07/24/1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 1995 and more than 60 block captains and co -block captains. The Police Department has conducted some specific neighborhood problem solving activities, provided safety talks to the elementary school children which included some officers attending the classes and reading books to various grades at the elementary schools. The Crime Free Multi -Housing Program was implemented which is being adopted statewide. The Police Department has been involved with the TRIAD Program. This program involves the Sheriff, the Chief of Police and older retired leaders of the community who work together to reduce the criminal victimization of citizens. Chief Pecchia noted the many events that the Police Department has participated in or coordinated. He outlined the major purchases such as two (2) squad cars and a copy machine. Changes in personnel include an office staff member who is ill and has been on medical leave since March. A formerly retired person in this community has provided assistance in the office and also a school youth has been helping in the afternoon after she attends classes in the morning. Also a college student is assisting in the office. The Police Department has hired one full-time officer utilizing funding from the National Crime Bill and is in the process of hiring two (2) more full-time officers. This process is moving smoothly. During this time, two (2) officers were promoted to sergeant. The Reserve Program has been re -instituted. The Reserve Officers have received training in first aid, CPR and traffic control. They have also designed the patch for their uniform. Calls for service during the past six (6) months have increased approximately 26% over last year. Arrests have increased from 38 in the same period last year to 61 in 1995. The citations issued have increased from 507 to approximately 1093. Future events include National Night Out on August 1, 1995, the safety camp which will be conducted in about two (2) weeks and a party to recognize the efforts of the block captains and co -captains is currently being planned. A Public Safety Citizens Academy is being developed in conjunction with the Centennial Fire District. The Police Department is in the process of hiring additional officers, is attempting to start a bicycle patrol program and currently is in the process of revising the animal control ordinance. Mayor Reinert said he heard that Lino Lakes is one of the safest communities of the metropolitan suburbs to live in. Chief Pecchia said the Police Department feels that Lino Lakes is close to the top of the list. Council Member Kuether noted that the Police Department assisted other departments 128 times during the first half of 1995. Chief Pecchia explained that there has been a lot of activity in communities around Lino Lakes. He noted that many of the assists are natural to the profession. For example, if a neighboring community has an intoxilizer that is out of service, they find the closest intoxilizer. Lino Lakes has been lucky to get their intoxilizer up and running in just a few weeks whereas other communities have waited months. The Lino Lakes Police Department assists the Highway Patrol on the freeways PAGE 5