3.
Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 12/07/2020
- TITLE
- Police Priorities
- PRESENTED BY:
- Kevin Iffland
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
- Division:
- Administration
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends reviewing requested items in fiscal effects and providing staff with guidance on areas to proceed.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
In March of 2020 City Council was presented with 5 key strategies to improve Billings:
1) Strengthen Organization Health
2) Improve Safety
3) Improve our Built Environment
4) Continue Investments in Infrastructure
5) Increase Investments in quality of life amenities
Strategy #2 – improve safety was the #1 priority set by City Council. The problem was and continues to be Billings has too much crime driven largely by addiction and mental illness. Violent crime rates are at 600/100,000 and have increased over 100% in the last 12 years. Property crimes rates are at 5,500/100,000. City staff has continued to work with local community partners, Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect Coalition, Continuum of Care, Yellowstone County Attorney & Sheriff offices, and State of Montana District Courts to provide social services, prosecution and incarceration.
The police department strategy to improve safety fell into 4 key areas, Violent crime reduction, Improve downtown safety, Improve traffic safety and Invest in mental health. Officer presence and proactive policing is a proven strategy to reduce crime. When resources can be applied to address specific crime issues it is effective in reducing the targeted areas. A 5-year implementation plan was introduced in which Year 1 added 10 police personnel all of which would target areas in violent crime reduction, improving downtown safety and improving traffic safety. Years 2-5 added more resources in those areas and support personnel for a total of 39 additional personnel, to address the 4 key areas. This added approximately $5.7 million over the 5-year implementation period, for personal services, operations and maintenance and capital items. 1 mil was also being discussed for mental health investments to address key area #4. The plan also included space needs for a law and justice center as outlined in the facilities master plan adopted in September 2015.
In July 2019 a request for proposals was advertised for City Hall Offices/Site(s), which included space needs for a law and justice center. Several proposals were received, and a committee was convened to review the proposals. The committee’s recommendation was to seek further information on the Stillwater Building in downtown Billings. This recommendation was taken to City Council and a committee was formed to seek additional information to bring back to council. The committee is still in the process of reviewing information and discussing options.
The City Council, after COVID arrived, asked the community for a public safety repeal and replace levy that kept resources at status quo, neither loosing nor adding resources to the police department. The levy was approved by the community and 60 mills were approved starting in FY21.
In August of 2020 City Council approved the contract with the Center for Public Safety Management for an analysis of the Fire, EMS and Police Services. An additional component of the request for proposals included developing a law enforcement-specific survey of the community and law enforcement giving a picture of community relations. These analysis and survey are getting close to completion and results will be presented in early 2021. This information will be valuable to adjusting our crime reduction strategies, backed by data and community input, where resources may need to be allocated or adjusted to be as effective as possible.
With the continuing COVID issues and the State of Montana reimbursing public safety personnel payroll expenses and other COVID related expenses, the City has received or anticipates receiving around $19 million. During the November 9th, 2020, Council Regular Business Meeting, Council member Choriki made an initiative directing staff to provide a crime update at the November 16th Work Session. Information was presented to City Council at the November 16th work session on crime in the community. City Council indicated they would like to see more specific details on areas where resources could address crime issues in the community.
Chief St John has proposed items consistent with the four strategies identified during the public safety mill levy campaign. Additionally, there are added categories which support or enhance professionalism, general operations, and facilities. The Police Department has been and continues to implement the aforementioned strategies based on available resources and staffing. Pre-COVID plans were to grow the department, adding personnel and services over a five-year period. Those plans were postponed due to economic uncertainty and strategic decisions. Simply stated, adding personnel to augment what we are already doing is the only way to make a significant impact on the problem areas above.
Additional staffing, along with evidenced based policing, will ensure we are allocating our resources where the problems are, and we are as efficient and effective as possible. The Center for Public Safety Management analysis will help further define any issues. Based on finite parameters of the CARES funds, additional full-time employees are not recommended. This would be a perpetual cost with no long-term funding in place. As such, the request is for equipment that will enhance and allow for efficiencies on what the police department already does.
