Commitment to Public Safety in Our Homes and Neighborhoods

MAYOR REA TOUTS PUBLIC SAFETY EXPERIENCE AND PLANNING; SAYS HE’S BEST CHOICE FOR MISHAWAKA MAYOR

Mayor Jeff Rea today released information about why he believes he is the best choice for Mishawaka Mayor. Rea cited his experience and results oriented record as why he has the best plan for public safety.

 Mayor Rea commented “All candidates talk about being tough on crime and providing essential public safety services. We are actually doing it.  We have a real plan that is making a difference in our community. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to continuing to implement our plan for protecting and serving the citizens of Mishawaka. I’m excited about the work my team and I have done and the difference we are making in Mishawaka. Our work has resulted in lower crime rates and a more efficient delivery of services. Our work though has only started though, and I am hoping for an opportunity to build upon the successes we’ve had these first four years.”

 Our track record based on the year end results of 2006 include: 

• Only one homicide in the past three years. 
• Rape significantly dropped in 2006 to almost half of what it was in 2005. 
• The three lowest number of incidents of burglary per year in the last 10 years occurred in 2004, 2005, and 2006. 
• Larceny is at its lowest level in 10 years.
• The only significant increase that occurred in the last four years is assaults, and the reason that increase occurred is because we changed the way it is reported to be more inclusive. 
• The four lowest number of incidents for auto theft in the last 10 years occurred in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. 
• Arson in 2006 was consistent with the 10 year average.
• The number of incidents of violence has consistently dropped since 2004 with over 150 fewer cases being reported in 2006 than were reported in 1999.
• Traffic accidents in the City were down 9.7% between 2005 and 2006.  Over a hundred fewer people were injured as a result of this decrease.
• These statistics are even more dramatic when you consider the decrease in the number of incidents relative to the continued growth of the City in that same time.  

Rea added “Unlike my opponent, I feel that there is no one single solution to meeting our public safety needs. Instead, it requires a comprehensive plan that deals with a number of factors. I believe I am the only candidate with that plan. It includes:

 ·        Committing the City Budget for Public Safety

Mayor Rea has committed to spending more city tax dollars on public safety than on any other department. To put it in perspective, the City annually collects around $21.5 Million in property tax receipts and spends $22.5 Million annually on delivering Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services to our citizens. In addition, under Mayor Rea’s leadership, $12 million has been committed to a new public safety communications system, which includes mobile data technology (laptop computers in cars), a new records management system, and computer aided dispatch. Once implemented, Mishawaka will have the most state of the art system of any public service agency in the area. Also, Mayor Rea has committed resources to purchase three new fire trucks during his term ($400,000+ each), a new ambulance ($150,000), and new police cars ($600,000).  The Police firing range has also been renovated ($230,000).

 ·        Constant Evaluation of Our Staffing Levels

Maintaining our public safety is the most important job of the Mayor.  Every year I have served as Mayor I have made hard decisions on where and how to cut the budget eliminating 60 positions from the City payroll.  In that time, I have not reduced any shift strength from either the police or fire departments.  I also know that many factors contribute to crime and safety, and that placing a police officer on every corner would not eliminate crime.  It is not practical in the era of increasing property taxes, shrinking budgets, and crime rates that are actually improving to add officers.  Yes, our police and fire departments will need to be expanded as the City grows, however, this needs to be evaluated based on crime levels, the number of runs, and what we can afford.

 ·        Neighborhood Oriented Policing

During my tenure I have made a point of appointing a police chief with a foundation in neighborhood policing.  Neighborhood policing has officers assigned to work with neighborhood leaders and community groups to get involved and help prevent crime.  Over the next four years I plan to move more of our existing resources to focus on neighborhood policing.  My opponent, by proposing to add more patrol officers feels that more emphasis should be placed on reacting to crime, rather than preventing it.   

 ·        Relying on Technology

In 2005 the City started the process of purchasing a new digital Citywide Communication System to replace the antiquated analog radio system.  This system, in addition to hand held radios, provides for adding high performance data transmissions.  This component of the system allows us to add laptop computers to patrol cars, use computer aided dispatch with integration to the City Geographic Information System, and incorporate records management software that allows for field based reporting.  Once implemented in 2008, this will increase the efficiency of every patrol officer without adding additional staff.

 ·        Prudent Budget Decisions- Restrictions on Take Home Cars

Every budget has challenges and requires the Mayor to establish priorities.  When faced with where to cut the City budget I made the decision to limit the use of take home police cars only to travel back and forth to work, and restrict them from being used for personal use.  This saved tens of thousand of dollars in gasoline and wear on the cars.  This was done understanding that over half of our officers live outside the City limits.  My opponent feels that the personal use of patrol cars is a good way to prevent crime.

 ·        Laptop Computers Available to Every Officer

Putting laptop computers in Police Cars has been a priority of My administration that will be implemented following training in 2008.  However, when faced with the cost of placing rugged laptop computers in every car at one time at a cost of $5,000 a piece, we chose to use docking stations and phase in the purchase to start with to make them available for every officer on duty.   Placing them in every car at one time and not phasing the purchase would have required hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional expenses.  This was done in part being cognizant of the ever changing technology.  By phasing in the purchase for every car over time, we ultimately phase in the replacements that will be needed down the road while at the same time have the ability to keep pace with current technology.  My opponent feels that laptops should be provided in every car now, not just the ones on duty. 

 ·        Providing things to do for Our Children

Another factor that is a deterrent to crime and mischief is providing activities for our youth.  During my tenure as Mayor we have added three splash pads in parks, expanded the riverwalk, created a free summer concert series, and expanded Summerfest.  These improvements and programs not only increase our quality of life, they help to deter crime by keeping kids busy.

 ·        Education, Partnering with Schools

Education is one of the best tools we have to provide awareness and promote a crime free community.  My administration has maintained the program to provide two school resource officers.  These officers conduct short-term educational projects such as speaking to classes, parents, and school staff.  The officers also initiate and follows up on cases that happen on and off school property. We have promoted the DARE program to help educate kids on the hazards of drug use.  Another program we proudly support is our child passenger safety program insuring the proper installation of car seats in vehicles.  In 2006 alone, we sponsored 32 car safety clinics. 

 ·        Getting rid of blighted properties and increasing code enforcement

A City can have a police officer on every corner, but it wouldn’t be as effective at preventing crime in some areas as eliminating some blighted properties that serve as a harbor for the predators of our community.  During my administration we have stepped up code enforcement to make sure our properties are kept up, we have acquired and demolished some the worst homes in the City that were neglected for decades, and we even partnered with a local developer to remove a dilapidated mobile home park that consistently was a problem area for the police.  An ounce of well placed prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

 ·        Road and infrastructure improvements

Under my administration, the number of vehicle accidents have dropped.  This is due to a number of factors including increased enforcement and awareness programs such as Click It or Ticket, saturation patrol blitzes, and DUI taskforce work.  This is also due to a concentrated effort to fix problem intersections and provide road improvements necessary to move traffic.  Notable examples include adding a left turn lane at the intersection of Byrkit and 12^th Street, widening Main Street intersections to provide duel left turning movements, and requiring developers to make improvements like the right turn lane on McKinley Avenue in from of Walgreens at Main Street.

Rea added “Protecting and serving the public will continue to be a top priority in my administration.  I have a proven track record of promoting crime prevention and neighborhood oriented policing rather than the reactionary approach suggested by my opponent.  I feel that made a difference that is apparent in our decreasing crime statistics.  We can’t eliminate crime, but we can continue to take the most cost effective steps to reduce the rate and keep our neighborhoods safe and clean.”

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