Chief John Romero, model crime fighter

LAWRENCE -- Seven years ago, the city of Lawrence was plagued by high crime rates, and police morale was low.

Auto theft and insurance fraud were hitting record highs. This former mill city was, by some accounts, like a Wild West town of lawlessness. The acting police chief at the time even declined to be considered for a permanent job because he didn't want to live in the city.

Then a new police chief, named John J. Romero, came to town.

In a very real sense, life in the city has changed under Romero's tenure.

Under Romero's watch, both violent and property crimes have been nearly cut in half. Crime in almost all categories is down, and the department is expecting to get a new headquarters building within a couple of years. And Romero is earning more high marks for helping reduce crime yet again, especially insurance fraud and auto theft. According to US Department of Justice numbers for 2004, released in October, total crime in the city fell for the sixth straight year.

The drop in crime prompted a visit to the city by Attorney General Thomas Reilly, who praised Romero and Mayor Michael J. Sullivan for tackling insurance fraud. Reilly said their efforts ''should serve as a model for all communities in Massachusetts."

During this past election year, the 55-year-old chief sat quietly on the sidelines, sharing the credit with Sullivan, who easily won reelection over City Councilor Marcos Devers. Sharing the credit is a trademark of Romero's, who often includes others when the department receives good news. ''The men and women [of this department] worked very hard," said Romero, referring to the city's steady crime drop. ''But the key to that is working with the community. If you work with the community and you have common goals . . . that collaborative effort makes a difference."

Sullivan said he's proud of the job Romero is doing and expects crime to keep falling with all the programs the chief has in place. He said the chief's leadership has been an important element in revitalizing the city.

As chief, Romero has reorganized the department by starting the domestic violence and diving units. He has also focused on reducing insurance fraud and car theft in the city. Back in 2000, around 1,700 auto thefts were reported in the city. In 2004, reported auto thefts were just under 600.

''We did it by being proactive as opposed to being reactive," Romero said. ''Looking at those elements that lead up to the crime and doing something to address the issues, if you do that, many times you can prevent the crime from happening."

Another reason for the drop in crime, said Romero, is the city's new Informational Technology Division that streamlined the department's radio systems, allowing officers to respond more quickly to calls.

The son of a Puerto Rican mother and Dominican father, the Bronx-born Romero began his law enforcement career in 1970, working for the New York Transit Police Department. There, he moved around among units that battled graffiti and homelessness throughout the city. In 1995, he moved to the New York Police Department's north section in Manhattan where he eventually became deputy inspector of the 34th Precinct in Manhattan's tough Washington Heights neighborhood. While he was deputy inspector, crime dropped in his area in almost every major category, just as in the rest of New York during that time.

In 1998, then-Lawrence Mayor Patricia Dowling picked Romero to be the city's police chief over seven other finalists, including five from the department. He is the first Latino to lead the city's Police Department. It was a job Romero said he was ready for after nearly 30 years as an officer in New York.

Asked whether 2005 numbers will show that crime is still falling, Romero said he thinks so. ''We'll still see some reductions in some areas. We might see increases in other areas," he said. ''But overall, you'll still see decreases."

Sullivan said since Romero and the Lawrence police officers have been doing so well, it's time for the city to step up and get the department a state-of-the-art building. A recent report condemned the current building citing mold and warped windows. Sullivan said he is proposing that the City Council approve a $20 million bond to help build a new station. While he is glad at the prospect of a new police building, Romero has not complained much about the current building because he understands the city's budget challenge, said Sullivan.

''He's not the kind of guy to sit there and complain," said Sullivan. ''He just does his job."