During a retreat for city officials Monday, the Columbus City Council expressed concerns of underutilized police substations and underperforming Public Works Department crews.
City department heads presented their goals and objectives for their departments, during the retreat held at Plymouth Bluff.
Columbus Assistant Police Chief Joe Johnson, in Chief Joseph St. John”s absence, listed the goals of the Columbus Police Department, including objectives to “reduce crime in substation areas.”
“What”s the concept of the substations?” Ward 6 Councilman Kabir Karriem asked, noting he received complaints of substations — which citizens in his ward worked to make comfortable for officers by providing food and beverages — not being used often.
“A substation should be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Johnson admitted. “(But) you get into a personnel and scheduling process. That would call for additional personnel. We don”t have that luxury in manpower.”
“Why do we have so many of them?” Karriem asked, referring to the department”s five substations.
“It gives a sense of security,” Johnson responded. “Those guys may take their breaks there. Just that (police) vehicle parked there (at the substation) gives the perception police are present.”
“I hope this substation thing can be revisited,” Karriem said, asking for a “report” detailing the function of substations and how they will be managed.
“Why are you not putting people on light duty at these (substations)?” Ward 2 Councilman Charlie Box asked.
“Usually reserve (officers) have other jobs and they work during the day,” Johnson said “In this day and time, we have to be very careful about the deployment of light-duty people in certain areas.
“We know we have a long way to go,” Johnson added. “There are some things we look forward to doing.”
Public Works Director Mike Pratt noted Columbus Action Center improvements since the last city retreat, held in January.
Additionally, he reported city crews are busy with a “huge list” of ditches needing work performed.
“We”re trying to get through that list now,” he said. “We”re slowly making a step into it. We”re not doing any big paving or patching jobs right now, because I”ve got every operator I”ve got working in a ditch right now.”
City crews also are working their way through eight dilapidated houses to be demolished and 85 overgrown lots to be mowed.
Another of Pratt”s goals is to “hire better-skilled people” and he will ask for additional personnel in next year”s budget, he noted.
Box suggested a five-day work week, instead of the city”s current four-day work schedule, would improve productivity in public works crews.
“Everybody knows they”re just hanging around on their shovels,” he said, noting they should not be “rewarded” with a three-day weekend. “Put them back on a five-day work week and let them know why.”
“The heat makes them tired earlier,” said Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin.
“It”s a knee-jerk reaction to do something like that,” said Mike Bernsen, the city”s chief financial officer. “Putting them on a five-day work week is not a punishment.”
“Whether it”s a five-day work week or a four-day work week, when the heat”s up like this, they”re going to slow down,” Pratt, who doesn”t believe a five-day work week would lead to more productivity, said of his crews. “(But) I”ve got some that are that way even when it”s cooled down.”
Public Works Department crews currently receive a 15-minute break in the mornings, a 30-minute break for lunch and another 15-minute break in the afternoons, Pratt reported.
“I have seen an improvement (in Public Works), but there are still some things that are not being handled,” Karriem said.
“It still boils down to accountability,” said Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, who noted “very little” is being done by public works crews.
Box suggested Pratt start documenting incidences of crew members being reprimanded for performance problems.
“You see what has to be done, so it rests on your shoulders,” Smith said to Pratt.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
READER FAVORITES
Related Photos
Mike Pratt, director of Public Works for the city of Columbus, speaks Monday at a city retreat. City officials and department heads gathered Monday at Plymouth Bluff in Lowndes County for departmental reports and to discuss city business. Photo by: Kelly Tippett
