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Page 3 <br /> City Council Minutes <br /> April 27, 1994 <br /> assigned to a Falcon Heights district. Finney replied that he <br /> would first ask for volunteers from among the force and would <br /> then request that the two cities jointly select the officers that <br /> would serve Falcon Heights. <br /> Councilmember Gibson Talbot asked the Chiefs to describe the <br /> strengths and weaknesses of the Community Policing concept in St. <br /> Paul. Finney replied that there have been differing levels of <br /> interest in policing in general among the various St. Paul <br /> neighborhoods, so naturally Community Policing has been more <br /> successful in those neighborhoods that have a higher interest. <br /> Steenburg commented that St. Paul has a number of community <br /> councils within its borders which work with the police. Finney <br /> assured the city council that St. Paul Police would attend any <br /> meetings requested in the name of community relations. <br /> Mayor Baldwin asked about St. Paul's formal procedures for <br /> assuring gender and ethnic equity and diversity within the police <br /> force. Finney responded that St. Paul wants its force to look <br /> like the community it serves. St. Paul has a formal affirmative <br /> action plan, part of which involves Chief Finney reviewing lists <br /> for assignments and placements. These lists are reviewed and <br /> must be balanced along gender and racial lines or they are <br /> returned for revision. <br /> CITY OF ST. ANTHONY <br /> Presenter: Dick Engstrom, Chief of Police <br /> Chief Engstrom stated that one of St. Anthony's strengths is that <br /> it has knowledge of the needs of a small community. It recently <br /> began serving the City of Lauderdale and both parties are happy <br /> with the arrangement. The primary purpose of policing, according <br /> to Chief Engstrom, is accessibility and communications between <br /> the police and the residents, businesses, and staff of the <br /> community. St. Anthony police focus on three areas of emphasis: <br /> public relations, juvenile relations, and crime prevention. In <br /> all three areas, the police stress friendly yet aggressive enfor- <br /> cement of laws. Engstrom further stated that since Falcon <br /> Heights is a bit more complex than St. Anthony or Lauderdale <br /> (with respect to roads and land use) that the police force would <br /> initially look for areas of perceived concern and emphasize <br /> patrol in those areas. <br /> Mayor Baldwin asked for clarification on office staffing and also <br /> asked how St. Anthony would provide for community relations and <br /> crime prevention programs. Engstrom confirmed that St. Anthony <br /> would establish an office in Falcon Heights and would encourage <br /> continuation of the National Night Out and Neighborhood Watch <br /> Programs. St. Anthony does not have the McGruff program, but <br />