"some guy from mapledale" posted a question on the previous post asking what are the program areas in the 2007 Cleveland budget that increased 10% or more from 2006. Here they are:
City Council - 18%
Clerk of Courts - 46%
Office of Mayor - 30%
Public Safety - Directors Office - 15%
Public Safety - Dog Pound - 23%
Community Relations - 28%
Public Service - Administration - 28%
Parks/Recreation/Properties - Director's Office - 13%
Parks/Recreation/Properties - Recreation - 12%
Parks/Recreation/Properties - Parking Facilities - 12%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Community Dev. - Director's Office - 25%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Community Dev. - Admin. Services - 21%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Community Dev. - Neighborhood Dev. - 16%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Building & Housing - Code Enforcement - 11%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Regulatory Boards/Commissions - Zoning Appeals - 27%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Regulatory Boards/Commissions - Landmarks Commission - 17%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Economic Development - 107%
Urban Planning/Dev. - Equal Opportunity - 14%
Urban Planning/Dev. - City Planning Commission - 13%
Consumer Affairs - 50%
Aging - 46%
Finance - Director's Office - 71%
Finance - Assessments/Licenses - 32%
Finance - Purchases & Supplies - 21%
Finance - Internal Audit - 18%
Finance - I.T. Services - 47%
Finance - I.T. & Planning - 28%
Finance - Financial Reporting & Control - 37%
Office of Management & Budget - 24%
I don't know about y'all, but these program areas seem to be heavy on administration and very light on anything that provides additional direct services to the taxpaying citizens of Cleveland. Maybe there is a justification for these increases in these areas, but we need to ask for it from our elected city leaders.
The scary thing for me is that the Mayor's Estimate that City Council uses to review the budget does not contain these percentage increases -- I had to calculate these numbers myself. Want to guess how many of our City Council folks to the time to do this on their own?
CEP
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
How to Pay for More Police Without More Taxes
I recently posted here that I would be willing to pay more taxes for more police protection. There were some comments regarding an unwillingness to pay any more taxes, and I just want to say that I agree with those comments completely.
So, I spent some time crunching 2007 Cleveland Budget numbers in a spreadsheet program and came up with the following scenarios based on an assumption that the complete cost per new police officer is approximately $50,000 per officer by the time you include benefits and other externalities. This may seem low to some folks, but the increase in the number of officers will offset some overtime numbers for the current officers. Anyway, this is NOT A SCIENTIFIC EXERCISE, only a rough guess with regard to the cost per officer. But, realistically, I don't think I could be off my more than about 10k in either direction, so I have put a range of new police officers that could be hired based on a cost estimate of between 40k and 60k per officer. Update: per post by anonymous, I have included the number officers that could be hired at the 75k cost for each scenario is this pretty blue color.
Scenario 1 - Mayor Jackson and Council re-open the 2007 budget and cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 10% and reduce each program area that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $5,375,200
# of New Police officers = 90-134 (72)
Scenario 2 - Mayor and Council cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 5% and reduce the program areas that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $8,511,550
# of New Police officers = 142-213 (133)
Scenario 3 - Mayor and Council cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 3% and reduce the program areas that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $11,383,700
# of New Police officers = 190-285 (152)
Scenario 4 - Mayor and Council cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 0% and reduce the program areas that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $17,817,000
# of New Police officers = 297-445 (238)
We can pay for more police officers. We just have to have the political will to do it. We have to make it a priority. We have to convince our elected leaders that Public Safety is Job #1!!!
CEP
So, I spent some time crunching 2007 Cleveland Budget numbers in a spreadsheet program and came up with the following scenarios based on an assumption that the complete cost per new police officer is approximately $50,000 per officer by the time you include benefits and other externalities. This may seem low to some folks, but the increase in the number of officers will offset some overtime numbers for the current officers. Anyway, this is NOT A SCIENTIFIC EXERCISE, only a rough guess with regard to the cost per officer. But, realistically, I don't think I could be off my more than about 10k in either direction, so I have put a range of new police officers that could be hired based on a cost estimate of between 40k and 60k per officer. Update: per post by anonymous, I have included the number officers that could be hired at the 75k cost for each scenario is this pretty blue color.
Scenario 1 - Mayor Jackson and Council re-open the 2007 budget and cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 10% and reduce each program area that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $5,375,200
# of New Police officers = 90-134 (72)
Scenario 2 - Mayor and Council cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 5% and reduce the program areas that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $8,511,550
# of New Police officers = 142-213 (133)
Scenario 3 - Mayor and Council cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 3% and reduce the program areas that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $11,383,700
# of New Police officers = 190-285 (152)
Scenario 4 - Mayor and Council cap increases in every program area except the courts and the Police Department to 0% and reduce the program areas that increased more than that amount to that amount.
Expenditure savings = $17,817,000
# of New Police officers = 297-445 (238)
We can pay for more police officers. We just have to have the political will to do it. We have to make it a priority. We have to convince our elected leaders that Public Safety is Job #1!!!
CEP
Intangible Costs of Jane Campbell's Police Layoffs
I am re-posting the following comment to my recent post: Public Safety is Job #1
The comment raises very important issues surrounding the Campbell Administration layoffs that I had not considered before and that needs to be included in the current debate on public safety issues in Cleveland.
The comment raises very important issues surrounding the Campbell Administration layoffs that I had not considered before and that needs to be included in the current debate on public safety issues in Cleveland.
Anonymous said...
one of the intangibles that gets lost in the public discussion about the layoffs i.e. downsizing of the Cleveland Police Department is that the youngest, most inexperienced officers were laid off and the seasoned, accomplished, and proven veterans were moved from investigative units (that have since been shuttered or are skeleton crews that have no effect whatsoever) back to basic patrol to replace the young officers who were let go. the effect of dismantling proactive investigative units such as youth gang, auto theft, financial crimes, street crimes, the district strike forces et al. is that these were the units that were able to keep a "lid" on crime and, in many instances, prevent it from either occurring in the first place or from
escalating to the intolerable level that we are now experiencing. many of these
detectives, who are now working in patrol cars, had cultivated relationships
with informants throughout the community and would be "tipped off" about a
brewing situation so that it could be prevented entirely or, at the very least,
they could minimize the negative consequences of a developing situation. many of
these individuals were seasoned, highly skilled, experienced professionals who
had perfected their craft in their particular area of expertise. if for example,
word on the street was that tensions were rising in a particular neighborhood
over "turf" a detective with the sources that he had cultivated over many years,
could obtain inside information and prevent the situation from escalating to an
untenable level. that aspect of policing in this town is gone and it's value is
immeasurable. this situation is reflective, not only of improper allocation of
financial resources, but is also representative of inept management vis a vis
the proper allocation of the personnel resources that they do have. remember, it
was only patrol officers that were downsized. they still have the same number
supervisors (if not more) than they had prior to the "layoffs." not one
supervisory position was eliminated. you make the call.July 17, 2007 1:38 PM
Martin Flask on Channel 19 News Last Night
Believe me, I am the last person who ever thought I'd be singing the praises of Channel 19 news. But (there's always a but), they are the only news station in town right now calling for answers and a solution to the seemingly rash of crime, murders etc. and highlighting the fact that we need more police protection.
Follow this link to Channel 19's web-site for more information.
Follow this link to Channel 19's web-site for more information.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Public Safety Is Job # 1
Cleveland homicides on track to top 2006's 119 - Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com Headline from July 16, 2007.
I have been railing for a commitment to public safety issues in Cleveland for nearly two years now. We reap what we sow. We barely have enough uniformed police officers to respond to 911 calls, let alone to do any real community policing or to create a presence that will deter and/or prevent crime.
Mayor Jackson -- we're losing our city; neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street, block by block. It's time for action. We need an emergency plan to dramatically increase the number of uniformed police officers on our streets, protecting our lives and property.
