PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION ITEM: Project Renaissance: Approval of the Development Agreement with John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods.
PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION ITEM: Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Purchase the first 3 Parcels of the 19 Acre Property
Discussion of 5-Year Staffing Plan for Police Department.
Discussion of Construction Agreement for PCID Area Traffic Signal Optimization.
ACTION ITEM: Discussion/Approval of Contract for Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant.
Discussion of the Mutual Aid Agreement with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
FIRST READ: Ordinance to Establish the Ad Valorem Tax Rate for 2012.
Discussion of a Resolution Appointing Robert Miller to Serve on the City of Dunwoody Development Authority.
Discussion of Appointment of Member to Serve on the City of Dunwoody Audit Committee.
Discussion of Appointment of Outside Legal Counsel to Represent the City of Dunwoody Board of Ethics.
Discussion of Definition of Stream.
Regarding the request to increase funding for the police department, there are some issues that should be discussed:
ReplyDeleteWhile the police department’s provided charts can certainly make an argument that our city’s officers have a higher caseload than surrounding cities, it makes no mention of comparison in pay and compensation for Dunwoody cops and surrounding cities. If our police department pay and benefits are higher (which includes things such as bonus money for living in the city and educational reimbursements), than there is a reason police want to work for Dunwoody. Maybe the police chief is correct and our pay is low? Generally, the higher the pay and benefits, the higher workload should be expected. It could be stated that Dunwoody’s cops are more efficient, because we hire the best. If we lower their caseload, can we lower their pay? How many officers have quit because of the caseload demands? The Carl Vinson Institute study on the feasibility of Dunwoody predicted about a 10% turnover rate for officers each year; what do we have? And if I did my math correctly, the study also stated 18% of our operating budget would cover police; but now, we are told we need to increase it to more than 30%.
And in making his point for needing more officers to combat and investigate crime, provide community outreach and deal with the large number of property crimes, Chief Grogan should address the common practice of officers sitting along I-285: Is catching speeders who have no intention of actually entering our neighborhoods or businesses an effective use of police? Does collecting revenue from speeders on the outskirts of our city improve any of the challenges he described? During the time period for the publicized tally of 21 larceny car break-ins last month in Dunwoody, police were also busy writing 38 speeding tickets to drivers on I-285. Is catching speeders driving past our city a priority?
What is the department’s travelling budget allowance? Do speaking engagements around the country discussing the city’s use of social media assist in the critical needs for Dunwoody?
Of course most everyone wants a strong police department, but we also want to ensure our money is spent wisely.
B4 a smart city full of smart people allocates another $1.9 to 2M for additional police - squeeze for more efficiency
ReplyDeleteA 90% increase in total calls. How many are EMS/Fire calls that the PD responses to now that it's employing Chattcom? Why is the department expending valuable time writing reports about responding to a Fire/EMS calls when those agencies write their own reports? See the 89% jump in Incident Reports. Last years average was 3.4 calls worked per hour and now the average is 6.6 calls worked per hour.
How is manpower allocated to the service needs(911 calls)? What is the breakdown of calls per hour of each day of week? It is an accepted norm that Monday morning at 4am is a slower call volume that Friday evening at 9pm. Is there really a need to have 7 officers on duty at 4am on Monday?
With a 50% increase in burglaries, 54% increase in auto theft and a 31% increase in Part 1 crimes why haven't new strategies already been employed using resources already on the table?
Create the Cime Response Team out of misallocated officers, a chief & deputy chief are adequate executive leadership for a department this size and larger - there is little need for 2 additional majors (executive level), the current allotment of management (lieutenants) is adequeate for a department this size or larger-on 1 end of the organization chart the request for a major and lieutenant is because of a requested increase of 1 detective, 2 officers and 1 civilians, Homeland Security was offered to the city by DeKalb as it is in their interest also-would it not be better utilize DeKalb as much of Homeland Security activity also flows into DeKalb Emergency Management
In 2010 the PD budget was about 4.7 miilion, in 2011 it was about 7.4 million with an additional $200, 000 or more for 911 services and now it was guesstimated at 5.7 million with an additional $370,000 for 911 services....At the begining of this city PD was contracted for about $450,000 a month with free 911 services. Contracted PD might need to be re-examined.
If the goal is to reduce crime then consider some radical ideas. De-annex 285 or contract the police service of it to the state or county. Re-allocate manpower according to 911 calls. Amend service delivery to the basics and develop better measurements to guage officer production on all levels of the department; 6 calls and hour for 7 officers on duty.