Warren's budget proposal trims RPD of $4.5M, adds $5M for Police Accountability Board
Will Cleveland
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Under Mayor Lovely Warren's 2021-22 budget proposal, the city of Rochester would reduce funding for the Rochester Police Department, increase spending on the newly formed Office of Crisis Intervention Services, and meet a request from the Police Accountability Board for $5 million.
Warren unveiled the the $560.8 million spending plan Friday morning at Rochester City Hall. The plan still requires City Council approval. Council, after three public hearings next month, is expected to vote on it on June 15.
According to Warren, the plan is 5.2% bigger than last year, but she said it will decrease property taxers for the average homeowner by $36. The plan is possible through keeping "the tax levy and service fees flat with a combination of reserve funding; deferred capital projects; and better-than-expected revenue collections from such sources as sales taxes," according to a release.
Fully funding the PAB
In an 85-page proposal earlier submitted last month, the PAB requested $5 million in the next city budget, stating it wanted to get to a funding level where the city would invest $1 in the board for every $20 it spends on the police department.
"It fully funds the civilian Police Accountability Board and gives it autonomy to hire staff and begin investigating allegations of officer misconduct," a release from the city stated.
The board's plan outlined the creation of three new bureaus — officer accountability, system change, and administration. It estimated it could investigate 480 complaints under this structure.
The PAB's budget is $396,200 for this current fiscal year, up from 40% from $282,900 in its first year. The PAB currently only has one full-time employee, executive director Conor Dwyer Reynolds. The board members are all volunteers. The new proposal would see the board hire 55 full-time employees.
In a text during the press conference, Reynolds expressed his shock with a simple, "Wow."
"This investment would be a massive step toward transforming the PAB into the change agent our community needs," PAB chair Shani Wilson said in a release. "Today's shooting on Glasser Street underscores the importance of having a PAB that can conduct fair investigations and create systemic change. More than ever, the PAB is committed to doing the work."
"With the adoption of this proposal and continued collaboration, we are certain that the other challenges inherent in building the PAB can and will be overcome," he said.
Reducing RPD spending
Under this proposal, RPD's funding will be reduced 4.7% to $90.8 million. This comes a year after the department's budget was cut by $5 million. More than $1.5 million was removed from RPD's budget by transferring Animal Services to to the Department of Recreation and Human Services.
Another $2.1 million arose from cutting more than $2 million in its "vacancy allowance," which eliminates funding for open positions. Warren said there would be no change in the number of sworn officers — which currently sits at 726, she said.
"This budget invests our resources differently so RPD can be focused on reducing crime and violence, the job our community wants and needs them to do," Warren said. "Over this past year, and in this budget, we are re-focusing the goal of RPD while expanding the role of the Department of Recreation and Human Services in assisting residents in need. These investments are intentional and take a holistic approach in addressing the well-being and safety of our community."
Regional Transit Service:What to know about the new RTS bus routes, on demand service
Community program:Conkey Cruisers helped make Rochester 'bicycle-friendly city.' Why it is ending
For subscribers:New café on Monroe Ave. has Rochesterians buzzing about an English treat
Warren also proposed the city would create a commissioner of public safety. The position would be filled by a civilian and would oversee the Rochester Police Department, Rochester Fire Department, and the office of emergency communications.
This job, coupled with the proposed Office of Neighborhood Safety, would provide more public safety oversight, Warren said. Warren also said $1 million would be invested into implementing recommendations offered by the Racial and Structural Equity Commission report.
In March, the commission issued a 280-page report which highlighted inequities in policing and criminal justice, housing, health care, and education in the city.
Expansion of crisis intervention
Launched in late January, the Person in Crisis team, under the city's newly formed Office of Crisis Intervention Services, averages 21 calls per day.
The city announced the restructuring of its mental health-related emergency response after Daniel Prude's death in March 2020 became public months later. Activists and advocates for policing reform demanded the city find a new approach to calls involving people in mental distress, particularly in communities of color.
The civilian-led PIC team provides a non-law enforcement response to mental health and substance abuse crises in the city. PIC began with 14 team members, only four of whom are full-time city employees. Under Warren's proposal, that number will increase to 40.
Often, there is only one PIC team available during any eight-hour period. Warren wants to expand availability. The PIC team is nearing the end of its initial 6-month pilot program. The Office of Crisis Intervention Services would see its funding increase by just under $500,000 under Warren's proposal.
Warren said the Victims Assistance Unit will also be expanded.
Contact Will Cleveland at wcleveland@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @willcleveland13, Facebook @willcleveland13, and Instagram @clevelandroc. Thanks to our subscribers for supporting quality local journalism. If you aren't a subscriber, please consider a digital subscription.