Published: April 22, 2008 01:28 pm            

Communication

DUNCAN — When the clock strikes 5 in the afternoon, most people get up from their desks, say goodbye to their co-workers and get into their vehicles to head home.

As they drive onto the roadways of Duncan, many find that traffic at that time of day is already congested with people itching to be home.

Consequently, there are more accidents around that time of day than at possibly any other time, Duncan Police Lt. Robert Lynn said.

Lynn is the evening shift commander, with his day beginning at 3 p.m. and running to midnight.

Lynn offered statistics from June 1 through Dec. 31, 2007, that show for that six-month time period, there were 233 accidents in Duncan city limits. During those same six months, between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m., there were 183 motor vehicle accidents.

“We’ve created a very fast-paced world,” Lynn said.

“Everyone has cell phones. Information is traded instantaneously. The environment is such that everything is done in a hurry.”

While he doesn’t attribute this fact to the number of accidents, he does believe that the fast-paced nature of the world has had some influence.

For Duncan, the most dangerous intersection is U.S. Highway 81 and Elk Avenue, he said.

“More accidents happen there than anywhere else in town,” Lynn said.

To improve the situation at that intersection, Lynn said the city will install sensors in the roadway to let the light know when to turn red and green.

“It’s on a timer right now and when the new system is installed, if a vehicle isn’t in the east or westbound lanes, the light will stay green for north and southbound traffic,” he explained.

For Lynn, who has worked on the evening shift since he was promoted to lieutenant, the evening shift is much busier.

“The midnight shift gets plenty of action, but it’s spread out more,” he said. “The morning shift does more ticket writing. It’s the evening shift that gets all of it at the same time, it seems.”

As shift commander, Lynn has responsibility for patrolling the streets as well as supervising all of the officers on his shift.

“My job reflects the city,” he said.

“My decisions could be a liability to and affect the entire city.”

While Lynn is on duty, his phone rings and radio sounds often with status updates from the Communications Center, which handles 911 calls, the Police Department and the officers for whom he is responsible.

Often, he has multiple to-do items that he must remember and accomplish, besides backing up his officers if the situation warrants.

“I don’t believe in micro-managing, though,” he said.

“We’re all adults and have been trained to make correct decisions in stressful situations. If it isn’t illegal or immoral, I won’t interfere with their decision unless I absolutely have to due to the nature of the situation.”

Much of the stress of the job leaves, however, when Lynn sees children smiling and waving at him. He will stop his vehicle, roll down his window and talk with the children.

Often, the kids will excitedly relate an experience they had that involved law enforcement.

Lynn will listen and then encourage them on their way.

“Kids are awesome,” he said.

After the apprehension of Deran Voigt on April 4, who was wanted for a parole violation in Kansas, residents stopped Lynn’s vehicle to ask him what happened.

When he explained the situation, the neighbors thanked Lynn for doing his job.

“It’s important for us to answer questions from the public,” Lynn said.

“They need to feel and know that we are the good guys, that we are trying to keep their community safe.”

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.