Hollister
– If the city’s $2.7 million budget deficit isn’t addressed,
police services could be cut dramatically, officers said. These
cuts could include elimination of gang prevention and intervention,
elimination of proactive policing, elimination of property crime
investigation, elimination of drug crime
investigation and reduction of office hours to 25 hours per
week.
Hollister – If the city’s $2.7 million budget deficit isn’t addressed, police services could be cut dramatically, officers said. These cuts could include elimination of gang prevention and intervention, elimination of proactive policing, elimination of property crime investigation, elimination of drug crime investigation and reduction of office hours to 25 hours per week.
“We’re going to be completely reactionary and non-preventative,” said Capt. Bob Brooks of the police department.
City Manager Clint Quilter recently gave a presentation on potential service cuts if Measure R – a 1 percent citywide sales tax increase – doesn’t pass on Nov. 7. That presentation included a $1.2 million budget reduction in police and animal control; Brooks confirmed that the department provided the city with recommendations about cuts that could be made to “keep us in business.”
Police Chief Jeff Miller said the cuts could have a big effect on overall crime rates.
“A lot of crime is interconnected,” he said. “Gangs and drugs, for example. If you can’t mount an effort on both fronts you end up having diminished returns.”
According to Miller, a town with Hollister’s population should have 54 police officers.
“We have 32 officers budgeted, but we’re actually down from that,” Miller said.
He also said being understaffed can increase burnout, injuries and response times.
“We’re already at a lower level of service than is provided in most communities,” Miller said. He added, “This department is seriously understaffed and it was when I got here.”
If Measure R does not pass and the city needs to cut its budget, the nature of those cuts will be determined by the City Council. Brooks noted that the council might approve an overall cut to police services and allow the department to determine exactly where those cuts could take place.
The city previously reduced its budget in 2004. Miller said the department lost four positions in that cut, mostly through retirements and vacancies that were left unfilled.
“The city is in dire financial straits right now, and they’ve already cut to the bone,” Miller said. “If Measure R doesn’t pass, we will be cutting the bone.”
He noted that the department already has to prioritize the crimes it investigates – crimes against people take precedent over property crimes, he said. Brooks said this situation would be exacerbated with additional budget cuts.
“If we’re investigating a string of burglaries over in Sunnyslope Village and someone gets their purpose stolen from their shopping cart, that person may never get their case investigated,” he said.
On Tuesday, Hollister voters will decide the fate of Measure R. The measure would increase the city’s sales tax from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent and, according to the city’s estimate, generate around $4 million a year.
Architect David Huboi, who is heading the Yes-on-R campaign, said that when he first started promoting the measure, “It seemed like a daunting task.”
However, Huboi said, voters have been receptive to his message, especially when they learn that the sales tax would end after five years and the measure would also create a citizen’s oversight committee to review spending.
“I speak from the heart, so people stop and listen,” said Huboi, who is a member of the city’s planning commission. He added, “This is not a choice for our community, this is something we have to do.”
Clifford Cardoza, a Hollister resident, said he opposes the measure because he’s skeptical about the city government’s fiscal responsibility.
“If there were more financially responsible people in City Hall, I would be for Measure R,” he said. “It’s just adding more to the kitty in which to dole out.”
Cardoza said that when city officials discuss potential service cuts, they’re trying to threaten voters into passing the measure.
“When you had the revenue, what kind of service were you providing then?” he said. “It wasn’t A-plus. It was more like a C-minus.”
Although one pro-Measure R mailing included the logo of the Hollister Police Department, Brooks emphasized that neither the police department nor its officers can take an official position on ballot initiatives. However, since he was speaking with the Free Lance after 5pm and therefore “off the clock,” Brooks did express his support as a private citizen for the measure.
He said that it’s frustrating for police officers when they’re not given enough resources.
“We want to make a difference, but we can only do so to the level that we’re allowed to make a difference,” Brooks said. “I hope people allow us to give them the protection they deserve.”
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
