Due to the Fraternal Order of Police's current request for $1 million in EDIT revenue to temporarily fund an additional 10 officers and 2 crime scene investigators, there have been a lot of figures thrown around concerning proper police officer staffing levels.
Here's a look at some comparative numbers, taken from the FBI's 2007 Crime in the United States:
Officer staffing levels are most often shown as a ratio, the number of officers per 1,000 inhabitants.
New Albany: 1.8 officers per 1,000.
National (for cities with populations between 25,000 and 49,999): 1.8 officers per 1,000.
There are 806 cities reported in this category nationally. The largest group, 283 cities (35.1%), have staffing ranges between 1.5 and 2.0 officers per 1,000 inhabitants. The second largest group, 231 cities (28.7%), have staffing ranges between 1.1 and 1.5 officers per 1,000.
Midwest (for cities with populations between 25,000 and 49,999): 1.7 officers per 1,000.
Nine Indiana cities with populations between 30,000 and 40,000 were reported. They show a broad range of 49 to 114 officers employed. New Albany was reported as having 66 officers for 36,840 inhabitants. The two closest cities in population reported, Portage (36,701) and Richmond (37,129), show 58 and 77 officers employed, respectively.
Jeffersonville: 1.9 officers per 1,000.
Clarksville: 1.6 officers per 1,000.
Have at it.
Don't you know that you aren't supposed to publicly post your research? That's what the self proclaimed "little people" say. It's not nice to share.
ReplyDeleteEnough of that.
Nice to see some counterbalancing statistics. Of course, they are still just statistics. I'm not totally convinced of the benefit and not even close to convinced of paying for it through EDIT funds. Since I know of no other way to pay for it(at this time), I would have to say the case for 10 additional officers and 2 evidence techs is far from compelling.
Actually, from the talks that I have had with some officers, I think the evidence techs are more needed. I believe that we have only one.
Some considerations -
ReplyDelete1. The elusive DOJ guidelines (which I hope someone will locate and post) allegedly recommend a higher ratio of police to population - i.e. the fact that we are about the same as everyone else doesn't necessarily mean we are adequately policed.
2. I am guessing crime has risen since 2007, so 1.8 per 1000 doesn't go as far as it did in 2007.
3. 1.8 per 1000 might work well in some areas and not so well in others. For example, our large numer of public housing units and proximity to Louisville might create policing problems Richmond doesn't have.
Another thought:
Should we separate the "we need more cops" issue from the "we need to restructure the police department" issue?
I understand that restructuring the police department would probably free up more existing police power. On the flip side, if we need more officers on the streets now, hiring them provides more protection and cushions any tough restructuring plan.
Or, should we link hiring more officers to police restructuring? I am interested to hear from folks who have spent a lot more time on this issue than I have.
IF we were to go by statistics, which state that New Albany falls well below the national average on violent crimes (forcable rape, murder, aggrevated assualt), then those stats would tell us we do not need the additional officers.
ReplyDeleteHowever, looking at the non-violent crime data from REPorted data collected from the FBI, New Albany nearly doubles the national average in buglary, theft, and arson. All property crimes combined we are well above the national average. (in 2005 there were a reported 2331 property crimes, the trend was decreasing, but more than likely has risen dramatically since 05) (FBI SAC shows a 2.4% increase nation wide since 05)
Does this information alone show a need for an additional 10 officers and ETU's, not in and of itself.
Though I am pro police, more information needs to be released, such as average run response times, what time of day receives the most calls for police assistance, how many veteran officers are getting ready to retire,ETC.
As Mark had stated, a restructuring of the department may free up manpower to add more officers to the streets.
Do I think we need more officers, personally I do, maybe 2 more officers per shift, and definately an ETU per shift, making the total of 8 Officers.
Christopher,
ReplyDeleteActually, Jeff has been and Brandon did above, mentioning the restructuring(although I do agree). They are smarter than me.
I'm better looking.
Oops... my bad!
ReplyDeletePerhaps some people would view the NAPD's plight with more sympathy if they wouldn't do things like this: http://www.news-tribune.net/floydcounty/local_story_185014552.html
ReplyDelete