WILTON – Wilton police want to again hear from people during three community outreach forums.

“Citizens should have a voice in their police department,” Chief Dennis Brown said Wednesday. “At the community forums, they can discuss their public safety concerns and needs for the upcoming year. The department leaves the meeting with our marching orders. We can then evaluate the concerns and prioritize based on our resources.”

The forums also serve to introduce department’s personnel, he said. There’s time for a “meet and greet” session where people can talk with officers and get to know each, he said.

Forums will be held at 7 p.m. on May 6 at Wilton Congregational Church; May 8 at East Dixfield Baptist Church, and May 9 at the East Wilton grange hall.

Last year, three forums and an open house drew more than 175 citizens, he said. During the sessions, concerns about speeding, domestic assaults and illegal drug activities were raised.

The department’s response was to adopt a more proactive policy, including computers in squad cars, foot patrols and more aggressive traffic enforcement, he said. The department participated in state drunken-driving check points and other speed programs held throughout the year.

“We have essentially provided more visible law enforcement and I’ve gotten feedback from citizens and business owners about having the officers out and about,” he said.

The department revamped its domestic abuse policy to one of zero tolerance and officers got training to recognize and handle situations, he said. This year there were 101 reported domestic complaints cleared by 80 arrests, he added.

The department also worked to strengthen its relationship with Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services and the Abused Womens Advocacy Project.

About 35 drug investigations and four narcotic search warrants were undertaken as police responded to concerns about drug activity.

“We’ve taken extra steps to work on that,” he added.

“Instead of sitting in my office and saying that I believe illegally parked cars are an issue that needs to be worked on …. that may not be an issue to citizens. They may be more concerned about speeding vehicles or something else,” he said.

Everyone is welcome to attend. A cookout and public safety open house is planned for June. For more information, contact the Wilton Public Safety Department at 645-3876.