Editorial: Give the chief what he needs

Oak Harbor Police Chief Steve Almon is requesting two additional police officers for next year. Coming from a confirmed penny-pincher like Almon, the city council should find this particular request an easy one to grant.

Even with the two additional officers, the police department’s budget for next year is expected to be less than it was this year by some $9,000. This resulted from Almon’s welcome proclivity to cut costs, ranging from reduced overtime hours to savings on office supplies.

This is the second consecutive year that Almon has asked for less than his department spent the previous year, which could be a record in the annals of public spending. What other government agency ever asks for less, particularly one as critical as a police department?

In fact, the city council should take a look at whether Chief Almon’s department will have all it needs even if he gets two new officers next year. In 2001 the police department had 30 officers, which through attrition dropped to 26 this year. The planned additions for next year would bring the total to only 28.

The number of emergency calls and crimes certainly has not dropped since 2001, even though the number of police officers has declined. This shows frugal management, but also should cause the council to study whether we have enough officers to do their job in the safest, most efficient manner possible. Public safety is the number one priority at budget making time, so make sure Chief Almon gets everything he wants — and perhaps more.

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