The city of rochester, NH will use JAG funds to purchase utility task vehicle (UTV) that will be used to access wooded areas and parks of the rochester community, made up of rochester, east rochester,…

The city of rochester, NH will use JAG funds to purchase utility task vehicle (UTV) that will be used to access wooded areas and parks of the rochester community, made up of rochester, east rochester, and gonic, NH. Rochester police officers frequently respond to these areas for calls for service to include fights and other violent assaults, trespass complaints, drug overdoses, and uncontrolled campfires, as well as proactively patrolling to ensure safety and wellbeing of the community. RPD works closely with the citys community outreach coordinator, accompanying them to encampments nestled deep in the woods, for the purpose of providing resources for our unhoused population. The wooded and park areas that a UTV will be utilized in are inaccessible by existing rochester police vehicles; its smaller size and off-road capability will allow greater access and speed to officers responding to emergencies and proactive efforts to improve safety and quality of life for all residents and visitors. This UTV will also be used for rescue operations or other situations where a person needs to be removed from a wooded area and walking is impossible or impracticable. Several large community events are held in rochester, and police presence is necessary for maintaining order and community policing. This UTV will be used at such events to respond to calls for service. This UTV will be equipped with emergency lighting and police decals, clearly identifying IT as a police vehicle, bringing positive visibility to the rochester police department and our community policing efforts.