AGENDA #1
February 26, 2003
Police Department
Initial Budget Presentation to the Mayor and Town Council
2003-2004
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.
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
|
Revenue Source
|
Actual 2001-2002 Revenues |
2002-2003 Budgeted Revenues |
Actual 2002-2003 Revenues |
Proposed 2003-2004 Revenues |
|
DOJ COPS More Grant |
|
30,750 |
|
|
|
DOJ Block Grant |
53,673 |
44,510 |
44,510 |
|
|
Highway Safety Grant |
34,068 |
|
|
|
|
NC Crime Commission |
15,726 |
|
113 |
|
|
Project TurnAround (County) |
48,243 |
45,000 |
22,212 |
43,500 |
|
Project TurnAround (State) |
33,201 |
19,000 |
29,150 |
22,965 |
|
Project TurnAround (Clients) |
23,823 |
7,000 |
16,315 |
17,000 |
|
CHCCS Reimbursements |
210,834 |
275,000 |
145,581 |
299,948 |
|
Permit & Records Fees |
15,029 |
15,000 |
7,784 |
15,000 |
|
Towing |
17,635 |
20,000 |
9,507 |
20,000 |
|
Misc. Fees & Investments |
4,912 |
2,500 |
1,100 |
2,500 |
|
TOTAL REVENUES |
459,144 |
458,760 |
276,272 |
420,913 |
Applications for 2003-04 N. C. Crime Commission technology grants are pending.
It is anticipated that the availability of discretionary grant funds from Federal and State sources will be significantly lower than previous years, though funds for Homeland Security will likely be available in the fall of 2003.
The five School Resource Officer positions assigned to Chapel Hill secondary schools are funded by the school system at 100%; Sixty-six percent of funding for school crossing guards will be from the school system.
|
Budget Category |
2002-2003 Original Budget |
Requested 2003-2004 Budget |
|
Personnel |
7,944,876 |
8,002,066 |
|
Operations |
1,226,224 |
1,271,224 |
|
Capital Equipment |
|
|
|
TOTAL |
9,171,100 |
9,273,290 |
Total operational and program costs are maintained at same level as current year.
Funds from other operational accounts will be transferred to recruitment fund to enhance size of police officer applicant pool.
Training and equipment accounts, supplemented in past years by grant funds, may be insufficient for department needs should 2003-04 grants not be available.
The number of major crimes reported to the department has decreased 22% over last year (364 fewer). Commercial break-ins are down 51% (66 fewer), residential break-ins are down 26% (56 fewer), and larcenies from vehicles are down 21% (60 fewer).
Traffic enforcement initiatives were impacted somewhat by staff shortages. However, the number of citations issued has remained steady, accident rates have decreased by 7% (91 fewer), and DWI arrests are up slightly over last year.
The Northside task force and uniformed patrols continue. Cooperative efforts between Town staff and residents have been successful at improving the quality of life in the community. Outreach efforts, particularly those involving youth, have been well attended, popular and successful.
The Department continues to enhance its technological capabilities. Federal and state grant funds have provided five additional laptops for patrol vehicles. Mapping and information retrieval capabilities have improved our ability to develop effective crime prevention and response strategies.
The recruitment and retention of officers has been difficult. For at least half the year the department had ten vacant officer positions. A new recruiting program has been developed to enhance the size of our applicant pool. Salary structure changes are needed to improve hiring and retention rates. Other incentive programs are also under development.
The civilian security monitor program has not been as successful as intended. Difficulties in staffing and supervision have reduced the effectiveness of the program. The program is being restructured. Contracting with private security firms to provide these services is one avenue being considered
The Department’s bicycle patrol program in the Central Business District and adjacent residential neighborhoods has been understaffed for the past year. As soon as staffing permits the patrols will resume.
No significant additions or reductions are proposed.
Effect of a 5% Reduction in Budget
If the department budget were to be reduced by 5% (a total of $424,000), the following reductions would be necessary:
Elimination of the Project TurnAround program
The elimination of three full-time employees and program costs would save $73,000 (County and state funds, and client fees account for one half of the program’s budget).
Elimination of the Human Services program
The elimination of two full-time positions and program costs would save $108,000).
Reduction of the Civilian Security Monitor program
Remaining in the program would be the Town Hall security monitor, the two daytime downtown monitors, and the department’s volunteer coordinator. The savings would be $66,000.
Eliminate the Animal Control Services contract
The Council could choose to adopt the County animal control ordinance and transfer responsibility for animal control to the County. The savings would be $49,000.
Eliminate the School Crossing Guard program
The Town is currently in the first year of a three-year program to transfer responsibility for the crossing guards to the school system. The savings would be $17,000.
Freeze funding for two Police Officer positions
These two would be added to a frozen Police Officer position carried for the past three years. The savings for the two positions would be $96,000.
Reduce department operating funds
A five percent across-the-board cut would save $20,000.