Posted: 7:07 PM Apr 28, 2012
Reporter: Steve Ross

Grand Island Public Safety Study - Steve Ross Reports

A "cusp city," moving from small town status into larger city-style problems. That's how those behind Grand Island's public safety study, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), describe the city.

Grand Island Police Chief Steve Lamken: "It really helps us have a path for the future. I mean we were struggling, we were working, we felt our resources were stretched, but this gives us somewhat an idea of where do we need to go, what do we need to do."

One suggestion from the consultants to Grand Island Police: Add a significant group, perhaps up to 80, officers and staff to relieve "saturated" cops who no longer have time for recommended crime prevention efforts, and employ advanced efforts in data collection, management, and analysis.

Proven successful in other, larger cities, data analysis would allow police to anticipate crime and head it off before it occurs. Consultants recommended that the Fire Department consider smaller, quick response vehicles to save time and cost.

And as for Grand Island's new fire chief? Try buying more time....

ICMA consultant Thomas Wieczorek: "One of the recommendations we made is that we feel that the state laws, you be able to work with the state legislators to give you more time to select that leader."

Now the city council has heavy work ahead to choose the best courses of action.

City Council member Mitchell Nickerson: "We've got to look at the big picture as you talked about as well. What is important to the community, what can we finance, how does all this fit together. This is good information, we just have to sort through it and find out where's the best bang for the buck."

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