CCP 03-08-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2004 6 . Bob Jacobson, Director of Pnblic Safety for New Brighton, stated they were offering 24 hour a day, 7 days per week coverage. He indicated seven additional police officers would be hired if they received his contract. He stated back-up cars would be available also. He noted part of the culture for the City of New Brighton was neighborhood policing. He indicated officers were assigned to certain neighborhoods and that officer would be the contact for those neighborhoods for any concerns. He stated they prided themselves on their National Night Out and the same programs they offered their citizens would also be offered to the residents of Arden Hills. He indicated they offered a wide range of training to the residents of New Brighton, which would also be available to Arden Hills. He stated they also trained people as first responders in the event of a disaster. He noted they also notified citizens by e-mail regarding crimes and issues in both the City and their neighborhood. He indicated they prided themselves on their Safe and Sober Campaign. He stated they had a Police Reserve Program, Volunteers in Public Safety Program, and an Exp]orer Program for the youth. He thanked the Council for their time. Bob Fletcher, Ramsey County Sheriff, stated during the 25 years of service to the City of Arden Hills, they have had a great partnership. He noted during this 25 years, crime was way down and they were proud of their part in that strategy. He stated their proposal was similar to the New Brighton proposal, but their proposal was $50,000 less than the New Brighton proposal. He stated most of the programs offered by New Brighton were also offered by the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department. He indicated their emergency response would be second to none . once they built their facility in the City of Arden Hills. He indicated they had crime scene technicians on duty. Be noted they also used volunteers. He stated they wanted to reach out to the citizens and have them help the Sheriffs office through volunteer services. He stated they had a diverse workforce. He noted their training unit was second to none and they were leaders in Home]and Security. He stated the SWAT team was available at all times to assist in times of crisis. He stated New Brighton had an outstanding police department and he commended them, but he believed if there were no problems with the Sheriff's Department, and he had not heard of any problems, the City should continue the services with the Sheriffs Department. He noted there would be more deputies in Arden Hills more often because of their main facility being located within Arden Hills. He indicated there would be a reduction in response time for Arden Hills and they would need to have a substation on the eastern portion of their area. Counci]member Grant asked if they added a substation, would that increase their cost and would that cost be passed onto the contract Cities. Mr. Fetcher replied that the cost would not be passed onto the contract Cities. Councilmember Holden asked how the neighborhood police program works in New Brighton. Public Safety Director Jacobson replied the officer assigned to a particular neighborhood was responsible for monitoring reports, keeping an eye on problem houses or streets, going to the neighborhood meetings, but the neighborhood officer would not necessarily be responding to calls. He indicated those calls would be responded to by whatever officer was assigned that . patrol area on that particular day. He stated the neighborhood officers were assigned to a neighborhood on a long-term basis and therefore, they got to know their neighborhood residents.