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Police report staffing shortfall and rising radio costs; speed cameras cut speeds but revenue delayed
Summary
Police officials told the BET Budget Committee they are 14 officers short of authorized strength and that overtime has grown to about 20% of salary. Nine speed cameras reduced speeding at most sites but vendor recoups equipment costs, so revenue has not yet been received.
The Police Department reported a staffing shortfall and several budget pressures during its FY2026–27 presentation to the BET Budget Committee. Department records in the minutes show the force is 14 officers below the authorized strength of 152 (137 available for patrol), with retention challenges and dispatch vacancies. Overtime has risen to about 20% of salary, and the FY2027 overtime budget of $3 million was noted as potentially understated given current vacancies.
The department described key cost drivers including a 22% increase in Motorola radio system fees, mandatory cybersecurity training, and collective bargaining obligations. Officials said negotiations to join the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio system could reduce annual radio costs by roughly $250,000, though transition timing is uncertain.
On enforcement technology, the committee record shows nine automated speed cameras deployed in school zones; eight sites produced approximately 90% reductions in speeding and one site (North Street) produced a 38% reduction. About 7,000 tickets have been issued, but the minutes note no revenue has yet been received because the vendor, Blue Line, recoups equipment costs first. Per state statute referenced in the record, any speed-camera revenue must be restricted to traffic safety purposes; a resolution and a joint Law Department/Finance meeting were scheduled for March 2 to address revenue use.
The department also identified personnel and capital requests that will be forwarded for further review: three headcount requests will be presented to the HR Committee on Feb. 25 (including converting an FOI/Records Specialist to full-time and adding an Animal Control Officer), and several capital items (server replacement, security cameras, license-plate readers, and boat replacement) were listed for consideration.
Parking Services reported it relocated to the Greenwich Police Department on July 1, 2025, operates about 2,580 parking spaces, and reported FY2026 revenue lines (ParkMobile $1.9M; commuter parking $1,033,000; tickets/fines $1,367,000, among others). The department piloted new contactless meters on Greenwich Avenue and flagged a duplication on a Havemeyer South paving item with DPW for clarification.
