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Public Forums Recap Policing Partnership

Questions Pertaining to Cost Benefit Analysis	Venue	Response
Will a new contract be profitable? What is the “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”?	3/26 SAV Open House	The primary goal is to increase the resiliency of the police department by adding personnel. Additional officers on patrol allows for more opportunity for officers to train, further their education, take vacation and additional wellness opportunities, and spend more time interacting with the community. Profitability is a secondary goal. We expect that expenses related to increasing force size will not fall on SAV taxpayers.
What is the SAPD arrangement with Lauderdale? What is long-term benefit?	3/27 FH Open House	St. Anthony Police Department has been providing policing services to Lauderdale since 1994. The long-term benefit is a cost-sharing of services between the two communities. For each community, we are able to provide high quality community-oriented policing services, and maintain a larger police force for advancement opportunities and vacation scheduling.
What is cost benefit analysis? How many squads do we need? Cars, Gas, personnel?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	The cost-benefit analysis is underway. That data will be an important component in this Phase 3: the partnership decision. As for the capital plan, additional squad cars will be part of the costs paid for by Falcon Heights.
Why would SAV want to provide service to FH?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	At the work session on May 28, 2024, Police Chief Spiess identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in this potential partnership. The document can be viewed at: https://www.savmn.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3207?fileID=10853
Why is drafted $1.6M cost less than Ramsey County $1.7M estimate?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	The preliminary cost of $1.6 million was an estimate shared at the Town Hall meeting. The purpose of the Town Hall was to share an overview of the exploratory process (stage 2) including community survey data, feedback from police officers, preliminary costs to Falcon Heights, and gather information to determine if the council should move to a partnership decision (stage 3). The goal in stage 3 is to work toward a contract detailing the scope of community-oriented policing services and a cost-sharing model between three cities.
Have we accounted for all the cost of training our police officers? What’s in it for us if we don’t recoup all our expenses?	4/23 council meeting	The police department has a detailed training plan that they conduct for all new officers. The costs of training new officers will be built into the contract for providing policing services to Falcon Heights. The plan is to establish a contract that is cost-neutral for St. Anthony residents.
How would decision impact both residential and commercial tax base?	4/23 council meeting	The plan is to establish a contract that is cost-neutral for St. Anthony residents.

Questions Relating to Contract	Venue	Response
What is the cost of SAPD now compared to the past contract?	3/13 FH Listen Session	In 2017, the final year of St. Anthony providing policing services to Falcon Heights, the amount paid by Falcon Heights to the City of St. Anthony was $672,590. If St. Anthony provides policing services to Falcon Heights, the proposed start would be January 2026 and the contract amount has not been finalized. However, there would be 9 additional personnel–including one administrative support, a full-time community engagement officer for all three cities, an additional investigator, and six patrol officers–hired to serve on the SAPD for all three cities.
What is the response time SAPD needs to meet for FH call?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	If a contract for policing services is approved, a St. Anthony Police officer will be located in Falcon Heights 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, a St. Anthony Police officer is located in the neighboring community of Lauderdale. We expect the response time to a call in Falcon Heights will be similar to St. Anthony and back up is available if needed.
Are we dedicating at least 2 officers to always be in Falcon Heights? What is the amount of time we have to spend there for this thing to work?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	If a contract for policing services is approved, a St. Anthony Police officer will be located in Falcon Heights 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, a St. Anthony Police officer is located in the neighboring community of Lauderdale. We expect the response time to a call in Falcon Heights will be similar to St. Anthony and back up is available if needed.
Who will be supporting FH influx with the State Fair?	4/23 council meeting	The State Fair has a police department. St. Anthony officers would support parking issues in FH during the State Fair.
Policing style may not be consistent with Falcon Heights politics, and who is in control of managing relationships?	4/23 council meeting	A lesson learned from 2016 is the responsibility to rebuild trust begins with the City Council members of St. Anthony and Falcon Heights. In addition, we believe City Councils should not be interfering in the operations of the police department. Instead, city administrators and police department leadership will ensure the level of policing services meets the contract requirements and continues to align with best practices in community-oriented policing.