I can't afford it, but, at this point I am willing to pay more taxes for this need. Taking the long view, I really can't afford not to do it. We reap what we sow.
CEP
I have been railing for a commitment to public safety issues in Cleveland for nearly two years now. We reap what we sow. We barely have enough uniformed police officers to respond to 911 calls, let alone to do any real community policing or to create a presence that will deter and/or prevent crime.
Mayor Jackson -- we're losing our city; neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street, block by block. It's time for action. We need an emergency plan to dramatically increase the number of uniformed police officers on our streets, protecting our lives and property.
I can't afford it, but, at this point I am willing to pay more taxes for this need. Taking the long view, I really can't afford not to do it. We reap what we sow.
CEP
Cool Cleveland / MTB Community Forum Wrap Up
That was my first go at "live-blogging" -- it's more difficult than I imagined, especially in a community forum where folks just keep giving comments and responding with no break to catch up. Guess I'll never have to worry about being a transcriptionist.
My thoughts from the overall program: Great job by Cool Cleveland, BFD and Meet the Bloggers on adding to the community dialogue on this issue. They helped to frame the debate for the upcoming public hearings this coming Thursday and a week from this Thursday at the Auditorium of Cleveland Public Library. I'm going to try to attend one or both and continue to hone my skills as a live blogger.
My thoughts on the sales tax increase: Not only are we not getting a vote on this increase, I learned from attending this community forum that two of our three commissioners (Hagan & Dimmora) think it wise to create a 42 million dollar a year economic development slush fund for a convention center and a medical merchandise mart for which there are no specific plans drawn up yet. This is simply ridiculous in the economic development world.
For those of you who may not understand how economic development funding "usually" works, I offer this anecdote: In order for me to apply for a 60-40 split for my office signage under Cleveland's store-front renovation program, I had to submit a detailed drawing from my sign designer that had to be approved by our local design review committee and an application that was about 25-30 pages long. This was to get reimbursed for 60% of the cost of my signage (an amount totally about $2,500.00).
Hagan & Dimmora was to raised 42 million dollars a year by increasing our taxes for two specific "economic development" projects that no one, not even the project proponents have any idea what the projects are exactly and/or whether or not they will be successful. Yet, the advocates are throwing out big benefit numbers, i.e. 300+ million dollars in direct spending, blah, blah, blah. Don't believe it! -- those number might be true, but the fact of the matter is that the people touting them really have no idea.
CEP
My thoughts from the overall program: Great job by Cool Cleveland, BFD and Meet the Bloggers on adding to the community dialogue on this issue. They helped to frame the debate for the upcoming public hearings this coming Thursday and a week from this Thursday at the Auditorium of Cleveland Public Library. I'm going to try to attend one or both and continue to hone my skills as a live blogger.
My thoughts on the sales tax increase: Not only are we not getting a vote on this increase, I learned from attending this community forum that two of our three commissioners (Hagan & Dimmora) think it wise to create a 42 million dollar a year economic development slush fund for a convention center and a medical merchandise mart for which there are no specific plans drawn up yet. This is simply ridiculous in the economic development world.
For those of you who may not understand how economic development funding "usually" works, I offer this anecdote: In order for me to apply for a 60-40 split for my office signage under Cleveland's store-front renovation program, I had to submit a detailed drawing from my sign designer that had to be approved by our local design review committee and an application that was about 25-30 pages long. This was to get reimbursed for 60% of the cost of my signage (an amount totally about $2,500.00).
Hagan & Dimmora was to raised 42 million dollars a year by increasing our taxes for two specific "economic development" projects that no one, not even the project proponents have any idea what the projects are exactly and/or whether or not they will be successful. Yet, the advocates are throwing out big benefit numbers, i.e. 300+ million dollars in direct spending, blah, blah, blah. Don't believe it! -- those number might be true, but the fact of the matter is that the people touting them really have no idea.
