SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - As many city departments scramble to trim overtime spending, the San Francisco Police Department has already reduced their overtime budget by more than one million dollars.

In January and February of 2008, the Police Department’s overtime costs dropped to $4.4 million dollars from $5.6 million dollars in the same period in 2007, according to the Controller’s Office. In January 2007 alone, police overtime cost The City $3.4 million; in January 2008, that number dropped to about $2.6 million.

Police are also reporting a drop in crime this year with 25 percent fewer shootings during roughly the same period. Arrests are up, with hundreds of more prisoners held in San Francisco county jail compared to the same time last year.

The drop in overtime costs — at a time when The City’s other departments, such as the Fire Department, are calling for more overtime funding in budget proposals — comes as the Police Department recently employed a major strategy adjustment to address violent crime in The City, which last year recorded the highest homicide rate in more than a decade.

Officers can sign up for overtime to patrol one of five high-crime areas: Bayview-Hunters Point, the Mission, the Western Addition, the Tenderloin and Visitacion Valley. The zone strategy increases the amount of undercover and uniformed officers in those areas.

“The reduction of violent crime is a major goal of the department and the community,” police spokesman Sgt. Steve Mannina said. “To be successful, supplemental resources must be deployed. The usage of overtime is monitored to ensure that these monies are being properly allocated by augmenting on-duty resources.”

Despite the dangers of working in high-crime areas, several officers say the opportunity is a great chance to not only work for 50 percent higher wages but to make a difference in areas that need the help, said Police Union President Gary Delagnes.

“They’re lining up at the chance,” he said.

But despite police claims that crime is down, the homicide rate is still causing alarm among city officials. At least 31 homicides were reported in 2008 as of Sunday evening; 24 were recorded during the three-month time frame in 2007.

bbegin@examiner.com