In an effort to decrease the tax burden on Village of Perry residents, one measure the Board took was to cut the hours of its overnight police patrols.
According to village Mayor Rick Hauser, the board is tasked with “continually scrutinizing” where taxpayer money is going. They look at management of personnel issues and resources, and assessing the best balance in terms of budget and other priorities.
“For a whole host of reasons, we as a board are committed to keeping our tax rate under control. We've sent a consistent message for years that we are not only fiscally healthy, but fiscally vigilant,” Hauser said. “We continue to invest strategically in our infrastructure, in economic development, and in ways that leverage outside funds in order to grow the village’s tax base and prosperity in the long-term, and to maintain the services we all expect in the village.”
The tax rate in the village has been flat or decreased for the past six years. This year’s budget includes a one percent overall decrease in the village tax rate. The decrease is due to cost control measures outside of the police department.
In an effort to curb costs, the board revisited recommendation from a 2006 Administrative Study of the Perry Police Department. The report was prepared by Police Management Services and looked into the need for 24/7 coverage for a village the size of Perry. While the report calculates a “consistent, demonstrated demand” for police coverage, during the night shift of .14 officers – less than one – the village is mandated by the police contract to have at lease two officers on duty for those hours.
“The report actually goes much further,” Hauser said. “It strongly recommended the elimination of the night shift completely, and noting two other agencies – the county and the state police – that could handle the average one call per night. It lays out several scenarios, including the option of contracting with the county for patrols of the village during times when we do not have officers on, noting the savings that would result.”
While the village may have to rely more on both the Sheriff’s Department and State Police in the overnight hours, according to Sheriff Gregory Rudolph no additional patrols will be scheduled. However, the departments will continue with their “closest car” policy – whichever agency is closest to the call responds – to cover the county, including the village of Perry.
The Perry Police Department’s new schedule comprises roughly 192 hours of coverage per week – there are 168 hours in a week. The Perry Police Department has four full-time officers, which constitutes 160 hours per week, and nine part-time officers to pick up the remaining 32 hours – according to the new schedule. According to Hauser, fewer part-time officer hours will be scheduled and that is where the taxpayers will see the reduction in cost.
By way of comparison, the Warsaw, Attica, and Arcade police departments have officers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 day a year. The Warsaw department has five full-time and seven part-time officers; Arcade has five full-time and five part-time officers; and Attica employs four full-time and 10 part-time officers. The Attica department also employs three school crossing guards during the school year. While each department has variances in how they cover their village, each provides 24-hour police protection. Additionally, each department, including Perry, is funded by village taxpayers.
According to the Village of Perry Web site, as of 2011 (the most recent data shown) the total number of calls for service were 3,408. There were 66 vehicle accidents – four with injuries and one fatal – and 116 domestic issues. There were also 873 summons issued and 543 criminal offenses. Additionally, there were 31 arrests resulting in felony charges, 124 arrests resulting in misdemeanor charges, and 42 arrests for violations.
“The board considers the new schedule a modest and responsible adjustment,” Hauser said. “We also recognize there may be other ways to achieve the same goals. And we appreciate that when it comes to public safety, any changes to the status quo can lead to anxiety and to reasonable disagreements about the best approach.”
Police officers worked together to develop an alternate schedule that would keep the department open on a 24/7 basis and provide local police coverage at all times. The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Perry Police Department Unit president and vice president then approached members of the village police committee and asked them to consider the alternate schedule. On Wednesday, board members Terry Murphy and Anita Billings met with CSEA union officials to discuss the revised schedule. At is stands now, the parties continue to work toward a solution that will restore around-the-clock local police coverage in Perry.
“When the village (originally) posted the revised schedule, officers immediately became concerned that the people of Perry would be left without local police coverage during the overnight hours,” said CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Lynn Miller. “Perry police officers know the village and its residents well. They serve the public every day through their responsive and effective work.”
“The board salutes the police department and officers, and we also feel strongly about the importance of a solid police presence,” Hauser said. “The village board and residents expect and appreciate a high standard of performance by our department.”
Since Monday, village officials have met with officers to discuss the schedule and are working cooperatively on ways to improve the schedule while keeping the board’s broader concerns in mind.
“A police schedule has to take many things into consideration, and I believe this is a good start,” Hauser said. “With the board and our police department working together in good faith as we continue to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of staffing and scheduling in the police department, I am confident we’ll arrive at the right place.”