Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer was the guest speaker at this month’s Noon Forum at the Omaha Press Club.
Chief Schmaderer is an 18-year veteran of the department who was appointed to his current position last August.
With 23 homicides this year so far, Schmaderer discussed ways the police department is working to keep the city safer.
He also talked about the department’s crime prevention plans for the Old Market area.
"It’s important we have an ongoing policing plan that’s flexible enough to address these spikes in crowds and violence and we’ve got that in place. What you are going to see now, for at least a short-term aspect and any time after the fact, we will have an increase in officers. We are working with the liquor control commission and the city council liquor committee to address some of our problem bars in the area and it’s all done in conjunction with the business community.”
Schmaderer says every time an incident has occurred in the Old Market, the police department has been able to handle it because of existing infrastructure they have in place.
Chief Schmaderer’s presentation will air in its entirety on KIOS, Monday, August 5th at Noon.