'Policing Quality at Risk': Fortuna Police Report Overtime Crisis

Overtime Crisis in Fortuna’s Police Department

At a recent meeting of the Fortuna City Council, representatives from the local police union raised concerns about an ongoing overtime crisis that is putting significant strain on both officers and the city's resources. Justin Primofiore, a member of the Fortuna Police Employees Association, shared alarming data indicating that officers have been working an average of 38.4 hours of overtime per pay period over the past 10 weeks.

Primofiore emphasized that this level of overtime is unsustainable and highlighted the impact it has on the well-being of officers and their families. “We need to address this issue. While discussions about the budget and future tax measures are ongoing, we’re not going to be able to sustain this,” he said. He also mentioned that his own workload had reached 75 hours of overtime in just two weeks.

Currently, the department only has 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. He stressed that the current situation is not about extra work but rather about covering the basic needs of the city.

Police Chief Matt Eberhardt echoed these concerns, describing the overtime as part of a broader staffing crisis. “This is the first time since I’ve been here in 1998 that we’ve had to implement mandated overtime,” he said. Eberhardt warned that the city may have to reduce the quality of its policing services and overall quality of life if the situation is not addressed. “I don’t want to see that happen, but the officers are carrying a heavy burden.”

Addressing Traffic Challenges at Key Intersections

In addition to the police department's challenges, the city council also focused on improving traffic flow at a critical intersection. The council unanimously approved the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Ross Hill Road and Kenmar Road, which serves as a gateway into Fortuna from U.S. Highway 101.

Brian Issa, the public works director, explained how the roundabout would streamline traffic flow. “Imagine coming off the freeway at Kenmar. You go through a roundabout, then another one after about 1,000 feet, and you’re in town,” he said. This design aims to improve safety and reduce congestion, especially as the city plans for future development.

The council considered several alternatives for the intersection, ultimately selecting the option with the longest design life and improved routes for pedestrians and bicyclists. Safety concerns were a major factor in the decision, with many residents and city staff expressing support for the roundabout.

Issa pointed out that the roundabout is essential because of upcoming construction projects just west of Kenmar Road. These projects involve improvements to the interchange with U.S. Highway 101, which currently has a complex series of intersections. “We don’t want to invest in those improvements only to have traffic get stuck at the Kenmar-Ross Hill Road intersection,” he said.

Funding and Future Steps

The estimated cost of the roundabout project is around $8.7 million. Councilmember Abe Stevens asked whether it was realistic for the city to secure grant funding for the project. Issa responded that shovel-ready projects are more likely to qualify for grants, and the next steps include project approval, design, and environmental documentation.

“We may need to piece together multiple grants, but the city isn’t expected to cover almost $9 million out of pocket,” he said. The project is seen as a long-term investment in the city’s infrastructure and future growth.