Cottonwood Heights has a unique relationship with the media. Our Public Information Officer, Detective Beau Babka, serves a variety of functions. He works as a public relations specialist in connecting with our constituents and the media. In addition to news releases, Det. Babka has a radio talk show on 97.1 FM every Friday morning from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. This is a fun, lighthearted segment called “Just Ask Beau.” It allows listeners to call in with law enforcement related questions. The station reaches over 300,000 listeners and a wide demographic. There is no cost to CHPD; and, along with helping build public trust it showcases some of the exceptional talent at CHPD.

 

I have been in law enforcement for more than 25 years, and have always believed it is important to foster a mutually trusting relationship with the media. With very few exceptions, the public has a right to know exactly what the police are doing and why. Spreading the word is also a strategy for crime prevention, and the public has been instrumental in helping us solve myriad crimes during our first year of operation.

For instance, we recently investigated a complaint involving a massage therapist who was accused of sexually assaulting female clients. CHPD detectives suspected there were other victims but had no way of identifying them. By securing the assistance of our media contacts, other women saw the story and came forward. Their testimonies resulted in the arrest and filing of three counts of second-degree felony, and forcible sexual abuse against the suspect, Robert Battle.

 

Yes, Cottonwood Heights is in the NEWS more often, not because crime has increased, but because CHPD believes a responsible and effective partnership with the media is vital to our mission. We depend on that partnership – as well as community trust and confidence – in carrying out our responsibilities. This is an effective method of reaching our businesses, increasing compliance with city ordinances, and keeping our citizens informed of our proactive efforts to provide information on crime prevention strategies.

A second example occurred just this month. One of the city’s financial institutions was held up by two masked gunmen. After we broadcast a description of the suspect vehicle (a white Jaguar), a viewer tip helped us capture a very violent criminal, recover the money and weapons, and solve another bank robbery in a neighboring jurisdiction, all within a few hours of the crime.