HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-2013 Item B1, GesellRECEIVED
0 6 2013
b ..i..[.Y CLERK i council. MOQAnbuTl�
city of san Luis oBispo, police bepantment
DATE: June 6, 2013 AGENDA
TO: Mayor and City Council CORRESPONDENCE
Date._�i��tem# ►31
VIA: Katie Lichtig, City Manager
FROM: Police Chief Steve Gesell and Captain Keith Storton
SUBJECT: School Resource Officer Update
On May 30, 2013 a Council Member inquired as to the funding status of the School Resource
Officer in the Fall of 2013 and what approach the Police Department will be taking in light of the
school district reducing its financial obligation to this position.
Starting July 1, 2013 the San Luis Coastal Unified School District will reduce 50% of its funding
for the School Resource Officer (SRO) position to approximately $62,000 a year, absorbing
37.5% of the share agreement cost with the City. To balance this decline in cost sharing, the City
will fund the SRO position at a rate of approximately $104,000 a year, equaling a 62.5% share of
the position.
The Police Department has a strong desire to continue with a dedicated resource to our school
district in the form of a School Resource Officer. Connectivity with school staff and students has
proven to be a valuable and efficient means to investigate juvenile criminal activity and maintain
a positive influence of support directed specifically toward the youth in our community,
The Police Chief proposed the following plan to the SLCUSD Superintendent on May 21St 2013:
1.The SRO will work a 4/10 schedule (Tuesday through Friday 0700 - 1700). The
SRO will dedicate on -campus time to a minimum of two days a week
(predominantly at the high school with occasional visits to the Jr. High School or
other public schools as needed). Whenever feasible, the SRO will continue to
dedicate all four work days to the school campuses, however only two days will
be contractually obligated.
2.The Department will continue to make a concerted effort to provide a police
presence (either by the SRO or other police officers) at school related activities
(e.g., football games) as agreed upon.
3.The Department will use existing resources to provide limited foot, bicycle and
vehicle patrol or other investigative service resources in the event the SRO is
unavailable due to training, vacation or other absences whenever feasible.
Council Memorandum
June 6, 2013
Page 2
4. The Department will continue to provide directed traffic enforcement during
critical commute hours at and around the high school.
Additionally, the Police Department will soon assign patrol officers to designated neighborhoods
to help act as an additional resource and conduit for specialized assistance as part of a
"Neighborhood Officer" program. Our public schools will be incorporated into several of these
identified areas and will have access to these officers for focused support.
The School Board is expected to make a formal decision and present an MOU to the City by July
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