San Luis foot patrols have 4-legged variety

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — There's a new crime-fighting strategy afoot in this city — literally.

Over the past several weeks, San Luis police officers and the department's K-9 dogs have been assigned together in walking beats on the city's streets.

The police department's second in command says the new assignments are not only a crime prevention measure but also an effort to build closer ties with residents.

“It's already beginning to give us results,” said Police Commander Arturo Ramos. “Last week, while on the beat, a K-9 alerted the officer to a suspicious vehicle. At that time, nothing was found, but an arrest order was issued for the driver.

“His companion returned to Mexico, but later methamphetamines were seized from them at the port of entry.”

The foot patrols are one of the new crime-fighting strategies put in place by Police Chief Eddie Munoz and Ramos, both former Phoenix police officers who took the helm of the San Luis department in recent months.

The foot patrols, which pair an officer with one of the department's two dogs, are taking place not just in the downtown commercial block immediately north of the border but in residential areas throughout the city, Ramos said.

“We divide up the city, and there will be foot patrols at different times of the day. The idea is that the residents see the officers and that they become confident about speaking with them and reporting any suspicious activity they see.”

A key element in crime prevention is citizen involvement, said Ramos, adding that the foot patrols seek to encourage residents to report suspicious activity to the officers on foot.

One of the most frequent crimes in San Luis is home burglaries. Munoz and Ramos hope the police presence in the neighborhoods coupled with citizen involvement will reduce the break-in rate.

Another issue of concern to police is domestic violence. Ramos said the police department has a separate strategy for that problem.

“There have been days when we have received up to four calls (about domestic violence) in a single shift. On that subject, we are going to combine different (crime prevention) programs, such as Neighborhood Watch and the great work by Officer Ernesto Prieto (organizer of the Neighborhood Watch program), with women's groups.”

Police also plan to send officers and K-9 dogs to San Luis schools to promote better ties with children and teens, Ramos said.