Agenda - 01-21-1999 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Proposal for the Fairview "Community Policing Center" January 11,1999 On September 29, 1998 the Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners and the Fairview Block Captains held a meeting to discuss needs and issues in the Fairview Community. During the meeting, the Board directed the Town Manager to work with a Committee comprised of several Block Captains, Police Department representatives, and Commissioner Dancy. The Committee's task was to develop a proposal for a Police Sub-Station/Community Center "concept" located in the Fairview Pazk. The proposal was to be presented to the Hillsborough Boazd of Commissioners as soon as reasonably possible. The Committee met on October 29`~ ,December 17~' ,and January 5th to discuss key issues, ideas, and concerns relating to the development of a Community Policing Center, those ideas are the basis for this proposal. The following information is intended to highlight the key elements of the proposal to construct and operate the Center. Primary Purposes of the Center• • Bring police officers closer to the Fairview Community to increase the ability of residents and the Hillsborough Police Department to work together in their desire to rid the neighborhood of drugs and crime. • Providing asub-station and relocating the Town's Community Policing Division in the Center will increase interaction between residents and police officers. The goal is to increase communication and trust between the HPD and community -both aze crucial elements in effectively fighting and decreasing crime in Fairview as well as the rest of Hillsborough. The relocation will have little or no impact on the Community Policing Division's ability to continue serving the entire Town of Hillsborough. Currently, the Community Policing Division is working in very "cramped" conditions. In fact, the facility should make it much easier for the public to reach all the Community Policing Officers. In addition to alleviating this problem, the move will free up needed office and storage space in the Police Department. • Increase use of the existing pazk by locating the Center on the same property -greater law enforcement presence in the azea makes this a safer environment for children and families. The Center and Community Policing Division will benefit by the increased traffic in the Pazk, thus allowing Hillsborough Police Officers and residents to "get to know each other" on a friendly basis. This makes it easier for everyone to work together when various problems arise -this is the basic premise behind Community Oriented Policing. • Provide a convenient location to operate programs to help all children in Hillsborough (e.g., after school activities, tutorial programs, youth programs run by the Community Policing Division, etc.). • Provide space to Orange County and the Sheriff's Depaztment, making it easier for them to provide services to the neighborhood and Northern Orange County. The County may wish to set up satellite offices for Heath/Social Services that could operate on a limited schedule. • Provide a convenient meeting space for "community" activities for all residents of Hillsborough. • Eventually augment the benefits of a regional park on the surrounding County and Town properties, when a recreation project is eventually developed in this area. Operational Conce}~t: • The Community Policing Center will be the headquarters for the HPD Community Policing Division, and will provide an office for the Orange County Sheriff's Department to assist in their law enforcement operations in the area. • Satellite office location available for government services (Town and County). • Make the Center's Meeting Room available for use by community groups.