Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> - . E ,-, <br /> - In response to Councilman Claire's concerns related to the elimination of <br /> the popular community policing program, Redwood City Police Chief <br /> Bolanos said Community Policing was not a program, but a philosophy. "A <br /> philosophy between the Police Department and the members of the <br /> community that we are here to serve. We work together, communicate with <br /> them, try to understand what their needs are and try to develop strategies to <br /> address them." He said when he became Police Chief he had twelve people <br /> who did community policing and 70 plus officers who did not. He said now <br /> the whole Police Department had adopted a community policing philosophy, <br /> and used a variety of different programs to achieve community goals. He <br /> said there are now four Police officers who are neighborhood communicators <br /> and who work with individuals to resolve issues. <br /> Police Chief Bolanos said he had agreed with the POA who did not support <br /> the original structure of community policing. He said "what we needed was <br /> to get everybody out there to provide a higher level of service to the <br /> community." <br /> Councilman Claire agreed that proposed Item 7 could be eliminated as it is <br /> Included in Item 2. <br /> - Police Chief Bolanos said he would "continue those efforts at <br /> communication" to ensure that the community understands how and why the <br /> Police Department is responding to the community. <br /> Councilwoman Buchan said her number one priority was proposed Item 6 <br /> regarding Police staffing which could be folded into Item 1. Councilwoman <br /> Buchan said she believed it was critical to hire a consultant and get that report <br /> back to the Council. <br /> Police Chief Bolanos said he agreed that Items 1 and 6 are the same. He <br /> advised that some preliminary work had been done regarding analyzing <br /> staffing levels which had resulted in two additional officers in the budget, <br /> "while at the same time, recognizing that 'Item 6 Having a professional staff <br /> analysis to be done' is necessary and is a number one priority I share with the <br /> Council." Chief Bolanos said he is ready to form the team to move forward. <br /> City Manager Everett advised that they are planning to bring this report <br /> back to Council at the time of adoption of the FY 1997/98 budget which will <br /> be after receipt of the 4th quarter data. <br /> c.... <br /> ADJOURNED REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 8, 1997 <br /> MINUTES MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 PAGE 13 <br /> PageNo. l43 <br />