Naples’ rising difficulties prompt police and fire department expansion

Concerns over crime and emergency response are expanding along with Naples.

The Naples fire and police departments are advocating for increases in staffing and funding in order to address these problems head-on, according to a recent article by Alexa Velez of NBC2.

Lt. Bryan McGinn of the Naples Police Department brought up the necessity for additional staff in order to properly provide basic services.

With just 69 sworn posts, the agency has remained unchanged since 2012. This has led to a proposed staffing strategy that calls for investing in new equipment and progressively hiring 31 more officers by 2027.

“But it’s really about upping our manpower, whether it’s both sworn and civilian personnel, to really be able to provide the services that the city residents and ultimately the residents of Collier County will benefit from,” McGinn stated.

Deputy Fire Chief Corey Adamski of the Naples Fire Department noted the rising call volumes and the requirement for additional firemen to meet demand, indicating that the department is under pressure as well.

“Our call volumes have quadrupled in the last 30 years, and we haven’t hired any new personnel,” Adamski stated. “We haven’t increased staff in any way, shape, or form—except in our prevention bureau.”

Decisions regarding the approval of both plans are anticipated by August from the city council.

This article originally appeared on NBC 2