04-01-86 Public Safety Committee

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Oti nuntnet arpnrt Qin the Maw= Mandl of tile env of 8 *nit PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE The April 1, 1986 meeting of the Public Safety Committee was called to order by its chairman, Councilman Robert Taylor at 4 : 30 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. 'Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Beck, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Voorde, Paszek, Barcome, Serge, and Taylor; John Leszczynski, Jim Wensits, Chief Hurley, Eguenia Schwartz, Chief George Gygori, Chief Dobski, and Kathleen Cekasnki-Farrand. Councilman Taylor noted that the purpose of the meeting was to continue the discussion of false alarms which are plaguing the City. He noted that several weeks ago preliminary discussions were held in the Mayor' s conference room. City Attorney Eugenia Schwartz then passed out a draft of a proposed ordinance addressing alarm systems. (copy attached) She noted that the City does not wish to over-regulate and that the proposed bill addresses alarm systems. The proposed bill addresses a $25. 00 user fee with a separate penalty provisions providing for penalties of $100 - $200. She noted that there were several public policy considerations to be reviewed. .Chief Hurley noted that between January 1, 1985 through November 13, ' 1985 that 6 ,197 alarms were received by the Police Department. Of this amount 139 were actual alarms. Thus, 6, 058 were false alarms. Many false alarms resulted from malfunctions of systems, tripped alarms and etc.. The City is averaging 22 alarms per day. He noted that two beat cars respond for every alarm received. The National Bank had the largest number of false alarms last year totalling 61. Chief Dobski of the Fire Department noted that the frequency rate was not as high in the Fire Department. He did note however, that nine peices of equipment are sent for large buildings. In 1984 there were 430 false alarms, in 1985 351 false alarms, and to date in 1986 96 alarms have been received. Last year 13, 744 responses were made by the Fire Department. It was noted that hotels, hospitals and nursing homes pose a unqiue set of circumstances with regard to fire safety considerations. Mrs. Schwartz recommended that perhaps a grace period would be incorporated once the bill was passed. Councilman Taylor recommended that the Committee discuss the bill and consider whether special consideration should be given to areas such as hotels, hospitals and nursing homes. The Council Attorney noted that equal protection considerations must be carefully weighed when reviewing such classifications. Councilman Voorde made a motion seconded by Councilman Paszek /11[• ►R[.i c017,40, IU•LI.NINO CO-