10-19-2021 Additional PersonnelPolice Department
Proposing Additional Personnel and Resources
City Council Report
October 19, 2021
Andy Hwang, Chief of Police
Steve Groom, Finance Director
Overview
Crime Statistics
Addressing Gun Violence
Changes in Public Safety
Historical Staffing Background
Police Chiefs Recommendations
Deployment Enhancements
Funding Options
Q�y'�'t Opp,
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Crime Statistics
The United States is experiencing an increase in gun violence,
and the greater Seattle -Tacoma region is caught up in it.
Recently in Federal Way we experienced several shootings in a
short span of time. In United States, there were 21570 murders
in 2020, compared with 16,425 murders in 2019, an increase of
29%.
In Washington State, there were 302 murders in 2020 in
comparison to 206 in 2019, an increase of 46%. In King County,
there were 102 murders in 2020, and 69 fatal shooting victims,
an increase of 27%.
In the first six months of 2021, there has been 42 fatal shooting
victims in King County, which is up 46%. In Federal Way, we
have experienced six murders year to date. Violent crime is on
the rise in Washington and in King County.
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2o16
-10%
Federal Way Total NIBRS Crimes
91
8293
2017 22018
2019 2020
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1600
1200
M
M
FederalWay Person Crimes
2016 2017
1510
2018
10000
f111
III
2000
x
Federal Way - Property Crimes
2016 2017 2018
019
6365
2020
aoao NIBRS Data - Total Crimes
Tacoma 27587
Kent 12897
Renton 8265
Federal Way 7995
Auburn 7834
ZOZo NIBRS Data - Murder
Tacoma
Auburn
Kent
Renton
Federal Way
32
aoao NIBRS Data - Person Crimes
Tacoma
Kent
Auburn
Federal Way
Renton
5538
aoao NIBRS Data - Property Crimes
Tacoma
Kent
Renton
Federal Way
Auburn
21277
Q�y,�,t Opp,
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Addressing Gun V*Iolence
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What we are doing:
When significant violent gun crime occur, we prioritize our resources to
capture the offender.
Conduct regular gun emphasis patrols in known problem locations (Council
authorized $214K overtime funding).
Use crime analysis data to direct uniform patrols at specific locations.
Partner with federal and state law enforcement agencies, working together
to identify ballistic connections between inter -jurisdictional gun crimes.
Participate with DEA/VNET to focus on the rising drug activity in South King
County.
Partner with King County Prosecutor's Office to identify prolific offenders for
more aggressive prosecution.
Participate in regular South King County Intel Meetings to identify prolific
gun -violent offenders.
Ongoing Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Programs.
Expanding Safe City Cameras and license plate readers.
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Changes in Public Safety ont1 d)
One of my responsibilities as your law enforcement leader is to inform you,
the elected policy makers and our residents, why this is happening.
Second, you have a right to expect me to recommend strategies to keep
our community safe.
Changes in our public environment compel us to commit more resources to
public safety now in order to ensure Federal Way remains a safe place to
live, work, shop and play. Significant changes include a rising population,
rising violence throughout the region, and reduced offender accountability.
As of April 2020 (U.S. Census), City of Federal Way population was 101,030.
Based on that figure, our police officer ratio is 1.36 per 1,000 residents.
There was rapid growth of nearly 5,000 people in a single year (96,289
people in 2019).
With other significant developments underway, the rapid growth will
continue in the foreseeable future. Major projects such as Light Rail and
The Commons will significantly bring more visitors and residents to our
downtown area.
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1Changes in Publ'ic Safety (cont"d)
Less accountability for criminal offenses creates more
feelings of immunity among offenders, emboldening their
actions to harm others. Crimes are becoming increasingly
more brazen and frequent.
King County has jurisdiction over felonies and juvenile
crimes. With funding reduced at the prosecutor's office,
many felonies and crimes by juveniles are simply not
prosecuted.
Jails are accepting fewer arrestees and judges are quicker
to release them. The same is true of our state prisons.
Q�y,�,t Opp,
POzIo-
1
Changes in Public Safety (cont'd)
Significant new policing reform laws in the state add to this mixture
(HB 1054 and HB 1310). More offenders are, literally, getting away
with crime. These bills have "tied our hands" from doing good police
work and now we are starting to see its impacts.
One of the impacts to the community is the new state law on police
tactics (HB 1054), which changed the requirements for vehicle pursuits
by police officers. The restrictions virtually eliminate police pursuits in
Washington State. Since its effective date (July 25, 2021), the Federal
Way Police Department has recorded 26 criminal escapes (as of
October 6) due to non -pursuit.
When police emergency lights were activated, the suspects fled and
the officers could not legally pursue them. Our former ability to
pursue, particularly in the middle of the night, was a deterrent to
fleeing in the first place; now criminals are more willing to simply drive
away.
