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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 10, 2006 Phoenix council looks at police services By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — If the city could double its number of sworn police officers over the next five years, the Phoenix Police Department could evolve from a struggling, mediocre department to one of acceptable standards, the City Council was told Tuesday night. The council meeting was the first of a pair geared at determining desired — and affordable — levels of police protection to be achieved. Interim Chief Rod Brown presented four levels of service options for council members to review. "What I'm asking you to do is close your eyes and think about how this place is going to look five years from now," Brown said. Service levels were outlined for areas such as response to calls from the community, preventive patrols, community education, school resources, community-oriented policing, follow-up and narcotics investigations, traffic patrol and collision investigation and training. With Level 1 being the "best possible service" and Level 4 being the lowest, Brown said the city ranked a handful of 3s, but mostly 4s, in nearly all areas. Two exceptions included a school resource officer stationed at Phoenix High and code enforcement being executed by a new recruit. Brown told council members there was "no magic formula" to determine numbers of needed officers, which would be based on budget considerations and community priorities. Making an educated guess, Brown said that doubling the number of sworn officers, from 8 to 16, would significantly improve service in most areas. Currently staffed for 80 of 168 total hours per week, Jackson County sheriff's deputies and Talent police fill in the gaps for Phoenix police. The department is made up of three fully qualified officers (one of whom is out with an injury), one school resource officer, two academy graduates in training with senior officers and two recruits who have yet to complete the police academy. Brown said to achieve desirable service, the city should strive for 16 officers, which would provide 24-hour coverage and response to 95 percent of calls within four minutes. Council member Terry Helfrich noted that the council had "still not put to bed (the possibility) of contracting with other agencies. Just like I want a bigger house and a nicer car but I can't afford it. ... The thing we have to look at is what can we afford? We have a budget and we can only afford so much," he said. Fire Chief Matt Lichtenstein said police presence was important for fire and emergency medical personnel. Phoenix resident Carol Hood said the council and residents needed to "keep our minds open as to what really works." She noted, "You guys have a fiduciary responsibility as far as tax dollars go." Mayor Vicki Bear countered, "I'll tell you right now, 16 officers from Jackson County sheriff's office is not a doable thing." Bear noted that community opinions at a meeting in recent weeks led the council to opt to keep its Police Department intact. Council member Lee Carrau said it was important to "factor in the idea of community." "Our own Police Department, I think, is essential," he said, adding that he had "compete confidence in Chief Brown" and that he would "never vote to contract" police services. The future of the police department first came under scrutiny in recent weeks after the arrest and subsequent resignation of former chief Bob Kershaw. Kershaw was arrested March 28 on charges of evidence tampering in a case involving his son and former community service officer Andrew Kershaw. The Police Department was temporarily taken over by Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters. Chief Brown, who conducted an internal audit of the department in recent weeks (as a private contractor), agreed to contact for 90 days as interim chief to help get the department up and running. Bear said the council should strive to give Brown some direction on desired service levels at a May 15 meeting. In addition to discussing the Police Department, the city's need and ability to budget for a city administrator was discussed at great length. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy