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 Already in use on a smaller scale in cities such as Pasadena, Cathedral City and Palm Springs, Irvine’s new Geo-policing is designed to bring citizens and government together to identify problems and find solutions to neighborhood and community-wide issues.
“The City of Irvine is already known as one of the safest communities in the nation,” says City Manager Allison Hart. “As we move into geographic-based policing, we are furthering our ability to work with our community and, in fact, make it safer.”
“This is the first time in Irvine’s history that our officers are being deployed into defined geographic areas for an extended period of time,” explains Dave Maggard, Acting Director of Public Safety. “By focusing on one specific geographic area, officers will gain a better understanding about what is going on in and around that neighborhood and, as a result, be better poised to help address and solve problems so that these issues do not keep reoccurring.”
The Geo-policing concept was put into practice in June, after two years of careful research and planning. Rather than randomly patrolling the city at large, officers are now assigned to one of three geographic regions with a commander and support staff assigned to each. These areas were determined through the use of a sophisticated computer software program that analyzed officer workloads as well as the type and volume of calls responded to by officers. Other major considerations included the need to maintain natural borders and pre-established villages and balance officer workloads.
Geo-Policing areas are as follows:
- University: Generally all of Irvine south of the San Diego (405) freeway. Jeff Noble is the commander in charge for the University area and can be reached at (949) 724-7059.
- Crossroads: Bordered by the I-5 freeway on the north, the San Diego (405) freeway on the south, Jeffrey Road on the East and Jamboree on the west. Dave Freedland is the commander in charge for the Crossroads area and can be reached at (949) 724-7156.
- Portola: All of the area north of the I-5 freeway to the northern and western city boundary limits and the area east of Jeffrey and north of the 405 freeway to the northern and eastern city boundary limits. Jeff Kermode is the commander in charge for the Portola area and can be reached at (949) 724-7296.
Citizens and business owners who are interested in getting involved in this program are encouraged to call (949) 724-7110 or the Geo-Policing commander assigned to their area.
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