NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Neenah Police Department is following a plan, as other cities have done, that centers around dividing the city into zones.
Looking to connect with the community it serves, the Neenah P-D’s Stuart Zuehls says the department is taking a new approach.
“Gives us the opportunity to work with the community, out in the neighborhoods, one-on-one.”
The Department has split up the city into six different district or zones, as part of a ‘Neighborhood Policing District Program.’
Zuehls says specific officers are assigned to each zone.
“A sergeant, a lieutenant and then you have a few night shift officers and a few day shift officers.”
As part of this program Zuehls says officers are going door-to-door at businesses and homes to introduce themselves within their zones.
“Say, ‘what are your concerns? What are your fears that you have right now? What can we help you with?’”
Each zone also has its own email address, to help quickly address residents’ concerns.
Those emails are meant for less serious issues like parking complaints or speeding cars.
That way the main phone number is free for officers to handle more serious crime calls first, then come back.
“They can return some of those emails and reach back to that community member,” said Zuehls.
The department’s goal is to answer each email within 24 to 48 hours.
Residents are also encouraged to send in ideas to improve their zones, or the city overall.
Zuehls says the hope is to stop small concerns before they grow into larger problems.
“We’re trying to put that ownership back into the community and we’re trying to give people an opportunity to build up their neighborhood.”
You can find the district map, the emails and the officers for each district here.
