GREENE – The Greene Police Department saw an increase in the number of calls it responded to in 2009, but made fewer arrests and issued fewer traffic tickets.

“A lot of what we do is community service and quality of life oriented,” said Greene Police Chief Steve Dutcher.

He explained that while police handled a number of criminal complaints, they also helped citizens with routine problems like being locked out of their vehicles, mediating in small disputes and checking area businesses at night.

“Greene is a very tight community and many of the residents are so close they really help in policing the area,” said Dutcher.

The Greene department employs five part-time officers, one full-time chief and one part-time administrator. It shares its station with the New York State Police, which operates a substation from the department part-time through the week. Officers typically cover 88 hours a week, focusing on times of high criminal activity such as weekend nights and holidays.

“People often just come up to us to talk. We encourage it because you can’t underestimate the value of establishing strong community relationships,” said Dutcher.