: Jennifer Drake Pete Laite Jon Wing

K-9 Statistics

Jennifer Drake Demonstrations 23 Vehicle Narcotics Sniff 52 Article Search 3 Breaking and Entering Vehicle 1 Building Narcotic Sniff 6 Alarm 5 Area Search 2 Security Check 1 Public Service 1 Prem. Security 1 Fleeing Criminal 2 Felony Warrant 1 Other Investigation 1 Building Search 4 School Sniff 5

Pete Laite

Demonstrations 2 Vehicle Narcotic Sniff 21 Tracks 2 Article Searches 3 Felony Warrant Service 1 Building Breaking and Entering 1 Building Narcotic Sniff 2

Jon Wing

Demonstrations 4 Tracks 1

Other Departmental Certifications

Accident Reconstruction 5

Crisis Negotiators 2

Drug Recognition Expert 1

Field Training Officer 9

Instructors 12

Motorcycle operators 8

Background Investigators 12

3

15

6

Levels of Certifications for HPD

Advanced Intermediate Basic Probation

18

Selected Outreach and Initiatives

HPD Motor Units

HPD utilizes and deploys 5 Electra Glide

Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Our motorcycles

are frequently used for traffic safety and

enforcement. Our motor riders also conduct

escorts for funerals and for visiting dignitaries.

Our riders have successfully completed an

accredited basic motor officer school

consisting of 80 hours of evasive action

maneuvers and vehicle stops. HPD is a key player for the NC Bike Safe Program. They

are extremely popular for mountain area parades. Our motorcycle unit, administered by

Lieutenant Mike Vesely is a signature initiative of HPD.

Traffic Enforcement

The City of Hendersonville prides itself in being a safe, walkable and bike-friendly community. Sharing

in that pride, the Hendersonville Police Department feels that vehicle traffic, bicycle and pedestrian

safety are very high priorities. Through education and various enforcement actions, the Hendersonville

Police Department strives to keep the

residents and visitors safe.

In 2018, the Hendersonville Police

Department investigated 1,526 motor-

vehicle accidents that included Hit and

Runs property damage, with/without

injuries, single and multi-vehicle

accidents property damage,

with/without injuries. Of those 1,526

vehicle accidents, 232 reported injuries.

The Hendersonville Police Department conducted 3,544 vehicle traffic stops. Of those 3,544 vehicle

stops, officers issued 1,056 citations, arrested 109 persons off of traffic stops, and issued 2,379

warnings. These citations account for NCSBI reportable and non-reportable events such as bicycle

violations, vehicle accidents and checkpoints. Of the 1,101NCSBI-reportable traffic stops the following

are Race and Ethnicity break down:

Reason for Stop

Asian Black White Native American

Other Hispanic

Checkpoint 0 0 0 0 0 0

D.W.I. 0 2 7 0 0 4

Investigation 0 7 46 0 1 4

Other Motor Vehicle Violation

0 3 27 0 0 6

Safety Violation 0 13 115 0 0 17

Speeding 3 22 216 0 6 25

Seatbelt 0 1 2 0 0 0

Stop sign/ Red light

1 19 116 0 2 7

Equipment Violation

1 23 166 0 6 26

Registration Violation

1 27 263 0 3 28

Of the 1,056 citations issued the Hendersonville Police Department issued the following critical vehicle

violation offenses:

Speeding: 345

Driving while License Revoked: 257

Safe Movement Violation: 239

Red Light Violation: 150

Careless and Reckless Driving: 32

Failure to reduce Speed: 200

Awards, Recognitions, Promotions and Departures

New Hires 2018 Keenan Nesbitt

Olivia Orr

Alicia Lockhart

Ezekiel Johnston

Alexa Putnam

Retirements 2018 Phillip Hudson

Resignations 2018 Josh Buckman

Promotions 2018 Robert Cantwell to Criminal Investigations Division

Eric LaRowe to Criminal Investigations Division

Matt Capps to Business District

10th Annual Awards Banquet, May 2018

Supervisor of the Year Lt. Rich Olsen

Detective of the Year Kyle Thiel

Telecommunicator of the Year Kassie Cromer

School Crossing Guard Jasper Hopper

Officer of the Year Jon Wing

Reserve of the Year Michelle Corn

Rookie of the Year Andrew Gunnin

Office Personnel of the Year Peggy Pack

Community Annual Awards

Morris Kaplan Caring and Sharing Award Kyle Thiel Knights of Columbus Shield Award Michele Hoyle

Employees of the Quarter

1st Colby Allman 2nd Andrew Gunnin 3rd Michele Hoyle

North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association Hometown Heroes Award Kyle Thiel

Malinda Durner

Outstanding Team Award

Team 3 Lt. Rich Olsen

Sgt. Robert Underwood

Officer Pete Laite

Officer Matt Capps

Officer Cameron Singleton

Criminal Investigations

Captain Chris Leroy

The Detectives in our Criminal Investigations Bureau are responsible for ongoing

investigation of crimes, performing ABC permit checks, conducting illegal drug

investigations, making public relations presentations, among other tasks as assigned by

the chief. Our detectives have a wide variety of techniques available for conducting

investigations. A majority of their cases are solved by the interrogation of suspects and

the interviewing of witnesses. CID is reputed for doing an excellent job when it comes to

resolving high profile cases.