CEP
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Live Blogging from Cool Cleveland / Meet the Bloggers Community Forum on County Sales Tax Increase
11:57 a - Arrive a few mintues ago. Mr. Mulready from Cool Cleveland (CC) is getting thigs set up. Was told that approx 150 people pre-registered for this forum. Will be interesting to see who, how many appear. We are in the auditorium of the Louis Stokes wing of the Cleveland Public Libary on the lower level. There is a welcome screen from a "power point" display up on a large screen above the stage, which is flanked by two easels with lined paper. My initial understanding is that one easel is for questions raised by the forum and the other is for issues/comments raised.
12:01 - Council Zach Reed is in the house chatting with Gloria Ferris of Meet the Bloggers. Also in the House is Robert Brown from the City of Clevleand Planning Department. Folks are filtering in.
12:24 - We began about 15 minutes ago. Mr. Mulready is giving an overview of how we got to where we are. This meeting is about giving the public a chance to speak on this issue. Want to hear your questions/issue. We will be writing them down on the easel @ the front. We have subject matter experts/officials here to answer questions, not to make
Bob Brown from City Planning Comm
Zach Reed
Hunter Morrison, former City Planning Director
Micheal DeOloyo - Tech Czt
Dennis Roache, President Convention Visitors Bur
Tammy Brown - CVB
Kelly Brewer - CVB Convention seller
Sharon Kobayashi - CVB
Sam Fryberger - CVB
Misty Elec - CVB
Barbara Balog - CVB
Gary Norton from Peter Lawson Jones' office
Andrew Cox
Joe Marinucci -- Downtown Cleveland Alliance
David Ellison - architect
Introduced the bloggers.
Tom Turner from Lakewood
Question -- why has the not the port authority in their power to issue bonds for this type of thing not been considered?
Great question. Joe Marinucci from Downtown Cleveland Alliance -- good questions, can only issue debt based upon revenues -- cannot issue debt in the absence of a stram
Ray Sikas -- President of Citizens Vision -- comment that Comm. Hagan's close relationship to the Kennedy family who run the Medical Mart should make him abstain himself from a vote on this.
Jill Miller Zimon -- why are the Cleveland taxpayers assuming all the risk of this venture. Would like to see a risk analysis -- what risk is Med Mart and CVB taking.
12:37 p - Steve Merkel -- Citizens Vision -- about two years ago his org thought they could come up with an idea for the lakefront and convention center -- vision needs to be bigger -- connector to lakefront -- we need to think bigger -- do this and a county tax will be alot less [sic more] palitable.
12:40 - Carla Routenberg -- life long resident of Clev. Hts. -- of all the recent new convention centers that have been built, have they lived up to their expectations, etc.
Answer from CVB rep -- convention centers are loss leaders - they don't create profit directing, its the spin. This is thy guy who sells the conventions. Of course he wants to new convention center -- it's going to make his job easier -- is he on commission.
12:44 -- John Eckerly -- comment re: political arrogance, talking about the Breurer building -- then they talk about a new tax -- this is bad politics -- he supports development on Euclid Ave and the Medical Mart concept -- expanded to green building and other cutting edge technologies, but Cleveland has a history of political arrogance and bad timing -- thinks Medical Mart is a positive contribution -- thinks timing is bad for both of these projects.
12:46 Mr. Mulready relates that Mr. Peter Lawson Jones was interviewed and stated his biggest issue is timing as well. See the Cool Cleveland interview for more information.
12:47 - Anastasia ? -- reporter for Free Times, but not here in that capacity. Rosy figures thrown out about the benefits. We haven't been given any of the research to support the rosy figures that have been touted to support the basis for the tax increase. Where so these numbers come from. Would like to see a lot more research, esp on the relationship between conferences/conventions and a medical mart.
