The Ashland, Alabama, Police Department (APD) has a staff of 18 people, including 9 sworn officers, serving a population of almost 2,000 individuals. Violent crime in Ashland has historically been underreported and, in many cases, overlooked. To address this, APD implemented evidence-based responses, including problem-oriented policing (POP) techniques, and hot spot policing to identify where violent crime is concentrated while effectively and equitably managing issues within those hot spots.

APD seeks to improve responses to crime-challenged areas using POP and technologies such as pole cameras and a mobile camera trailer. Using the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative-funded technology and its records management system, APD plans to readily identify individuals involved in violent crimes, aid in prosecutions, mitigate violent crime within hot spots, and establish stronger community connections.