This is the first in a series of posts about keeping our city safe. 
The Cedar Park Police Department and City Council are working together on plans to keep the city safe as it continues to grow.
Over the past seven years, Cedar Park's population increased an average of 9.8% each year, according to Cedar Park Police Lieutenant Darlene Brown.
"In comparison, we have seen an increase in Part I Crimes (i.e., Homicide, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Assault, Burglary, Theft, and Motor Vehicle Theft) of 8.6% on average each year," says Brown. "This level of criminal activity is less than but consistent with population growth in Cedar Park."
City Council and Police Department Forge 5-Year PlanWhile crime rates are consistent with what officials would expect for a city with Cedar Park's size and growth rate, the Police Department and City Council have been working together over the past two years to create a 5-Year Staffing Plan.
A key goal of the plan is to increase the number of officers per 1,000 residents to a level that's comparable with surrounding cities and comparable police agencies.
"This allows our officers to be able to respond and handle any of the major incidents or demand on police services that a larger population brings," says Brown.
During some previous fiscal years, the City Council hired very few officers, despite Cedar Park's significant growth, leading to a lower ratio of officers to residents.
"We have historically maintained a police force equivalent to 1.5 officers per 1,000 residents," says City Council Member Matt Powell. "At its worst, it dropped well below that number."
In Powell's view, this is unacceptable, and he notes that the current Council "has voiced similar views."
Building Cedar Park's Police ForceThe Police Department and City Council seem to agree that hiring new officers is both necessary and challenging as the city continues to grow.
"Building the force back up is a major financial challenge, as with officers come new equipment, vehicles, training, work space issues, and so on," says Powell.
However, the Council requested a recommendation from CPPD for a staffing plan, and Powell says they're committed to building the police force back to 1.5 officers per 1,000 residents by this fiscal year.
"The proposed FY09 budget accomplishes this goal, I am happy to say," says Powell.
Going forward, the question remains whether to maintain the city's historic average of 1.5 officers per 1,000 residents, or move to a higher level. CPPD has presented the Council with multiple options for the next two years, including one for 1.5/1,000, and another for 1.64/1,000.
"The latter is an average for comparable cities in Texas," says Powell. "While some of the cities are not, in my mind, comparable, the 1.64 number remains a possible target."
For reference, the city of Austin currently employs 1.6 officers per 1,000 residents. Nationwide, the number is closer to 3 police officers per 1,000 residents.
Balancing Safety and FinancesOne variable that will affect the city's plans is its financial status. Like residents, the city of Cedar Park faces uncertain economic conditions, as well as notable changes in expenses like the price of gas.
"Fuel prices alone have moved that large line item up over 60% from FY08 to FY09, and that's just one of thousands of considerations," says Powell.
STEP Funds Police Force GrowthOne new source of funding has recently come from the Cedar Park Police Department's participation in a program called STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program), a Statewide initiative to enforce speed laws, red light / intersection violations, seat-belt compliance, and other traffic laws in areas that have been identified as problematic.
The STEP program is a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation and local law enforcement agencies, funding additional traffic enforcement officers to promote responsible and safe driving.
Cedar Park PD received a traffic safety grant this year to fund overtime for off-duty Cedar Park Police Officers to patrol city streets to reduce the number of DWI drivers during the summer months.
Making Safety a PriorityWhile the STEP program is an improvement, building a larger police force will require a significant, unified effort on the part of the City Council and Police Department.
Powell is aware of this, noting that above all, public safety is one of the City's and the Council's greatest responsibilities.
"We not only want safe citizens, but we want our officers to be safe, well-trained, and well-equipped," says Powell. "We'll watch crime trends, take a look at our police force year to year, consider our finances, and make decisions based on the needs of Cedar Park as a whole."
Talk BackWhat do you think about the city's staffing plans? Click on the "comments" link below and share your thoughts about keeping Cedar Park safe.
To be sure you don't miss additional posts like this one, subscribe to Cedar Park Life. You can have any new posts delivered to your email inbox or RSS Reader each day. || 
Subscribe by Email || 
Subscribe in a Reader ||
[Update: Buffalo Wild Wings is NOW OPEN]
