East-side Salt Lake City wants more cops; police chief not thrilled
By CHRISTOPHER SMART, The Salt Lake Tribune, May 21, 2015
Photo: (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City bicycle patrolman Cole Brock and other members of the bike patrol receive a blessing. Cyclists filled the block between 100 and 200 South in downtown Salt Lake City Saturday, September 28, 2013 during the “8th Annual Blessing of the Bikes” at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark. The event was aimed at raising awareness of bicycle safety for anyone on on or two wheels including scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, unicycles, tricycles,
East-side neighborhoods are feeling unprotected as Salt Lake City police have, during the past two years, moved to increase patrols downtown — particularly the Pioneer Park area.
Three City Council members who represent east-side districts pleaded with Chief Chris Burbank during a budget session this week to boost the police presence — including bicycle patrols — in their areas.
"There is a lot of concern at every community council meeting I attend," said District 6 Councilman Charlie Luke, who represents Yalecrest and surrounding areas. "Response times have increased and, in some cases, the police don't show up [at all]. I think we need more bike patrols and squad cars."
Luke is among the council members who want to add officers to the police department.
"We have the best police officers in the state," Luke said. "We just need more of them."
But Burbank didn't embrace the notion to beef up patrols as a fix-all. If police arrest a drunk in a park, he will be back the next day, the chief explained.
But if a social worker intervenes, that person may get treatment and not return.
Police have busted the same people hundreds of times, the chief said. Jailing alcoholics and drug addicts and other so-called undesirables is not working, he added.
"Alternatives to incarceration reduce [jail] recidivism," the chief said. "It's a balancing act. We need to work holistically."
Burbank noted that bike patrols have been diminished because officers can cover more area in squad cars.
Further, he said that there has not been an increase in crime. "We have more resources and fewer calls for crimes," he said. "We have been successful."
However, District 5 Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall and District 7 Councilwoman Lisa Adams, who represent the East Liberty and Sugar House neighborhoods, respectively, say parks have suffered since the bike patrols left.
The police department's operational flexibility model allows officers to go where they are needed. But Mendenhall said neighborhoods are underserved.
"There is such a need downtown that they can't flex into the neighborhoods," she said. "We are not making the safety investment we used to make in our parks and for our residents."
Mendenhall said she would move to fund bicycle patrols during budget negotiations the next month.
Mayor Ralph Becker's proposed $254 million budget directs $60.4 million to the police department.
The request includes 12 new positions for the department. But five of them are current officers who have been funded through a federal grant that is coming to an end.
The other seven are civilian personnel who will free up sworn officers for other duties.