Sorry, we don't have the attendance list.

The Precinct 4 Community Oriented Policing and Government group (COPS) met at the Precinct 4 Headquarters on Thursday, April 26, 2007.  Bob Oertel called the meeting to order at 5:33pm and led us through introductions.

Bob Oertel discussed a meeting with Chief Anderson, Commander Sansom, and other JPD and city staff regarding the city's focus and strategy for community policing and National Night Out. NWA.  Bob stressed the importance of neighborhood participation August 7.  A few issues pointed out from meeting:

1. Kick-off events will be more centralized within precincts; brochures when COPS meetings are; quality of life phone numbers; Directory of city offices & employees and schedule of city council meetings
2. Representation and participation from other city officials is desperately needed for the COPS program to be successful

Public Awareness
Each precinct is allotted 2 radars—Precinct 4 has 1 operating radar and 1 broken—officers are paying for repairs out of their own pocket.  On May 23rd, municipal court judge dismissed all traffic violations in court.  Name was not provided, but dismissal is on public record

Recruitment
JPD officers do not pay social security; therefore do not receive social security—tough to recruit.
15 eligible officers awaiting police academy—Traditional minimum of 25 for class.
One obstacle is that job fairs cost $150/fair; and the salary JPD offers is not in accordance with other municipalities or careers.

Record Keeping—trying to install computers in 100 police vehicles for $1.5 million

Commander:  Proposal to the city for a $5 hotel occupancy tax which would raise $8 million in fees & taxes.  Similar cities maintain such a tax for emergency or first responders.  Precinct 4 has 8 officers per shift, per day from Fondren location.

601-960-1234—city-wide informational line
601-960-1591—precinct 4
601-960-1453 or 601-960-1454—front desk of precinct 4

NEXT MEETING:

Our next meeting will be the fourth Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 5:30PM.