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Safe Community Task Force Recomendations 10 18 10Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Safe Community Task Force Recommendations DATE: October 12, 2010 Dubuque kitiltil All- Amedcaenr 2007 Chief of Police Mark Dalsing is transmitting information on the Dubuque Police Department's response to the two Safe Community Task Force recommendations: 1) direct the Police Department to enforce noise ordinances more aggressively and 2) direct the Police Department to enforce traffic ordinances more aggressively. You will see that since Mark Dalsing became Police Chief, he has emphasized traffic and noise enforcement. A comparative review of the traffic enforcement numbers between April and September 2009 and the same time period in 2010 shows overall enforcement, which includes written citations and written warnings for traffic violations, has increased 8.6 %. Written citations, not including written warnings, is up 7.3% during the same time period. A comparative review of the traffic noise enforcement numbers between April and September 2009 and the same time period in 2010 shows overall traffic noise enforcement is up 14% in 2010. This would include all written warnings, written citations, and "fix it" tickets which allow citizens to have faulty equipment repaired in lieu of the fines. The number of written citations (no warnings or repair orders) has increased 36% during the time period noted. The Dubuque Police Department implemented a Traffic Unit as part of the FY08, five year, fifteen officer expansion plan. Two officers are in the unit now and a third will be assigned when staffing levels allow, which will most likely be in calendar year 2011. The original two Traffic Officers started in May 2009 and accounted for 876 traffic related contacts in 2009, and have consistently averaged 180 traffic contacts a month in 2010. Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael C. Van Milligen City Manger FR: Mark M. Dais Pg Chief of Police / r RE: Safe Community Task Force Recommendations INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memo is to address the Dubuque Police Department's response to two Safe Community Task Force recommendations. BACKGROUND MEMORANDUM October 8, 2010 In a July 15, 2010 memorandum to the Dubuque City Council, the Safe Community Task Force (SCTF) made recommendations related to Dubuque Police Department activities, two of which will be addressed in this memo. The SCTF recommended: Direct the Police Department to enforce noise ordinances more aggressively and Direct the Police Department to enforce traffic ordinances more aggressively. Since my February 2010 promotion to Chief of Police, I have made traffic & noise enforcement a recurring theme within the department. Between May and September 2010 I met with each and every sworn officer in the department to review my viewpoints on a variety of topics as well as to explain my expectations for the officers. A portion of each of these meetings addressed traffic and noise enforcement and the role these safety and quality of life issues play within the City. All officers were informed that they are expected to do their part in contributing to enforcement efforts and all supervisors were tasked with ensuring their subordinates are actively involved in enforcement efforts. A comparative review of the traffic enforcement numbers between April and September 2009 and the same time period in 2010 shows overall enforcement, which includes written citations and written warnings for traffic violations, has increased 8.6 %. Written citations, not including written warnings, is up 7.3% during the same time period. Traffic noise enforcement is a constant complaint received at the Dubuque Police Department. As mentioned earlier in this memo, traffic noise enforcement has been a high priority topic over the past several months. A comparative review of the traffic noise to calls for service, and can adjust their schedules to work during the times when identified problems are happening. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION The nature of police work is in a constant state of change. As developments occur, officers adapt to the changes but then must further divide their available time, and traditional roles and tasks such as traffic enforcement occasionally receive less attention. The importance of traffic enforcement and accident prevention cannot always be measured but it most certainly cannot be minimized. Citizen and visitor safety, as well as citizen quality of life issues must be priority issues for officers. With administrative and supervisory guidance and direction, traffic enforcement, traffic noise enforcement and accident prevention will remain priority issues for the Dubuque Police Department. ACTION REQUESTED This is an informational memo. No further action requested.