Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety to amend the existing contract with the Community Crime Patrol, Inc. to assist the Division of Police in identifying suspicious activities indicative of criminal behavior and reporting them to the division. Current activities of the patrollers occur in Hilltop, Franklinton, Merion Southwood, the Ohio State University area and on several multi-use trails around the City.
Councilmembers Ginther and Boyce sponsored an amendment to the 2007 operating budget to expand services. This ordinance provides funds to expand operations in certain neighborhoods. Specifically, $283,000 is provided to continue the expansion in Franklinton that Council funded in 2006 ($125,000); to enhance bike path coverage ($10,000); to accommodate inflation, the agency's first such adjustment in 7 years ($50,000); and expand coverage in the Hilltop ($57,000) and in Merion Village ($41,000).
This legislation is presented as an emergency so that expanded patrol services can commence at the soonest practicable time to enhance neighborhood safety.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds to amend this contract are budgeted within the Public Safety Initiatives fund pursuant to a City Council amendment earlier this year.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $283,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund and to authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to amend the existing contract with the Community Crime Patrol, Inc to provide citizen patrollers to assist the Division of Police in the control and prevention of crime in certain neighborhoods, and to authorize the expenditure of $283,000.00 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($283,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Community Crime Patrol, Inc. program is a proven successful collaboration with the City that uses citizen patrollers to assist the Division of Police in identifying suspicious activities indicative of criminal behavior and reporting them, thus aiding in the control and prevention of crime in neighborhoods and greenway trails; and
WHEREAS, City Council amended the 2007 budget to expand the program and directs the Public Safety Director to amend the existing contract with Community Crime Patrol, Inc. for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to amend the existing contract with Community Crime Patrol, Inc. to expand the program into new areas for the preservation of the public peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $283,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, 016, to the Public Safety Director, Department No. 30-01, OL One 03, OL Three 3337, OCA Code 300116.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized to amend the existing contract with Community Crime Patrol, Inc. for the purpose of providing citizen patrollers to assist the Division of Police in the identification and reporting of suspicious activity in certain Columbus neighborhoods; the contract period being March 1, 2007 through February 28, 2008.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $283,000.00, or so much thereof as necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Public Safety, the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, fund 016, Public Safety Director, Department No. 30-01, OL One 03, OL Three 3337, OCA Code 300116.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.