Deputy Police Chief Responds to Oklahoman Story
Here is an e-mail from Major Steven B. Thompson, Deputy Chief of Police in response to reporter Johnny Johnson’s report of a rally of neighbors next to a proposed Public Safety Center.
Mr. Johnson,
We have been working closely with other members of your staff in getting the truth and accurate facts out about the proposed public safety center, and they have done an awesome job of being fair and impartial.
The article published today under your name only reported one side of this issue. We (Edmond Police Department) thought The Oklahoman was done with this issue, as we sent a very supportive letter to the editor in from a local builder/developer and we were told it was too late and it would be put on the blog or internet site. We would like the opportunity to respond to the article published today as there are far many supporters than nay Sayers. Come to downtown Edmond today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and talk to the community members as they bring their children to the downtown Halloween festival, I think you will hear a totally different story. Shadid is mad at this council for unrelated reasons and that’s why he is stirring up this neighborhood by using the fear factor of crime. In reality every study ever done shows that police presence reduces crime. I can show you google maps of police departments throughout the nation where crime is mapped on the site and in almost every case there is an obvious barrier of a “No crime Zone” around these police stations.
Now you might ask why we did not have a presenter at this meeting. We have asked, and been denied.
Please contact me here or at 359-4401 and we would be happy to tell the other side of the story.
More Comments On The Proposed Safety Center
Here’s a letter than appeared on Newsok.com
The City of Edmond has been funded by sales tax for years and a sales tax related budget will grow with our city. We have a lower tax rate than other metro areas. Our city is way over-budgeting and already spending our money very extravagantly on numerous pet projects. This facility as stated by our city officials is being built for a twenty year growth cycle; this cycle is changing very rapidly, Edmond is only building only an average of 150 houses per year. the location is questionable. The city does need more space and maybe a new facility but, the city should be more conservative and live within the current budgets. Build what we can afford, be fiscally responsible. Our city is trying to extend our taxation to buy a rolls royce when all we need is a lexus, the maintenance and utility costs for this rolls will also cost us dearly over the long term. Notice that I still want a nice facility and think we are a community which can afford such. Just please don’t be a doormat for the city to get their over-paid, over-pensioned, over-vacationed and over-budgeted hands on. This taxation is an attempt by our city to just see if they have other opportunities to expand their greed. I am sure if this proposal were to pass more would follow and they probably will still try to raise the sales tax. VOTE NO!
naes, edmond –
This is a letter from developer Derek Turner:
I am writing this letter to express my thoughts on the debate surrounding the city’s plan to build a new public safety center.
As a developer and builder of both residential neighborhoods and commercial office parks in Edmond, I too was concerned about the project’s cost per square foot and voiced that concern to Police Chief Bob Ricks. After reviewing the current police facility’s assessment, the consultant’s report for locating the facilities on Kelly, it became clear the proposed Public Safety Center includes many features not found in typical commercial buildings.
Several of the requirements I noticed include: federal jail mandates requiring natural sunlight; video surveillance systems to ensure officer safety; non-slip padded flooring; commercial grade stainless steel counter tops and fixtures to control communicable disease; exterior hardening to improve security; a facility-wide uninterrupted power supply; chemical resistant decontamination and laboratory facilities; HEPA rated air filtration; in-line plumbing grinders; an updated 911 communications center with state of the art computer aided dispatch equipment to support our calls for emergency services and 24/7/365 operational usage (four times the typical usage found in most commercial buildings).
After hearing about all of these “program” specific requirements I realized it is not fair to compare this project’s cost per square foot with typical construction costs. In fact, although the core and shell of the building are fairly typical, it is the “tenant finish” that drives the majority of costs in the public safety center. And therefore, it is unreasonable to compare the costs of this project with typical residential or commercial costs.
In addition, I believe in Chief Bob Ricks and the committee appointed by the city manager, Larry Stevens, to review the need for this facility. They have studied the issue for several years now and we are convinced making this investment in our community is critical to Edmond’s future.
The bottom line for me is this. If we don’t fund this project today, costs will only increase. We owe it to our community and future generations to extend the Edmond experience. I encourage you to consider this an opportunity to invest in Edmond’s future. I encourage you to vote yes for Edmond’s public safety center.
Edmond Dan O’Neil released this week his calculations on the spending and savings associated with raising property taxes compared to increasing sales tax to fund a new $31.5 million Public Safety Center to house the police department, 911 communication center and emergency operations. Here are his figures:
Public Safety Center (PSC) – $31.5 Million
5 percent Interest (bond costs) - $10 Million
Total Cost for PSC Bond - $41.5 Million
Federal Tax Reduction to Citizens -$10.0 Million
Big Box Retailers Tax Participation -$ 5.0 Million
Cost to Edmond Citizens $26.5 Million
Sales tax still lowest in Metro and so is our property tax
Here’s a comment from someone who wanted to remain anonymous:
A family member was an assault victim a few years ago and I cannot say enough good things about the Edmond Police Department. They do an excellent job of keeping Edmond a very safe place to live. I strongly agree new facilities are needed, even though I feel they would better serve everyone if they were kept in the downtown area.
I also feel a sales tax would be a much fairer way of paying for these improvements. Edmond enjoys one of the lowest sales taxes in the Metro and even with an addition would continue to remain in line with other areas. I am also concerned with the present police department building and any other buildings that will be vacated when new facilities are finished. I have not heard this addressed. Do you have any information concerning this?
