11/20/13 Board of Public Safety Meeting

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION NOVEMBER 20 2013 87 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:12 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 in the 13`" Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller and Luther Taylor present. Board Member John Collins was absent. Also present was Fire Chief Stephen Cox and Attorney Cory Hamel. Mr. Hamel informed the Board that Police Chief Ronald Teachman would be late. Clerk of the Board, Linda Martin, presented the Board with an agenda of items submitted by City staff. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Monthly Statistical Analysis — October, 2013 - Fire Department Fire Chief Stephen Cox stated the most notable statistic is the decrease in property damage from $503,801 to $120,500. He explained that October, 2012 showed normal volume and October of 2013 statistics reflected three (3) large commercial fires with significant content loss. He stated an apartment complex, a restaurant, and a church fire all occurred in October of 2012 with losses including the contents of all of the businesses. Chief Cox made note of the decrease in October 2013 in arsons. Mr. Hamel questioned if the decrease in re- inspections was due to the economy. Chief Cox stated re- inspections are due to a failure on the part of the business owner to meet the requirements of the first inspection. He explained that the records for plan review indicate new construction inspections. Chief Cox informed the Board that the City Council changed this process several years ago to allow for the Fire Department to charge for new business inspections. POLICE CHIEF JOINS MEETING IN PROGRESS Police Chief Ronald Teachman joined the meeting in progress at 8:20 a.m. - Approve Extended Medical Leave — Christopher Krueger Mr. Hamel noted that there was an addition to the agenda of a request for extended medical leave for Patrolman Christopher Krueger. Chief Teachman explained that officers must deplete all sick and personal time before coming to the Board to request medical leave. - Employees of the Month — October 2013 Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated that two officers were nominated for the month of October. Patrolman Ken Ryan was instrumental in the arrest of a suspect who broke into his girlfriend's home and beat and stabbed her, and held her captive for four (4) hours. She begged to go to the hospital and was able to call Police at that time. Patrolman Ryan searched for the suspect for several days and finally observed and pursued him on foot to a closet where the suspect hid. Patrolman Ryan arrested the suspect who remains incarcerated. Chief Teachman stated that Patrolman Gregory Howard responded to a gunshot call with a vehicle description. He spotted the van, pursued it and when he ran a license plate number he determined there was an outstanding warrant on the vehicle. Patrolman Howard pulled the vehicle over and when he exited his Police vehicle, the suspect vehicle backed up into Patrolman Howard and hit him and his vehicle. Patrolman Howard continued his pursuit of the suspect and was able to make an apprehension and recover suspected stolen items from the crime scene in the suspect's vehicle. - Quarterly Report for Specialized Schools Police Chief Teachman noted one thing the training numbers don't show is that the Police Department has doubled the roll -call training this year by bringing in trainers during roll -call. He explained some of the training is done for the officer's safety and some is educational such as blood - born pathogen training. - Monthly Statistical Analysis — October 2013 Police Chief Teachman stated October was a bad month with most of the year -to -date improvements evaporating in October. He stated that most of the burglaries are to vacant homes and garages. Chief Teachman stated his concern this month is with the increase in vehicle theft. He noted that most are due to vehicles left unattended and running. Chief Teachman stated they are continuing to do public education to address this problem of people starting their cars to warm them up and leaving them unattended. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Vasquez declared the meeting adjourned at 8:37 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY