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Council presses police for opioid strategy, categorized overtime analysis; police say plan is 'in motion'
Summary
Councilors asked police leaders for a multi-agency opioid and homelessness strategy and a detailed, categorized overtime analysis; police and the mayor said a measurable opioid strategy is being developed and agreed to provide updates at the February meeting.
Councilors pressed the police department for a coordinated, multi-agency opioid and homelessness strategy and requested a detailed, categorized overtime report that explains what is driving overtime and whether contract provisions or staffing patterns contribute to forced overtime.
A councilor requested a plan that would show where calls are concentrated, whether municipal responders see geographic clusters of opioid incidents, and how the city coordinates with county social services, mental-health providers, and nonprofit partners. Mayor and police leadership said they are pursuing multi-agency collaboration and named organizations that will be involved, including the community services board, NAMI and Champlain Valley Health partners.
Lieutenant Trombley (Police Department) told the council the department is collecting data on surges, homeless populations and other needs and that an “opioid strategy is in motion.” Trombley said the department is working to define measurable indicators so the council can track progress. He also said police staff sit on the community-services board and that councilors are welcome to attend those meetings.
On overtime, the council asked the department to provide a categorized overtime report and an analysis of shift allocations and whether provisions in the labor contract (time-off accruals and approved leave language) are contributing to mandatory overtime. The police representative agreed to prepare those materials and to report back at the February public-safety meeting.
Councilors also raised animal-control and other line-item budget questions and asked for clarification on how those funds are administered; police staff confirmed those functions are billed against designated funds and that staff are evaluating cost-efficiency.
No new funding or formal policy was approved during the session; staff were directed to return with written data and a measurable plan at the February meeting.
