Police Chief Monthly Report
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[CHESTER - Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey reported on the following projects at the May 2, 2011 Chester City Council Meeting.
Chief Coffey requested and received approval to submit a COPS Hiring Grant application. Chief Coffey reported that this will be the third time the Police Department has submitted this Grant in as many years. According to previous correspondence with the U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, funding for the last two years have been awarded to communities that have had a greater financial need. Much of the funding has been used to re-hire police officers that had been laid off.
According to Chief Coffey these grants will provide 100% funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly-hired, full-time sworn police officer positions or for rehiring officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off on a specific future date, as a result of local budget cuts. Chief Coffey indicated that he has a need for additional officers and requested City Council approval for one patrolman.
Chief Coffey also reported on the status of some security upgrades at City Hall, the status of the Police Department's upcoming fiscal year budget, and some upcoming community meetings planned throughout the month of May. Chief Coffey also let the City Council know about some additions made to the www.chesterpolicedepartment.com website. Users may now access information on a few of our local city ordinances. The website now provides information on high grass and weeds, derelict vehicles, and garbage and debris. Chief Coffey plans to add to the list of ordinances over time. Users may also printout applications for employment at the Chester Police Department. Chief Coffey indicated that the application can be accessed under the "Recruitment" section.
Chief Coffey also reported on the disposition of a multi-jurisdictional stolen motor vehicle investigation and provided a status report on the current City Ordinance Enforcement case load.