Agenda - Council - 02/23/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Equipment The police department replaced the inadequate video recording system in the interview rooms. DVD recorders and software were installed which greatly improved the audio quality of interviews and allowed for instant burning of DVDs for investigative and court purposes. Through the use of forfeiture money, the police department was also able to upgrade the squad car video recorder equipment in the squad cars, and replace them with units that not only allow for dual camera operation, but improved audio quality and retention capabilities. With a federal grant and drug forfeitures, the department traded in and replaced 12 antiquated M -1 military rifles. The new guns have advanced optics and LED lighting. Federal grant money was also used to order tactical vests and helmets for each officer in the department. In a joint grant with Hennepin County, the department was able to obtain an Identix IBIS fingerprint reader. The unit allows officers to instantly verify the identity of suspect(s) in the field by reading the person's fingerprints and running it through the State of Minnesota's fingerprint registry. The department added a bi- directional 800mghz amplifier system, at no charge to the city, from Anoka County. This greatly enhanced portable radio communications inside our facility and eliminated the interference of Nextel phone coverage. Special Events Members of the department provided a police presence at several functions throughout the City in 2009. Happy Days: Officers worked 139.5 hours during the weekend events at Happy Days. Officers provided traffic control for the annual 5K Run, parade and subsequent road closures, and provided foot and bike patrol throughout the event. The department also provided informational booths at the event. Safety Camp: The 8 th annual Kid's Safety Camp was held at the Rum River Boy Scout Camp, where the City hosted a record 177 area second and third graders. Safety topics that focus on preventing unintentional injuries and deaths were presented to the children. The City had 39 sponsors this year contributing over $12,000 in cash and approximately $4,000 of in -kind donations. Night to Unite: The crime prevention specialist coordinated, and the public safety units participated in the 1St annual Night to Unite event, formerly National Night Out. There were 50 registered events with over 2,700 participants from over 1,500 households. Fifty -nine (59) local businesses sponsored city- wide neighborhood celebrations. Forty (40) backpacks with school supplies were collected, including $150 in cash donations to purchase additional supplies, which were donated to Youth First to distribute to kids in the Ramsey program. Ninety -four (94) youth participated in the coloring contest and winners were selected from each age category. Bike Helmet & Car Seat Clinics: Three hundred -forty (340) people, mostly Ramsey residents, attended the department's bike helmet event, in partnership with Safe Kids Anoka County. A total of 200 helmets were sold and 35 existing helmets were fitted. In April, the department hosted the annual car seat clinic. Thirty (30) car seats were checked, with a 37% misuse rate (seats that were installed incorrectly when they arrived). Additionally, 21 individual car seat inspections were done outside of car seat clinics at the Ramsey Police Department, and approximately 12 inspections were done at other Safe Kids car seat clinics throughout the county. City of Ramsey Page 2009 Annual Report 23