LEWISTON – The Lewiston Police Department is featured in the January edition of Police Chief magazine as one of six departments that, the magazine says, provide innovative solutions to everyday problems at little or no cost.

The Police Chief is a publication of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, with more than 19,000 subscribers in 89 countries.

Lewiston Chief William Welch said the department wrote up a description of the use of “Geo Beats” last year while applying for an award with the magazine. The department wasn’t chosen, but the idea caught someone’s attention.

Welch said police here started using Geo Beats about four years ago. The entire city is divided into separate beats, based on types of crime, call frequency and other data, and each officer is responsible for that neighborhood 24 hours a day.

“Policing normally is, If it didn’t happen on my shift, it isn’t my problem,'” Welch said. With Geo Beats, “even if you’re not working today, you’re still responsible.”

The approach has allowed officers to develop better relationships with residents and address non-criminal, repeat complaints like lighting issues or landlord-tenant problems, he said.

The first year Geo Beats went into effect, the department hoped to reduce the call volume to police by 5 percent, according to Welch. It dropped by 15 percent.

Fewer calls free up police for other types of enforcement.

Lewiston is featured alongside Delray Beach, Fla.; Yorkville, Ill.; Aurora, Colo.; New Rochelle, N.Y.; and Danville, Va.

– Kathryn Skelton