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The Nevada City Police Department is already collecting applications for new jobs created with its half million-dollar stimulus grant.
Stimulus money will help bring two officers to the force, which consists of 10 full-time officers, two community service officers and one cadet. The department is also filling a vacant administrative assistant post.
Some locals wonder what the impact will be on an area already low on crime.
“The bars sometimes get rowdy,” said Laura Parker, owner of the downtown clothing store Solstice, who noted that crime is still low. “I don't really notice (it), compared to other small towns.”
“It would be nice to see more police walking the streets,” said Bo Wolfson, co-owner of the Maiden Lane store on Broad Street. Like other business owners in the area, she pointed to Calanan Park as an occasional problem area.
With a few hundred calls per month, Nevada City represents a small percentage of the emergency calls routed through the Nevada County Sheriff's office, which provides dispatch services for the city.
The city spent $496 per capita during fiscal 2008-09. By comparison, much larger Grass Valley spent $352 per capita.
Adding officers is about increasing visible patrol time, especially in the historic district, said Nevada City Police Chief Lou Trovato.
“The parks have always been a concern for us,” Trovato said. “With the economy the way it is, more people are showing up.”
New officers will also help with routine traffic stops.
Salaries for the new hires, plus money so the department can eliminate furlough days, total $279,274 over two years.
Benefits total $207,504 over two years, including health insurance, workers' compensation and retirement.
The money will also fund basics for the officers, such as uniforms, body armor, a gun and psychological examinations.
The money was awarded as part of the federal Recovery Act. Nevada City won the two-year competitive grant as part of $125 million awarded to rural law enforcement agencies across the country.
Trovato expects to fill the positions in January. For questions about the application process, call the Nevada City Police Department at 265-4700.
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
Stimulus money will help bring two officers to the force, which consists of 10 full-time officers, two community service officers and one cadet. The department is also filling a vacant administrative assistant post.
Some locals wonder what the impact will be on an area already low on crime.
“The bars sometimes get rowdy,” said Laura Parker, owner of the downtown clothing store Solstice, who noted that crime is still low. “I don't really notice (it), compared to other small towns.”
“It would be nice to see more police walking the streets,” said Bo Wolfson, co-owner of the Maiden Lane store on Broad Street. Like other business owners in the area, she pointed to Calanan Park as an occasional problem area.
With a few hundred calls per month, Nevada City represents a small percentage of the emergency calls routed through the Nevada County Sheriff's office, which provides dispatch services for the city.
The city spent $496 per capita during fiscal 2008-09. By comparison, much larger Grass Valley spent $352 per capita.
Adding officers is about increasing visible patrol time, especially in the historic district, said Nevada City Police Chief Lou Trovato.
“The parks have always been a concern for us,” Trovato said. “With the economy the way it is, more people are showing up.”
New officers will also help with routine traffic stops.
Salaries for the new hires, plus money so the department can eliminate furlough days, total $279,274 over two years.
Benefits total $207,504 over two years, including health insurance, workers' compensation and retirement.
The money will also fund basics for the officers, such as uniforms, body armor, a gun and psychological examinations.
The money was awarded as part of the federal Recovery Act. Nevada City won the two-year competitive grant as part of $125 million awarded to rural law enforcement agencies across the country.
Trovato expects to fill the positions in January. For questions about the application process, call the Nevada City Police Department at 265-4700.
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
