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We have a great deal to be proud of, and to be thankful for. I continually tout the Scottsdale Police Department in many ways. Every chance I get the opportunity to brag about our accomplishments, I do. I talk about crime rates, closure rates, response times, compliments, and even the minor nature of the complaints I receive. Every once in a while, someone you would never expect to be watching us is doing just that. I’m very proud to report that Parent’s Magazine is just one of those entities. Scottsdale was recognized as the best place in the country to raise babies. We didn’t self nominate; in fact, I wasn’t even familiar with the Magazine until they contacted me for comment. More importantly, the city has received an A+ grade in Family Safety.

During Crime Prevention Month, the media ran stories on the crime rates in Scottsdale being on the decline. This year alone, the crime rate dipped by ten percent compared to the same time period last year. I was asked my opinion on why I thought that this was the case. Though it’s impossible to put a finger on any one particular reason, many possibilities come to mind. Better technology and training, information sharing, and better crime analysis for a more efficient deployment of resources along with crime prevention strategies, are all just a portion of what we do to have an influence on our crime rates for the better. We are much better at sharing information, not just between ourselves but between agencies, which is huge. Our Crime Prevention Unit works hand in hand with many different units inside the department and with resources outside of the department, to ensure that our detectives and officers have the most up to date information on crime trends in their beats. They also work closely with community groups and businesses in their respective areas to disseminate appropriate information to them. We work together to make sure that crime prevention remains a top reason as to why our rates continue to go in the right direction.

For FY 2009/2010, the Police Department realized savings to the City in a variety of areas. Just over $2 Million was saved in personnel services including overtime, retirement and FICA. Nearly $1 Million was saved through contractual obligations including photo enforcement, uniform cleaning, software licensing, contracts for security and the jail. We also saved $200,000 in commodities including supplies, minor equipment and the like. The total budget savings comes to $3.2 Million. We have a $70,000 savings in Maricopa County jail costs compared to last year’s expenses. The City Court’s Home Detention Program initiated in October 2010 will hopefully result in additional savings. All of this continues to improve our budget situation and will assist us in lowering next year’s deficit. These savings will go forward to offset next years’ concerns.

I am proud of all of the charity work that members of our department have involved themselves in. It would be easy for us to be absorbed in our own needs, especially with the economics of the day. And yet, many employees have rallied to raise money for others and their needs. We had fun wearing jeans and growing facial hair and raised $3,165 for the earthquake victims in Haiti. We also raised over $1,600 for Cancer Awareness and District 3 raised $850 in gift cards for Vista Del Camino. The Police Officers of Scottsdale Association continues with their “Shop with a Cop” events at the beginning of the school year and during the Holidays. The Scottsdale Fraternal Order of Police has helped with financial assistance to department members in need, and city employees as well thru the Scottsdale Employee Relief Fund. They’ve also helped fund the Police Unity Tour. Many of our employees continue to participate in the City’s Charitable Choice Campaign and “Packages from Home” to support our troops. I’m certain many other Charitable Projects have been conducted, or are underway, that I don’t know about, but that’s the nature of the employees’ kindness.

I appreciate this opportunity to thank the citizens for helping us make Scottsdale a safe and thriving community.