SCRANTON -- Scranton Police are stepping up a certain type of crime fighting. It doesn't require any fancy technical equipment, only a pair of legs.
Patrolmen John Wilding and Eugene Groysman got a new assignment during one of the coldest weeks of the winter. Which would not be a problem, except these patrol officers don't have a car.
That's the point though, Wilding and Groysman are part of the expanding foot patrol unit for Scranton Police.
Newswatch 16 joined them in Scranton's Hill Section. Groysman's new beat.
"People are more likely to come to you and say hi, or come to you with any problems you might have when they see you on foot. Also, when you`re on foot, you blend in a little bit better with the surroundings. It`s easier to observe what`s going on in the neighborhood," Patrolman Groysman said.
"You definitely pick up on a lot more when you`re on foot," added Patrolman Wilding.
The closer eye, the officers said, has made for more citations, parking violations, even some drug arrests throughout the city.
But, Police Chief Carl Graziano said it's not about the numbers.
"We can`t just look at crime statistics and say, 'oh, here`s the numbers.' It`s how people feel about crime, it`s their perception of crime. Typically when people see a police officer on the corner they get a good feeling about crime in that particular area," Chief Graziano said.
The chief said the department plans to add two more foot patrol officers this spring making a total of six spread out in the city's different neighborhoods.
While we're out shoveling, seemingly every day, they're out in the elements too.
"It`s good for your mind, puts your mind at ease that you know that there will always be people around checking things out, checking the neighborhood. Checking to see that people do keep their properties clean," said Hill Section resident Cindy Modzelesky.
"Because if they see them there all the time, it`s less likely that they`re going to try something if someone`s always walking around," added resident Mark Spain.
