02/24/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 2003 APROVED 1111 1 2 3 4 FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT, AL ROLEK 5 6 There was no report. 7 8 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT, DAN TESCH 9 10 There was no report. 11 12 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT, DAVE PECCHIA 13 14 Consideration of Public Safety Annual Report — Chief of Police Pecchia presented a summary of 15 the 2002 Annual Report, indicating it had been a very interesting year with homeland security issues. 16 He talked about the focus groups conducted in 2002, and stated the City had received a federal grant 17 which allows them to have a full-time officer at the elementary school. He added they have started 18 DARE programs at Rice Creek and Lino Lakes Elementary Schools. 19 20 Chief of Police Pecchia stated they have developed a new mission statement, and reaffirmed their 21 value statement, and they strive to adhere to those statements. He mentioned that included in the • 22 report is an organization chart, stating that they take direction from the City Council through the City 23 Administrator. He indicated the report shows the 2002 employees and the areas they are assigned to, 24 adding that one officer is on leave with the Peace Corps, with an anticipated return date later this year. 25 He stated they recognize officers quarterly, and there are stories about each of the 2002 officers 26 recognized in the annual report. 27 28 Chief of Police Pecchia stated that crime prevention is the number one use of the department's 29 resources, and they have several proactive programs, including `Crime Free Multi -housing Program' 30 and `Crime Prevention through Environmental Design'. He indicated the City participates in the 31 McGruff House program, which provides kids with a safe haven to go to if they have a problem. He 32 stated they have several special safety programs, including the Public Safety Citizen Academy, with 33 20 residents participating in 2002 and 17 more in 2003. They have received a Safe and Sober grant 34 for the last three years and also have received the Cops in Schools grant as mentioned earlier. He 35 indicated they have also received funds to provide bullet-proof vests to all officers and purchase new 36 technology. 37 38 Chief of Police Pecchia advised that the National Night Out event in Lino Lakes now has 26 39 neighborhoods participating, and the department is offering safety camps, self-defense for women and 40 mothers and daughters, and expanding the neighborhood crime watch program. He stated they are 41 very proud of their Drug Recognition for Parents program, developed when they found parents were 42 not aware of what some paraphernalia was used for. This seminar is held several times during the Allk 43 year, and they have been asked to provide it to the St. Paul School and other areas, such as Edina and NIF 44 North Branch. 45 2