01-11-93 Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Committee Ztport PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE IT0 Os Common tountii of the tit of out)j Vtnt': The January 11, 1993 meeting of the Public Safety Committee was called to order by its chairperson, Council Member Gene Ladewski at 4:35 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Luecke, Coleman, Puzzello, Washington, Kelly, Slavinskas,Duda and Ladewski; attorney Kevin Butler, attorney Mary Hall Mueller, Glenda Rae Hernandez,Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Ladewski noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Bill No. 121-92 which would amend Chapter 4, Article IV of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "Required Vehicle Equipment for Safety of Taxicab Drivers". Council Member Ladewski, the sponsor of the Bill, stated that work began through a special committee in September of last year. It involved members of the legal staff as well as taxicab owners and their legal representatives. He stated that they studied laws from Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Detroit. He stated that the vehicle safety equipment would include a drop safe with an approximate cost of$25.00, a distress signal cost with an unknown cost figure and decals and signs. Mary Hall Mueller of the City Attorney staff stated that they City anticipated purchasing such decals and signs and have those provided as the licensing process. Council Member Ladewski then handed out a letter dated January 10, 1993 form Grady L. Thompson (copy attached) addressing the safety features. Council Member Ladewski stated that the "Bullet-proof window glass" is really only bullet resistant and has a cost of approximately$500.00 each. He stated that the Committee was not suggesting this in light of its cost and in light of the fact that a potential robbery could take place with bullets being fired with someone from outside of the individual taxicab. Mary Hall Mueller stated that the proposed Bill would take effect on March 1, 1993. She noted that both Courtesy and Yellow Cab Companies, the largest companies in the area, were in favor of it, and that the two smallest companies were also in favor of the Bill. Mr. Kevin Butler, an attorney for Yellow Cab, stated that he had worked on the Committee and was in favor of the proposed Bill. He stated that Mr. Liss would be present at tonight's Common Council Meeting to speak in favor of the Bill. It was also noted that Glenda Rae Hernandez was present and that her husband is a taxicab driver who would have comments at this evening's Common Council meeting. Council Members Puzzello and Duda voiced concern with regard to the public awareness of the "trouble light". Council Member Slavinskas suggested that perhaps a green light be considered which would be different from current lights being used by other emergency vehicles. He also raised a question with regard to the silent activation to either the dispatcher or the Police Department which is an optional provision.