The department has undertaken a major change in how it operates that emphasizes patrol agents getting to know the community.
Called sector-based policing, the new way of operating assigns agents to a specific area of Lakewood on a long-term basis.The goal is to create a better partnership between the police and the residents.
"Creating a safe community is not an easy task. The police alone cannot do it," said Lakewood Police Chief Ron Burns. "Sector-based policing will create a better understanding of the problems within our community and provide the opportunity for the police and our citizens to join forces to make our neighborhoods safe and more livable."