Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 13 15 CSAC MinutesCommunity Safety Advisory Committee 13 August 2015 Meeting Minutes Attending: Pat Dougherty, Betsy Jader, Gina Gertner, Janine Alcorn, Woody Spitzmueller, PLPD Randy Hofstad, Council Liaison Annette Thompson Absent: Linda Ringstad Meeting called to order at 4:05 pm by Pat. Approval of meeting Agenda: Motion by Betsy, 2nd Gina. Approval Unanimous. Approval of July CSAC Minutes: Motion by Betsy, 2nd Woody. Approval Unanimous Reviewed the cities proposed event policy which is not formally defined at present. Randy offered examples of events that require unplanned and unscheduled support from the PLPD. This adds cost and stresses staffing. He stated the current approach is inconsistent. As example there is no charge for the Saturday Farmer’s market which closes Main Street all morning. PD gets involved in citing and removing any vehicles which remain parked on the street early Saturday morning. He also cited the Rotary sponsored music fest which reimburses the city for all costs related to city services provided. The committee discussed the impact of local businesses of the Saturday market. Opinion was divided on the value added to local business of the market which closes the street and denies convenient parking to potential customers. A survey of the businesses on Main Street to better understand impact was suggested. In any event, the was agreement of the committee with Lt Hofstad a city policy relating to such events needs to be defined and applied consistently. There was discussion of possibly moving the Farmers Market to Lakefront Park. With respect to the PLPD, these events do impose extra work and force overtime work on the staff which is already stretched thin. This does add cost to department operations which could be recovered via an event fee. Lt Hofstad also provided the PLPD Chief’s report for the committee. He summarized the material in the report. PLPD has 2 or 3 patrol officers on the street during 3 shifts over a 24 hour period. More officers are on the street during the evening shift from 3P to 11P. The department responded to over 11,000 calls during 2014. PLPD response included 82 assaults, 33 burglaries, 397 thefts and 226 domestic violence calls. The department staffing at presently at 24 sworn officers. Meeting adjourned at 5:25 PM. Motion by Gina, 2nd by Betsy. Unanimous approval.