03/21/12 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 2.1, 2012 19 ACCEPT AND APPROVE RETIREMENT -- JOHN MEHALL President Cottrell advised that Fire Chief Steve Cox has submitted to the Board the Application and Declaration for Retirement for Pump Engineer John Mehall effective March 10, 2012. In his letter to the Board, Chief Cox noted that Engineer Mehall has served the Department with loyalty and distinction during the Iast thirty -three (33) years, and ten (10) months. Chief Cox joined the Board in thanking him for his commitment, dedication, and years of distinguished service to the South Bend Fire Department and the citizens of South Bend. Upon a motion made by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the retirement was accepted and approved effective March 10, 2012, FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — FEBRUARY 2012 Fire Chief Steve Cox submitted to the Board the monthly report for the month of February 2012 compiled by the Prevention/Inspection Bureau of the Fire Department. Mr. Cottrell stated if there were no objections, the Board would accept the report for filing as presented. Chief Cox stated he would like to make note that there were ten (10) house fires for the month, an incredibly low amount. The monthly summary states that four (4) were arson, but that is not correct. He noted the attached report correctly states that four (4) were accidents and six (6) are still under investigation. He stated a corrected summary was forthcoming showing the followin numbers February g February 2011 2012 STRUCTURE FIRES Property Damage -- Buildings & Contents (Estimates) $120,000.00 $126,201.01 INSPECTIONS (Fire Prevention/Inspection Bureau) 456 Inspections 367 Inspections 150 Re-Inspections 130 Re-Inspections INVESTIGATIONS (Police /Fire Arson Bureau) 18 10 Investigations Investigations 4 0 Arsons Arsons Chief Cox further stated that the number of EMS calls have been steady, averaging 1,000 a month. He noted that is an excessive amount for only four (4) ambulances to handle. Chief Cox stated when compared to other cities the same size like Lansing, Michigan, which also has a University present, the average is five (5) ambulances. POLICE DEAPARTMENT FILING OF CHARGES 2012 -02 — CHRIS BORTONE In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Darryl Boykins requested the Board place Private First Class Chris Bortone on a fifteen (15) calendar day suspension from duty without pay and a letter of reprimand to be placed in his file. Upon a motion by Ms. Vasquez, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the Chief's recommendation was approved and the following Charges were approved to be served upon PFC Bortone. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS On Thursday, December 15, 2012 at approximately 1:47 a.m., a dispatch of a burglar alarm went out at Western and Mayflower. Upon units arriving, the front door glass was found to be punched out and the door of the business unlocked. At this time, dispatch attempted to contact PFC Chris Bortone by unit number several times with no response. Eventually PFC Bortone responded when called by his PN. Sergeant Barr contacted the dispatch center and requested PFC Bortones location. Dispatch advised Sergeant Bair that PFC Bortone was in Mishawaka. PFC Bortone upon being called to the supervisor's office and asked why he was on the East Side, stated that he went to his home located in Candlewood Apartments East of Hickory and Edison. PFC Bortone did call signal 2 at 1:19 a.m. PFC Bortone stated he sent an MDT message (email) to Lieutenant Lancaster advising him of his trip home. No message was found on Lieutenant Lancaster's computer which was functioning properly. No other supervisor was aware of the trip to his residence. Please note that PFC Bortone was given signal 2 at 1:19 a.m. and put back into service at 1 :49 a.m. but was still at his residence at 1:53 a.m. On Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at approximately 2:30 a.m., dispatch advised Sergeant Moryl