Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 17, 1994 TAG: 9402170367
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"Crimes are down; arrests are up," Foutz said in his annual report to Town Council.
The number of serious crimes - murder, rape, robbery, burglary, assault, stolen vehicles and larcenies - in Vinton fell by 8 percent in 1993 compared to 1992, but Vinton Police Department received more than 13,000 calls last year, a 5.8 percent increase over 1992.
Foutz said the officers also solved more crimes than their colleagues in other areas of the state last year.
As a customer service measure, Vinton officers distribute surveys to citizens they come into contact with in the line of duty.
"Feedback has been extremely positive, and any negative comments are acted on," he said.
Foutz also reported that officers are spending more time at Vinton schools this year, visiting each school at least once a week to get to know the students, and to allow the students to get to know them.
In other action, Town Manager Clay Goodman reported that six winter storms have left the town short of salt and other road treatments on more than one occasion.
"Needless to say we have exhausted the funds available for snow and ice removal," he said.
Goodman said a financial tally is not available because "we still need to order more salt."
The town received shipment of 28 tons of salt as last week's winter storm began. But only 15 tons remain, not enough to treat Vinton's roads during another storm.
by CNB