I. Mission Statement

The primary mission of the Police Department is to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of life in the community through the fair and effective delivery of police services.

II. Brief Services Description

The key services provided by the department are:

· Community Policing Services

· Preventive Patrols

· Criminal Investigations

· Traffic Enforcement

· Youth Services

· Community Services and Crime Prevention

· Public Records and Information

· Public Housing Resident Services and Human Services

· Crime Analysis

· Crisis Intervention

· Technology Services

III. Departmental Revenue Estimates

REVENUE SOURCE	Actual 2002-2003 Revenues	2003-2004 Budgeted Revenues	Estimated 2003-2004 Revenues	Proposed Revenues For 2004-05
Project TurnAround (Orange)	44,424	45,000	45,000	45,000
Orange/Chatham Partnership			44,503	44,503
Project TurnAround Client Fees	31,491	17,000	17,000	20,000
School Officers Reimbursement	278,688	300,000	300,000	300,000
Permits and Fees	19,801	15,000	15,000	15,000
Towing	17,416	20,000	20,000	20,000
Interest on Investments	2,104	2,500	1,350	1,500

TOTAL	393,924	399,500	442,853	446,003

Key Budget Issues:

Applications for 2004-05 N.C. Crime Commission grants are pending. One would fund technology improvements; one would fund the creation of a Latino Outreach Coordinator position.

It is anticipated that the availability of discretionary grant funds from Federal and State sources will continue to decrease, though Homeland Security funds will likely be available to begin the process of establishing interoperable communications networks.

IV. Departmental Base Budget Cost Estimates

CATEGORY	2003-2004 Original Budget	Requested 2004-2005 Budget
Personnel	8,292,512	8,467,427
Operations	1,269,255	1,303,798
Capital Equipment
TOTAL	9,561,767	9,771,225

Key Budget Issues:

To ensure that training and equipment needs are met, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds are used to supplement those accounts.

Training expenses are anticipated to increase by approximately 7% to cover executive training for mid-level supervisors, additional state-mandated training, and enhanced recruiting efforts.

Projected overtime costs are 41% higher than last year due to special events such as Halloween and Apple Chill.

V. Programs Going Well

Sworn staffing levels have improved. There are currently four vacancies. Throughout FY 2002-03 the department averaged ten police vacancies. The use of salary funds from vacant positions to offer higher entry level salaries contributed to the reduction in vacancies.

Neighborhood outreach efforts continue to be successful. The number of local youths in our 2003 summer employment program doubled to twenty. We intend to employ thirty in 2004.

Additional mobile terminals in police cars, a new crime mapping system, and continued enhancements to our records management system have improved our ability to provide quality services more efficiently.

VI. Programs that Could be Improved

In the first six months of FY 2003-04 the per capita rate of major crimes in Northside decreased by 15% over the same period of FY 2002-03. However, the overall rate is almost twice as high as the Town-wide rate. Enforcement and patrol initiatives will continue.

The clearance rates for personal and property crimes increased slightly over last year but still lag behind the statewide average. Internal staffing allocations and flexible patrol assignments will be used to improve these rates.

The percentage of minority officers in the department is at its lowest level in three years. Additional funding for recruitment programs and expanded recruiting efforts are planned.

VII. Proposed Additions

Administrative Technician Position

Add an Administrative Technician position to manage the department’s $1.25 million inventory (excluding vehicles). This position would also provide relief for the four Customer Service Technician positions (currently handled by sworn officers for an average of 15 hours per week). COST: Approximately $34,200.

Ammunition Budget

Increase equipment budget to provide additional ammunition needed to meet state-mandated training requirements, and to establish a replacement cycle for weapons. COST: $26,000.

Downtown Foot Patrol Coverage

Add four police officer positions to increase nightly foot patrol coverage by two. COST: Approximately $161,000.

Traffic Unit Staffing

Add two police officer positions to increase staffing on the Traffic Enforcement and Education Unit to a total of six. COST: Approximately $111,000 (includes vehicles).

Unfunded Police Officer Position

Return to the budget the 113^th police officer position that has been unfunded for the past four years. COST: Approximately $40,200.

Training and Project TurnAround Secretary

Add a clerical position to assist with an increased Project TurnAround client workload, and to assist the training staff during recruit training (required by state standards). COST: Approximately $34,156.