Safety Wellness and Youth Committee Memorandum
TO: SAFETY, WELLNESS AND YOUTH COMMITTEE DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2022 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: MEASURE Z - EXPANSION PROPOSAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY ENGAGEMENT TEAM PROGRAM - DISCUSSION ISSUE:
Receive and discuss a proposal on the possible expansion of the Public Safety Engagement Team Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee receive and discuss a proposal on the possible expansion of the Public Safety Engagement Team Program.
BACKGROUND:
On April 2, 2019, the City Council approved the Public Safety Engagement Team (PSET) program to address concerns related to the ongoing challenge of people experiencing homelessness and its impact on the quality of life in the City. As part of the program, the PSET was authorized to help ensure that the quality of life is maintained, City facilities are being used in a safe and enjoyable manner, issues in the parks and public areas are addressed quickly and efficiently, and community members are using parks and facilities in accordance with applicable city codes and ordinances.
The teams receive specialized training related to homeless engagement, mental and public health, and consists of representatives from the following departments:
Riverside Police Department (RPD)
Code Enforcement Division – Community and Economic Development Department (Code) Office of Homeless Solutions – City Manager’s Office
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PRCSD) Through the approval of this Program, a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $3,451,126 was authorized by City Council from Measure Z to fund personnel and equipment for the two Public Safety Engagement Teams for fiscal year 2019/20. Subsequent years were budgeted at $2,800,000 per year in the Measure Z Spending Plan. Not all PSET positions were funded through Measure Z.
DISCUSSION:
The proposal for discussion today is the increase of PSET staffing levels and resources to establish two additional teams to provide homeless encampment clean-up, outreach services, and homeless engagement resources to all wards seven days a week including early morning and late evening engagements. The current staffing and funding levels restrict the ability to engage with the homeless population and provide services at the proposed level.
Expansion of the PSET would include the addition of:
5 Code Enforcement Officers
6 Outreach Workers
4 Police Officers
The additional staffing is estimated to be an ongoing cost of $1,382,705. Additional resources needed to perform the proposed services including, but not limited to, cell phones, laptops, vehicles, and waste disposal services, will have a one-time cost of approximately $127,200 and ongoing costs of approximately $528,500. The total for the addition two teams is estimated to be just over $2.0 million for the first year and $1.9 million for each additional year. The expansion of PSET is proposed to be Measure Z funded.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The work contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and supports Goal No. 2.4 - Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust and Goal No. 2.5 - Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
The proposed expansion of the PSET program aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Public Safety Engagement Team’s focus is directly responsible for addressing issues/concerns from the community. The goals and accomplishments of the PSET team serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in the greater public good.
Equity – The Public Safety Engagement Team is supportive of the City’s attributes of diversity and is committed to advancing equitable distribution of services.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Public Safety Engagement Team is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources while providing quality public services to all. The Team is primarily funded through Measure Z Funding.
Innovation – The Public Safety Engagement Team is inventive and timely in meeting the community’s changing needs and prepares for the future through collaborative partnerships and adaptive processes.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The Public Safety Engagement Team is committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City’s capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during good and difficult times. This is partly accomplished through the use of alternative funding other than the General Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommendation included in this report.
The total future fiscal impact of the addition of two teams is estimated to be just over $2.0 million for the first year and $1.9 million for each additional year. The expansion of PSET is proposed to be funded through Measure Z. The proposal will need to be reviewed by the Budget Engagement Commission and approved by City Council prior to implementation.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Presentation
PSET Expansion - Discussion