CC MINUTES 06091998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Regular Meeting Minutes • June 9, 1998 Page 9 1 Engstrom stated that he would like to have more time available for officers to become more 2 community-oriented and being pro-active is the best way to keep the amount of crime to a 3 minimum. 4 Engstrom noted the second part of this request, is for two part-time Community Service Officers 5 (CSO's) to be added to the police department for a total of 40 hours per week. He stated he is 6 currently seeking a federal grant through "COPS More 98." This grant is solely for technology, 7 equipment or civilian personnel. The grant requires a commitment for retention and is a one year 8 grant in the amount of 75%of the cost. A CSO would free up officer time on the street and 9 provide 514 hours of police on the street. 10 Engstrom noted a survey which found only one suburb that did not utilize a CSO and also that 11 St. Anthony is the last Police Department to apply for involvement in the program. 12 Cavanaugh noted that on the application, the population was stated as 16,000. 13 Engstrom explained that number includes Falcon Heights and Lauderdale and is in response to 14 the population served. The new officers will be assigned solely to St. Anthony. Cavanaugh noted that at the end of three years the cost will be $53,000 and will be 1.00%the 4t City's cost. He noted the application requires a plan to implement a program that is not currently 17 being performed. 18 Engstrom explained that the community-oriented activities are being done currently but there are 19 not enough of them being done. The Department is not as active and pro-active as he would like 20 it to be and this grant provides an opportunity to increase this. 21 Cavanaugh noted the categories in the application. He stated there are a number of new 22 programs which this funding motivates the community to look into. He stated he was in favor of 23 the part-time position and noted that there would be an impact on the productivity of the police 24 officers by the hiring of the CSOs. This program will strengthen the existing force at a low cost. 25 Marks stated there is a very compelling case for the addition of the two police officers. There are 26 not enough officers and it has been reported in the past that one means of controlling crime is to 27 enforce traffic laws. Marks commented that-the CSO who spent the night at the recent Senior 28 Class Party had the respect of the entire class. 29 Faust noted that Saturday, two young boys had told him they "just wanted to talk to Officer 30 Cotroneo". Faust commended the department for achieving this level of communication. He 31 stated he was in favor of the bike patrol and a school liaison. He totally supported the proposal and encouraged the pro-active work.