Bristol Twp. Police Report Decline In Crime

Bristol Township police have reported a decrease in crime rates in Bucks County’s second most populated municipality.

A top police official said the drop reflects the department’s proactive efforts in policing.

During the latest council meeting, Lt. C.J. Winik presented the annual crime statistics for 2023 that highlighted an across-the-board decrease in crime despite an increase in calls for service and minor upticks in traffic incidents.

The township saw 24,306 calls for service last year, an increase of 800 from the previous year, with 1,463 of those being for auto crashes.

The report detailed a decrease in robberies by 8 percent to 44 incidents, burglaries down by 10 percent to 63 incidents, and thefts reduced by 24 percent to 642 incidents. Additionally, criminal mischief reports dropped by 21 percent to 221 incidents, and weapons cases saw a 23 percent decrease to 23 incidents in 2023.

“We had proactivity up from officers. That’s where they’re making contact with the public. That’s police presence. That drives numbers down,” Winik said.

The township also saw a reduction in death investigations and a notable 28 percent decrease in overdose calls.

In response to the ongoing national conversation around police training and community relations post-2020, the Bristol Township Police Department continued to prioritize training, including active shooter scenarios, to ensure both officer and public safety. The department’s community engagement efforts have expanded, with officers increasing their presence in schools and the revival of the civilian police academy, Winik said.

Looking ahead, the department plans to hire approximately 10 new officers in 2024 amidst nationwide challenges in recruiting qualified candidates.

Implementing a drone program, upgrading neighborhood camera systems, and continuing the co-responder program are on the agenda for the department, Winik said.

A LevittownNow.com analysis of Bucks County’s crime statistics through 2022 showed that violent crime had not increased or decreased significantly in the county over the last five years. On the other hand, per capita violent crime has decreased in Bucks County over the same time period.

Non-violent crime, which included theft and burglary, decreased from 2018 to 2021, but increased from 2021 to 2022 in Bucks County. According to state data, non-violent crime reports increased from 5,999 reported incidents in 2021 to 6,393 reported incidents in 2022, mirroring a national trend.

The Bristol Township Police Department was established in 1948 by Joseph Seader. He was the first police chief of Bristol Township and the only police officer on the force at the time. The department grew quickly after the construction of Leittown and as the population grew.

The 57-officer police department led by Chief Robert Coulton, Lt. Winik, and Lt. Sean Cosgrove,

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

---

---