05/16/12 Board of Public Safety Meeting

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AGENDA SESSION MAY 16, 2012 30 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:05 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 with Board President Patrick D. Cottrell, and Board Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Also present were Police Chief Charles Hurley, Fire Chief Steve Cox, and Board Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky. The meeting was held in the Board of Public Works Conference Room, 13th Floor County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. ADDITION TO THE AENDA Ms. Beachkofsky noted the addition to the agenda of an update for the City Towing Resolution. Board members discussed the following items from the agenda: - Employees of the Month — Police Department Chief Hurley stated that Lieutenant Stephen Smith was. selected as employee of the month for March for his response, on the way in to work, to a burglary in progress in a garage and subsequent arrest of the suspect. The suspect was later found to be responsible for numerous other burglaries. Patrolman James Maxey was selected as employee of the month for February for his help in the conviction of a known gang member. Chief Hurley told the Board a letter was received from the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney recognizing Patrolman Maxey for his testimony against the individual that helped with their conviction. The Chief noted that three other officers were also involved in the arrest, Sergeant Gene Eyster, Detective Jennifer Gobel, and Corporal Daniel Lawecki, but Patrolman Maxey was nominated due to his testimony. - Monthly Statistical Analysis Chief Hurley informed the Board that in the last two (2) weeks, there have been nine (9) arrests for robbery and five (5) arrests for burglary. He stated the arrests cleared up over forty (40) other burglaries. Chief Hurley noted that he reviewed the statistics for the last five years and found that all the numbers have decreased in general, except for homicide. - Review Towing Resolution Ms. Beachkofsky stated she looked into allegations that the Police Department was going off the City Towing List and using a Mishawaka towing company. She stated she found this not to be true. The Police Department records indicated the only time the Mishawaka company or any other company not on the list was used was during an emergency due to a blizzard, or at the vehicles owner's request. She noted any other company would be used only at the owner's request. She stated she found that the number of tows per towing company set at 1,200 is just an arbitrary number used as an aid to accurate reporting. Ms. Beachkofsky stated she would like to propose the Board look at the current resolution. She noted ASAP Towing has a compelling complaint; the Police state there is a problem with the response time on the part of the towing companies. She stated she would like to review all of the statistics and open up the list to everyone that is on the current waiting list for a period of three (3) months beginning June 1, 2012. After that time, there would be a review of performance and response and the list would be re- allocated based on the review. Mr. Collins asked if the Board could then allow ASAP Towing to be placed on the list. Ms. Beachkofsky stated yes, plus any other companies currently on the waiting list that are in compliance with the licensing laws. She noted she will need to ask the Board of Works to suspend the Resolution in its current state and look at amending it. She stated she would like to hold a special meeting with all of the towing companies to talk about what we are doing and get their feedback. Mr. Cottrell noted the Board will need Sergeant Goen, Traffic Division, to come up with an evaluation of the towing companies' response time. Mr. Collins suggested that could be coincided with dispatch records of time called, time arrived, and time called off. Ms. Beachkofsky stated her recommendation would be a fifteen (15) to twenty (20) minute response time. Ms. Beachkofsky stated she will recommend the suspension of the current resolution regarding the number of towing companies on the list and opening up the list to those on the waiting list for three (3) months, after which a review of all companies will be performed. She added that will give her time to put them on notice. She stated a meeting will be held with all of the tow companies at which time they will be informed what the standards are going to be based on the results of the review. Mr. Collins stated this will provide a fair and equal process. Chief Hurley stated one of his concerns is if there is a storage fee being charged from the time of the tow. He noted someone going to pick up their car on a Saturday and can't get in because the tow company is closed is then charged for the entire weekend.