2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

distribution center that will bring more than 1,000 jobs to the area. Construction is underway, and completion is anticipated in 2022. • Public Safety – The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) remains focused on violent and property crime reductions through creative strategies that combine technology with innovative police initiatives, allowing the department to remain at the forefront of its profession. In December 2020, the GPD presented an updated strategic plan to City Council with a focus on the adopted goal of reducing violent crime by 20% by 2022. A central component of the plan includes the implementation of the Violent Crime Reduction Strategy which calls for inter-agency

collaboration, expansion of the priority offender program, and cross-departmental focus on reducing violent crime. The approved plan includes an additional five homicide detectives, an additional crime analyst, and a victim’s advocate. The 2021-22 budget also includes the addition of eight patrol officers in FY 2021-22 and another eight projected for FY 2022-23. The GPD continues to lead robust community engagements by hosting a number of community collaborations geared at increasing awareness and education on critical topics affecting our community. Topics included Opioid Abuse, Active Shooters Responses and Gang Awareness. City funding to support the efforts of the Cure Violence program continue in FY 2021-22, as does funding to support the new Behavioral Health Response program. A behavioral response team was established in January

2021 consisting of six counselors and one team leader. Additional support was established with a dedicated police team to co-respond to calls. Fire facility growth and maintenance continues with the opening of Fire Station #63 in April 2019 and replacement of Fire Station #7 and #56 that are under construction with anticipated completion by late fall 2021. The Public Safety Training Facility’s 60 year-old buildings were replaced during summer 2020 with a new five-story drill tower and three-story burn building, funded by bonds. • Infrastructure and Sustainable Growth – The successful 2016 bond referendum totaling $126 million includes $34.5 million for new parks capital improvements. Five million is programmed for the initial development of the Battleground Parks District, an innovative concept that will integrate the current recreation options at the City’s Country Park with nearby Guilford Courthouse Military Park and the Greensboro Science Center. $3.0 million are allocated to citywide improvements to Greensboro’s many public tennis courts, and $4.5 million are included for further development at Gateway Gardens and Barber Park. For transportation enhancements, $4.5 million are allocated to new transit buses, $5.0 million for new sidewalk and intersection improvements, $500,000 for renovations to the Galyon Depot and $18 million for street resurfacing. In 2016, voters approved $25 million in Housing Bonds to support the development and

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