1993-03-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, March 24, 1993 AT 7:00 p.m. IN THE Community Development Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Budget Work Session: Police and Fire Departments BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - March 24, 1993 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Ms. Daugherty, Rev. Edwards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. POLICE DEPARTMENT The issue of adding overtime for walking beats in the Police Department was discussed. Ms. Slaughter stated that she and Mr. Toscano were recommending the following: consider the possibility of leasing a mobile van to be used as a police substation; purchase cellular phones for police officers; and add overtime unless officers reach the burnout point at which time consideration should be given to adding more officers. Mr. Toscano stated that he felt it makes sense to use overtime at this time rather than adding more personnel since the community policing policy is new. Mr. Toscano recommended that this approach be evaluated in the fall. Mr. John deKoven Bowen, Chief of Police, stated that he felt it will take two years before the department is where it wants to be with regard to community policing, but noted that he is confident the program will succeed. Mr. Toscano stated that he felt cellular phones appear to be an inexpensive way to give people more and faster access to police officers. Lieutenant Tom DeWitt-Rickards from the Police Department stated that people appear to be more willing to call a direct cellular phone rather than using 911 and noted that pagers are used so that officers have some control over their calls. Rev. Edwards asked what Council can do to strengthen the Police Department and Chief Bowen replied that officers need continual training and that equipment such as phones and bicycles are helpful. Chief Bowen stated that additional overtime~will be beneficial and additional staff are always a help. Mr. Toscano asked Chief Bowen whether the mobile van/substation idea would be helpful and Chief Bowen replied that he felt it would be helpful, but noted that it would not be manned all the time and added that the possibility of having a substation at the Amtrak Station was also being explored. Mr. Toscano stated that he felt it would be better if the substation was not stationary. Ms. Daugherty questioned whether police cars should be equipped with video cameras and Chief Bowen replied that he felt it depended upon the purpose of the cameras and that they are good for traffic and DUI stops ~and are ~ form of protection to officers and can assist in the prosecution of cases.