Stonington police department seeks budget hike

Stonington — The police department’s proposed 2016-17 budget of $5.1 million calls for a 2.9 percent increase, including funding to increase the size of the force by one officer.

The proposal, which police officials presented to the Board of Finance Wednesday night, is close to the finance board’s recommendation that town departments keep their proposed increases to 2 percent or less.

The new officer accounts for about 1 percent of the increase.

Board of Police Commissioners Chairman Patrick Moukawsher told the finance board that he and his members have been “mindful of the guide you gave us” and tried to “balance that with the growing demand for police services.”

He pointed out the budget was essentially level compared to the current budget except for the addition of the new officer and costs for active shooter training.

He said the department also has to anticipate the departure of officers as a number of veteran officers have reached retirement age and area departments are aggressively seeking to hire officers.

An officer who has reached retirement age here can retire, collect a pension and then take a new job with another department.

The department also has requests in the proposed capital improvement budget to replace its aging radio systems ($750,000), four new cruisers ($100,000) and additional surveillance cameras ($15,000).

Police Chief J. Darren Stewart said the department currently has 37 officers, one more than it had in 1976, when the department’s activity, especially in Mystic, was far less.

But now, he said Mystic welcomes an estimated 3 million visitors a year and has 1,100 hotel rooms. The department, also oversees 50 special events annually.

Last year it responded to more than 2,000 medical calls, made 927 school safety visits and charged 118 people with driving under the influence, 47 more than in 2014.

He said his department is also dealing with homelessness and drug addiction issues, and provides active shooter training for officers and the community.

For a community the size of Stonington, he said the FBI recommends 2.6 officers for 1,000 residents, which equates to 48 officers, 11 more than it has now.

With the upcoming opening of the Masonicare assisted living project and a health, research and academic campus with a residential component being discussed for the Perkins Farm, he said medical calls will continue to increase.

The Board of Finance began its review of the proposed 2016-17 budget Wednesday with presentations of the police, solid waste and water pollution control budgets.

It will resume its review on Feb. 24 with the general government and human services budgets and outside agencies such as libraries.