1) Strengthen Organization Health
2) Improve Safety
3) Improve our Built Environment
4) Continue Investments in Infrastructure
5) Increase Investments in quality of life amenities
Strategy #2 – improve safety was the #1 priority set by City Council. The problem was and continues to be Billings has too much crime driven largely by addiction and mental illness. Violent crime rates are at 600/100,000 and have increased over 100% in the last 12 years. Property crimes rates are at 5,500/100,000. City staff has continued to work with local community partners, Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect Coalition, Continuum of Care, Yellowstone County Attorney & Sheriff offices, and State of Montana District Courts to provide social services, prosecution and incarceration.
The police department strategy to improve safety fell into 4 key areas, Violent crime reduction, Improve downtown safety, Improve traffic safety and Invest in mental health. Officer presence and proactive policing is a proven strategy to reduce crime. When resources can be applied to address specific crime issues it is effective in reducing the targeted areas. A 5-year implementation plan was introduced in which Year 1 added 10 police personnel all of which would target areas in violent crime reduction, improving downtown safety and improving traffic safety. Years 2-5 added more resources in those areas and support personnel for a total of 39 additional personnel, to address the 4 key areas. This added approximately $5.7 million over the 5-year implementation period, for personal services, operations and maintenance and capital items. 1 mil was also being discussed for mental health investments to address key area #4. The plan also included space needs for a law and justice center as outlined in the facilities master plan adopted in September 2015.
In July 2019 a request for proposals was advertised for City Hall Offices/Site(s), which included space needs for a law and justice center. Several proposals were received, and a committee was convened to review the proposals. The committee’s recommendation was to seek further information on the Stillwater Building in downtown Billings. This recommendation was taken to City Council and a committee was formed to seek additional information to bring back to council. The committee is still in the process of reviewing information and discussing options.
The City Council, after COVID arrived, asked the community for a public safety repeal and replace levy that kept resources at status quo, neither loosing nor adding resources to the police department. The levy was approved by the community and 60 mills were approved starting in FY21.
In August of 2020 City Council approved the contract with the Center for Public Safety Management for an analysis of the Fire, EMS and Police Services. An additional component of the request for proposals included developing a law enforcement-specific survey of the community and law enforcement giving a picture of community relations. These analysis and survey are getting close to completion and results will be presented in early 2021. This information will be valuable to adjusting our crime reduction strategies, backed by data and community input, where resources may need to be allocated or adjusted to be as effective as possible.
With the continuing COVID issues and the State of Montana reimbursing public safety personnel payroll expenses and other COVID related expenses, the City has received or anticipates receiving around $19 million. During the November 9th, 2020, Council Regular Business Meeting, Council member Choriki made an initiative directing staff to provide a crime update at the November 16th Work Session. Information was presented to City Council at the November 16th work session on crime in the community. City Council indicated they would like to see more specific details on areas where resources could address crime issues in the community.
Chief St John has proposed items consistent with the four strategies identified during the public safety mill levy campaign. Additionally, there are added categories which support or enhance professionalism, general operations, and facilities. The Police Department has been and continues to implement the aforementioned strategies based on available resources and staffing. Pre-COVID plans were to grow the department, adding personnel and services over a five-year period. Those plans were postponed due to economic uncertainty and strategic decisions. Simply stated, adding personnel to augment what we are already doing is the only way to make a significant impact on the problem areas above.
Additional staffing, along with evidenced based policing, will ensure we are allocating our resources where the problems are, and we are as efficient and effective as possible. The Center for Public Safety Management analysis will help further define any issues. Based on finite parameters of the CARES funds, additional full-time employees are not recommended. This would be a perpetual cost with no long-term funding in place. As such, the request is for equipment that will enhance and allow for efficiencies on what the police department already does.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may provide staff with direction on addressing issues.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Violent Crime
FARO Technologies 3-dimensional forensic laser scanner with supporting equipment and training. $49,000.
