PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND SAFETY

This is just one person’s opinion; it has no legitimate standing in the incoming Mayor’s plans for his administration. However,I would hope that “Mayor to be Mapp” would give some consideration to the changes I deem would help a more efficient city.

My concerns are about the Department structures. I have expressed them previously in talks before the Charter Study Commission.

This blog will focus on Public Affairs and Safety which presently just consists of the Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Management.

For the past eight years the Department Director has been an individual with a Police background who has also filled the office of Civilian Director of the Police Department which has no designated Chief.

During this period the Fire Department has practically acted autonomously under the direction of a Chief. The Emergency Management Committee is also as it should be part of this Department.

Missing from this Department but essential is Public Health which at present is part of the “Health and Social Services Division of Administration and Finances.

On paper the Division is at present directed by a part time Health Officer who also work s for the County. Part of her supposed responsibility under the TO includes Animal Control, Communicable Disease Services, Healthy Mothers - Healthy Babies Program, Project Alert - Dudley House, Vital Statistics, W.I.C. Program, and Bilingual Day Care.

Only Communicable Disease Services could be considered part of a “Health Divisions” responsibilities and that too could be a Social Service charge.

My contention is that “Health” properly and logically belongs as part of Public Affairs and Safety. Like Police and Fire it also has an interaction with Emergency Management.

The Director of this Department should be a civilian with administrative skills and need not have either a police or fire background.

The civilian director of the Police division should have that professional background however perhaps it would be better in a city this size to eliminate that post and restore the Police Chief as an equal to the Fire Chief.

The restoration of the Police Chief position would have to be done by Ordinance but the transferring and separation of Health can be done by Resolution.

This is from the City’s site:

Public Health is mostly involved in Preventive Medicine links, the knowledge and skills of clinical medicine with the special skill sets of medical management and population health.
Goals:

• Promote and preserve health and longevity in individuals and populations.
• Enhance quality in health care systems and eliminate health disparities.
• Facilitate early diagnosis with screening and education.
• Use epidemiology and biostatistics to improve the quality of life.
• Focus on prevention rather than cure.

The Division of Health is:

• Preventing epidemics and the spread of disease.
• Protecting the community against environmental hazards.
• Preventing injuries.
• Promoting and encourage healthy behaviors.
• Responding to disasters and assist communities in recovery.

Essential Services Provided:

• Monitor health status to identify community problems.
• Diagnose and investigate health problems and hazards.
• Inform, educate and empower communities about health issues.
• Mobilize community partnerships to identify and resolve problems