Answer from Dir. of Comm. CVB -- she does believe there is support for the numbers. Referred people to Medical Mart web-site. Kelly Brewer talks about research CVB has done regard with lost convention business. He can get us this research. Can we post any of this research -- Tom Mulready -- CVB states
Jeff Buster -- wouldn't trust anyone from the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. A bit of ranting/raving here. Not sure of the points.
12:55 - Daryl Davis -- as a resident of the City of Cleveland, has two big concerns in general -p safety and education. This sales tax increase does not address any of these issues. The sales tax proposal makes no effort to address any of these issues. Do we think that bringing in a bunch of out of towners 50 weekends of the year to spend money is going to fix these issues.
Mark Schumann -- some guy on Mapledale (his quote) -- comment on dishonesty of this. 331 million dollars is a pipe dream, a lie. Recalls this sounding similary to Gateway and Weapons of mass distruction. Response from CVB -- this a direct spending number 331 mil of direct spending from Medical Mart. There is no cost cap guarantee, whatever happend to the all the money that was supposed to be leftover from Gateway for Economic Development. **I caught Hunter Morrison smiling at this comment -- not sure why**
1:04 p -- Zach Reed -- he does support Medical Mart and Convention, but his issue is no taxation without representation he cannot support that. We need to get approval from the citizens --fundamentally wrong for two commissioners to just put this tax on people. We sold gateway, we sold the property tax increase for school buildings -- if this is such a good idea, then let's sell it to the people.
If the Commissioners do it this way, we will NEVER been able to sell another voted tax levy we might need in the future, like schools, etc. We've got to put this think on the ballot.
Dennis Roche -- very much encouraged by the fact the concept of convention/hospitality is a good thing in general -- that this sector of our economy is being accepted, that the concept of the Medical Mart is not being rejected out of hand. He suggests that in hindsight, sometimes political arrogance is deemed to be leadership. Referenced successes in Chicago.
"This is bigger and better than Gateway and Browns combined." "Once in a generation opporunity" -- Dennis Roche
1:23 p -- Gloria Ferris -- concern about Medical Mart tied to a covention center; does tying the Medical Mart to a city convention center give the Medical Mart tax exempt status. This is a great question.
1:30 p Concludes on Time.
Come back later for some more commentary.
12:01 - Council Zach Reed is in the house chatting with Gloria Ferris of Meet the Bloggers. Also in the House is Robert Brown from the City of Clevleand Planning Department. Folks are filtering in.
12:24 - We began about 15 minutes ago. Mr. Mulready is giving an overview of how we got to where we are. This meeting is about giving the public a chance to speak on this issue. Want to hear your questions/issue. We will be writing them down on the easel @ the front. We have subject matter experts/officials here to answer questions, not to make
Bob Brown from City Planning Comm
Zach Reed
Hunter Morrison, former City Planning Director
Micheal DeOloyo - Tech Czt
Dennis Roache, President Convention Visitors Bur
Tammy Brown - CVB
Kelly Brewer - CVB Convention seller
Sharon Kobayashi - CVB
Sam Fryberger - CVB
Misty Elec - CVB
Barbara Balog - CVB
Gary Norton from Peter Lawson Jones' office
Andrew Cox
Joe Marinucci -- Downtown Cleveland Alliance
David Ellison - architect
Introduced the bloggers.
Tom Turner from Lakewood
Question -- why has the not the port authority in their power to issue bonds for this type of thing not been considered?
Great question. Joe Marinucci from Downtown Cleveland Alliance -- good questions, can only issue debt based upon revenues -- cannot issue debt in the absence of a stram
Ray Sikas -- President of Citizens Vision -- comment that Comm. Hagan's close relationship to the Kennedy family who run the Medical Mart should make him abstain himself from a vote on this.
Jill Miller Zimon -- why are the Cleveland taxpayers assuming all the risk of this venture. Would like to see a risk analysis -- what risk is Med Mart and CVB taking.
