2001 CAFR - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC SAFETY During 2001, the staffing level was maintained at 17 sworn officers in the Police Department. The Department responded to 9,036 incidents in 2001, compared to 7,984 for 2000. For the two years, this activity is broken down into the following categories: 2001 2000 Traffic Arrests 1,227 884 Motor Vehicle Accidents 437 387 Domestics/Animal Complaints/Neighborhood Complaints 7,343 6,584 Impounded Animals 29 129 The department structure changed slightly during 2001. A second investigator position was authorized to assist with juvenile issues and to work in the elementary school to fulfill the terms of a grant from the Anoka County Children and Family Council. A full-time Community Service Officer position was added during 2001. This position expanded the Crime Watch Program and implemented a tobacco enforcement/education program. More than 550 fifth grade Ramsey Elementary students were beneficiaries of the newly established Parents, Educators, and Police Program, entitled "P.E.P. Rally". One of the components of this program is a child identification system whereby students are electronically fingerprinted and digitally photographed. The City received its second consecutive national award for outstanding participation in National Night Out. The 30 member Fire Department responded to 320 fire incidents, of which 97 were personal injury accidents. This compares to totals in 2000 of 372 and 97, respectively. Both the Police and Fire Departments are dispatched through the Anoka County Communications Center, which saves the community significant expense in operational costs. Police Depai tinent jailing is also handled by Anoka County, as is a portion of crime investigation. In recognition of the increasing population, demand for service, and the geographic size of the City, the City of Ramsey completed the construction of a second fire station in March, 2001. The station, located at 15050 Armstrong Boulevard, is temporarily being used as the City Council Chambers. ACCOUNTING SYSTEM, INTERNAL, AND BUDGETARY CONTROLS The City's accounting system is organized and operated on a fund basis. Each fund or account group is a distinct, self -balancing accounting entity. The various funds and account groups utilized by the City are described in Note 1 of the financial statements. All funds are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental entities. Accounting and bookkeeping for all City activities are centralized under the Finance Department. The responsibility for financial records, maintaining internal controls, and preparing financial and budgetary reports is delegated to this department. Internal controls are designed to ensure that the assets of the City are protected from loss, theft or misuse, and to ensure that adequate accounting data is compiled to allow for the presentation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Internal controls are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that these objectives are met. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes that: (1) the cost of a control should not exceed the benefits likely to be derived; and (2) the valuation of costs and benefits requires estimates and judgements by management. ix