Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A Drug Task Force Officer Report Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: MAY 22, 2017 AGENDA #: 9A PREPARED BY: MARK ELLIOTT, POLICE CHIEF PRESENTED BY: MARK ELLIOTT AGENDA ITEM: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CO-FUNDING OF A FULL-TIME DRUG TASK FORCE OFFICER WITH THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to request city council approval to enter a co- funding agreement for a Drug Task Force Officer with the SMSC commencing October 1, 2017 for a three-year period. History Drugs and drug related crimes are proliferating in the City of Prior Lake as well as the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community just as they are around our state and nation. In less than six months we have had one drug dealing related homicide a drug dealing related shooting and almost a dozen drug over dose calls. As commonplace as drug related calls have become, neither the city police department nor the SMSC have resources to effectively combat the drug dealing that leads to these incidents. While the city is, a dues paying member of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force, we do not have an officer on this multi city/county organization. Nor do we have the luxury of having an officer with extensive drug training on the department. Current Circumstances Our police department serves more than 25,000 people in Prior Lake in addition to more than 20,000 daily guests who visit the commercial ventures of the SMSC. Our respective and collective community could benefit by adding a drug task force officer to the city police department who would serve on the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force which is a joint power organization. I initially approached Tribal Administrator Bill Rudnicki about the subject. He seemed open to the concept. For numerous months, thereafter we discussed this concept both informally and formally. On April 25, 2017 Mayor Briggs sent a letter (Attach 1) the SMSC Tribal Council formally requesting funding support. The mayor and I then attended a Tribal Council meeting to further discuss the proposal. Following that meeting Chairman Vig sent the attached letter dated April 27, 2017 (Attach. 2) confirming their commitment to the proposal. The attached resolution would confirm the city ISSUES: council’s support of the program which would begin on October 1, 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. By co-funding this program, both the city and SMSC will: 1. Have better leverage with the drug task force to address drug dealing crimes in our area by adding an officer to the organization. 2. Through this officer, offer better and more frequent education to city and SMSC community groups, individuals and even fellow police officers. 3. Through 1 and 2 above, be a less attractive target area for drug dealers. Annually we will provide information to both the SMSC Tribal Council and the City Council regarding the annual impacts which the Drug Task Force Officer has had. We expect that data will strongly support the continuation of this arrangement once the initial three-year trial period is over. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The SMSC will pay $70,000 each year commencing October 1, 2017 toward officer related expenses. Prior Lake will pay the remaining costs of the officer for each of the three years. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and second to approve the attached resolution authorizing cofunding of a drug task force officer for three years commencing on or about October 1, 2017. 2. Take no action and provide direction to the staff to prepare additional information about this proposal. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative #1 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 RESOLUTION 17-___ A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CO-FUNDING OF A FULL-TIME DRUG TASK FORCE OFFICER WITH THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), like the rest of the State of Minnesota and United States has seen a dramatic and frightening increase in drug usage and drug related crimes; and WHEREAS, Meth and heroin continue to be the biggest public safety concerns; and WHEREAS, Drug dealers are, with greater frequency, supplying opioids which have increased the frequency of drug overdose deaths; and WHEREAS, The public safety is further threatened by firearm related crimes associated with drugs; and WHEREAS, WHEREAS, Drug dealers are the primary focus of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force which serves both the City of Prior Lake and SMSC; and The city and its 25,000 inhabitants and the SMSC with its 20,000 visitors per day place a high priority on the safety of their citizens and guests; and WHEREAS, In order to provide additional resources to address drug related issues in our respective and collective communities the City and SMSC desire to co-fund a full- time police officer to be part of the Prior Lake Police Department but assigned Southwest Metro Drug Task Force. