My view: Three-year plan good but needs critical eye

Carmichael Domínguez |

5/4/2008 - 5/4/08

The city of Santa Fe is relatively safe. Of course, issues with crime exist, and the Santa Fe Police Department is faced with challenges. Our community is reasonably safe because of the perseverance demonstrated by current SFPD officers. When the SFPD presented its analytical data, it was obvious that the SFPD has not been able to keep up with the growth of the city. The prospect of annexation presents a problem given this data. In order for our community to remain safe, we need more police officers.

I am interested in two components regarding the proposed SFPD three-year plan: funding and priorities. The plan lists four revenue-generating sources to fund additional positions. One, the most secure funding source in the proposal, is a gradual property tax increase over three years. Two is a red-light camera program. Granted, the more red lights people run the more money the program generates. Three recommends various police grants, yet research shows that grant funding eventually runs out and comes with a myriad of stipulations. Four is the reallocation of a few of the city's general-fund positions to the SFPD.

I support hiring more police officers, however, I am interested in how the positions will be paid for. I do not believe the public should be responsible for supplying the majority of the additional revenue. We owe it to the public to be as efficient an organization as possible so that the SFPD is as functional and effective. This way the priorities established by the community can be addressed. This is one of the reasons why I support the Finance Committee's directive to have staff look for efficiencies within their departments.

Community-driven priorities are absent from the proposed plan. With the increase of officers, the SFPD will be able to respond to calls quicker and spend more time being proactive. What priorities have been established to help create a safer community? These priorities need to be presented in detail in order for the public to measure the results of the increases to their property taxes.

As a city councilor, I have focused on giving our young people an active voice in our community. There is an evident disconnect between young people and the police department. The proposed three-year plan does not address young people and their unique culture in relation to public safety. I am prepared to ask the governing body to request that the SFPD implement youth engagement officers and that these positions be established and funded during the first year of the program. I envision that these officers will assist the community in managing truancy and gang-related activity, amongst other things.

Currently, the three-year plan calls for one additional gang officer in the second year of the plan. I believe that this position is needed, however youth engagement officers are essential and must be a funding priority.

It is important that the SFPD establishes relationships with young people, to help hold them accountable, and to engage with them in their activities. It is equally important that police officers are trained to engage with our youth. A Santa Fe Police Department that is quick to respond to crime and has the resources to become proactive in the community through youth engagement will disburse dividends in the future, creating a community that places as much emphasis on our youth as we do on historic preservation.

Please join me in thinking critically about the proposed three-year plan so that together we can build an even safer and more sustainable community.

With citizen input and suggestions for subsidy sources and public safety priorities, we can build the Santa Fe we all want to live in.

Carmichael Domínguez is a District 3 Santa Fe city councilor.