For the first time since 2009, downtown Traverse City has its own dedicated community police officer (CPO), with Jonathan Culver’s salary jointly funded by the TCPD and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Culver has been walking the streets from 9am-7pm since July 1. And the results so far? The data shows Officer Culver has been busy, while his bosses and constituents report incremental improvements.

The downtown CPD’s job description calls for Culver to develop and maintain contacts with residents, business owners and the community; involve the community in problem-solving efforts; help reduce crime; and help improve the quality of life on the beat.

DDA CEO Jean Derenzy says at the outset, “We told him ‘start making yourself visible,’ and not just to the business owners. We knew [late nights on] Union Street was a top priority so he made his presence known and met those owners and managers. What I told him was ‘find those dark spots and problem areas and start identifying solutions.’ Small steps to get to a bigger result.”

TCPD Chief Jeff O’Brien adds, “The problems have been public drinking and intoxication, urinating, sleeping under bridges, and bicycles on sidewalks. Jonathan has become a ‘mini chief of police’ downtown, working on these issues.”

Reports acquired by The Ticker show that Culver’s most common activity falls under the “Public Relations” category, which includes visits with store owners and managers and interactions with people on the streets. He logged 91 such activities since July 1. The second most common was “Ordinance Violations,” which include warnings and citations for bicycles, skateboards or scooters on downtown sidewalks. Though Culver notes there isn’t one single category that relates to incidents involving the homeless, he has filed those under either “Disorderly,” “Suspicious Activity, “Mental,” “EMS,” or “Drunkenness.” There were 24 such incidents in July, 17 in August, and six thus far in September. Culver logged a total of 404 incidents between beginning on the job and September 18.

Though he has arrested individuals related to warrants during his shifts, Culver notes that he has not made a single arrest for criminal behavior that occurred during his shifts downtown.

“We measure success in really small steps in law enforcement,” says Chief O’Brien. “And we’re getting really good feedback and fewer complaints.”

O’Brien says the efforts downtown are based on the “broken windows” theory of law enforcement: When policing targets minor crimes such as vandalismand public drinking or urination, it actually helps create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes.“It has two components, the first being the physical, like broken windows, graffiti or blight. We’ve done that pretty successfully here. The second part are the social disorder crimes, which Jonathan is targeting now, and I think he’s doing a really good job.”

The same theory was employed by the New York City Police Department in the 1990s, when cops focused on panhandling, prostitution and public drunkenness and pointed to a 40 percent reduction in violent crimes in six years.

O’Brien also says things are improving late night on Union Street.

“Those numbers are down. The last major incident we had was in 2014…and the most recent incident we had, the bar cut them off [from alcohol].”

Derenzy agrees. “I think it was the first big milestone – Union Street after midnight.”

O’Brien admits there are limits to how far law enforcement can ultimately go on that front, considering that checkpoints are unconstitutional in Michigan and it’s not illegal for bar patrons to gather outside to smoke.

Cousin Jenny’s owner Nick deBoer, a vocal critic of the impact those late nights have had on other Union Street businesses, has noticed a change as well.

“I sent an email to the chief, the city commissioners, city manager…in terms of the crowds at night I can’t tell you, but in terms of damage and what I’ll call ‘bar fallout,’ we’ve seen a change. We’re definitely not out of the woods and we might never be, but they could not have picked a better man [Culver] for the job.”

And what’s “Plan B” in the event things don’t continue to improve with Union Street bars? Chief O’Brien is blunt.

“We’ll go back to traditional policing, start writing violations and possibly liquor licenses could go to the city commission level. They could revoke those,” he says. “We’re giving them the carrot, and if they won’t take the carrot, then they’ll get the stick. The message has been crystal clear, and I think they’re starting to get it.”