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| Budget cuts leave Magnolia PD short staffed |
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The Magnolia Police Department (MPD) took a hard hit from city budget cuts in 2010, but is finding ways “to do more with less,” according to Police Chief Domingo Ibarra.
Those cuts have left the MPD with fewer officers.
“I have no problem telling you we are short staffed,” Ibarra said.
The city eliminated three positions, which included two officers and a secretary in early 2010. City Manager Paul Mendes said the cuts were strictly a financial requirement.
Budget cuts were a result of the ongoing economic crisis, as well as the city budget projecting higher revenues than earned for 2010.
Ibarra explained that experts looked at the size of the community to the size of the police department and saw that cuts could be made. The first cut to be made involved a secretary.
“We have got to have men on the ground,” Mendes said. “So we tightened up on the top end.”
Ibarra said the department knows what it takes to do the job and now he is asking more work with fewer workers.
According to Ibarra, Magnolia has seen an increase in crime coming into Magnolia and officers are, at times, patrolling alone.
“It is literally impossible to have two people (patrolling) at all times,” Ibarra said.
In addition, officers making arrests must transport the subjects to the Montgomery County Jail in Conroe. Traveling that distance could keep officers out of Magnolia for nearly two hours.
According to MPD statistics, 34 arrests were made in October and 42 in November.
MPD has seen a rise in narcotics in Magnolia and has been aggressively watching for signs when making stops for traffic violations, according to Ibarra.
“Calls for service are rising, while man power is being lowered,” Ibarra said.
When officers must leave the city limits and are unable to respond, deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assist in taking calls.
However, Ibarra said all departments are feeling the effects of the economy, so once the Sherriff’s Office enters the city limits they also lose men patrolling their jurisdiction.
Also, Ibarra said the MPD has to be responsible to taxpayers and elected officials.
“It’s imperative that we balance the needs of public safety to balancing the budget and that’s one of the hardest things to decide as public officials,” Ibarra said. “Now, more than ever, we have to come up with a new strategy.
Ibarra questioned when it would be appropriate to have “minimum staffing.”
“Crimes have a cycle: dark, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Ibarra said. “But there are some instances like Sunday (Dec. 12) at 11:30. The point is you just never know.”
On the morning of Dec. 12 officers conducted a traffic stop and a suspect fled the scene with a baby in the vehicle.
Mendes will hold a budget workshop in March and present a “wish-list” of what each department would like to have budgeted. By the end of April a budget should be nearly finalized to submit to City Council indicating what each department needs in order to operate.
Ibarra has requested new equipment for the department, which he displayed at the City Council meeting on Dec. 14. The gear would include a rifle, ballistic shield, ballistic helmet and flat jacket.
Mendes said next year’s budget could allow for more police officers.
“I am hoping to have sufficient funds for a budget amendment at the first of the year to provide additional officers to the police department,” Mendes said. Comments (11)
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written by youarekillingme, January 04, 2011
I can't tell you how many times I've seen the MPD units in Hazy Hollow, or as far as Hardin Store road. If they would spend time in the city that they are paid to be in by the tax payers, then they wouldn't appear to be short staffed. If Ibarra can't get a handle on this department, then get somebody in here that will, and tell the illustrious city council to stay out of the departments business.
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written by Jake Bolton, January 04, 2011
Magnolia is known for being a speed trap town. I doubt that very many of the tax paying citizens are driving through town speeding. The cops catch all those speeders pa*sing through the po-dunk town.
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written by Last Entertainment, January 04, 2011
Some time ago I was stopped by MPD. The female officer cited the thin metal frame around my license plate as justification for pulling me over.
I have observed these frames on a large fraction of vehicles on the road today, still this was her reason to stop me. I have yet to meet another living soul who has been stopped for such a bs reason. Not long after that, the same officer was involved in an early morning head on collision with another officer in one of MPD's fancy new Dodge Chargers. Remember those bricks that were sold to the public years ago that line the walk way at City Hall? The same City Hall that boasted of construction flaws that forced MPD into portable buildings on FM 1488? Are we through paying for those vacant buildings yet? How about the new fire department building, and the new Montco building on Nichols Sawmill? Ever notice the dozen or so Montco sheriff cars that are almost always parked at that new building? And the world's smallest violin... playing for the officer that had nothing better to do as a public servant than to pull me over for a license plate frame. If this is what you need to hire more officers for, then I would just as well see their cars parked at City Hall. Does anyone wonder about that new walking trail in Magnolia that has a 'scenic' view of an alley, that ends at a 'park', that will one day be a nice place to sit and watch cars travel the 249 overpa*s? Wasn't this being constructed while Magnolia was operating under a $500,000 deficit? Didn't a Magnolia judge recently step down for not running his court in proper manner, and isn't the City now bound by law to return fines paid in to his court? By the way, those monies don't seem to be included in the 2011 budget. Hmmm...