Questions Relating to Facility	Venue	Response
How will a facility upgrade impact SAV residents if we don’t go forward with the FH contract?	3/6 Legends meeting	Facility renovations were identified during a city council tour of city facilities in April 2023. Renovations are needed for storage of evidence and police vehicles and overall improvement to the working environment for all our officers.
How will a facility upgrade impact SAV residents if we don’t go forward with the FH contract?	4/23 council meeting	Facility renovations to the police station were initially identified in a tour in April 2023. If the contract to provide policing services to Falcon Heights is not approved, the renovations will still proceed and the full cost will be borne by St. Anthony residents. If a contract is approved, facility renovations will proceed and the costs will be shared with Falcon Heights.
What is the impact of not improving facilities on police retention?	4/23 council meeting

Questions Relating to Falcon Heights Statistics	Venue	Response
What is the volume and historical increase in felonies in Falcon Heights?	3/13 FH Listen Session	We don’t have the data on felonies versus overall calls.
Can we get a snapshot of crime statistics in Falcon Heights?	3/27 FH Open House	There are approximately 2800 calls for service in Falcon Heights. In comparison, Lauderdale has 2100 calls for services and St. Anthony has 7300 calls for services.
What is the commercial area of FH? Do they have a lot more than SAV?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	The area SAPD would be patrolling is predominantly residential and less commercial than SAV.
What is the population of FH? Are they similar demographics to SAV?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	According to the 2020 census, the population of Falcon Heights is 5400, St. Anthony is 9300, Lauderdale is 2300. In St. Anthony, 25% of residents are 65 years and older.

Questions Relating to Size of the Police Force	Venue	Response
Questions Relating to Size of the Police Force	3/6 Legends meeting	St. Anthony currently has 20 sworn officers and that number will increase to 22. The increase in officers was planned in 2023 and budgeted to begin in July 2024. Our department is finding success in recruiting officers through our cadet program.
What was the size of the police force in 2016 when we policed in the past?	4/23 council meeting	In 2016, there were 23 full-time police officers. In 2024, there are currently 20 full-time police officers.
How many non-sworn officers do we have now and would we need in future?	4/23 council meeting	The St. Anthony Police Department currently has 20 full-time police officers (including two investigators), one community service officer, one part-time cadet, and two civilian support staff and anticipate having 22 full-time police officers by July 1, 2024. If the contract for providing policing services to Falcon Heights is approved, the police department will have: 29 full-time officers (including three investigators), one community engagement officer, and three civilian support.
What kind of growth has happened in FH? And will 4 additional officers still be enough?	4/23 council meeting	The 2020 census indicated the population of Falcon Heights is 5400. The St. Anthony Police Department analyzed call data at Falcon Heights and recommended nine additional personnel (6 officers, 1 investigator, 1 community engagement officers and administrative support) in an expanded police department if the contract to provide policing services is approved.

Questions Relating to Hiring of Police Officers	Venue	Response
How will we be able to hire enough police officers	4/18 SAV Town Hall	We are working to expand the cadet program and engage a recruiter to assist in hiring. The council is exploring the expansion of our police department’s cadet program, which allows trainees to earn a stipend and learn best practices in community-oriented policing while completing their education in law enforcement. In addition, the City is exploring hiring a recruiter to help attract candidates.
What makes SAPD unique and can do better at recruiting than other communities can’t?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	One of our police department’s strengths is its culture. St. Anthony Police Department has a strong culture, trust in each other and leadership. We believe the department’s culture is a strong recruitment tool.
What happens if we sign a contract and SAPD can’t find enough officers? Will that be a liability to SAV? Or will we have reduced service in SAV?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	We expect the contract will specify a timeline for hiring in order to provide policing services in 2026. If that timeline is not met, the level of service to Falcon Heights will be adjusted to our staffing model. Our first priority is to ensure our staffing matches the high level of quality policing services that St. Anthony residents have in 2024.
Can we hire 15 new police officers? (9-11 for FH, 2 missing, 4 resign w/decision)	4/23 council meeting	The City of St. Anthony has met the staffing needs of the police department. We anticipate having 22 full-time police officers by July 1, 2024, as planned in the development of the 2024 city budget. The St. Anthony Police Department currently has 20 full-time police officers (including two investigators), one community service officer, one part-time cadet, and two civilian support staff and anticipate having 22 full-time police officers by July 1, 2024. If the contract for providing policing services to Falcon Heights is approved, the police department will have: 29 full-time officers (including three investigators), one community engagement officer, and three civilian support.