Besides interrogations, detectives rely on a network of informants that may have

connections with persons of interests that a detective might not be able to approach

formally. Evidence collection and preservation is a key component of CID. Detectives

usually have several years of patrol experiences before they are assigned to the Criminal

Investigations Bureau.

2018 Crime Reporting Information

Part I Crimes Cases Reported Cases Reassigned Cleared Clearance % Murder 1 1 1 100% Rape 11 9 8 73% Robbery 13 7 12 92% Aggravated Assault

12 7 11 92%

Burglary 51 14 36 71% Larceny 655 72 411 63% Motor Vehicle Theft

50 13 31 62%

Arson 1 1 1 100%

Part II Cases Reported Cases Reassigned Cleared Clearance % Assaults 32 7 27 84%

Forgery 3 3 8 267% Fraud 212 81 136 64% Embezzlement 2 2 1 50% Stolen Property 36 4 25 69% Vandalism 99 9 35 35% Weapons 18 2 15 83% Prostitution 0 0 0 0% Sex Crimes 10 8 11 110% Drugs 271 17 277 102% Gambling 0 0 0 0% Against Family 50 7 51 102% ABC 136 136 100% Disturbances 1 1 1 100% Other 338 15 337 100%

This Annual Report is Dedicated to the Memory of Inez Norman

April 23, 1930 – January 8, 2019

Inez was cherished and respected by the community and was the longest serving employee of the police department at 53 years.

Inez began her career in 1965, serving as matron in the City jail. She later became a police officer and served as a parking enforcement officer, school crossing guard, and reserve officer.

Inez was still employed with the department at her time of death as a part time civilian assistant.

Inez was a lifetime member of the VFW lady’s auxiliary and the American Legion auxiliary. Many residents of Hendersonville will also remember her for working part time at the Chicken Shack on 7th Avenue.

In 2009, Chief Blake awarded her the Chief’s Award for Lifetime Service and also started the Inez Norman Award for Non-Sworn Employee of the Year, which is given out every year during our annual awards ceremony.

Police Department Alpha Roster for 2018

Allman Colby 01/16/2016 Alston Julia 2/13/2003 Bertram Kim 11/21/2007 Blake Herbert 01/02/2008 Blount Juanne 01/12/2019 Bonanno Alan 10/03/2015 Burcham Wanda 02/04/2006 Cantwell Robert 6/18/2011 Capps Matthew 05/22/2010 Case James 10/02/1999 Castle Susan 3/12/2005 Childress Zeffrey 6/07/2014 Clouse Anita 09/14/2002 Corn Michelle 3/04/2017 Cox Tracey 01/29/1994 Cromer Kassie 06/20/2015 Darrah Bruce 6/02/2007 Drake Jennifer 9/25/2004 Durner Malinda 7/21/2012 Fisher Josh 01/19/2019 Gardin Garrett 12/03/2011 Glisson Amber 9/10/2011 Griffin Tim 09/30/2017 Gunnin Andrew 1/21/2017 Groenke Dolores 09/29/2001 Henderson Tiffany 01/17/2015 Hipps Kenneth 11/07/2009 Hopper Jasper 9/10/2005 Howard Monica 01/27/2001 Hoyle Michele 7/7/2016 Ingram Katherine 3/16/2002 Johnston Ezekiel 8/18/2018 Justus Melissa 3/03/2001 Laite Peter 4/28/2012 LaRowe Eric 8/18/2012 Laws Coleman 01/14/2006 Leroy Chris 7/27/2002 Letterman Todd 1/05/1991

Lockhart Alicia 7/28/2018 Massey Andre 01/03/1987 Masterson Elaine 5/03/2008 McGrade Michael 06/02/2018 Merz Robert 9/30/2006 Morales Adalberto 7/29/2017 Nesbitt Keenan 06/09/2018 Nix Kyle 12/15/2007 Nix Elizabeth 4/09/2011 Olsen Rich 12/10/1994 Orr Olivia 06/16/2018 Pack Peggy 08/01/2015 Parks Donnie 9/21/1976 Patton Dale 4/03/2004 Philon Curtis 12/15/2007 Putnam Alexa 8/25/2018 Putnam Austin 09/09/2017 Simonds Bruce 7/21/1990 Singleton Cameron 6/11/2016 Smith Nathan 6/25/2005 Swain Angela 1/28/2017 Thiel Kyle 12/05/2009 Tweed Jeff 01/06/2007 Underwood Robert 5/13/2006 Valdibia Tony 10/30/2010 Vance Marcus 2/27/2016 Vesely Michael 7/27/1996 Wing Jonathan 12/14/2013 Worthy Leon 03/22/2003 Young Isiah 3/04/2017 Zachary Dylan 6/3/2013

Last column indicates employees’ starting date with HPD