12:37 p - Steve Merkel -- Citizens Vision -- about two years ago his org thought they could come up with an idea for the lakefront and convention center -- vision needs to be bigger -- connector to lakefront -- we need to think bigger -- do this and a county tax will be alot less [sic more] palitable.
12:40 - Carla Routenberg -- life long resident of Clev. Hts. -- of all the recent new convention centers that have been built, have they lived up to their expectations, etc.
Answer from CVB rep -- convention centers are loss leaders - they don't create profit directing, its the spin. This is thy guy who sells the conventions. Of course he wants to new convention center -- it's going to make his job easier -- is he on commission.
12:44 -- John Eckerly -- comment re: political arrogance, talking about the Breurer building -- then they talk about a new tax -- this is bad politics -- he supports development on Euclid Ave and the Medical Mart concept -- expanded to green building and other cutting edge technologies, but Cleveland has a history of political arrogance and bad timing -- thinks Medical Mart is a positive contribution -- thinks timing is bad for both of these projects.
12:46 Mr. Mulready relates that Mr. Peter Lawson Jones was interviewed and stated his biggest issue is timing as well. See the Cool Cleveland interview for more information.
12:47 - Anastasia ? -- reporter for Free Times, but not here in that capacity. Rosy figures thrown out about the benefits. We haven't been given any of the research to support the rosy figures that have been touted to support the basis for the tax increase. Where so these numbers come from. Would like to see a lot more research, esp on the relationship between conferences/conventions and a medical mart.
Answer from Dir. of Comm. CVB -- she does believe there is support for the numbers. Referred people to Medical Mart web-site. Kelly Brewer talks about research CVB has done regard with lost convention business. He can get us this research. Can we post any of this research -- Tom Mulready -- CVB states
Jeff Buster -- wouldn't trust anyone from the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. A bit of ranting/raving here. Not sure of the points.
12:55 - Daryl Davis -- as a resident of the City of Cleveland, has two big concerns in general -p safety and education. This sales tax increase does not address any of these issues. The sales tax proposal makes no effort to address any of these issues. Do we think that bringing in a bunch of out of towners 50 weekends of the year to spend money is going to fix these issues.
Mark Schumann -- some guy on Mapledale (his quote) -- comment on dishonesty of this. 331 million dollars is a pipe dream, a lie. Recalls this sounding similary to Gateway and Weapons of mass distruction. Response from CVB -- this a direct spending number 331 mil of direct spending from Medical Mart. There is no cost cap guarantee, whatever happend to the all the money that was supposed to be leftover from Gateway for Economic Development. **I caught Hunter Morrison smiling at this comment -- not sure why**
1:04 p -- Zach Reed -- he does support Medical Mart and Convention, but his issue is no taxation without representation he cannot support that. We need to get approval from the citizens --fundamentally wrong for two commissioners to just put this tax on people. We sold gateway, we sold the property tax increase for school buildings -- if this is such a good idea, then let's sell it to the people.
If the Commissioners do it this way, we will NEVER been able to sell another voted tax levy we might need in the future, like schools, etc. We've got to put this think on the ballot.
Dennis Roche -- very much encouraged by the fact the concept of convention/hospitality is a good thing in general -- that this sector of our economy is being accepted, that the concept of the Medical Mart is not being rejected out of hand. He suggests that in hindsight, sometimes political arrogance is deemed to be leadership. Referenced successes in Chicago.
"This is bigger and better than Gateway and Browns combined." "Once in a generation opporunity" -- Dennis Roche
1:23 p -- Gloria Ferris -- concern about Medical Mart tied to a covention center; does tying the Medical Mart to a city convention center give the Medical Mart tax exempt status. This is a great question.
1:30 p Concludes on Time.
Come back later for some more commentary.
Clear the Decks, Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead
Have cleared my scheduled to attend the Cool Cleveland Forum this p.m. on the county sales tax increase. Stop back later for updates on the forum and my two cents.
