Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/03/2006

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Department Forecasts 16 As the corridor develops, traffic enforcement will become a high priority as it has in virtually all of the Twin Cities. The doubling of the population in Ramsey and the development of the entertainment and commercials sites that attract people from outside the community will effect the perceptions and life style of every citizen. The pressure on the City to control the traffic will be significant. As with the commercial development the characteristics of the housing stock will also impact police work. Characteristics and volumes of calls from rental property differ from the calls received from owner occupied housing. In many metro communities the police have begun to work with rental property owners to qualify and track housing applicants, especially those with a history of problems. As the city continues its high quality customer service approach it can expect that the police department will be asked to increase its prevention efforts in new and larger communities of interest. Demographics The age of the city's population will also shape the personality of the department. Older populations tend to generate more health-related emergency calls. Populations with school age and adolescent children tend to have higher property crime rates. The projections for Ramsey are that the community will attract families with children. Many cities dedicate police reserves to activities and associations that allow for police contact with younger populations. Police - school liaison programs, safety camps, neighborhood watch groups and "Community Policing" strategies are examples of this effort. Perceptions of community safety are often times driven by the contact residents have with the police outside of their regulatory function. Strategies to increase those efforts will be important for Ramsey's future. The cultural, racial and economic diversity of the metropolitan area has increased as the population has grown. Many Police Departments are experiencing the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity that was not apparent 10 to 15 years ago. Language resources other than English are required for many departments to effectively operate in this environment. Training and staffing will be impacted by these conditions. Philosophy Finally, the factor of "Policing Philosophy" should be addressed. The City of Ramsey's Police Department will be a reflection of the decisions the City Council makes on level and quality of service. Will the department answer all calls received, or just certain categories? Will a "Community Policing" approach be the emphasis? How active are the police expected to be outside their normal regulatory duties? These questions will shape the size and nature of the Police Department and should be part of the city's future planning efforts. City of Ramsey — Organization Study and Review