Police Chief Fred Fletcher discusses budget
Police Chief Fred Fletcher said Tuesday that the community will have input on the placement of cameras designed to deter crime.
He told the City Council at a budget hearing that the cameras are part of a Real Time Intelligence Center designed to quickly analyze crime patterns so officers and detectives can react faster and with more knowledge about the situation.
Chief Fletcher said it currently is about 15 days until a police report is completed. Under the new system, it should be about seven minutes.
He said that police report can then be added to a data system that is tied in with the new cameras. The center will be staffed with crime analysts who will provide quick information to patrol officers and detectives out in the field.
Chief Fletcher said if there have been several burglaries in one section of town, that trend will be quickly spotted by the new system.
He said the cameras will display high quality images, similar to those already in place by the Chattanooga Housing Authority. He said the CHA cameras have been effective in solving a number of criminal cases.
The chief said businesses with cameras as well as residents with security systems will be invited to join the network. He said home cameras have been instrumental in solving some recent crimes.
He said one shooting was caught on a home camera, though he said a tree blocked a view of the face of the shooter and the vehicle tag number.
The new center will be activated around the clock every day of the year.
Asked about concerns that "big brother is watching," Chief Fletcher said cameras are already "ubiquitous." He said these will be placed in public places, and "we have a right to be safe in public places."
He said the cameras can be modified so they focus on one area, but do not catch a clear image of a location where occupants of a business or residence request privacy.
One area slated for a camera, he said, is 38th and Alton Park Boulevard, "where someone tried to sell me drugs right after I got here." He said, "I've been wanting to put one there."
In the police budget, only $28,500 remains for a consultant on "focused deterrence." Chief Fletcher said the department has adopted many of the tenets taught by the firm.
Another part of the Violent Reduction Initiative is also changing. The social services contract with Hope for the Inner City expires in August. A new request for proposals will go out.
Chief Fletcher said there are 486 positions, but there are some vacancies. He said attempts were made to hold a lateral police academy, but there was not enough interest despite a bonus offer.
He said the department, due to the numerous vacancies, has been turning to overtime for existing officers. But he said that can eventually lead to "burnout."
A regular academy will start June 24 and another is planned for October.
The police budget is $63.5 million - up $2.8 million or 4.5 percent.
The fire department budget is $38.7 million - up $1.4 million or 3.62 percent.