Forget the unofficial standard of 1 police officer per 1,000 residents that many advocate when trying to determine the best level of a city’s law enforcement manpower.

Manteca’s municipal leaders are working toward a 60-40 goal instead.

In a nutshell, the 60-40  goal — as Police Chief Steve Schluer outlined in a council budget workshop earlier this year — means:

*60 percent of the time patrol officers respond to calls.

*40 percent of the time is “free time” devoted to patrolling or pro-active policing.

Such a model that is weighted heavily in law enforcement needs of a specific community, has been credited in cities across the nation with effectivelt reducing the potential for crime to occur.

It is the staffing goal guiding public safety staffing scenarios city leaders are proposing as part of an envisioned one percent sales tax hike that is expected to go before voters on Nov. 5 to protect and expand municipal service levels across the board.

"Manteca has seen substantial improvements in public safety, even as our community has grown," Schluer said. "These achievements reflect our commitment to keeping Manteca safe."

His point is underscored in an examination of crime in Manteca over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2023. Overall crime declined 34.5 percent.

That includes:

*robbery dropping by 12.6%.

*burglary dropping by 50.4%.

*larceny dropping by 45.5%.

Arrests also declined from 2,779 in 2013 to 1,858 in 2023.

That said, aggravated assaults increased by 93.3 percent going from 90 cases in 2013 to 174 cases in 2023.

There were zero homicides in 2013 and five homicides in 2023.

“In 2013, zero homicides were an anomaly; it’s rare to have no homicides at all. Recent incidents include two domestic violence cases, a road rage incident, one gang-related case, and a fatal carjacking,” Schluer said.

What the statistics do not reflect is how the department has been stretched thin during recent years.

In order to make sure there is manpower available on the street when a 9-1-1 call comes in, more officers were allocated to patrol and fewer to investigations.

The ranks of detectives has been reduced from nine to five, necessitating the dissolution of the gang unit and the reassignment of some street crime investigators to gang-related cases.

 “To sustain our achievements and ensure the safety and quality of life for Manteca’s residents, we must invest in maintaining and enhancing our police force, facilities, and equipment,” the police chief said “This investment is crucial for keeping crime rates low and continuing to make Manteca a safe place to live.”

The demand for police services has risen over the 10-year period, with calls for service increasing by 23.4%, going from 34,357 to 42,417.

Despite the population growth, the department has been able to stay on top of crime. The rate of stolen vehicles per capita, as an example, has decreased, showcasing the effectiveness of current police operations.

There is a concern, though, that the city can only stretch its available resources so far.

The city is seeking voter approval of more revenue to prevent a repeat in the early part of this century when gang-related crimes and thefts skyrocketed when the department was forced to almost exclusively react to crime instead of pursuing proactive measures.

It was so bad that during the summer of 2005, Manteca averaged two-to-three gang-related shootings a week during a several month period

 That led to voters passing the half cent Measure M tax in 2006 which helped turn the corner by restoring the gang unit adding more patrol officers and funding school resource officers.

The Manteca Police Department currently has 78 budgeted officers, with 76 actively serving and two in the hiring process.

Schluer said the staffing is crucial for addressing not only traditional crimes but also emerging issues like human trafficking, mental illness, and homelessness.

A recent federal COPS Grant has enabled the hiring of five new community policing officers, with two being hired this year and the remaining three by 2026. However, this grant covers only part of the cost, and the city must supplement it with funds from Measure M and the General Fund.

 “The COPS grant is a valuable asset, but it requires a 72.5% local match,” City Manager Toni Lundgren. “To meet these requirements and continue improving our police services and response times, securing further funding is essential.”

Then to retain the five officers after 2026 the city needs to 100 percent fund the positions.

“Today’s police officers face more complex challenges that demand greater coordination, information sharing, and partnerships,” Schluer added. "To continue our progress, we need additional funding resources to ensure we can respond effectively to these demands."

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com