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po-,,C, Changes in Public Safetycont d1
Stealing a vehicle is often a precursor for committing violent
crimes. Apprehending car thieves was a powerful method for
preventing violence and apprehending dangerous offenders.
Now, however, we cannot legally pursue stolen vehicles.
Earlier this year the Washington legislature passed ESB 5476,
which essentially de -criminalized possession of dangerous
drugs (including heroin, cocaine, meth, Fentanyl and so forth).
Drug use is more rampant and blatant than ever. Previously,
physical arrest initiated a process in which courts could compel
treatment. Now, police officers are virtually prohibited from
making arrests for drug use or possession.
Offenders walk away with a referral card in their pocket, with
no obligation to take any corrective action. Fatal overdose is
an increasing plague to Washington's communities.
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Changes in Public Safety ont1 d)
Much of gun violence in Federal Way has nexus to drugs.
Shootings often stem from drug transactions and drug rips.
Drug activity is a primary contributing factor for gun violence
and other crimes in our community.
Auto theft numbers are significantly increasing in King County:
June 805; July 981; August 1,154; September 1,277. In Federal
Way: June 48; July 54; August 66; September 110.
There are several factors as to why certain crimes are on the
increase, but in regards to auto theft, one of the factors is
directly correlated to the new state reform law. It is the
offenders belief that they will not be apprehended and held
accountable.
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Q�y'�'t Opp,
FWPD Historical Background
1
October 2006 the population of Federal Way was 86,350.
• FWPD had 15 records specialists and 118 police officers.
November 2006, Proposition #1 (Public and Community Safety Service
Improvement Package) added 18 police officers (to 136 total) and one additional
records specialist.
• Prop 1 brought the officer ratio to
increase from 1.37.
Recession 2008-2011
1.59 officers per 1,000 residents, an
• May 2009 the police department stopped filling vacancies. Staffing dropped
to 122 police officers.
• Eliminated criminal intelligence detective, some regular detectives, two pro -
act officers, traffic officers (from 8 to 3), and records personnel (15 to 10).
• Accordingly, some police services were de -prioritized.
Since 2014 we have steadily increased the officer numbers:
• 137 police officers
9 Records remains at 10 17
Q�y,�,t Opp,
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�EAC- Police Chiefs Recommendation
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Changes in our public environment compel us to commit more
resources. Providing the Police Department with additional staffing
and resources will enhance public safety to impact gun violence and
other crimes. These enhancements will send a strong message to
our community that public safety is a priority and criminal conduct
will not be tolerated.
Police force of 150 police officers
• 13 new positions will give us 1.49 officers per 1,000 residents
• 13 police vehicles added to our fleet to accommodate each
new position.
Police force of 12 records specialists
• Two new positions
15 additional police vehicles
• Recruiting new -hires, retaining tenured officers.
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p��xGDeployment Enhancements
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Deployment of 13 Officers:
• 6 patrol officers, one to each squad
• 4 pro -act officers
• 2 officers to SOU
• 1 officer to Traffic
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p° lxG Deployment EnhancementS (cont'd)
Patrol is the first pillar of local public safety. They are on duty,
in uniform 24/7/365. Adding six officers to patrol puts more
police on the streets in neighborhoods, responding to 911 calls
and deterring crime.
Pro -act. This unit is made up of officers with different titles and
functions. They constantly supplement each other in order to
accomplish the various functions. Pro -act is part of the Special
Investigations Unit, responsible for gang suppression,
highway/downtown patrol, narcotics investigations and drug
houses, neighborhood complaints of criminal activity, asset
seizure management, adult business monitoring, and
prostitution prevention enforcement.
Q�y,�,t Opp,
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p° xIC- D I m n EnhancementS
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SOU (Special Operations Unit): This unit had six police officers when
it was created at the end of 2009 to address increasing violence in
and around the Sound Transit Center. SOU was intended to provide
bicycle patrol in the downtown core and City parks. They established
relationships with business owners and retailers in the area. The
presence of SOU resulted in a significant decrease of crime in the
downtown core. Presently the unit has four officers.
Traffic officers mitigate speeding complaints, investigate and remove
abandoned vehicles, and handle collision investigations. They
conduct the ongoing investigations of all fatality collisions. This unit
went from eight authorized positions down to three traffic officers
currently assigned, plus the unit's lieutenant. The unit also monitors
and issues tickets from the photo -enforcement cameras.
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p° lxG Deployment EnhancementS (cont'd)
Records specialists are police employees who process
the documentation generated by police officers. They
receive court orders and prepare them for service by
officers. They enter data, upon which much of our
transparency with the community relies. The majority
of their work is mandated by statute, state code, and
similar rules for law enforcement agencies. Records
specialists also research data bases, find information -
related clues for officers in the field, and help solve
crimes. As such, they are invaluable force multipliers
to our crime -fighting mission.
