New cop downtown?

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — The police chief did not ask for a new officer in his budget request, but the City Council is talking about giving him one.

Councilor Brenda Baer suggested during budget discussions Monday night that the city find a way to add a new officer, saying one is needed to fight the opioid crisis and perhaps to boost community policing efforts in the downtown core.

Although no official action was taken on her request, there were no objections to reconsidering the idea once Chief Matt Canfield puts together a proposal for a new officer, who could possibly start midway through the fiscal year, which begins July 1. The city now has 41 police officers.

“We're sort of making a promise to ourselves to revisit the issue over the next six months,” Mayor Ed Engler said.

On Tuesday, Baer said an additional officer could make a big difference. She said it would be up to the department as to how to use a new officer, but she said a cop walking the beat downtown could be a good idea.

“A lot of people in the Beacon Street West condominiums moved there so they could walk downtown and enjoy Rotary Park and the Riverwalk, and they sometimes don't feel safe,” she said.

Canfield said he will apply for federal funding through a competitive process. If he is successful, this funding could pay 75 percent of the costs of salary and benefits of a new officer for three years, with the city picking up these expenses after that.

“Our officers have some of the highest call volume in the state per officer,” Canfield said.

He said a new patrol officer could be used to help fight illegal drugs, both through community outreach and enforcement. Additional manpower would also allow for a greater presence on the street, and a greater ability to “park, walk and talk.”

Baer's suggestion will have to overcome funding obstacles.

City councilors are sensitive to adding new staff unless there is continuing revenue to support the newly hired person's salary along with medical benefits and retirement expense.