Posted on 09/03/2009 1:04:30 AM PDT by Son House
Rochester likely will have a greater police presence on city streets soon, but they will be uniformed community service officers, not sworn police officers.
At a community meeting Tuesday during which some residents called for more police in the city's neighborhoods, Police Chief Roger Peterson said he will try to accommodate such requests. But given the tough economic times, he said the department will have to shift resources rather than hire additional officers. He said community service officers likely will patrol neighborhoods rather than writing property crime reports. Citizens would be encouraged to file those reports online or via telephone. Peterson said sworn officers may no longer respond to every traffic accident or medical call.
Peterson will meet with his staff to work out the details.
Peterson called the meeting in the Rochester Public Library auditorium to get input on how best to deploy the department's limited resources.
"We want to do things that will make people feel more safe," he said, although he noted crime is down in the city.
Peterson invited representatives of six to eight neighborhood associations, along with representatives of the business community and city council. In all, about 45 people attended.
"We want more (officers) on the street. We see that as proactive," said Todd Hager, vice president of the Cimarron Park neighborhood in northwest Rochester.
Rochester needs more police officers, Peterson said, but money is tight so the focus now is how to deploy current resources, Peterson said.
When Peterson asked for a response to the changes, some thought they were fine; others felt it was important for officers to meet with people who have had their cars broken into, for instance, and take reports.
Sgt. Craig Anderson, who represents the police union, said a lot of residents want to see a licensed officer, and he said the department is not trying to change that.
But given the volume of calls and the limited number of officers on duty, it isn't possible.
Anderson noted that on Tuesday there were only nine sworn officers on patrol during the daytime shift. He said if there were an accident, a DWI arrest and a burglary at the same time, all of the officers would be tied up.
Next post will be Active Warrants, this Police Department is way behind on their work already
Active Warrants Olmsted County / City of Rochester Law Enforcement
http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/courts/active_warrants.asp
Total Warrants: 2193
And Democrats want to promise more money your Heath Care? The next budget cuts to continue the Democrats frivolous spending will be...
Olmsted County Sheriffs Office’s Most Wanted
http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/courts/ocsos_most_wanted.asp
Caution: Please DO NOT try to apprehend these people, if you have information on these people call 507 328-6830 or your local Law Enforcement Agency!
Patrol neighborhoods or shooting radar?
if you have information on these people call 507 328-6830 or your local Law Enforcement Agency!
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^
And a ‘Uniformed Community Service Officer’ (not a ‘a Licensed Officer’) may be able to???
So that’s what our community organizers will look like, thanks for all of that. Time to de-fund other neo-political statute enforcement
“uniformed community service officers”
They can get the Crips and the Bloods to police the neighborhoods. I sure can’t feel sorry for these idiots.
Maybe they could cut some funding to the Arts or the Birdwatchers Society, or comprehensive studies for marsh grass. But no! Cut citizens’ services first.
Makework employment for Obama supporters, gangbangers and Acorns?
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