To the residents of Bridgewater, Board of Selectmen and other interested persons, I submit the police department’s year-end report for 2006.

This is my third year submitting this report. There have been a few changes in personnel and with the way the police department handles its daily business.

During 2006, Lenny Ryan resigned from the Bridgewater Police Department as he moved to Danbury. He was also very busy with his new job with PSNH. Lenny had been with me since I was first sworn in as your Chief of Police. Lenny was very willing to help me with my transition. He had been with me during the various modifications in the department over the past three years. It was unfortunate to lose Lenny. I wish him good luck in his future endeavors. He will be missed, not only by the Bridgewater Police and Fire Department, but by the residents of Bridgewater.

In addition to some personnel changes, the Bridgewater Police Department has experienced some other changes. In September 2006, the Bridgewater Police Department received the “Car 54” Project in the cruiser. Car 54 is a voice activated command center where the officer can activate a switch and voice command the cruiser to perform different functions such as turning on the emergency lights without the officer taking their eyes off the road to turn on the emergency lights. The “Car 54” project is a statewide project that is paid by the federal government through the Department of Justice.

The Bridgewater Police Department has increased its presence, by having patrols during the daytime hours and during the weekday evening and weekend nights. Because there has been more coverage, the police department has witnessed a large number of motor vehicle stops and DWI arrests. Because of this increased coverage, the police department has tripled their DWI arrests since 2005. It is unfortunate that we have witnessed this drastic increase, but it is a simple fact that drunk drivers are still on our roads. With the increase of police presence and increased motor vehicle stops, the police department has seen a decrease in motor vehicle accidents.

The Bridgewater Police Department not only brings experience in law enforcement, firefighting and medical services, but also the experience and background of working in and serving a small community. The members of the Bridgewater Police Department strive to serve this community with the specialized services with respect to the Public Safety Concept, and to provide the town of Bridgewater with a professional and expedient service. It has been a pleasure serving the residents of Bridgewater for the past two and a half years. I look forward to continue serving your community. Please feel free to stop by my office with any questions, concerns or just to say “hi”. Thank you for supporting your police department.