Starting July 1, the non-emergency front desk of the Champaign Police Department will be closed to the public between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
This reduction is a part of the city’s plan to cut $2 million dollars out the city’s budget by the end of the fiscal year in June. The Champaign City Council approved these cuts during their January 25 meeting.
Currently the front desk is open 24 hours a day and is available to phone calls and walk-ins. There are 10 full-time staff members. After the cuts take effect the desk will close to public phone calls and several jobs will ultimately be eliminated in cutting the desk staff down to seven.
The change will save the police department more than $140,000 a year.
Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney told the city council at the January meeting that this will ensure the city will not have to cut the jobs of sworn-in officers.
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“I think it’s better than taking an officer off the street, and we have to find places to economize,” said Michael LaDue, council member District 2.
The reduction in service is only to the public, so on-duty officers should not be affected by the cuts.
The front desk staff responds to police officer questions by radio and a separate telephone line. Staff is also responsible for doing background checks on individuals that officers come in contact with to monitor officer safety.
Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., the front desk normally receives calls about public works emergencies, such as a fallen tree, since the public works office is closed.
Walk-ins are usually the biggest area of traffic during the time of the proposed closings with the close proximity of the office to bars.
After the cuts are in full effect, citizens with issues ranging from a lost credit card to being a battery victim in a bar fight will find they only have access to the foyer between the front doors and a proposed intercom that could connect them to staff inside the building. The emergency 911 number will still be in full operation for everyone.
LaDue added it is his understanding in cases of emergencies someone will be able to help and respond to walk-in citizens.
The city council was given more information on the front desk cuts during their study session earlier this month.
Will Kyles, council member District 1, said the council has had some disagreements about the cuts and wanted to talk about what the true reality would be when the cuts take place.
“With a town this size and a university so close I could see potential issues in the future,” Kyles said.