Questions Relating to Police Support	Venue	Response
What is the police response to this request? How have we allowed officers to express dissent?	3/26 SAV Open House	The Council desired unbiased feedback from our police officers regarding the potential renewal of a police partnership. The City hired Dr. Chad Wienstein from Ethical Leaders in Action who met with each officer to understand their concerns and potential benefits of a partnership. That feedback was shared at Town Hall meetings on April 17 and 18
What is risk to mental health to our police officers?	3/26 SAV Open House	If St. Anthony Police officers patrol Falcon Heights and experience allegations of bias policing or pushback from the community, it may impact the officer’s mental health.
How many SAV police will leave if a new contract is approved?	3/26 SAV Open House	We do not have that information. Input from all Police Department personnel continues to be a critical component of a potential policing partnership. A partnership will be established when the department is confident that policing services can be effectively implemented.
Will the police have veto power over a council decision?	3/27 FH Open House	Feedback from the police officers was an important component of the exploratory process. The feedback from officers provided recommendations for the council to consider in order to move forward into Phase 3: partnership decision.
Why did we hire a consultant to speak for the police? What is Chief Speiss’ position?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	Feedback from the police officers was an important component of the exploratory process. The Council deliberately chose to engage the expertise of Dr. Chad Weinstein to learn the perspectives from our police officers. It was important to the Council to work with a third-party consultant, who has worked with over 100 law enforcement agencies, to hear objective opinions regarding the police partnership without pressure or influence from leadership or the council. The feedback from officers provided recommendations for the council to consider in order to move forward into Phase 3: partnership decision. Jeff Spiess serves as Police Chief.
What do SAPD want to do?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	Feedback from the police officers was an important component of the exploratory process. The feedback indicated officers were generally open to a renewed partnership. Some officers expressed concerns regarding relationship and operational concerns and provided recommendations for the council to consider in order to move forward into Phase 3: partnership decision. First, mutual trust needs to be established with community members and leadership in Falcon Heights with confidence the department will be supported when a use of force incident takes place. Second, officers identified operational concerns and suggested that policing services be provided no sooner than January 1, 2026 to allow time to recruit, hire, and train officers who can develop relationships with the Falcon Heights community to establish mutual trust. In addition, renovations of the current police department will be necessary to accommodate additional staff and vehicles.

Questions Relating to Priority of Policing Services	Venue	Response
What if we get a call from SAV and FH at same time, who will be prioritized first? Will we have enough police officers and squads to go around?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	If a contract for policing services is approved, the staffing plan would ensure permanent, co-located officers in all three communities, just as it was under the previous partnership. Two police officers are currently assigned to St. Anthony 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Two additional officers would be assigned to Falcon Heights and Lauderdale. We expect the response time to a call in St. Anthony to remain at current levels.
Will FH policing increase the risk of increasing SAPD response time for services to seniors.	4/18 SAV Town Hall	If a contract for policing services is approved, the staffing plan would ensure permanent, co-located officers in all three communities, just as it was under the previous partnership. Two police officers are currently assigned to St. Anthony 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Two additional officers would be assigned to Falcon Heights and Lauderdale. We expect the response time to a call in St. Anthony to remain at current levels. Services for seniors are most often led by the Fire Department with the Police Department in a support role for calls in St. Anthony.

Questions Relating to Survey	Venue	Response
What percentage of residents are for this and against it? What are the numbers?	4/18 SAV Town Hall	This is unknown. The survey asked residents of St. Anthony and Falcon Heights to identify the benefits of St. Anthony providing policing services to Falcon Heights and to share their concerns as well. It was not intended or conducted in a manner that could be used to determine sentiment. The survey results can be found at: https://www.savmn.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3121?fileID=10758