Crime fighters unite

COEUR d’ALENE — Rich Goodfellow was ready to fight crime when he donned a 45-pound police vest Wednesday.

Along with the armored protection he slid over his head and onto his shoulders came three AR-15 magazines, two flash-bangs and a communication system.

"It’s nicely balanced," Goodfellow said as he laughed and pretended to begin jogging.

The Fort Ground homeowner was one of about 25 people who attended the National Night Out gathering on the front lawn of a Military Drive home.

Residents in eight neighborhoods held cookouts and block parties throughout Coeur d’Alene, as well as thousands nationwide. They spent the evening outside with neighbors, police, firefighters and elected city leaders.

Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Jared Reneau said the goal was to encourage residents to meet each other and build relationships that create that smalltown feel and encourages people to look out for each other.

"National Night Out is geared so they can build those bonds and really build that sense of community in their neighborhood," he said.

It also gives them a chance to meet police officers, which can let them feel comfortable to call police when they see something suspicious near their home.

Reneau said it makes a difference by reducing crime and helping officers solve crimes faster. It strengthens police and people partnerships, as well.

"It is effective," he said. "When we’re able to work with the citizens, we’re able to respond sooner and sometimes we stop things before crimes occur."

"It's definitely an extremely important part of what we do," Reneau added.

According to the police department’s 2022 annual report, crime is down in Coeur d'Alene.

Thefts, burglaries, DUIs, vandalism and child abuse all declined from 2021 to 2022.

Part 1 crimes, which include aggravated assault, arson, robbery and rape, declined from 779 in 2021 to 727 in 2022.

Police recorded 2,134 Part 1 and Part 2 crime arrests in 2022, compared to 3,087 in 2017.

Part 2 crimes include drugs, assaults, vandalism, alcohol offenses and trespassing.

Adult arrests were down to 1,801 in 2022 from 2,332 in 2021, while juvenile arrests totaled 333, well down from 450 in 2018, but up from 256 in 2021.

Coeur d’Alene recorded 591 property crimes in 2022, down nearly 50% from 1,162 in 2017 and the lowest in six years.

Police Chief Lee White previously credited an “intelligence-led policing model,” initiated with his arrival in 2014, and a dedicated police force, with falling crime.

“The men and women of your police department are doing fantastic work,” White said in a previous Press story.

Coeur d'Alene Police Officer Caleb Hutchison said National Night Out is effective because it connects law officers with citizens.

He displayed some police resources Wednesday, including rams to force open doors.

"Citizens can see what we do and we can see what’s important to them," Hutchison said.

He said National Night Out is part of the reason for falling crime.

"Most of Coeur d'Alene is really safe," he said.

Ann Melbourne, president of the Fort Ground Homeowners Association, said she met some new neighbors at National Night Out.

"It’s nice for a lot of people to know who really is next door," Melbourne said. "You know who is walking up and down the street, who doesn’t belong coming in and out of a house."

She said Fort Ground residents have a great working relationship with police and are getting to know each other better.

"It makes for a tighter, better neighborhood," Melbourne said.

Goodfellow said the Fort Ground is very safe and he loves living there.

"There’s never any crime here,” he said.