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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 05 - Police Substation Plan Page 1 Staff Report City of San Bernardino Request for Council Action Date: March 18, 2020 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members From: Teri Ledoux, City Manager By:Eric McBride, Acting Chief of Police Subject: Police Substation Plan Recommendation It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, approve the Police Substation Plan as outlined in this report. Background On February 20, 2019, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-29, adopting the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Program philosophy, which is defined by the U.S. Department of Justice as “a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships an d problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime”. The San Bernardino Police Department has since reorganized to facilitate the COPPS philosophy. This includes the creation of five geographic area commands designed to improve the quality of life and meet community needs in those areas. The current base of operation for area command staff is the San Bernardino Police Department’s Central Station located in the City’s downtown. On November 6, 2019, the Mayor and City Council were presented with a staff report to include a review and discussion of police substations for the COPPS Program; and, more specifically, a proposal from the Macerich Company, property manager and operator of the Inland Center Mall, to lease space for a police substation at the Inland Center Mall. Macerich offered to build a police substation within the mall and lease it to the City for a cost of $1 per year. On January 15, 2020, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020 -12, which authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement to lease a space for a police substation at the Inland Center Mall according to the terms of the lease agreement; additionally, it authorized the Director of Finance to appropriate $20,000 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund Balance into the FY 2019/20 adopted budget. Discussion As part of its long-term strategy to fully implement the COPPS philosophy, the Police 6649 Page 2 Department intends to operate substations in all five policing districts. However, given current budget constraints, doing so will not be feasible in the near term. At present, the police substation planned for the Inland Center Mall will provide added police presence and logistical support of Southern District police personnel. However, this substation will not be open to the public until additional community service officer positions are funded. In prioritizing expansion, it is the Department’s intent to seek funding for personnel to operate the Inland Center Mall substation prior to opening additional locations. Beyond that, substation priorities will be determined based on individual district needs in conjunction with emerging opportunities. As with the Inland Center Mall, where the property owner offered $1 annual leasing, paid electricity, and several hundred thousand dollars in tenant improvements, the Department will consider similar offers if presented by other property owners at locations of strategic value. Proposed Plan for Police Substations: In conjunction with the annual budget process, the Police Department will make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding substation placement in the five geographic areas established by the COPPS Program. Provided adequate funding is available for staffing and that financial opportunities are made available to the City to fund substation costs, the goal will be to add one per year. Additional substations will not be proposed unless and until they can be staffed and open to the public. 2020-2025 Key Strategic Targets and Goals The goal of opening and staffing additional police substations aligns with Key Target No. 3: Improved Quality of Life. Improving the effectiveness of the San Bernardino Police Department via substations will enable the City to enhance the quality of service to City residents and businesses. Fiscal Impact No General Fund appropriation is required for this action. Conclusion It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, approve the Police Substation Plan as outlined in this report. Attachments None Ward: All Synopsis of Previous Council Actions: November 6, 2019 Mayor and City Council authorized the City Manager to discuss with Macerich Company the possibility of them covering the cost of utilities for the proposed substation. 6649 Page 3 January 15, 2020 Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-12, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement to lease a space for a police substation at the Inland Center Mall according to the terms of the lease.