Police chief pushes for fuel and drug purchase money | News, sports, jobs

Police Chief Timothy Jackson presents the 2025 budget for the Jamestown Police Department to the City Council during budget presentations Monday night before the work session. PJ photo by Sara Holthouse

The need for more police officers was a concern when the Jamestown Police Department presented its budget to the City Council on Monday.

Police Chief Timothy Jackson outlined some of the major areas of concern facing the 2025 budget, starting with fuel issues. He said the department expects to spend $80,000 on fuel this year.

“That’s why we requested $96,000 for next year, 2025,” Jackson said. “We were given $60,000. So if we get $60,000, we will provide a grant over time to cover that amount unless fuel costs go down next year, which I don't see happening since we're projected to spend $80,000 this year become .”

Purchase money was requested and not received this year, so Jackson said the department will again use asset forfeiture to purchase money for drug investigations. He added that last year was the first year in several years that purchase funds were made available to the department, so the plan is to again use money for asset forfeiture as it has been used in the past.

“The problem is you never know how much you’re going to get,” Jackson said. “So far this year we have received $5,873. We spend about $1,200 a month, so there’s no way to estimate how much you’ll get.”

The council asked if it was possible to use the money from drug cases, which Jackson said was possible, but the money would be divided among the departments that handled the case. Councilman Russell Bonfiglio, R-At Large, asked about the ownership of vehicles from narcotics cases and how those vehicles were sold.

Jackson said everything is put together and divided among those who worked the case, adding that vehicle ownership is usually due to larger cases, of which there aren't that many in the area. Local cases where police can take possession of a vehicle are very rare, Jackson said, and that this is usually the case in federal cases. The money received from these cases follows very strict guidelines and cannot be used for anything. Another problem arises because it can sometimes take years for cases to be heard in federal court.

Other discussions with the council included equipment and repairs, council security and the two new cars, as well as retirement considerations for two officers who have the potential to retire. The discussion then turned to the department's current biggest issue, namely staffing and recruiting and retaining new officers.

Councilman Brent Sheldon, R-Ward I, said he expects the academy currently has about 15 recruits. Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Large, noted that these recruits are not just for the police department, but for the entire county.

In total, Jackson said the department currently has 58 officers, up from 62 normally.

“So my question is: If you find people who want a job and want to work, can you go to 60 or 62 with your budget here?” Russell asked.

Jackson said yes, the budget could take that into account, and negotiations are currently underway for the base.