Policing Quality at Risk: Fortuna Faces Overtime Crisis

Overtime Crisis in Fortuna's Police Department

At a recent meeting of the Fortuna City Council, members of the police union raised concerns about an ongoing overtime crisis. Justin Primofiore, representing the Fortuna Police Employees Association, highlighted that officers have been working an average of 38.4 hours of overtime per pay period over the past 10 weeks. This figure has sparked alarm among union leaders and city officials alike.

Primofiore emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, noting that the current situation is unsustainable. He pointed out that the excessive hours are not due to any additional duties but rather to cover the basic operational needs of the city. "Our families suffer, and we’re not doing anything extra," he said during public comment.

He personally worked 75 hours of overtime over the past two weeks, illustrating the severity of the situation. The department currently has only 10 full-time officers on patrol, excluding trainees. Primofiore urged the council to collaborate with the police department to find solutions for recruitment and retention, as the current staffing levels are insufficient to meet the demands of the community.

Police Chief Matt Eberhardt acknowledged the challenges faced by the department, attributing the overtime to a staffing crisis. He noted that mandated overtime is a new development for the department, something he has never encountered in his 25 years of service. "We may have to reduce the quality of our policing services and the quality of life in Fortuna," he warned. "I don’t want to see that happen, but they’re carrying a lot of weight on their backs."

Addressing the Intersection Challenges

In addition to the police department's concerns, the city council also addressed infrastructure improvements at a critical intersection. The Kenmar Road and Ross Hill Road intersection, a gateway into Fortuna from U.S. Highway 101, was the focus of the discussion. The council agreed that a roundabout would be the best solution for this location.

Brian Issa, the public works director, described the proposed design: "You can imagine coming off the freeway at Kenmar. You get off at the interchange, you go through a roundabout, you come out of that, you go about 1,000 feet, you go through another roundabout, and you’re in town." The plan includes improved routes for pedestrians and bicyclists, aiming to enhance safety at the intersection.

The council had previously considered various options for the intersection, including three different proposals. They ultimately selected the option with the longest design life and the most comprehensive safety features. Safety concerns were frequently mentioned during public comment, with many residents supporting the roundabout as a viable solution.

Issa explained that the decision was influenced by upcoming work on Kenmar Road near the interchanges with U.S. Highway 101. "What we don’t want to do is put a bunch of money into improving the Kenmar interchange and have all that traffic coming off the freeway and immediately running into the Kenmar-Ross Hill Road intersection and getting bound up," he said.

Funding and Implementation Plans

The projected cost for the roundabout is approximately $8.7 million. Councilmember Abe Stevens questioned whether the city could realistically secure grant funding for the project. Issa responded that shovel-ready projects are more likely to receive grants. He outlined the next steps, which include project approval, design, and environmental documentation.

"It may be pieced together from multiple grants," he added. "But it’s not anticipated that the city is going to pony up almost $9 million out of pocket to do this."

The roundabout project represents a significant investment in the city's infrastructure and future development. With potential mill site developments on the horizon, the roundabout is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The council's decision reflects a commitment to long-term planning and community safety.