While other cities facing financial difficulties have been laying off police officers, the City of Lakewood is on pace to increase the number of police officers on the streets by over 15%. This is all part of a law enforcement initiative begun in 2008, which includes the establishment of neighborhood police offices in each of the city’s four wards.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the opening of the final of these four Neighborhood Police Offices throughout Lakewood on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The new Ward 1 office is located at 17415 Detroit Avenue. This is the completion of another element of a city-wide community policing initiative which includes more park patrols, bike patrols, foot patrols, and involvement with neighborhood block clubs.
Present at the opening will be Police Chief Tim Malley, Mayor Ed FitzGerald, members of the Lakewood Police Department, as well as residents active in neighborhood block clubs.
“Our Law Enforcement Initiative is moving forward as planned, despite the difficult economic climate,” stated Mayor Ed FitzGerald. “Our neighborhood officers are a visible presence on our streets. By adding police and working with our block clubs, we’re helping to keep Lakewood safe.”