03/19/14 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION MARCH 19, 2014 16 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:08 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in the 13'h Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, Luther Taylor, and Daniel Jones present. Also present was Assistant Fire Chief James Lopez, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Board members discussed the following agenda items: Correction to Scrivener's Error in Minutes of January 15, 2014 Attorney Cory Hamel stated in the January 15, 2014 Agenda Review Session Minutes the Chief was quoted as stating "eventually the Detective Division will be eliminated." Mr. Hamel stated after review of the tape of the meeting, it was found that the Chief did not state this and that was not his intent. He stated they would downsize, not eliminate the division. Mr. Hamel informed the Board they would need to approve the change to the Minutes to correct the scrivener's error. Approve Swearing -In of Officer Chief Ronald Teachman stated due to family circumstances, Patrolman Dominic Allen Joseph Hall requested to retire from the Police Department in May, 2013 to move out of state. Chief Teachman noted his circumstances have changed once again and he is requesting to come back to the Police Department. Chief Teachman stated he left in good standing and was a good officer. Additionally, he has already been through training so it saves the Department the training expense. Chief Teachman stated, therefore, he is asking the Board to approve the re- swearing in of Patrolman Hall. Approve Special Police Commissions Chief Ronald Teachman stated these commissions are for new Downtown South Bend employees for the purpose of issuing parking tickets. He explained they will have no powers of arrest, but also assist the Police Department with panhandlers, greeting tourists and new business owners, and giving directions to visitors. - Approve Resolution No. 18 -2014 —Appointing a Negotiator to Represent the Board of Safety for the Upcoming Police Department Negotiations Attorney Cory Hamel stated this resolution appoints him as the agent for the Board of Safety to represent them in Teamster Union negotiations. He noted this one is for the Police negotiations and there is a matching Resolution for the Fire Department on the agenda. - Accept Letter of Donation Chief Teachman stated the Police Department received a generous donation of $1,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing ballistic vests for their canine unit from Bob and Linda Weiss. - Monthly Statistical Analysis — Police Department Chief Teachman stated Part 1 crimes show a reduction of 8% for February. He noted the two crimes showing an increase are aggravated assault and rape, which has more than doubled. Chief Teachman made note that the rape statistics may just be an indication of more reported rapes, not more rapes. He explained that often the character of the victim is challenged so some victims don't want to report the crime. Chief Teachman pointed out a large decrease in burglary and motor vehicle theft. He added that the one statistic they don't report on, but do track, is shots fired. In January, he noted there were nine (9) shots fired, and four (4) in February. In comparing the number of shots fired that are called in to the Police and the number that are caught by the new Shot Spotter technology, Chief Teachman stated they are getting less than 10% of shots fired called in and reported. He informed the Board that the area of the Shot Spotter coverage accounts for 40% of the shots fired and 50% of the murders in the City. He stated he is hoping to find the funding for an overlay camera system that will be compatible with the current Shot Spotter technology. - Approve Applications for Retirement — Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Jim Lopez stated that Firefighter Jim Szczechowski is an excellent firefighter with thirty -five (35) years of service with the City. He noted he will be greatly missed. Chief Lopez stated that Firefighter Chris Chapin was a Paramedic, a diver, and a member of the Hazmat team who served the Department well for almost twenty (20) years. Finally, Chief Lopez stated Captain Jim Szymkowiak served as a Captain at Fire Station No. 11 and served the department well. He noted all will be missed. - Accept Letter of Return from Leave of Absence — Fire Department Assistant Chief Jim Lopez stated that in May of 2013 the Board of Safety approved the request of Firefighter Chris Bennion for a Leave of Absence for six (6) months, and extended the leave another six months in September of 2013. His date of return was anticipated to be May of 2014, but he has now asked for a re- instatement to return to duty from his job as a safety officer for a gas pipeline company. Chief Lopez informed the Board that he has worked as a Lead Paramedic and a diver, and is an asset to the Fire Department. Chief Lopez added that Firefighter Bennion will bring back