In this new reality in which we find ourselves
– after two years of declining revenue and increasing costs – it
behooves the city to look at all options of saving money while
providing the best, most efficient service for those dollars
spent.
In this new reality in which we find ourselves – after two years of declining revenue and increasing costs – it behooves the city to look at all options of saving money while providing the best, most efficient service for those dollars spent.
So, the idea of contracting the city’s police department to another agency is an idea worth exploring.
The idea, most recently floated by the Morgan Hill Police Officer’s Association as a way to help the city close a $2 million budget deficit – and yes, let’s not kid ourselves, to save threatened union jobs – could save the city money in the long run. How much money is up for debate, and that’s why the city council voted to begin the process of requesting proposals for police services. The request includes the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office, the city of Gilroy and the city of San Jose, and Morgan Hill City Manager Ed Tewes has sent each jurisdiction a letter notifying them that the city may soon ask for a proposal.
But even if Morgan Hill can save money by giving up its police department, it’s such an important decision that the community should be allowed input before the city council determines what to do.
Having an autonomous police department preserves the city’s control of law enforcement within its boundaries, and ensures local officers work with residents, schools and business owners to prevent and solve crime, Police Chief Bruce Cumming said.
“People need to put more than a dollar figure on this issue,” he said. “I can’t imagine the city would want to give up control of its police department to save a few bucks.”
If the city requests a proposal from the sheriff, it will be presented with a “menu” listing all the possible services offered by county law enforcement, and the city council could check which services it wants. So, the city should form a committee of leaders to study the issue, not just a hired consultant who will crunch numbers. The consultant should be a facilitator, much like the one hired to find school superintendent candidates. The facilitator met with dozens of groups to learn what type of candidate the community was looking for.
The same should be done here. What items does the community want from that “menu”? Do we want local officers working the streets as opposed to sheriff deputies who may not be as familiar with the city? Is it important in terms of pride and prestige and what value do we put on that? It is important to place a value on those intangibles, as well as any savings the city might find.
Until the study is done and we decide as a community what police services are important, the numbers don’t mean a thing.
But, it would be financially irresponsible not to dig deeper.
