Before coming on board as chief, police officers did not have assigned beats, which the chief said did not make sense. Now they are assigned to the same neighborhoods and that helps in building rapport with residents and businesses. He also said that the police on back on bikes and on walks to show a greater presence in the city.

Regarding trash dumpsters overflowing, Councilor Kevin Jourdain said property owners have to be held painfully accountable.

“We need to make it such a pain in their rear end that it’s more expensive for them to pay the tickets and keep going to court than it is for them to bring the truck an extra time and empty the dumpster,” he said.

Chief Keenan suggested that an ordinance be created so that the names and phone numbers of property owners are on a plaque on the building. This would help pressure them to take good care of their properties and provide police with immediate information as to who to contact when problems arise.

The police are also working with the Board of Health to help ensure that properties that are in a state of health code violations get fined.