The partnership between the Dayton Police Department and citizens of the Phoenix Project area has resulted in a dramatic drop in major crime, down 60% since 2004. Strong relationships between officers and neighborhood residents and a zero-tolerance policy for all infractions have greatly improved neighborhood civility. The Fairview neighborhood association has become much stronger over the last six years and several community members serve on the Fair River Oaks Council, a citizen led board which communicates neighborhood issues to City Hall. Resident leadership has been an important element to the success of the Phoenix Community Policing efforts.
The Phoenix Community Based Police Officers are Matthew Heiser and Ron Gustwiller. Officers Heiser and Gustwiller work five days a week and report directly to the Fifth District command. A special phone line, the Phoenix Police Hotline has been established (333-1333) to report non-emergency suspicious activity or trends – including the usual days & times, street addresses, type of activity, description of people & vehicles, including license number if you can get them. Concerns may be left anonymously, but, if you wish a callback, please leave your name and phone number. IMPORTANT: The hotline number is not staffed constantly. If you need an officer to respond, call Dispatch at 333-COPS or call 9-1-1 if it’s an emergency or you can email to matthew.heiser@daytonohio.gov and ronald.gustwiller@daytonohio.gov. We can also forward a message to the officers through our “Contact Us” section.
In 2011, CityWide received national recognition for its neighborhood revitalization work through the Phoenix Project and received the LISC/MetLife Community-Police Partnership Award. Since 2002, the MetLife Foundation and LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) have partnered to recognize, sustain and share the work of innovative partnerships between community groups and police to promote neighborhood safety and revitalization.