No citizens attended a Wednesday night meeting held by Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender asking for public input on his department, but Allender said giving people the opportunity to voice opinions is still important.

"We may get very few (people offering input,)" Allender said. "But that's not necessarily the point. The point is to make the offer for people to give input on our job and what we might be able to do to keep the community safer."

Allender said he has received only three or four e-mails and no phone calls from citizens voicing opinions about the department and its five-year planning process.

Citizens will still have a chance to voice opinions at another meeting this week.

The department's last five-year plan recently expired, and Allender said he wants to hear from the public before establishing new objectives for the department.

Allender said he hopes to have a new plan written within the next few weeks. He said the goal-setting process will carry on even without input.

"We're already making some headway on some of the priorities we've outlined," he said.

Another meeting for public input will be held Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rushmore Mall Crime Prevention office near Herberger's. Telephone feedback will be accepted Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 394-6032 or 394-6775.

E-mail feedback may be sent anytime to rcpdfeedback@rcgov.org.

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com