2017 Annual Report of the Health and Public Safety Committee

Home Browse Search

�SpU TH B\ ,e ate it 1865 Jo M. Broden 4rd District Council Member committee should review the efficacy and consider recommendations to the process during 2018 (an off-year from labor negotiations). Code Enforcement. The department of code enforcement hired an assistant director and some operational improvements have been noted. Draft changes to the Animal Care and Control Ordinance (Chapter 5 of the SB Municipal Code) have been undertaken by staff. Follow up anticipated in 2018 by the Council will need to include a summary of and education by staff on the proposed changes, public input, and a council vote. More information should also be sought by Council on the 311 database of calls relative to Code Enforcement (numbers, type, resolutions, satisfaction, issues, etc.). Group Violence Initiative (GVI)and the 911/PSAP Center. With regard to public safety initiatives, considerable committee oversight was dedicated to the Group Violence Initiative (GVI) and the 911/PSAP Center. One meeting was held in July to specifically address the rationale, process and goals of GVI. Nine exert presenters provided a comprehensive overview of the program which aims to focus on core offenders that are at risk of gun violence involvement and utilizes community resources and collaborative partnerships to provide pathways to education,job skills, mentoring services, and life skills attainment for these identified at-risk individuals. Some evaluative metrics of the program's success were expressed in number of fatalities being held nearly even, clients served by the vast social service and church network that partner with the program, and those hired (or retained)for employment, as well as, those working to overcome barriers to employment. Two meetings were held to serve as updates on the progress of the 911 center. In July, Director Brent Croymans outlined the relocation of the 911 center into its new building, the conversion to an integrated computer assisted dispatch system, integrated phone system, and some of the staffing,training, and budgetary issues. In December, newly placed Interim Director Ray Shultz (Mishawaka Fire) provided additional insights into some of the on-going technological and training challenges the 911 Center is working to overcome and outlined his intention to provide both a comprehensive plan for 2018 to move the Center forward operationally, to address significant overtime expenditures, and to implement a quality assurance program for the Center. The inter-local agreement (between the City and the County)to fund and manage 911 will expire in 2018. The terms of a new agreement and implementation of the plan and quality assurance measures will require Council oversight and legislative action in the coming year. 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)235-5575 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5978 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Email:JBRODEN a SOUTHBENDIN.GOV