3.18. SR 09-15-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROJECT OVERVIEW (narrative) (1) Describe the project you hope to implement (specifically state the problem you will address). (2) Describe the services you intend to provide and the population you will serve (identify the specific geographic location and why you chose the site). (3) Describe how the need for this project was identified and how this program will address that need (include facts on crime demographics for the target area). (4) Describe the planning process you propose to implement (Provide specific information about the individuals and organizations that actively helped in the planning process). (5) If other organizations will help provide services, describe their role. You may use up to ten (10) attachment pages to support this narrative. Overview The project that we hope to implement as a result of receiving the overtime funding requested can be broken down into five (5) areas. These areas address the largest areas of concern from a variety of our citizens, groups, and organizations, and will provide a variety of services to different populations within our city. These five components of our program are: 1) Intensive Traffic Enforcement, 2) Juvenile Curfew and Alcohol Enforcement, 3) Neighborhood Crime Reduction Patrols, 4) Business Center Concentrated Patrols, and 5) Drug Investigation and Interdiction. Each of these projects will be discussed separately, but first an overview. The City of Elk River is a rapidly growing community located approximately thirty (30) miles northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. We are the county seat of Sherburne County which is the fastest growing county in Minnesota. Elk River is forty-four (44) square miles in size and has a population of approximately fifteen thousand (15,000) people. The population of the City has increased approximately thirty percent (30%) in the past five (5) years and has experienced a population increase of over 82% from 1980 to the present. Formerly a rural community, Elk River is now a primarily suburban community with outlying rural areas. Roughly twenty-five percent (25%) of our housing units are apartments (approximately 1,200 units). We have also had several "anchor" type businesses such as Target, Cub Foods, and Menards locate here. Recent business growth also includes most of the fast food restaurants and strip mall businesses. Along with the increase in population has been increased development and business which draw a large number of commuters and non-residents into the community. Elk River has two major highways running through it (Highway 169 and Highway 10). Each day thousands of commuters travel from places as far away as Milaca and Onamia to their jobs in the metro area. Many of them also seek their weekend entertainment in Minneapolis, St. Paul or the suburbs. Many of these commuters now do a large amount of their shopping in Elk River because of the addition of stores like Target, Menards, Cub Foods, and other strip mall businesses. New restaurants like Perkins, Applebees, and Time Out Sports Bar as well as established businesses like the Elk River 10 Cinema, make Elk River an increasingly popular night spot. Both of these highways are also major arteries to northbound vacationers, fisherman and hunters. Highway 169 is also the major route to the very popular Mille Lac's "Grand Casino". Calls for service have increased greatly in Elk River.