Saturday, February 21, 2009

Police Looking to Install GPS Tracking

At this past City Council meeting, Chief Wilkerson requested funds to install GPS trackers in the squad cars and spoke about Canadian National installing them on their trains as well.  The purpose would be so that the dispatchers could see the locations of all the squad cars when sending officers out to respond to incidents.  Also they would be able to know if a train was blocking on of the at-grade crossings or would be by the time a squad car needed to get through.  This would allow them to let the officers know if they needed to take an alternative route.  This is a great use of technology and helps to offset effects of additional trains.  There is also the benefit of knowing where officers are if they need assistance, but cannot radio their location to the dispatcher.

There are other uses for this technology though that the police department may not be as excited about.  This technology could create a record of where the officers have patrolled on each shift, including how long they spent at City Hall, sitting in parking lots talking to each other, and other less productive activities.  It could also be used to see where they actually patrol and determine if they are where they are most needed as well as if they are neglecting some areas.  This would be a valuable tool for the Chief and any supervisors in the department to use, but I can imagine that the officers would not like that sort of scrutiny and oversight.  Although based on some of the stories I have heard about the department, it might be warranted.

I would be concerned about the liability issues it could raise though.  I envision lawyers walking into court and now having evidence that no officers had patrolled an area all night despite known problems in that area.  Or were all sitting at city hall and were slow to respond to a call across town.  I am not saying that such arguments might not be justified, I am just concerned about the potential liability this city would have if practices were not improved.  Hopefully, this technology can be put to good use to improve our current practices and actually become more effective than would have otherwise been possible.  Then the liability issues would be of far less concern and we would all benefit from better policing.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

City Awards Garbage Contract Without Bids

Last night the City Council voted to award a five year contract to Allied Waste for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection.  Bids from other companies were not sought before this contract for in excess of $5,000,000 was awarded.  I have written previously regarding why bidding makes good fiscal sense and is the financially responsible thing to do (http://cresthill-illinois.blogspot.com/2008/12/trashing-principles-of-good-government.html).  I have also written about the Committee to Re-Elect the Mayor accepting a large donation from Allied Waste and the ethical issues that poses (http://cresthill-illinois.blogspot.com/2008/12/mayoral-ethics-part-ii.html).  

Not only did Alderpersons Vershay, Oberlin, Brandolino, Dyke, and Inman vote as if they believed that bidding had no sound purpose and that there was nothing wrong with those seeking city contracts giving political contributions; they actually voiced such opinions.  It was shocking to hear such statements expressed by those who have been entrusted by the public to act in the best interest of the city and its citizens.  

Alderwoman Oberlin stated that to go out to bid would be like gambling that we have no way of knowing that we would get a better price by doing so.  She also stated that it would be irresponsible to gamble like that.  In fact, we would not be gambling as we know the outcomes so long as we can assume that Allied Waste is run by rational people seeking to make a profit.  We would get a price at least as good if not better by going out to bid because the addition of competition would drive prices down.  My previous post goes into this in greater detail.  The truth though is that there is nothing irresponsible about going out to bid, there is in fact something very irresponsible about not seeking the lowest cost for the citizens of Crest Hill.

Alderman Inman commented that there was no connection between the Mayor, the contributions by Allied Waste to his campaign, and this contract.  Well, the connection between the Mayor and the contributions is clear and direct.  It is also apparent that the Mayor spoke in work sessions supporting awarding the contract without bidding.  He also worked to negotiate this contract.  Alderman Inman may think that because the fuel surcharge was negotiated out, the Mayor did a good job and the city got a great deal.  Well, the truth is that in any negotiation the terms are on the table and to have negotiated out of new language that few other cities have ever agreed to is not a huge victory.  And even if t had been an amazing negotiation, considering only one company to the exclusion of all others is irresponsible.

Two of the men running for Mayor spoke up in opposition to awarding this large contract without going out for bid and should be commended for their efforts.  Alderman Soliman spoke to the point that I believe is central which is that any price given in these negotiations should be able to have submitted as a bid, if not an even lower price.  Mr. Semplinski brought up the very insightful point that if Allied Waste can afford to hold the price for the next year the same as it was this year, they must have been able to make a pretty good profit this year and probably had more room to offer a lower price.  I wish the incumbent Mayor had the wisdom to put forth such good thoughts and to encourage those who follow his lead to have done the right thing.