[Vision2020] Vote yes to keep Moscow a safe and vibrant place to live

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today’s (May 8, 2019) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Vote yes to keep Moscow a safe and vibrant place to live

On May 21, Moscow voters have an important decision to make about the future safety and livability of our community. We strongly support and encourage a yes vote to approve the city of Moscow public bond to build a modern, efficient and cost-effective station for the Moscow Police Department.

Having quality law enforcement services and infrastructure keeps our community safe and represents the collective investment we are willing to make to keep Moscow a vibrant place to live, work, start a family and open a business.

Our current police building, built in the 1930s as a milk creamery, was never designed to be a police station and is decades beyond its useful life. The population has nearly tripled since MPD first moved into the building in the 1960s. Additionally, the existing station is located on a dead-end street that limits access and emergency response times.

After evaluating all site options, the new police station is planned to be built on U.S. Highway 95 at Southview, which will provide direct access to major highways and arterials. This will enhance response times and improve access to all parts of the city.

A new station will allow for criminal evidence to be properly controlled and securely stored in a single location. It will help to recruit, train and retain the best police officers and command staff. It will include space for community use and public outreach. And it will have a 24-hour secured “safe room” where anyone in distress can lock themselves in and immediately dispatch an officer for assistance.

Ultimately, our police must be prepared to deal with the unforeseen and unthinkable public safety challenges of the future. A new police station will provide the right kind of space with the proper technology for multi-agency emergency operations teams coordinating a crisis response.

Furthermore, a new police station at this location will be a reflection of our community’s belief in providing the needed infrastructure to build a safe environment in which our residents, schools, university and business community can thrive.

The city is in a strong financial position with no outstanding debt from general obligation bonds. If approved, this $9.64 million bond would be completed in 10 years with a very low rate of 2.21 percent. For a typical home assessed at $300,000 with a taxable valuation of $200,000 (deducting the state homeowner’s exemption), the monthly cost to the taxpayer would be $14.06. Proceeds from the bond will not only build the new station but will also renovate the old police facilities for other city uses. It is a wise and fiscally responsible investment.

We’ve heard some questions and would like to address them here. Other answers to frequent questions are posted at www.safermoscow.org and www.ci.moscow.id.us.

Why not build a joint law enforcement facility with the county?

This option was researched in 2008 and was determined to not be feasible. The Latah County Sheriff’s Department and Moscow Police Department have different operational missions as defined by law. The county requires a jail and other services not required of city law enforcement making a joint facility significantly larger (15 acres) than what is required for a city police department (less than 3 acres). There simply is not 15 acres of land available within the city for this purpose, which would push a joint facility outside the city limits.

Why not have a school bond before the police station bond?

There will eventually need to be a school bond but its size, scope and timing remain undefined and are not under city control. Ultimately, our infrastructure is aging and we must keep up with improvements. Deferring public investment is no longer an option if we want to have a city that is ready to respond to the needs of the future. The police station bond is only a 10-year bond. By the time a school bond is passed and in effect, we would already be several years toward completion of the police bond so there would be minimal overlap between the two bonds.

Can the new police station be sustainably designed?

Yes. Once the bond is passed, the city can begin the design and construction planning process. The new police station can be designed to include many high-efficiency, sustainable features and benefits that will reduce the overall operating cost of the facility as well as its environmental impact.

For these reasons, we encourage you to vote yes to keep Moscow the safe, vibrant and livable city that we all know and love.

Jon Kimberling is the president of Safer Moscow, Inc. Peter Mundt is the organization’s vice president.

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Seeya at the polls, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares"
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
  
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