New Police Program Stresses 'Beat Accountability'

Good old fashioned beat cops may be the key to fighting crime in the Valley.

The Phoenix Police Department has started the 'Beat Accountability' program, which is meant to keep police close to one area. Designed by Chief Jack Harris, the new program is headed by officers, not management.

According to Officer Kenneth Perry, if there's trouble in your neighborhood, officers are up to 80 percent quicker to respond under the program.

"We're noticing reductions in certain types of calls, like burglaries, things like this," Perry said. "The bad guys know we're there. If they see us in the neighborhoods on a daily basis, they're apt to go somewhere else. They're not going to want to be around there."

The pilot program is only in the Cactus Park precinct, and will be a commitment for one year. If successful, other Phoenix precincts could be implementing similar programs.