UFED/CellBrite cellphone and Cloud automated digital data analyzer. $14,000.
FileOnQ for Evidence operation. Software and commensurate equipment. $7,000.
Arson Investigator Equipment - $4,600.
Modernize and update crime scene van equipment. $37,500.
Total Violent Crime - $112,100
Downtown Safety
Overtime infusion – To pay for additional staff assigned to work downtown area. $100,000.
(12) Police Mountain Bikes - $17,000.
Total Downtown Safety - $117,000
Traffic Enforcement
E-cite licensing x 60 - $72,000.
PBT’s x 60 – Update and equip patrol. $21,000
Speed Trailers x2 – Portable units to record speed/time/day. Used at problem areas or public requests. $16,000.
P.I.T Bumpers x15 – Tool used to stop fleeing suspects in cars. Provides ability to stop safely a fleeing car. Trained officers can PIT a vehicle, reducing danger to citizens, suspects, and officers. $7,500.
Updated crash analysis software – Used to interface with vehicle’s on-board computer system for reconstruction purposes. $4,000.
Total Traffic Enforcement - $120,500
Enhance Professionalism/transparency/Accountability
Infuse funds to Training Budget – Crisis Intervention Training, de-escalation, communication skills, soft use-of-force skills, less lethal options. $100,000.
Virtual Training Simulator. $203,000.
Infuse funds to Body Camera program – Program underway. Will need additional monies. $50,000.
Field Training Officer Tablets x 18 - $6,000.
Total Professional Enhancement - $359,000
Operational Support
Less lethal munitions – Shotguns, Beanbag rounds, Pepper ball gun, Pepper balls. $ 15,000.
Tasers and equipment. $64,000.
Ballistic Shield per car x 77. $115,500.
Medical kits/tourniquets. $39,000.
Total Operational Support - $233,500
Grand Total - $942,100
FARO Technologies 3-dimensional forensic laser scanner with supporting equipment and training. $49,000.
UFED/CellBrite cellphone and Cloud automated digital data analyzer. $14,000.
FileOnQ for Evidence operation. Software and commensurate equipment. $7,000.
Arson Investigator Equipment - $4,600.
Modernize and update crime scene van equipment. $37,500.
Total Violent Crime - $112,100
Downtown Safety
Overtime infusion – To pay for additional staff assigned to work downtown area. $100,000.
(12) Police Mountain Bikes - $17,000.
Total Downtown Safety - $117,000
Traffic Enforcement
E-cite licensing x 60 - $72,000.
PBT’s x 60 – Update and equip patrol. $21,000
Speed Trailers x2 – Portable units to record speed/time/day. Used at problem areas or public requests. $16,000.
P.I.T Bumpers x15 – Tool used to stop fleeing suspects in cars. Provides ability to stop safely a fleeing car. Trained officers can PIT a vehicle, reducing danger to citizens, suspects, and officers. $7,500.
Updated crash analysis software – Used to interface with vehicle’s on-board computer system for reconstruction purposes. $4,000.
Total Traffic Enforcement - $120,500
Enhance Professionalism/transparency/Accountability
Infuse funds to Training Budget – Crisis Intervention Training, de-escalation, communication skills, soft use-of-force skills, less lethal options. $100,000.
Virtual Training Simulator. $203,000.
Infuse funds to Body Camera program – Program underway. Will need additional monies. $50,000.
Field Training Officer Tablets x 18 - $6,000.
Total Professional Enhancement - $359,000
Operational Support
Less lethal munitions – Shotguns, Beanbag rounds, Pepper ball gun, Pepper balls. $ 15,000.
Tasers and equipment. $64,000.
Ballistic Shield per car x 77. $115,500.
Medical kits/tourniquets. $39,000.
Total Operational Support - $233,500
Grand Total - $942,100