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272 <br /> <br />of his commitment to the community and his ability to make <br />progressive value judgments. <br /> <br /> Rev. Wayne Arnason supported Ms. Frances Johnson and Ms. <br />Cindy Stratton for appointment to the School Board. Rev. <br />Arnason stated that Ms. Johnson has good insight and <br />instincts and Ms. Stratton was an excellent co-chair of the <br />family life education community involvement team. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tom O'Brien supported Mr. Friedman, noting that he <br />is familiar with School Board issues and budget and has <br />worked with children with disabilities. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br />REQUEST: COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that the Community Service Officer (CSO) <br />summer program had operated successfully in the parks and <br />downtown mall providing a public presence and crowd control <br />as well as a good liaison between the police and <br />neighborhoods. Mr. Buck proposed that the program be <br />expanded to year round, which would have the added benefit <br />of employing persons involved in the Explorer Program since <br />police officers cannot legally be hired until age 21. The <br />CSOs could also help increase the number of women and <br />minorities on staff and receive training to enable them to <br />begin as police officers at age 21. Mr. Buck recommended <br />that the Council appropriate $42,300 to employ two additional <br />full-time CSOs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe questioned whether it would be better to have <br />two full time CSOs or more CSOS during the summer months, but <br />Mr. Buck noted that if the CSOs are only part-time the <br />benefit of providing a career track would be lost. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards questioned where the CSOs would be used and <br />Mr. Hendrix replied that they could be used on the downtown <br />mall, in the parks and for special events, either in pairs, <br />or one with another police officer. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever acknowledged the benefits of expanding the <br />Explorer Program, but questioned whether it would be better <br />to have more regular police officers. <br /> <br /> Police Chief Dek Bowen stated that the CSO program has <br />been very successful and expanding it would free police <br />officers up for more difficult tasks. Given the choice <br />between two regular police officers and three CSOs at this <br />time, Chief Bowen stated that he would prefer to have three <br />CSOs, especially given the benefits of extending the Explorer <br />Program. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt the CSO program was <br />excellent and she could see the advantages of extending the <br />Explorer Program, but had concerns with taking the matter up <br />out of the budget cycle, especially since she did not think a <br />crisis situation was taking place. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he felt the need for ~additional <br />CSOs could be justified given the problems experienced at <br />Tonsler Park in recent weeks. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that there are presently four full- <br />time CSOs who work at public housing sites and six CSOs <br />employed for the summer. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck made a motion to approve an appropriation of <br />$42,300 to hire two full time Community Service Officers, <br />and recommended that their effectiveness be evaluated prior <br />to next year's budget. <br /> <br /> <br />