06/18/2014 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION JUNE 18, 2014 38 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:03 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in the Main Classroom, Fire Department Training Center, 710 E. Sample St., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, Luther Taylor, and Daniel Jones present. Also present was Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Meeting Agenda The Board discussed and determined they would move the Police Department to first on the agenda and move the Fire Statistics up to the first item on the Fire Department section. After review of those agenda items, they determined they would move to the adjacent CPAT building for the swearing -in of ten (10) Firefighters to allow room for their families. After the swearing -in, the Board determined they would return to the Classroom for the Privilege of the Floor, to allow for families to remain and visit and take pictures while the Board finished up their regular meeting. - Employee of the Month — Police Department Chief Teachman noted that Patrolman Theodore Robert was selected as Employee of the Month for the month of May, 2014. He explained the practice of the Police Department is to recognize the employee of the month with a framed picture and a narrative in the hallway of the Police Station that details why they are selected. Chief Teachman added that he would discuss this in more detail during the regular meeting. - Police Department Statistics Chief Teachman noted that Part 1 crime statistics are still down overall by 4 %, but he is alarmed by the number of murders year -to -date. He stated there were seven (7) murders year -to -date, which is a 250% increase. He noted he is also troubled by the rape numbers, adding that they are now talking apples to apples in comparison with last year's rape numbers and the new FBI guidelines. He stated there is no research on this to determine if it's a lifestyle problem. He stated he suspects that rape is the least likely crime to be reported. Chief Teachman explained that insurance requires a report to the Police on break -ins and robberies and other types of crimes, but it is not a requirement of rape so it is less likely to be reported. He added there is no baseline to measure that. He informed the Board of a Federal study being done on why rape and abuse is under - reported in Indiana. He added that deportation concerns are thought to affect reporting, explaining that immigrants that are abused either sexually or physically fear deportation and don't report the crimes. Mr. Jones asked if the City oversees sexual assaults on the Notre Dame campus. Chief Teachman stated they do not unless the crime happens to the student while in the City limits. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 8:16 a.m. ATTEST: r� C��t.,L 4nda4MiMartin, Clerk BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Laura, A. Vasquez, Presiders Eddie Miller, Membe J Collins, Member Luther Taylor, ktemb Daniel Jones, ember