CCP 03-08-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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