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. . , ,. - Chief Bolanos said the Police Department plans to continue cooperative efforts with the Sheriff's office with the Street Crime Suppression Team, focusing on juvenile gangs, narcotics and sex offenders. He described the Department's continued efforts with the County Narcotics Task Force and the County Vehicle Theft Task Force which gives the City access to lots of County resources. Chief Bolanos said the category he wanted the Department to focus on the most was prevention. He described the Middle School Resource officer positions funded by the School District; the D.A.R.E. program, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, in English and Spanish; Police Activities League; and a Juvenile Detective who administers the Tattoo Removal Program, sponsors Job Fairs, and tries to divert first time offenders into counseling rather than detention; Chief Bolanos described the Department's use of the Police Boat, obtained at no cost, which is also assisting the City in cleaning up the waterways. He described the Citizen's Academy and partnerships with the community. Chief Bolanos described the seventeen new positions authorized by Council for FY 1998/99 and 1999/2000 including three trainees, otherwise known as overhires. He reported on the aggressive recruitment practices that have today resulted in the - Department being only one position down, as compared with being seven positions down when Council authorized the new hiring plan last Fall. Chief Bolanos described the new Computer Assisted Dispatch Records Management System, which will be purchased with federal grant funds. He said there would be a large increase in the FY 1998/99 Budget to cover the costs of equipment for the new personnel, such as vehicles and radios. Chief Bolanos described all the grants the Department had written and received and will receive to offset increased costs. In response to Council Member Hartnett's questions regarding Redwood City's effective recruitment while other cities are still having trouble recruiting, Chief Bolanos said that Captain Scott Vermeer, who runs the Administration Division, put together a recruiting team who went out and aggressively targeted highly qualified candidates in the Academies and elsewhere. Chief Bolanos also credited Human Resources for that Department's assistance. He said it was a lot of hard work, and there were also some secrets that he couldn't share. In response to Council Member Bain's questions about Team Policing and its costs, Chief Bolanos said cost was an important factor that was considered. He said he had worked collaboratively with the Police Officers Association and the Police Sergeant - Association to look at alternative schedules that will allow the Sergeant and his or her BUDGET STUDY SESSION MINUTE BOOK NO. 57 JUNE 29,1998 MINUTES Page No. 029 PAGE 25