This is Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks response to my Oct. 29 column:
With less than a week remaining to vote on a new Public Safety Center in Edmond, it appears that the opposition is resorting to distortion in an attempt to confuse the voters. We have seen articles where the costs have been greatly overstated.
Mr. Randel Shadid indicated that the proposition would raise homeowners property taxes over $2,000. In actuality, homeowners with an assessed value of $100,000 would see their taxes rise an average $3.66 per month, or $43.92 per year.
This is not exactly $2,000. For a home with an assessed value of $200,000, the taxes would rise an average of $7.69 per month, or a total of $92.27 per year. All of these figures are before considering that in most cases these taxes are deductible on both Federal and State returns, which will substantially reduce the costs to the taxpayer.
It has been estimated that by using property taxes instead of sales taxes, we will be saving the taxpayer over $14 million. This is because with sales taxes high interest rates would have to be paid and substantial reserves are required.
DO NOT be misled. For more information please go to www.edmondok.com.
The continued low-crime rate of Edmond depends on the ability of Police to have the support they need.
Other comments left by Edmondblog readers are below each entry. Click on the highlighted comments below.
Readers Sound Off On Safety Center Vote
Opponents of proposition one which concerns the proposed $31.5 million public safey center are using an ad campaign to get their point across.
In a recent e-mail, these opponents responded to the stories Diana Baldwin and I wrote about the center.
“I am wanting to present a snapshot our side of the story with which you can share with Diana for your stories on Tuesday and Wednesday. Those who oppose the passage of this proposition believe a good deal of ink has been given to the other side in getting their message out and would appreciate a balance of reporting.”
“On Saturday Oct. 26, you and Diana wrote about ” How to Pay the Bill ” and used figures provided by Stephen Schaus. I would like you to know Mr. Schuas on at least two occasions that were public record and published in the Edmond Sun gave different figures than the ones you quoted.”
” On March 24, and July 26 Mr. Schaus said ” Setting the bond for five years will increase the property tax of a $100,000 home by $114 a year for five years, or $76 a year if the bond lasts for 10 years ” Using his own figures this comes out to $6.33 p/ month not the $3.66 p/ month they are now claiming. Therefore, the cost for a $100,000 home in Edmond would be paying at $6.33 per month would be $759.60 over 10 years or 120 months, NOT the $439.36 you published.”
Alternative Choices To Trick Or Treat
Observing Halloween is a strongly debated subject. Some parents feel there is nothing wrong with letting their children dress up and Trick or Treat for candy. But others feel that because Halloween’s origins have a “pagan connotation,” that letting children celebrate is inviting evil influence.
So the city and several Edmond churches are offering alternative, family events.
Saturday is Fall Family Night at Festival Marketplace. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. there will be apple cider and hot chocolate. Kids can enjoy making arts and crafts, paint little pumpkins or win a door prize. There is also a Moon Walk and face painting.
Sunday: Trunk or Treat at New Covenant United Methodist Church, 2700 S Boulevard, from 6 to 8 p.m. There are games, inflatables, refreshments and friendly costumes.
Southern Hills Christian Church, 3207 S Boulevard is hosting Pumpkin Fest from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be Trunk-or-Treating, a Moon Bounce, Bungee Run, Obstacle Course and lots of food and candy.
Oct. 29: A free Halloween Festival from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Santa Fe Presbyterian Church, 1603 N Santa Fe. There are games, prizes and activities. Dinner also will be served.
Oct 31: An annual Fall Frolic at the Waterloo Road Baptist Church Family Life Center, 3100 E Waterloo Road, from 6 to 8 p.m. Children can win prizes at a variety of game booths and each will receive a bag of treats. For more information, go to www.waterlooroad.org Ö or call 341-9024.Ö
New Covenant United Methodist, 2700 S Boulevard, will have a Trunk or Treat starting at 6 p.m., Sunday. The event features carnival games set up in the trunks of cars. There’s plenty of candy, a moon bounce and door prizes. Friendly costumes are requested. For more information, call the church at 562-3200 or 348-6914.
Santa Fe Presbyterian Church, 1603 N Santa Fe Ave., will have its festival from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call the church at 341-3300.
Oakdale Baptist Church, at Sooner and Hefner roads, will host its annual Fall Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday across the street in the old Oakdale school gym. There will be booths with games, a cake walk, prizes, food, music and a costume contest with pictures.
Waterloo Road Baptist Church’s annual Fall Frolic will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the church’s Family Life Center. Children will be treated to prizes at a variety of game booths and each will leave with a bag of treats.
Also planned for the evening are inflatables to play on, said Melissa Marcum, director of children’s ministries. The event also will feature a varied menu of food and drink items.
The church is at 3100 E Waterloo Road, between Coltrane and Sooner Road. Call 341-9024or go to www.waterlooroad.org for more information.
The annual Quail Springs Baptist Church Pumpkin Patch Party is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at 14613 N May Ave. There will be candy, games, prizes, popcorn, inflatables, a petting zoo, balloons and more. Supper will be served throughout the evening and costumes are welcome.
Children will receive 10 free tickets upon registration. All other tickets are 10 for $1. For more information, call 755-9240.
Oak Hills Church, 2720 NW 178th Street, will have a Pumpkin Festival at 6 p.m., Friday.
Edmond churches hosting fall events or alternative Halloween celebrations are asked to send information about them to jwilliams@opubco.com.
Public Safety Center Forum Set For Monday…Part 3
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