TPD hosts community safety forum

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Police Department hosted a community safety forum Monday night to let the community know about crime statistics, crime prevention tips and multiple new initiatives to reduce crime in Topeka. Some new initiatives within the department include a “Crime Gun Intelligence Center” to track firearms and shell casings linked to violent crime, and collaborating with the Shawnee County sheriff’s office’s “Real Time Crime Center” to provide critical information to emergency responders.

“I’m happy to see that they are trying to be more involved,” Topeka resident David Schmitt said. “That they’re getting out there, they’re promoting these things, they have these initiatives they’re going through, try to involve the community, I’d like to see them continue those and do more of those things.”

While homicides are down in Topeka, we did see an uptick last month. That’s why Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo says the timing of this meeting is crucial.

“We acknowledge that July was a hard month for Topekans with the number of homicides we had,” Vallejo said. “But it’s important to relay that information to the community, to the people that came here, and also let them know that this is a safe and vibrant community and we can keep it safe, we can do that together.”

Although you may not see them as much as your neighbors, TPD is part of the community. That’s why Lt. Andrew Beightel says connecting with community members and sharing the department’s work is important.

“Not everybody calls the police every single day, and we don’t have interaction with them, but this is just another avenue to get the public, just another conversation builder and build the bridges,” Beightel said.

Another initiative that was talked about tonight was the community police officer unit.
TPD has doubled that unit from three officers to six to help ensure safety in the community.

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