Hot Springs police report 1,580 calls in three months; department highlights long-running sex-crimes investigation and lifesaving awards

Police Chief Norton provided the council with a quarterly operational update: through the first three months of the year the department answered roughly 1,580 calls for service (about 530 per month), generated approximately 550 new case files, and conducted roughly 415 traffic stops. The chief said many calls were minor (thefts, petty incidents) but others involved serious investigations.

Norton highlighted one long-running sex-crimes investigation that involved extensive digital forensics and partnership with state investigators; the suspect was convicted and received a 12-year sentence. The chief also honored officers who performed life-saving interventions earlier in the year and reported the department had obtained a Department of Justice radio grant (about $19,710) to replace or upgrade handheld radios at no cost to taxpayers.

Councilors praised the department’s work and asked staff to include formal recognition at an upcoming admin/finance meeting. The chief noted staffing is near full strength with eight full-time officers and five reserve officers and said the department expects call volumes to increase with seasonal activity.

The report concluded with an offer to coordinate with council on public-safety committee matters and an invitation to bring officers and their commendations to a future committee meeting for formal recognition.