1997 CAFR - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Public Safety During 1997, the staffing level increased to 15 sworn officers in the Police Department. The Department responded to 7,721 incidents in 1997, compared to 7,682 for 1996. For the two years, this activity is broken down into the following categories: 1~ .~2Z Traffic/Driving Under Influence/Accidents 1,223 1,090 Burglary 75 84 Domestics/Animal Complaints/Neighborhood Complaints 5,373 5,621 Motorist Aid/Lockouts/Alarms 855 791 Gun Permits/Other Licenses and Permits 156 135 The Police Department spent its first year in its new building, located directly behind City Hall. Ramsey's first Chief of Police retired in February after 23 years with the City. His replacement, who also joined the department when it was formed in 1974 and attained the rank of sergeant, was appointed in April. A Ramsey patrol officer taught the 17-week Drug Awareness and Resistence Education (D.A.R.E.) to 180 Ramsey Elementary students during the 1996-97 school year. More than 400 children participated in the seventh annual Becky Weiss Memorial Bike Road-eo in May. Emergencies are routine to public safety agencies, but 1997 brought special challenges. When the Bower's area was flooded in the spring, the Police Department responded, along with employees of Public Works and Engineering. Several high school students also assisted in helping to fill and distribute 12,000 sand bags. The City also participated in a five-week assistance program for flood stricken East Grand Forks, North Dakota, by sending an officer to offer assistance for one week. On July 1, a severe storm damaged property, interrupted utilities and blocked roads with fallen trees. Again, the Police, Fire, and Public Works departments responded. Late in 1997, the Police Department received a $1,000 State of Minnesota grant to assist with snowmobile enforcement. The 26 member Fire Department responded to 330 fire incidents of which 92 were personal injury accidents. This compazes to 1996 totals of 296 and 81, respectively, and 248 and 81 for 1995. 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, plans aze underway to construct a second fire station in the City. The new station will be located in the azea of Central Park at 161st Avenue and Armstrong. 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. vi