Approving a Program for Take Home Police Vehicles for Patrol, Investigative, Crime Prevention & Drug Education/Enforcement

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RESOLUTION NO. 2393 -96 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING A PROGRAM OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR TAKE HOME POLICE VEHICLES FOR PATROL, INVESTIGATIVE, CRIME PREVENTION AND DRUG EDUCATION /ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION BY LEASE OF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF POLICE VEHICLES TO IMPLEMENT SUCH PROGRAM WHEREAS, the South Bend Police Department has proposed a program whereby South Bend Police patrol, investigative, crime prevention and drug education /enforcement officers would be authorized to South Bend Police Department police vehicles home (Take Home Vehicle Program); and WHEREAS, the Take Home Vehicle Program anticipates a total of 252 take home police vehicles; and WHEREAS, it is determined that the Take Home Vehicle Program will allow South Bend Police Officers more easily, safely and effectively to assist citizens at accident scenes, medical emergencies, crimes in progress and in the search and location of lost children and adults, as well as facilitating the provision of assistance by off -duty South Bend Police officers to on -duty officers in neighborhoods, commercial centers, sporting events, and other locations throughout the City; and WHEREAS, it is calculated that the additional benefit to the City and its residents of the Take Home Vehicle Program in the simple presence of patrol vehicles on the streets of the City totals in excess of $5,045,000; and WHEREAS, it is determined that the Take Home Vehicle Program provides the following additional benefits to the City: 1. 321°% additional police vehicle exposure 2. Increased police protection with off -duty officers able to supplement the on -duty forces 3. Increased, quicker, criminal apprehensions 4. Faster response times 5. Increased citizen awareness of police protection 6. Well maintained and clean police vehicles 7. Increased moral and job performance 8. Better equipped police vehicles 9. High visibility in the community 10. Readiness for response to emergencies 11. Increased trade -in value of police vehicles 12. Crime preventative 13. More effective community oriented policing 14. Lower vehicle operating expenses 15. Increased vehicle warranty protection 16. Significant drop in the incidence of preventable traffic accidents involving police vehicles 17. Lower mileage accumulations per police vehicle; and WHEREAS, The Common Council has weighed the benefits of the Take Home Vehicle Program against its drawbacks, including the high start -up cost of such a program, the cost of increased fuel usage, and concerns about the need for such a Program and has determined that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks and that the Take Home Vehicle Program should be implemented in 1996 and funded by the City.