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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JULY 12, 1995 <br />With regard to crime in general, Fletcher reported the <br />department is working with the contracting cities to <br />add a Rice Street corridor car. The department is also <br />looking at ways of reducing costs, is applying for <br />grants, and hoping to develop a crime prevention <br />program. An important project the Sheriff's Department <br />will be undertaking this year is to develop a <br />neighborhood assistance deputy program. Citizens will <br />be recruited and trained so that they can undertake <br />volunteer patrolling responsibilities in their <br />neighborhoods. Fletcher reported that the parks and <br />water patrol section of the department has been <br />expanded this year. The Department is also hopeful of <br />adding a couple investigative components. Fletcher <br />asked if the Council had any questions. <br />LaValle reported that he recently watched the telecast <br />of a Ramsey County Board meeting at which a new radio <br />system was being discussed. LaValle stated that it <br />seemed changing to the new system will be mandatory in <br />the year 2002 or 2003. It also appears the system will <br />be very expensive. LaValle asked the impact of this <br />system on Little Canada's policing costs. <br />Fletcher reported that due to changing technology, <br />there may be a mandate to change radio frequencies <br />which could result in existing equipment needing to be <br />replaced. Fletcher was hopeful that contracting cities <br />would only be required to fund radio equipment for <br />patrol cars, while the cost of replacing transmitting <br />equipment would come from the County-wide pool. <br />Fletcher also suggested that as the technology ages, <br />costs are likely to come down. <br />Commander John Luey informed the Council that his <br />short-term goal for the department is to get the <br />community more involved. Luey felt community <br />volunteers were an untapped resource. Luey also <br />reported he felt it important for the Sheriff's <br />Department to keep the lines of communication open with <br />the contracting cities. <br />Fahey pointed out that policing costs are always a <br />concern for the contracting cities. However, agreed <br />that the department has worked well with the cities in <br />the past and was sure that relationship would continue <br />into the future. <br />Morelan stated that it was his belief that crime <br />prevention was the answer to a lot of the crime <br />problems cities are experiencing. Morelan suggested <br />spending more on crime prevention on the front end <br />2 <br />