MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Police are making big changes to their crime fighting strategy in Mooresville. The police chief spoke to Eyewitness News about his plan to strengthen relations between officers and the community they serve.
"We should be making an impact on people's lives," interim Chief Bryan Anderson said.
Anderson is serving as the interim police chief while the city works to find a permanent chief, but he's making long-term changes to the way officers interact with residents across Mooresville.
"It shouldn't be geared toward how many arrests we're making, how many tickets we're writing. It should be geared toward making an impact on people's lives," he said.
Anderson is hoping to do that through MPACT-Mooresville Police And Community Together.
The data-driven strategy requires the department to split the city in half and put officers in smaller designated zones for up to two years.
Right now, officers patrol different zones on a regular basis.
"One of the basic concepts is you need to be able to partner together, and you can't partner if you don't know anyone," he explained.
As months of protests across the nation highlight tense police community relations, Anderson hopes the plan help officers build trust.
Anderson said, "Then people will see they are not an occupying force. They're not the enemy. They are here for us. They're servants. They are guardians of peace. We don't have a warrior mindset. We have a guardian mindset."
He also hopes it will boost morale and attract officers who want to protect and become a part of the communities they serve.
"You come in every day, and you have the ability to affect someone's lives in a positive way," he said.
Mooresville is expected to grow. Right now, officers patrol 24 square miles within the next 5 years. They're projecting their coverage zone will nearly triple to 72 square miles.
In a presentation to Mooresville City Council, Anderson laid out the following goals for the program.
- More efficient and effective customer service
- Stronger community partnerships
- Greater systematic accountability
- Reduced crime rates and recidivism
- Promotes creativity and innovation
- Improved officer morale
- Advances the strategic plan
- Increased public safety
WSOC
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