1999 CAFR - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC SAFETY During 1999, the staffing level remained at 15 sworn officers in the Police Department. The Department responded to 7,535 incidents in 1999, compared to 7,916 for 1998. For the two years, this activity is broken down into the following categories: 1999 1998 Traffic/Driving Under Influence/Accidents 1,328 1,473 Burglary 88 70 Domestics/Animal Complaints/ 5,096 5,321 Neighborhood Complaints Motorist Aid/Lockouts/Alarms 844 904 Gun Permits/Other Licenses and Permits 179 148 The department formed aten-member Volunteer Public Safety Aide Unit whose members were trained at the Anoka County Reserve Officer Academy during October and November of 1998. These volunteers are being utilized to assist in organizing the Neighborhood Watch program, assist with youth activities at Ramsey Elementary, and other service functions that do not require a licensed police officer. During 1999, the public safety aides contributed 3,100 hours of volunteer time. A Ramsey patrol officer taught the 17-week Drug Awareness and Resistence Education (D.A.R.E.) to 210 Ramsey Elementary students during the 1998-1999 school year. The 31 member Fire Department responded to 362 fire incidents of which 101 were personal injury accidents. This compares to 1998 totals of 351 and 103, 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 Department 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, Ramsey purchased a parcel of land at County Road 116 and Armstrong Boulevard which will be the site of a second fire station in the City. Improved response times that result from a second fire station will be used in the re-evaluation of Ramsey's insurance rating. A lower rating may result in lower property insurance premiums. 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 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. -ix-