MONROE - Public Safety Committee members were split Monday on whether to continue a 2008 directive to charge for city police services at special events.
Chairman Charles Koch voted to keep the directive active, breaking a tie vote between committee members Paul Hannes and Keith Ingwell.
The directive requires the police department to charge when an event serves alcohol or charges admission.
Ingwell, who voted against the continuing to charge for services, noted that special events bring people who shop at the stores into the city.
Hannes maintained the need for the directive and made the motion to continue it.
"Anytime we serve alcohol, we should have a police officer there," he said.
Koch seconded the motion after Ingwell did not.
"They're taking extra services (costs) out of the police department (budget)," he said.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said he brought the issue back to the board after hearing from special event organizers concerned that the cost of police services cuts into the funds they are trying to raise.
The city revamped its special event application in June 2008, which was done mainly to assure the required number of restrooms at events.
Organizers for events may choose to hire private security personnel or arrange for city police service through the police department.
The city charges for this service usually at the hourly overtime rate for the officers. Kelley said that rate currently is about $30 per hour.
The police and fire departments have discretion to modify the cost, depending upon facts and circumstances. Kelley said he reduces or dismisses charges for such circumstances as cancellations or not raising an adequate amount of funds.
Schools are charged for an officer when requested at admission events, Kelley said, to the committee.
Officers brought in to cover special events are told to remain at the events, and are not drawn away for a call, unless it would be a dire emergency, Kelley said.
Chairman Charles Koch voted to keep the directive active, breaking a tie vote between committee members Paul Hannes and Keith Ingwell.
The directive requires the police department to charge when an event serves alcohol or charges admission.
Ingwell, who voted against the continuing to charge for services, noted that special events bring people who shop at the stores into the city.
Hannes maintained the need for the directive and made the motion to continue it.
"Anytime we serve alcohol, we should have a police officer there," he said.
Koch seconded the motion after Ingwell did not.
"They're taking extra services (costs) out of the police department (budget)," he said.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said he brought the issue back to the board after hearing from special event organizers concerned that the cost of police services cuts into the funds they are trying to raise.
The city revamped its special event application in June 2008, which was done mainly to assure the required number of restrooms at events.
Organizers for events may choose to hire private security personnel or arrange for city police service through the police department.
The city charges for this service usually at the hourly overtime rate for the officers. Kelley said that rate currently is about $30 per hour.
The police and fire departments have discretion to modify the cost, depending upon facts and circumstances. Kelley said he reduces or dismisses charges for such circumstances as cancellations or not raising an adequate amount of funds.
Schools are charged for an officer when requested at admission events, Kelley said, to the committee.
Officers brought in to cover special events are told to remain at the events, and are not drawn away for a call, unless it would be a dire emergency, Kelley said.