CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A program to foster community relationships with the Clearlake Police Department is being reactivated.

The Community Policing Project, initially introduced in 2012 and suspended after a six- to eight-month run due to reduced staffing, will return over the coming weeks, the agency said this week.

Staffing is approaching levels to make a return to the Community Policing Project viable, according to Lt. Tim Celli.

“We feel the reimplementation of this project should be a priority,” Celli said.

It has been an uphill struggle, according to Celli, who said that finding, hiring and training qualified officers has taken longer than hoped.

The idea behind the community policing effort is to further develop partnerships between officers and community members and to develop strategies to reduce crime.

A group of four sergeants will be assigned as project managers to four designated quadrants of the city, offering community members a sounding board to express their concerns and an opportunity to work with officers to develop plans for solving problems in their areas.

Reflecting on the successes of the earlier Community Policing Program effort, Celli drew examples of how the program can provide for the community.

“Apartment managers met with officers who helped them establish a Neighborhood Watch program for their apartment complex,” said Celli.“We also had officers respond to a business owner. Vagrants were hanging out in a structure of a nearby park causing problems for his business. Our officers coordinated with the Public Works department to remove the structure. The owner was happy with the response. We also had an officer set up a graffiti removal program at that time as well.”

Community Policing project managers will be initiating community gatherings in the near future to introduce themselves and the programs goals, Celli said.

A map of the city – shown above – has been segmented into four project areas:

– Area 1, North: Focuses on the city north of Olympic Drive including Clearlake Park and will be served by Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
– Area 2, West: Covers central Clearlake between Olympic Drive and Lakeshore and west of Highway 53. It will be served by Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
– Area 3, East: centers on the city east of Highway 53 and north of 18th Avenue. Sgt. Travis Lenz will serve these citizens.
– Area 4, South: encompasses the city west of Highway 53 and south of Lakeshore drive and 18th Avenue. It includes the Walmart shopping area and surrounding residences. This area will be served by Sgt. Dominic Ramirez.

Reporting of crimes and general policing questions should still be directed to the department’s main number at 707-994-8251. Emergency calls should always be directed to 911.

“This new program should not be perceived as a new way of reporting crime or seeking information about a crime that has been reported,” said Celli.

Information about the Community Policing Program is available on the city of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us , including a map of the areas served by each sergeant and direct contact phone numbers.

Those without computer access can call the Clearlake Police Department's main number and request the number for the sergeant assigned to their area.