Estimated Costs
Salary +benefits for 13 police officers:
$1,275,378 per year
Salary +benefits for two records specialists:
$126,386 per year
Equipment &uniforms + BLEA registration:
$183,000 one-time
Hiring bonuses:
$98,000 one-time
28 equipped patrol vehicles:
$2,072,000 initially, $259,000 per year replacement
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Can We Fund It.?
Yes we can, but...
... four questions should be answered .. .
... two feasible options emerge
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Questions to Answer
1. How do we find "extra money?"
• No such thing as "extra money"
• The formal budget process allocates all our resources
to our top priorities
• Intermediate course correction obligations must
contemplate citywide needs and consider future budget
consequences
Budget Integrity
(A Policy -level Balancing Act
Budget Integrity vs. Course Corrections
Our adopted, fully -vetted budget
allocates our limited resources
to m it hiahact nrinritiac
Questions to Answer
2. Are there any current -year savings?
• 2021-2022 estimated jail cost savings $1.5 million
Is $1.0 million in 2021
$0.5 million in 2022
• Existing vacancies $123,000 (2022 forecast)
• Savings decline as openings are filled
• Savings will actually fund most of 2022 cost
Questions to Answer
3. Is there any new revenue?
• Sales Tax revenue was forecast cautiously due to COVID and
has been coming in favorably
• Committing $478,000 in projected 2022 Sales Tax Revenue
will fill that gap
$2010001000
$18, 000,000
$1 6, 000, 000
$1410001000
$12, 000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000
$0
Revenue
City of Federal Way - Sales Tax Revenue Received
Current Year Actual vs. Budget and Prior Year
-----------------------
-----------------------
-----------------------
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Questions to Answer
4. How are future years impacted?
• Adding vehicles increases annual reserve funding
• Adding staff increases annual budget commitment
• Both obligate future revenue — an estimated $1,660,764 per
year on -going
Two Options
With ARPA (the easier way)
• Vehicle costs of $2.1 million
(ARPA is already budgeted but not committed or
restricted yet)
• Sales Tax Revenue would be freed up for now
Without ARPA (the hard way)
• Savings (already budgeted)
• Sales Tax Revenue (budget amendment)
• ARPA remains available for true one-time costs
Establishes traiectory now for future budgets
Funding
2021/2022 Jai I Cost Savings
2022 Payroll Savings
General Fund Revenues
ARPA
Expenditures
Staffing - new Police Officers
Staff- Record Specialists
Additional Equipment
Recruiting Costs
13 Additional Patrol Cars
15 Patrol Cars for new positions
Two Options
With ARPA
2022
2023
2024
276,275
123,000
-
1,426,932
1,401,764
1,702,000
370,000
-
2,101, 275
1,796,932
1,401,764
171,686
1,152, 746
1,275,378
94,790
126,386
126,386
84,800
97,800
-
48, 000
50,000
962,000
-
740,000
370,000
-
Without ARPA
2022 2023 2024
1,500,000 - -
123, 000 - -
478, 275 1,796,932 1,401,764
2,101, 275 1,796,932 1,401,764
171,686 1,152, 746 1,275,378
94,790 126,386 126,386
84,800 97,800 -
48, 000 50,000 962,000 - 740,000 370,000 -
2,101, 275 1,796,932 1,401,764 2,101, 275 1,796,932 1,401,764
2022 - With ARPA
2022 Payroll__
Savings,
123,000
2021/2022_.
Jail Cost
Savings,
276,275
2022 - Without ARPA
General Fund
Revenues,
478,275
2022 Payroll
Savings,
123,000
Two Options
ARPA, ARPA,
1,702,000 370,000_
General Fund
Revenues,
1,426,932
2021/2022
Jail Cast General Fund
Savings, Revenues,
1,500,000 1,796,932
2023 - With ARPA
2023 - Without ARPA
ARPA
General Fund
Revenues,
1,401,764
General Fund
Revenues,
1,401,764
2024 - With ARPA
2024 - Without ARPA
Finance Director's Recommendation
Either way can work
ARPA — master plan in process
General Fund Budget — 2023-24 Budget
commitment will have to be a priority
either way
Next Steps
Next Budget Amendment
• Commit Increased Sales Tax Revenue if needed
• Increase expenditures —capital (vehicles), personnel,
equipment
AND
•ARPA Master Planning Update
Conclusion
✓ Enhancing public safety
✓ Improving recruitment/retention
✓ Anticipating population growth
✓ Considering entire citywide budget
✓ Anticipating future priorities
✓ Spending within our means
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PoLlo, M a yo 1P s Recommendat*io
Option #1
Approve increases in police department staffing,
hiring bonus and new vehicle purchases committing
ARPA Revenue for the vehicle purchases and funding
the remainder from current -year savings.
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Questions?
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