Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> ARDEN HILLS CJTY COUNCIL WORKSESSION <br /> FEBRUARY 17,2004 2 <br /> . Council member Grant asked, in a community that has a lower crimc rate, what is the <br /> best overall approach to policing. He generally characterized New Brighton's approach <br /> as a morc neighborhood oriented or community oriented policing versus the sheriff <br /> having a blended approach of reactivc and some proactive policing. He requested of each <br /> agency if this an appropriate eharacterization of their approach to policing. Mr. <br /> Jacobson indicated that the neighborhood model is an effective model in a community <br /> with a low crime rate. Aside from focusing on more serious crimes, it allows police to <br /> focus on issues that have particular importance to thc community. Sheriff Fletcher <br /> clarified that Ramsey County has been focusing on crime prevention and community <br /> policing efforts. <br /> Councilmember Grant asked how sergeants will handle the additional work load in <br /> New Brighton that will occur as a result of adding additional police officers to serviee <br /> Arden Hills. Mr. Jacobson indicated that adding one to two additional employees will <br /> not adversely impact their sergeants' cxisting workload and it is an appropriate span of <br /> control for publie safety operations. <br /> Council member Grant indicated that he was hopeful that the New Brighton proposal <br /> would be less expensive than the existing sheriffs eontract and was disappointed that this <br /> was not the case. New Brighton City Manager Matt Fulton responded that the City of <br /> New Brighton never approached this from a cost perspective; rather they wanted to have <br /> the City of Arden Hills evaluate police services, particularly how aIld what serviees are <br /> . provided to Arden Hills residents. <br /> Councilmember Larson requested clarification on the depth of coverage or baekup with <br /> the New Brighton proposal. Mr. Jacobson responded that a minimum staffing for the <br /> New Brighton police department is one patrol officer and one supervisor, but generally is <br /> at least two patrol officers and one supervisor with more staffing on Fridays and <br /> Saturdays. Sheriff Fletcher indicated that Ramsey County has anywhere between six <br /> and nine deputies on patrol at any given time to assist the officer assigned to Arden Hills. <br /> In addition, thc sheriff outlined other resourees that are available on a county-wide basis. <br /> Mayor Aplikowski asked ifthere is ever a time when a patrol car is not patrolling Arden <br /> Hills. Sheriff Fletcher responded that it does not happen a great deal, but it does occur <br /> on occasion when that ear is required to provide backup to another contraet community. <br /> In an instance where the Arden Hills car is called to back up, often times one of the <br /> patrols in Shorcview will come to Arden Hills. <br /> Councilmember Larson asked about the experienee of those that would be serving the <br /> City of Arden Hills. Mr. Jacobson rcsponded that New Brighton is a youngcr <br /> department, but very qualified. He furthcr indicated that the new ofticers to be hired <br /> would not neeessarily bc out in Arden Hills. Rather, they would be blended between the <br /> Arden Hills and New Brighton serviec areas as appropriatc. He further clarified that the <br /> . <br />