2015 CITIZENS TASK FORCE Sitka police Department

Challenges and Opportunities Crime Staffing Facility Working with good partners

Complex Crimes Illegal drugs =crimes that reduce livability. Heroin, meth, and prescription drugs. Domestic disputes and assualts-189 Sexual assault of minors-15 Cuts to DA office, Probation, and Jails 1 detective-occasionally 2

STAFFING Staffing shortages and turnover-Very expensive Sworn and civilian staffing cuts-from 21 officers to 17 Consistently below strength for both officers and staff It takes at least a year to recruit, hire and train an officer. Currently down 2 Dispatchers, 1 Jailer, and eliminated a Multi Service Officer. Opportunity cost Want to change the future of crime but can’t. Organizational health—Nature of the work and schedule=Attrition. Increased victimization People feel less safe

STAFFING 2014 Municipal Solutions Report Ketchikan—Pop. 8, officers—30.13% of Budget Wasilla----Pop. 8, officers % of Budget Sitka Pop. 9, officers---16% of budget Desired Strength 2 FTE -Records/evidence clerk/backup dispatcher 3 police officers-investigation/SRO/patrol 1 FTE Detention Officer

The Building Built in 1975 Home to multiple agencies and the Courts Substandard HVAC system Poor electrical system Not designed to be a police and jail facility

THE BUILDING 32.5 staff and many prisoners in 5000 square feet. Small and unsecure evidence storage Ex. -renting off-site storage -impound lot Not considered a community asset or space Municipal Solutions-propose a new one stop facility

PATROL AREA 17 officers and equipment in a small area Dark, cluttered, and inefficient unsecure-open to the jail No decontamination area No locker room facility 1 unisex toilet

PATROL AREA

SITKA JAIL 351 person days in October-days have been increasing Small space and no windows for prisoners Unsafe for staff and prisoners-Smuggling Unhealthy-Off site food pickup Used to house people with mental health problems-2 female cells Release people to make room

SITKA JAIL

DISPATCH-RECEPTION-RECORDS Small with no privacy Old technology-15 year old RMS Insufficient power back up Not secure-Open windows and back door Prisoners can hear radio transmissions Reception area is small and inadequately marked-unwelcoming

DISPATCH-RECEPTION-RECORDS

BREAKROOM AND EVIDENCE Small and inappropriate mixed use Kitchen space shared with evidence prep and storage Not healthy or clean Eat your sandwich next to heroin and body fluids

BREAKROOM AND EVIDENCE

ADMINISTRATIVE AREA Not secure or private Storage converted to office space 1 interview room Roll call room-storage room-TWIC-meeting space limited IT space

ADMINISTRATIVE AREA

Finally: There are great things happening! Partnerships with remarkable people Sitkans Against Family Violence Sitka Tribe of Alaska Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services Sitka Fire--Search and Rescue HOPE Coalition