Police costs are over a third of the city budget with more than $13 million for salaries and wages alone. Retirements and one tragic death have brought normal staffing of 146 down by 18 officers, with three more retiring by September.
"Personnel is what I need at this time," Riley said.
Eight officers in academy training now will graduate in July, but will not be ready for full duty until October or November, he said, and a December class will not be on duty until mid-March.
Another need is an upgraded 911 system, he said, since Verizon dropped such service. A new 911 center could cost $500,000. Asked why he did not use Union County for 911 calls, Riley said an EMS response by the county is working out, but 911 calls would require equipment that is not currently in place. City patrol cars now have mobile data technology that permits response right from the vehicle.
Other items of concern to the council and the budget committee were overtime costs, the efficacy of the ShotSpotter system, the number of bilingual officers and the cost of relocating the Narcotics Bureau to a different building after the landlord failed to make repairs at the former location.
Riley said crime was down in the city, by 67 percent for homicides and 47 percent for robberies with knives and aggravated assaults with guns. Fifty firearms were taken off the street, he said. Crime reduction is now allowing a greater emphasis on community engagement, he said, with officers getting out of cars to talk to citizens.
Wednesday's budget session was the first in a series through May, after which the council in conjunction with the budget committee and a consultant will formulate amendments before final passage of the 2015 budget. A session scheduled for tonight on the budget for the mayor's office has been canceled. It will take place next Wednesday along with Economic Development, 7 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.
--Bernice
Well you may get some of the Overtime back from the 2 that allegedly misappropriated it
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