Nikki
06-12-2008, 08:25 AM
http://www.beachesleader.com/articles/2008/06/10/beaches_leader/news/doc48495b310959b982339563.txt
Neptune Beach police told to walk a 15-minute beat every hour
To curb gas use and put officers closer to residents
by ALEXANDRA KUMMERNES, Staff Writer
Neptune Beach residents can expect to see more police officers around the city as a result of new rules and schedule changes.
In an effort to save money on gas and boost police presence, Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach is requiring patrol officers to patrol on foot 15 minutes out of every hour.
“We were looking at ways to save money because of high gasoline costs and this was the most popular [option],” Sembach said.
Officers will consume less gas because vehicles will be turned off, and they will be able to patrol specific areas such as behind K-Mart and strip malls and ditch lines, he said.
“It’s been accepted whole-heartedly by the officers,” Sembach said.
However, officers will not be required to patrol on foot during certain hours - primarily between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. - since vehicles are necessary for DUI patrols.
The change became effective last month and reports to determine how much money has been saved on gas will be evaluated in June, according to Sembach.
Atlantic Beach Police Chief David Thompson said his department is also evaluating several options to save money on gas, such as alternative vehicles.
The city will discuss the options during the budgeting period beginning in August.
Neptune Beach officers will also undergo schedule and shift changes effective in August to allow more officers to patrol during peak call times, Sembach said.
The city hired an additional officer to allow for staggered shifts which will save the city money in overtime hours. A shift will now be 11.42 hours. Sembach said the city spent approximately $82,000 in overtime last year.
With the shift changes - including hiring a new officer - the city will save approximately $40,000.
“It’s not only to save money. Really, it’s to put more officers on the street during peak call times,” he said.
The new schedule will allow four to five patrol cars to be on duty during the day as opposed to the current three or four patrol cars.
The department has 20 police officers.
Neptune Beach police told to walk a 15-minute beat every hour
To curb gas use and put officers closer to residents
by ALEXANDRA KUMMERNES, Staff Writer
Neptune Beach residents can expect to see more police officers around the city as a result of new rules and schedule changes.
In an effort to save money on gas and boost police presence, Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach is requiring patrol officers to patrol on foot 15 minutes out of every hour.
“We were looking at ways to save money because of high gasoline costs and this was the most popular [option],” Sembach said.
Officers will consume less gas because vehicles will be turned off, and they will be able to patrol specific areas such as behind K-Mart and strip malls and ditch lines, he said.
“It’s been accepted whole-heartedly by the officers,” Sembach said.
However, officers will not be required to patrol on foot during certain hours - primarily between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. - since vehicles are necessary for DUI patrols.
The change became effective last month and reports to determine how much money has been saved on gas will be evaluated in June, according to Sembach.
Atlantic Beach Police Chief David Thompson said his department is also evaluating several options to save money on gas, such as alternative vehicles.
The city will discuss the options during the budgeting period beginning in August.
Neptune Beach officers will also undergo schedule and shift changes effective in August to allow more officers to patrol during peak call times, Sembach said.
The city hired an additional officer to allow for staggered shifts which will save the city money in overtime hours. A shift will now be 11.42 hours. Sembach said the city spent approximately $82,000 in overtime last year.
With the shift changes - including hiring a new officer - the city will save approximately $40,000.
“It’s not only to save money. Really, it’s to put more officers on the street during peak call times,” he said.
The new schedule will allow four to five patrol cars to be on duty during the day as opposed to the current three or four patrol cars.
The department has 20 police officers.