Stimulus paying for important RPD position runs out at end of mo - WSLS 10 NBC in Roanoke/Lynchburg Va

Stimulus paying for important RPD position runs out at end of month

The Roanoke Police Department is waiting to see what will happen to an important position after federal stimulus money runs out at the end of the week.

The city police department used the stimulus to pay for its second crime analyst position.

City leaders agreed to pick up the tab for the position through the end of June.

City staff also recommended it become a permanent part of the city budge, something Roanoke City Council will have to decide.

The two crime analysts crunch numbers for the police department so it can better allocate resources.

"We are moving from a more reactive stance on crime to being more proactive," explained Dr. Amanda Alden. 

Alden's position is already part of the city budget.

"We want to have officers in the right areas at the right times before crimes even happen so we can start preventing more crime," she explained.

Roanoke city council likely won't finalize its budget until later this spring.