The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) was awarded reaccreditation on Saturday, December 6, from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This marks the sixth time since its initial accreditation in 1986 that GPD has received this recognition, which is granted on a three-year cycle.

 

"We are honored to receive reaccreditation status from CALEA," said GPD Chief Tim Bellamy. "Each day we serve and protect the citizens of Greensboro in a professional manner and this designation reaffirms our commitment to doing just that."

 

To receive reaccreditation, the GPD had to undergo a comprehensive review of its organization, management, operations and administration by CALEA's assessors, as well as by its own staff. GPD also had to comply with more than 400 professional standards set by CALEA that help strengthen crime prevention, improve service delivery and boost the public's confidence in law enforcement. Two of those standards, the annual analysis of police vehicle pursuits and GPD's multi-year plan, will be reviewed by CALEA in 2009 to ensure that they continue to meet the organization's high principles.

 

CALEA's accreditation program was developed to enhance law enforcement as a profession and to improve the delivery of public safety services by creating a national body of standards. It is the primary method for an agency to voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field.

 

 

At its December 2 meeting, Greensboro City Council thought "green" as they approved a $6.1 million energy management project that will mean increased energy efficiency in a number of City buildings.

 

Council approved the contract with Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) to provide new energy-saving light fixtures in City buildings, new air handlers at Melvin Municipal Office Building (MMOB), new chillers in the Cultural Center and the Greensboro Police Department's Western Operations Center, LED lighting in parking decks, and solar hot water in five fire stations and the MMOB, among other improvements. The work is expected to be completed in about one year.

 

The project, which could reduce the City's energy usage by 28 percent, is expected to pay for itself through energy cost savings over the next 13 years. If the projected savings aren't reached, PEPCO will pay the difference to the City.

While PEPCO will manage the project, most of the work will be performed by local companies, including a commitment of 10 percent minority contract representation.

In other actions, Council:

 

Beginning January 1, 2009, the City's Water Resources Department will implement an average nine percent rate increase for residential customers inside the city limits, to help offset the continuing costs of capital improvement projects and environmental regulatory requirements. 
 
The 2009 rate increase is part of the City's annual water and wastewater rate adjustments. The new rate will go toward replacing aging water and sewer lines and the dam at Lake Townsend, as well as purchasing a new incinerator at the Osborne Reclamation Facility and covering financial obligations concerning the Randleman Dam. It will also help the City meet the latest state and federal requirements for increasing the quality of water and minimizing environmental impacts.
 
Taking into account the current rate increase, Greensboro's water rates are still the fourth lowest in the state for residential customers when compared to similar municipalities.
 
Greensboro's water system serves more than 250,000 people with an average daily water demand of 30.9 million gallons per day in 2008. Every day, an average of 29.4 million gallons of sewage is generated in homes and industries that must be collected, transported and treated to very stringent standards before being released back into the environment.

 

Please note: Businesses that advertise that they take utility bill payments on behalf of the City are non-authorized payment locations. Customers who make payments at a non-authorized location should note that the water utility bill is not paid until the City of Greensboro receives the money, which may take several days. Authorized payment locations and options are listed at www.greensboro-nc.gov/water.

 

• Parking spaces and driveways must be built with a hard, all-weather surface such as asphalt, concrete, brick, gravel or other approved materials.
• Grass and dirt areas are not acceptable for parking spaces and driveways.
• The edge of parking areas must be clearly defined with a physical edge that is maintained.
• No more than 40 percent of the front yard may be designated for parking.