NORWICH – A spate of violent crimes in the city over the past several months has led to a spike in overtime costs at the police department. Law enforcement overtime, personnel shortages in the codes department and the costs of some public works projects were topics at last week’s meeting of the City of Norwich Finance and Personnel Committee.

Chief Joseph Angelino told the Finance Committee that currently the police department is $11,000 over the budgeted overtime amount for where the department should be at this time, explaining that violent crimes during the first half of the year led to the increased overtime. “We’re not going to make it through the year on overtime,” Angelino said.

The police chief recommended the committee transfer money budgeted for a patrolman position to overtime. Angelino explained that would cover the costs incurred earlier this year.

Angelino also updated the council on the situation in the codes department. Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence was not at the meeting, and Angelino said he recommended Lawrence not come.