tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post3084034974719596003..comments2024-02-24T05:11:30.646-06:00Comments on The Director's Desk: Data to crunchTom Casadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03188041481309059441noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-55589461221778434732008-12-16T12:06:00.000-06:002008-12-16T12:06:00.000-06:00Thanks for posting that, Chief. I'll check it out ...Thanks for posting that, Chief. I'll check it out and see if I can put something useful together for my Chief.Trina Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269893132323869326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-60117409356691808252008-12-11T09:30:00.000-06:002008-12-11T09:30:00.000-06:00Chief, I think a novel idea would be to push for a...Chief, <BR/>I think a novel idea would be to push for an increase in sales tax at the retail level. This of course would have to begin at the State level to repeal the cap on sales taxes. One only need observe our neighbors to the south like KS, OK, and TX. Some of their cities average anywhere from 8.25%-9%. With those type of funds available it would go a long way at strengthening local LE. Also, the "tax burden" would be equal, and is essentially not noticed. Just my two cents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-26221651850381074052008-12-10T12:05:00.000-06:002008-12-10T12:05:00.000-06:006:40-Yes, it's a recurring theme on my blog. I've ...6:40-<BR/><BR/>Yes, it's a recurring theme on my blog. <BR/><BR/>I've always advocated 1.5 officers per 1,000 as a reasonable target for Lincoln, because:<BR/><BR/>1. That would put us in about the same place among similarly-sized cities as our violent crime rate places us: top of the bottom third.<BR/><BR/>2. It could actually be done. It's probably pie-in-the-sky to expect that we'd ever be close to the average, because it would cost a fortune, and if you haven't noticed, everyone running for public office runs on the same platform: "I won't raise your taxes." But 1.5 could be done, if the citizens really wanted to, without a large tax burden.<BR/><BR/>3. It would still represent a very good value to taxpayers. We would still be nowhere near the average size. Rather, we would continue to lean and mean, forced to maintain our efficiency and provide good value to the citizens.<BR/><BR/>4. It would make a definite difference to our ability to serve the community safely. Add 3 or 4 officers to the department, and the change is so small that it's not very noticeable. Add 61 officers and the related support staff, and we are suddenly able to soar. <BR/><BR/>Will it every happen? That depends on our elected officials, and ultimately upon the citizens who elect them.Tom Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03188041481309059441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-79370477502039994282008-12-10T06:40:00.000-06:002008-12-10T06:40:00.000-06:00ChiefSeems like it has been just over 1 officer pe...Chief<BR/>Seems like it has been just over 1 officer per year since I have been here. Sad that we have greater than half of Omaha's population, but not half of their police officer numbers. I know for years we have talked about uping the numbers per 1,000 citizens, but do you think it will ever happen? I am sure you have said in the past, but what is the ideal number YOU would like to be at? Other than money, what would it take to get to your ideal number?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com