HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2010-01-25 #Fql ii
DATE: January 25, 2010
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: David Carmany, City Manager
FROM: Jeffrey C. Kirkpatrick, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: SEAL BEACH DETENTION CENTER
OPERATIONS UPDATE
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
This report is designed to apprise the Seal Beach City Council of the Seal Beach
Detention Center's current - state -of- affairs. A key element of this report is
evidence that the Detention Center is operating within and below its budget. The
Center is consistently operating below budget.
BACKGROUND:
Previous reports to the City Council have highlighted the history of the Seal
Beach Detention Center (Center) prior to and following the 2006 revitalization
operation. Please refer to Council Agenda Reports for September 27, 2007,
December 31, 2008, and July 13, 2009.
This report will highlight progress made within the Center since the last report,
approximately six months ago. It continues to emphasize the Center and its safe
and healthy environment for employees, arrestees, inmates, our residential
neighbors, and its continued `low cost' operation.
During 2009, arrests continued to climb and crime stayed low. Our police
personnel continue to recognize that a "high quality of life" perception by our
public is the standard by which we measure our success. If our public feels
comfortable "walking the dog" at night then we have succeeded. Ride with our
officers on any evening and you will see folks walking their dogs at all hours!
Due to the skilled efforts of the Detention Center staff, our Police Officers are
able to quickly return to their field posts and resume patrol and answering calls -
for- service. We frequently receive public inquiry and comments to the effect that
it appears there are more officers on patrol than before, even though our
numbers remain the same as before.
Agenda Item F
Page 2
You will remember that in 2008 we had difficulty filling the cells with court
authorized pay -to -stay inmates due to the Center's previous disreputable
reputation. Realizing this, we launched a painfully open, honest, and direct
marketing campaign to change the courts' collective mindsets about the Seal
Beach Detention Center and prevailed. Today we enjoy a "full house" which
pays for itself.
One strategy to that end was to make a small Personnel shift within the Center,
based on lessons described by the courts. Following the termination of the
previous Center supervisor, we moved a Police Corporal from the Patrol Bureau
into the Detention Center to supervise the daily operations. The courts were
highly motivated by this personnel shift, as in their eyes the presence of a sworn
officer providing consistent oversight lent major credibility to our operation. We
did not replace the civilian position and now draw the officer's salary and benefits
from the Center's budget. My intent is to continue to use a sworn Police Corporal
to supervise the Center's day -to -day operations, as the judges like it and
continue to refer inmates our way because of it, thus keeping it full. An additional
benefit to this arrangement is that of expanded succession planning by providing
greater supervisory and managerial opportunities for our Corporal rank.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Police Department FY09 -10 approved budget for Detention Center
operations was $807,000. We have learned to run the Center efficiently;
therefore operating costs are projected to finish at approximately $728,842 by the
end of FY09 -10.
Revenue generated will be $679,203 based on current occupancy. Although this
figure reflects a very positive first year "in business," based on 'right -now' figures,
the Center will close the FY with a $49,639 deficit.
The Detention Center is `less costly' than expected and is close to running 'cost
neutral.' Beginning the first half of 2010 we will submit to the courts requests for
reimbursement of booking fee costs. The courts can lawfully demand restitution
to police departments for their processing costs (currently established at $284
per arrestee and within our most recent fee resolution). The Detention Center
processed 932 arrests in 2009, equating to a potential revenue source of up to
$262,132.
Page 3
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file this Agenda Report and
provide Staff direction regarding future Seal Beach Detention Center operations,
to include staying the course through the FY2009 -2011 budget, whereupon it will
again review Center operations assessing its cost effectiveness, and make
further recommendations.
SUBMITTED BY:
Z<f A
ff ey kpatrick,
Chief of Police
NOTED AND APPROVED:
David Carmany, City Manager