What’s the Price of Fun?

Last year, between the democrats and republicans of the Representative Town Meeting, the Branford Board of Finance approved removing about half of the requested police overtime funds for special events from the 2011-12 budget and placing $28,000 into contingency for such use.

Tonight, at a special Board of Finance meeting, prior to them setting , the Branford Board of Police Commissioners will be looking to transfer $19,113 from contingency to overtime for public events for this fiscal year. To see other proposed transfers, check out the agenda attached.

Last year the Board of Police Commissioners requested $55,185 but $25,185 was approved for police overtime for special events. Since having a reduced budget, Chief Kevin Halloran said the police department had to adjust their coverage for events like the on the Green. Instead of using an overtime officer, the department saved funds by send a to oversee the Thursday night events. In doing so, the department also changed the coverage area of one patrol officer during the timeframe of the event so he or she could be nearby in case the CSO needed assistance. Changing patrol of officers can be risky, explained Halloran, as well detrimental to predictive policing efforts.

This year the Board of Police Commissioners have requested $58,846 for overtime, which includes $22,948 for the Branford Festival or 507 hours (see full list of events, proposed cost and hours below).

Last year some RTM representatives made the case that some of the public events should fund themselves for staffing officers while other RTM members suggested that officers work straight time instead of overtime for the events.

We’ll let you know how the Police Department plans to use the contingency funds for the duration of this fiscal year following tonight’s meeting should the transfer be granted. Check back to find out what is approved by the Board of Finance for overtime funds for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

What do you think of the town funding police overtime for special events?