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The City and SMSC agree to co-fund a full-time Drug Task Force Officer for a minimum of three years commencing October 1, 2017. 3. The SMSC will provide $70,000 annually commencing October 1, 2017 to fund related expenses for the Drug Task Force Officer as set forth in their letter of April 27,2017 . 4. The City will be responsible for remaining personnel related costs, training and supervision of the officer as set forth in its April 25, 2017 letter. 5. Funds for this purpose will be drawn from the police department budget. Passed and adopted by the Prior Lake City Council this 22nd day of May, 2017 2 VOTE Briggs McGuire Thompson Braid Burkart Aye ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ______________________________ Frank Boyles, City Manager Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 April 25, 2017 Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Business Council 2330 Sioux Trail NW Prior Lake, MN 55372 Subject: Collaborative Funding for a Drug Task Force Officer Dear Chairman Vig, Vice-Chairman Anderson and Secretary/Treasurer Brewer: In August of 2016 Mayor Ken Hedberg requested that our two communicates would greatly benefit by jointly funding a new Drug Task Force Officer position for the next three years. The City would select, train and supervise the officer as well as provide a squad car. By this letter I am renewing this request. Specifically we are asking for a $70,000 SMSC Contribution for each of the next three years. The City will match that amount together with any increases due to (wage step increases, insurance costs, etc) for the same time period. By the third year the City’s matching contribution would be $80,000 including a car. At the end of the three years we would jointly evaluate the effectiveness of the new position and decide whether it should be continued. Our rationale is even stronger today than it was last year as we continue to see drug related shootings and drug overdoses affect and sometimes kill residents of our two communities. Our two communities, like the rest of our county, has seen a dramatic and frightening increase in drug usage and drug related crimes. Nationally and in Minnesota opiate overdose deaths are on the rise with 317 in Minnesota in 2014 alone. Meth and heroin continue to be the biggest public safety concerns. Within the last year, the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force has charged a heroin dealer with third degree murder for supplying heroin to a drug overdose victim. In addition to identifying other dealers, this investigation revealed five other overdose victims that this dealer supplied. This is why dealers are the primary focus of the Taskforce and the position we propose. Closer to home the Prior Lake Police Department has already responded to nine drug overdoses in 2016. The City of Prior Lake has 25,000 residents. SMSC businesses serve as many as 20,000 people per day. The unfortunate truth is that some of these individuals will be engaged in illegal drug involvement which jeopardizes their safety and as well as the safety of others. The proposal we hope you will approve, would allow the city to hire an officer to serve on the Southwest Drug Task Force. The taskforce targets mid-level dealers to interrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the community by prosecuting the dealers. Experience shows they have been effective in accomplishing this objective. I and our City Council believe that the addition of the Drug Task Force Officer will significantly benefit both the City, the SMSC community and the commercial enterprises of the SMSC. I hope that the Business Council will approve this proposal for our mutual benefit. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Police Chief Mark Elliott at 952.447.9861. Sincerely, Kirt Briggs Mayor AK4 ,,4 Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community OFFICERS Charles R. Vig Chairman Keith B. Anderson Vice-Chairman Freedom Brewer Secretary/Treasurer I I 2330 SIOUX TRAIL NW . PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA 55372 TRIBAL OFFICE: 952.445-8900 . FAX: 952.233-4256IIltf Aprrl27,2077 City of Prior Lake Honorable Mayor Kirt Briggs 4646Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Dear Mayor Briggs, It was a pleasure meeting you, Police Chief Mark Elliot and City Administrator Frank Boyles yesterday. We appreciate your attendance at our Business Council meeting in reference to your April26,2Ol7,letter proposing a partnership in funding a Drug Task Force Offrcer. The Business Council reviewed your request and letter and we are agreeable to this partnership and the funding level for the Officer. We are also agreeable to the three year agreement to maintain the position. We share your concerns of the proliferation of drugs and the need to mitigate the effects and flow of illegal drugs in our communities. Our continued concern is for the safety of our membership and for the safety of our visitors and patrons of our enterprises. We look forvvard to working with you in this effort. If you have questions or need our assistance, please feel free to contact me at 952-496-6109. Sincerely, a7z;, Charles R. Vig Tribal Chairman