09-10-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 Sheriff Bostrom reported that there has been a spike in heroin usage and indicated that the purity level of this drug on the streets is seldom less than 90%. He noted that one of the efforts that the Sheriff's Department is undertaking is the collection and disposal of unneeded and/or expired prescription drugs. The Sheriff indicated that often times people will use prescription drugs that may be sitting on a shelf in a home and this can lead to the usage of street drugs. Sheriff Bostrom indicated that the Sheriff's Department has been collecting and disposing of about three tons of unneeded prescription drugs each year. Sheriff Bostrom also reported that Randy Gustafson has taken over as the Department's Crime Prevention Leader. He also pointed out the Department's Code Red program which County residents can opt into. This program provides for emergency alerts in various situations. The Sheriff reminded the general public of the Department's annual fund raiser, the Fright Farm, which will be open each weekend in October. Blesener noted that Sheriff Bostrom is running unopposed for re-election and indicated that this is a reflection on the great job that Sheriff Bostrom and his staff have done. Blesener indicated that he attended an appointment ceremony for new deputies and for promotions and acknowledged the Sheriff's comment about the integrity of the individuals who serve on the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. Montour noted that the Sheriff's Department has done an excellent job in taking over animal control. He then asked about the use of wireless cameras as a crime prevention tool. Sheriff Bostrom indicated that the Department is still exploring the use of cameras for crime prevention. He noted that recently the Department has been working on its public safety records system which will allow the public to obtain information electronically. Randy Gustafson, Crime Prevention Lead, appeared before the Council and reported that he will be doing public outreach in the community on crime prevention matters. The City Administrator reported that Sheriff Bostrom has done a good job in hiring and training new deputies to minimize any personnel shortages for the contracting jurisdictions when personnel retire or are moved to new positions. The Sheriff reported that when new deputies are hired, they are trained in all three law enforcement components: patrol, detention, and courts. Then, at the time vacancies occur, deputies can fill positions having already received a significant amount of the training needed for the position. 4