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written by JeriCarpenter, January 05, 2011
To Last Entertainment ... I agree with just about everything you and the other's have said. All except for your last sentence that is. The Judge you're speaking of is and was a highly respected MAN that cared about the people of Montgomery County. Yes, he accepted the blame for the court clerks not being tought how to do their jobs correctly but it was the administration that wanted rid of him and the grounds were NOT right. So far I've located 24 of the people that had hot checks with Magnolia Court and I won't stop until I've found them all. They are due the over charge fee's plus the $30.00 restitution fee on each check that was written and they are getting some good money at a time when it can really be used. All that I've asked them is to keep me updated with what they collect and make sure that it's correct. As far as Ibarra, he doesn't have a clue as to what his Officer's or doing, have done or probably will do in the future. He's only notified when he wants his picture made.
Take care Magnolia, Citizens are watching !
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written by Last Entertainment, January 05, 2011
Ms. Carpenter,
It just so happens that I reflect on your service to the City in the highest regard. I have seen you perform your duties first hand, and recall thinking that some public servants/ officials could only dream of holding their commissions with the same dignity. My previous comment was cut short for some reason. His Honor was not exactly the case in point. It was the underlining financial aspect of that situation that disturbs me. How I do miss the olden days of Magnolia. Before the McDonalds, before the new fangled developement, before the current wash of city politics... ... when all was so quiet and tidy that you could hear the cows moo.
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written by Texajun, January 09, 2011
To all of the negative people concerning Magnolia's headaches!
1. Why would you say that Magnolia use to be a great place? Isn't that when all of the corruption was rampart? 2. Magnolia is trying to recoup from past problems. Fighting it will only make it worst. You COULD also run for office. But I think that some did and were voted out. Doesn't that tell you something? 3. Many of the so-called unimportant projects have nothing to do with the budget deficit. Learn the laws of government made by the State of Texas. Magnolia is only following rules, unlike the court problems created by people unfamiliar with the Texas laws. Taking refresher courses would have prevented the serious and financial mistakes made. 4. As for the hot-check problem, why did you not speak up at the time it was happening...or were you not familiar with the LAWS also! 5. Learn more about the different government entities. MCSO and MFD are different agencies from MPD. And they all share a better working relationship when a*sistance is needed. I too, would like to have a quite country atmosphere, but times do change and not always to everyone’s wishes. One more thought....There are 4 major highways leading out of Magnolia. Take one of them if you are not satisfied; otherwise, try to work together as human beings! Please don’t be offended if I didn’t comment on all of the negative comments above.
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written by Logans_run, January 10, 2011
Given the budget limitations and the recent history of corruption at the top of the MPD, has City Counsel considered the possibility of contracting with Mongomery Sheriffs Department for Public Safety and disband the MPD?
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written by Todd Kana, January 10, 2011
What recent history of corruption are you speaking of? If you are speaking of the Chief and Captain that were indicted a couple of years ago. They were never convicted. All charges were dropped and the DA chose not to prosecute.
Budget limitations? Not sure what you are referencing here either. In fact, after looking at the recent audit we might look at adding staff to the PD. The Sheriff department does not have the resources to provide the officer per resident or square mile that Magnolia residents now receive.
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written by Todd Kana, January 10, 2011
Just a note. March will be 3 years since the above mentioned indictments. I don't think that could be considered recent.
... written by Logans_run, January 11, 2011
@the Mayor:
Thanks for answering my questions. I guess it has been 3 years. You must understand that when a city finds itself in turmoil due to issues with the police and city administration, it tends to lose credibility. I moved to the Magnolia area from a very large metropolitan city. The issues I have read of over the last couple years are comical yet tragic. They so embody the stereotypical small town politics.
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What the Citizens of Magnolia would like to see is the Officer's out on the streets. They are see all out in the County, responding non-dispatched on Hardin Store Road, Stagecoach, Nichols Sawmill and every where except in the City Limits.
The quote secretary that he lost was never called a secretary. She was the head dispatcher and the title was administrator a*sistant. She was excellent at her job but easier to let go than those left filling her position even though there is no dispatch.
Time to wake up Ibarra, keep your officer's in the City where the citizens and business owners pay their salary. If they are bored then show them the door.
Happy 2011 to each