Racine police outline steady call volume, questions remain on overtime and enforcement funding
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Summary
Police Chief told council the department averages about 148 calls per day (roughly 55,000 per year) and has seen an 8% increase over two years; aldermen pressed for detail on overtime, salary lines, CSO funding and new technology costs.
Racine — Police Chief Ramirez told the Committee of the Whole during the 2026 budget review that the department is handling about 148 calls a day — roughly 55,000 calls per year — and that call volume has risen about 8% over the past two years. "We average a 148 calls. It comes out to about 55,000 per year," Ramirez said, adding the recent rise in calls is modest compared with concern expressed by several council members.
Council members pressed the chief on how the proposed budget addresses overtime and recruitment shortfalls. Chief Ramirez said the operating budget shows only a small increase for 2026 and that wage changes tied to unsettled labor contracts are traditionally not built into the budget until contracts are finalized: "It is traditionally the practice of the city of Racine to not include estimated wage increases in the budget when we have not had a settled contract at this point in time."
Aldermen also asked about specific enforcement funding. Ramirez said Community Service Officers (CSOs) are included in the operating budget but staffing levels vary through the year: CSOs are budgeted and hired as needed, and they perform both animal-control and parking-related enforcement. The council asked whether recent investments in a new parking citation system and in-cab technology (the department’s Axon contract) are reflected in the budget; Ramirez said the department proposes to continue with Axon at its contract renewal and credited the new citation system with speeding issuance by CSOs.
Other capital changes also surfaced: the department is shifting from leased vehicles to purchased Ford Explorers and expects less equipment replacement cost going forward. Some items listed in the department’s CIP — speed trailers, SWAT helmets and body armor — were deferred to 2028 because much equipment was renewed in recent years.
Council members asked for follow-up details the chief did not have at the hearing: year-to-date overtime totals, a line-by-line explanation of where citation revenue is recorded, and clarification on how contract renewals (Axon) will be brought to council or committee review. Ramirez said the police bargaining team has met with the Racine Police Association and another bargaining session is scheduled.
The meeting included broad council praise for the department’s work while underscoring outstanding budget questions: overtime trends, the timing for incorporating wage settlements, and specifics on how new technology and citation systems will affect operations and revenue.
Looking ahead, aldermen requested written follow-ups on year-to-date overtime, expected revenue from enforcement increases, and a clearer breakdown of CSO staffing changes so the council can judge operational impacts of the proposed 2026 budget.