CEP
CEP
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Cleveland Citizens Police Academy
I graduated from the Cleveland Citizens Police Academy last night at Cleveland City Hall. I strongly encourage everyone to sign up for this fantastic program lasting 8 weeks (one night per week for 2-3 hours per night).
I always thought I was fairly knowledgeable about police training, tactics, policies, procedures, etc. and I was always proud of our police force; but, the Citizens Police Academy really brought my knowledge of and respect for the men and women in the Cleveland Division of Police to a new level.
We are fortunate to have an extremely well-trained, professional and dedicated police force. The only thing unfortunate is that they are plainly stretched too thin and need more resources, i.e. more uniformed officers.
Did you know that since the Campbell Administration cuts, the City of Cleveland Police has no dedicated gang unit?
Did you know that since the Campbell Administration cuts, our uniformed officers are often denied vacation days to attend their kids special events, i.e. first communions, sporting/school events, etc. because there is not enough officers to provide basic police coverage.
One of the coolest classes was when the Citizen's Academy visited the CPD outdoor gun range. We were permitted to use the F.A.T.S. machine (Fire Arm Training Simulator) which is an elaborate video/shooting simulator that simulates shoot/don't shoot scenarios that our officers frequently face in the field. It was amazing how difficult it is to make split second decisions to shoot/don't shoot depending on the scenario a police officer is faced with.
Anyway, I highly recommend that you sign up for the Citizens Police Academy. It is well worth time time.
CEP
I always thought I was fairly knowledgeable about police training, tactics, policies, procedures, etc. and I was always proud of our police force; but, the Citizens Police Academy really brought my knowledge of and respect for the men and women in the Cleveland Division of Police to a new level.
We are fortunate to have an extremely well-trained, professional and dedicated police force. The only thing unfortunate is that they are plainly stretched too thin and need more resources, i.e. more uniformed officers.
Did you know that since the Campbell Administration cuts, the City of Cleveland Police has no dedicated gang unit?
Did you know that since the Campbell Administration cuts, our uniformed officers are often denied vacation days to attend their kids special events, i.e. first communions, sporting/school events, etc. because there is not enough officers to provide basic police coverage.
One of the coolest classes was when the Citizen's Academy visited the CPD outdoor gun range. We were permitted to use the F.A.T.S. machine (Fire Arm Training Simulator) which is an elaborate video/shooting simulator that simulates shoot/don't shoot scenarios that our officers frequently face in the field. It was amazing how difficult it is to make split second decisions to shoot/don't shoot depending on the scenario a police officer is faced with.
Anyway, I highly recommend that you sign up for the Citizens Police Academy. It is well worth time time.
CEP
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Suprising Secrets of the 2007 Cleveland City Budget
I previously commended the Frank Jackson Administration for putting the 2007 Mayor's Estimate (proposed budget) on the City of Cleveland web-site for all to see. Since the Cleveland City Council adopted the 2007 Budget the Mayor's Estimate is no longer on that site, but the Budget is on the Cleveland City Council web-site here.
What struck me about the Estimate was that the summary of expenditures by program area tables contained no columns showing the percentage change from one year to the next in each program area, so it was difficult, if not impossible to easily see where the budget was increasing and decreasing among program areas. I remedied this by recreating the table of expenditures by program area in an spreadsheet program.
