Human Relations and Community Services partners with the Police Department in planning and facilitating the annual Police-Community Relations Conference and has developed a joint committee between their citizens board and the Board of Police Commissioners. In addition the Department has played a more active role in responding to community emergencies, such as the tragic fire at Oliver Tower this past winter. The activity and potential of the Department in serving the community is growing significantly. To continue these efforts and to restore resources to the Department that was most impacted by the Early Retirement program of the early 90s, I am recommending that we establish the position of Deputy Director in the Department. We will continue to support the variety of services and programs that make neighborhoods the heart and soul of our city.
Funding is proposed for traffic calming programs and new speed wagons.
We have intensified our patrol of residential streets in order to reduce speeding. An index of this is the increase in traffic tickets given during the past year. We are always working to improve the efficiency of our housing inspections and strengthen the cooperation between Code Compliance offices and the Police through the Decentralization Teams, the LAND Committee and the new Police Department training program which teaches landlords to screen for problem tenants. To enhance positive police community relations I am supporting the Council recommendation for TV cameras in police cars by establishing a pilot program for the coming year. The budget also responds to the Council's priority for greater City beautification efforts.