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I : II I ! I II working. I believe that it is actually likely that that would be the result. When people - live in fear of making calls, after all, people shooting guns are not just having fun, many of them are vicious people, they are dangerous people, and you take your own safety in your hands when you report them... If there's technology that reports the gunfire, I believe that it is more likely that people will then call, because they know it is less likely that they'll be fmgered by people, and less likely that they will be endangering their lives and families lives and their property, especially because the Chief himself has visited the neighborhoods... and has asked people to follow up gunfire with calls to give additional information. .. "{ do want to say though, that I have heard very clearly, the comments by Mrs. Bonnie Miller and the other people in the Friendly Acres area who are not in support of the System. .. I do not believe that the Gunfire Locator System is an illusion. I think it has brought the collaboration between the community and police and will continue to do that. But I have heard the concerns of the people who do not support the System, and I share some of that. I believe that we need to hire more police in the City. The cost of this system, however, is not enough to hire an officer. It is a one-time cost, although the maintenance continues on. I think it is still a good valid expense. "I've been waiting since I've gotten on the Council for a complete study of the staffing needs of the Police Department to emerge that will give us an indication of how many officers we need in the City, so that we can work towards that level. That is about to - happen and I welcome that... At that point... I intend to, and I hope the rest of the Council then visits its attention upon the staffing needs and places the more necessary officers on the streets. "Finally, I hope as well that in the negotiations with the owners of the technology, and I do want to thank them for their persistence, dedication and their inventiveness. I hope during the negotiations that we include.... in the contract, a good faith effort to continue to improve the System.... I'd like to thank.... Sheriff Horsley, Supervisor Barrales, and (your offices) for making possible the collaboration between you and our Police Department." Vice Mayor Howard said, "I'd also like to thank everyone here in the audience who came here this evening ITom both sides to speak so passionately about an issue, bringing your children with you, staying up late. It means a great deal to us to hear your thoughts and feelings on this matter. We don't want to make decisions in a vacuum. "This study has been going on for over three years, before I was on the City Council. And there has been good debate on both sides. Most recently there was an article by (former Redwood City) Officer Don Shurtleff in the Almanac, which I thought was an - excellent, intelligently written article about the Gunshot Location System... He really set out the facts and perceptions of the community. .. quite well. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO.55 MARCH 17, 1997 MINUTES Page No. 205 PAGE 11