The results were VERY interesting in that they show where the Mayor and City Council's budget priorities are. Some of the most interesting details are highlighted below --
The program areas that gained the most (i.e. 20% or more) from 2006 to 2007 and the percentage increase are:
1. Economic Development 107%
2. Finance Directors Office 71%
3. Consumer Affairs 50%
4. Finance Department I.T. Services 47%
5. Aging Department 46%
6. Finance Dept Financial Reporting 37%
7. Finance Dept Assessments/Licenses 32%
8. Office of the Mayor 30%
9. Community Relations 28%
10. Public Service - Administration 28%
11. Finance - I.T. & Planning 28%
12. Zoning Appeals 27%
13. Community Dev. - Director's Office 25%
14. Office of Management & Budget 24%
15. Dog Pound 23%
16. Community Dev. - Admin. Services 21%
17. Finance - Purchases & Supplies 21%
The seventeen program areas that either decreased or increased the least from 2006 to 2007 and the respective percentages are:
1. Civil Service Commission -43%
2. Public Health - Environment -3%
3. EMS 1%
4. Corrections 1%
5. Parks Maint. Properties 2%
6. Neighborhood Services 2%
7. Police 3%
8. Waste Collection 3%
9. Fire 4%
10. Public Service - Architecture 4%
11. Public Health - Air Quality 4%
12. Building & Housing - Director's Office 5%
13. Public Health - Director's Office 5%
14. Law Department 6%
15. Parks - Property Management 7%
16. Building & Housing - Const. Permits 7%
17. Public Service - Engineer/Const. 8%
In the coming days, I'll have more interesting information from the 2007 Budget for you to ponder and I'll have some of my own commentary. For now, just think about the data above and form your own opinion whehter you agree or disagree with the budget priorities of our City Leaders. I'd be interested to have you post your comments.
CEP
What struck me about the Estimate was that the summary of expenditures by program area tables contained no columns showing the percentage change from one year to the next in each program area, so it was difficult, if not impossible to easily see where the budget was increasing and decreasing among program areas. I remedied this by recreating the table of expenditures by program area in an spreadsheet program.
The results were VERY interesting in that they show where the Mayor and City Council's budget priorities are. Some of the most interesting details are highlighted below --
The program areas that gained the most (i.e. 20% or more) from 2006 to 2007 and the percentage increase are:
1. Economic Development 107%
2. Finance Directors Office 71%
3. Consumer Affairs 50%
4. Finance Department I.T. Services 47%
5. Aging Department 46%
6. Finance Dept Financial Reporting 37%
7. Finance Dept Assessments/Licenses 32%
8. Office of the Mayor 30%
9. Community Relations 28%
10. Public Service - Administration 28%
11. Finance - I.T. & Planning 28%
12. Zoning Appeals 27%
13. Community Dev. - Director's Office 25%
14. Office of Management & Budget 24%
15. Dog Pound 23%
16. Community Dev. - Admin. Services 21%
17. Finance - Purchases & Supplies 21%
The seventeen program areas that either decreased or increased the least from 2006 to 2007 and the respective percentages are:
1. Civil Service Commission -43%
2. Public Health - Environment -3%
3. EMS 1%
4. Corrections 1%
5. Parks Maint. Properties 2%
6. Neighborhood Services 2%
7. Police 3%
8. Waste Collection 3%
9. Fire 4%
10. Public Service - Architecture 4%
11. Public Health - Air Quality 4%
12. Building & Housing - Director's Office 5%
13. Public Health - Director's Office 5%
14. Law Department 6%
15. Parks - Property Management 7%
16. Building & Housing - Const. Permits 7%
17. Public Service - Engineer/Const. 8%
In the coming days, I'll have more interesting information from the 2007 Budget for you to ponder and I'll have some of my own commentary. For now, just think about the data above and form your own opinion whehter you agree or disagree with the budget priorities of our City Leaders. I'd be interested to have you post your comments.
CEP
The other day I was included in a round of mass distributed e-mails that concluded with my Cleveland Councilman, Brian Cummins, noting his recent conclusions that we (i.e., ward, city, county, state) are in a "funk." I only mention it here because I have been in a blogging funk for some reasons and for no good reason. I either have way too much to say or nothing at all.
I guess I just haven't felt that I can contribute to the dialogue the way I'd like to. I'm going to post something later today that I have been meaning to for a long, long, long time regarding the Cleveland City Budget that I think some people may find VERY interesting.
CEP
I guess I just haven't felt that I can contribute to the dialogue the way I'd like to. I'm going to post something later today that I have been meaning to for a long, long, long time regarding the Cleveland City Budget that I think some people may find VERY interesting.
CEP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)