Last update - 00:00 28/08/2007
Police out to prove law-enforcement budget hike means less crime
By Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondent
The Netanya police are considered a very busy force, with responsibility for a relatively large, high-density area with high crime rates. To help them cope, the Netanya station along with two others dealing with similar issues are part of a pilot program that will provide all the human, budgetary and other resource needed to combat crime.
Police officials admit that the program, whose launch coincided with deliberations over the 2008 state budget, is intended in part to show the cabinet that more money for the police equals less crime.
"The idea is to create a work program with no constraints, and then see how to realize it," said Commander Alex Feldman, head of the Strategic Planning Unit of the Israel Police Organization and Planning Department. "More resources will certainly lead to more results, and at the end of the day we want to show the decision-makers that if there are resources it pays off for everyone."
Two developments led to the new plan. The first was the realization that increasing the resources allocated to stations whose case-load greatly exceeds staffing levels could reduce crime levels nationwide. The second, according to Feldman, was the desire to prove to the cabinet that increasing police funding cuts crime.
As part of the "optimal station program," stations in Netanya, Haifa and Be'er Sheva will be allocated more police officers, in numbers deemed appropriate to the population and crime levels in each jurisdiction. The budget for the program will come from the regular police budget.
In Netanya, for example, about 80 officers will be added to the regular work schedule. In addition, Feldman said, the station's budget will be increased.
Crime levels have fallen in Netanya over the past three years, but the local force still faces enormous difficulties. With job slots for 210 officers, it processes about 21,000 cases a year, and is responsible for about 320,000 people.
By way of comparison, the Dan District, which includes Tel Aviv-Jaffa, processes a similar number of cases with about 400 officers.
Netanya Police Commander Ron Gertner said he is waiting with great anticipation for the start of the new program.
"We work a great deal, and do great things under conditions of a constant lack of resources," Gertner said. "Every day we make magic, and bring about a reduction in crime despite the personnel shortages. So there's no doubt the project will lead to results. Every little bit helps."
Senior police officials are expected to set the budget and the goals for each participating station.