Downtown Dover police substation idea fizzles

By Mike Finney
Posted 5/25/22

DOVER — Members of Dover’s Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee gave up on the idea of putting a brick-and-mortar police substation in downtown Dover during their virtual Council …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Downtown Dover police substation idea fizzles

Posted

DOVER — Members of Dover’s Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee gave up on the idea of putting a brick-and-mortar police substation in downtown Dover during their virtual Council Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night.

Then, after hearing of a significant shortfall in the city’s FY ’22 budget by City Manager Dave Hugg, they also unanimously voted to table a staff recommendation to add five police officers to the force, which would have increased its authorized strength from 106 to 111 officers at an estimated first three-year annual cost of $511,149.48.

Dover City Council will be conducting Budget Review meetings from May 31 until June 1. Councilwoman Tricia Arndt made a motion to table authorizing any more officers until council could learn more about the city’s budget.

The five additional officers, for whom the city council is now looking at other possible grants and programs to possibly obtain, would be charged with covering the downtown Dover area with routine patrols on foot and bikes and in cars.

“The idea of 24-hour staffing, or strategic staffing, those officers would be required and put in a fashion where they were mobile, and work the downtown corridor and the adjacent neighborhoods,” Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson said.

“My recommendation is the same as it has been before. I think I can do more good in more places with the mobility of these officers and the ability to rely on existing infrastructure, including already existing vehicles and already existing processes, to try and make an impact in that area if that is council’s desire.”

Following a nearly four-hour debate in a late April meeting of Dover’s Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee, members voted 6-5 to table the substation issue until further information could be gathered about costs and the number of officers that may need to be added to the city’s payroll.

City Council President Roy Sudler Jr. and Councilmen David Anderson and Ralph Taylor – who all represent districts in the downtown corridor – have all supported the idea of developing a police substation in an existing building at 11 W. Loockerman St.

However, in looking at the additional costs to upgrade the property, the price seemed to go up and up.

Additional costs of the downtown police substation would include rent, which is negotiable with the building’s owner. Utilities would be a minimum of $250 monthly.

Workstations and computers for the officers would cost around $7,000 per station, which would include furnishings and required technology.

Surveillance cameras have been estimated to cost $7,500 for three units and additional cameras may be needed, while security/key card controls are estimated to cost $5,000-$10,000 for the building’s exterior and some interior doors may require key card controls.

The police substation would also be outfitted with ballistic glass and doors, which are expected to cost more than $70,000.

Any police function beyond simple clerical activity is likely to have associated regulations that will increase the overall costs, and there will also be miscellaneous costs such as repairs/maintenance/cleaning; office/building supplies; mandatory regulations (FBI/CALEA); internet/phone and signage.

“From the respective of value, I think my recommendation is probably reflecting current conditions,” Chief Johnson said. “Observing the budgetary situation that I know is challenging all of council, I don’t see any additional value in having a brick-and-mortar substation.

“I can use these officers, if that is the will and intent of council, to address the conditions that council believes is most concerned about in the entirety of the downtown area with a focused program.

“Pretty much, this will become a unit. This will be a mission that will be focused on the business community in that area and the adjacent neighborhoods who are also impacted by some of the challenges in the downtown area.”

Councilman Taylor supported the idea of following Chief Johnson’s recommendation of additional police presence, however, the discussion was tempered by Mr. Hugg’s later warning of budget difficulties spurred by enormous rises in electricity costs.

“I think everyone is in agreement with Chief. We want the most bang for the buck, and what we were talking about overall was a heavier police presence downtown,” Councilman Taylor said. “Now if that happened through a substation I would be 100% in agreement with it, but if it has to happen this way, then I’m 100% in agreement with this as well.

“A heavier police presence is necessary. Officers doing their job downtown. That’s exactly what we need.”

Recent problems in the downtown district include high crime rates, drug use, destruction of property, public urination and defecation, aggressive panhandling, fornicating outside and numerous other issues, according to police.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X