09/17/2014 Board of Public Safety Minutes

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PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 57 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:08 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 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 Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Assistant Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Assistant Chief Steve Smith, Police Department, joined the meeting in progress. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Swearing In of Probationary Firefighter Fire Chief Cox stated this promotion is to fill one (1) position opening up due to a retirement in the last month. Chief Cox noted Firefighter Kurt Worden already has all of his certifications, in spite of not attending recruit school, so they felt it prudent to hire him at this time. He stated Firefighter Worden will be required to pass everything along with his recruit school in the spring. Chief Cox noted he is currently a paid on -call firefighter in another town. - Promotion to Captain — Fire Department Chief Cox stated Brandon May is currently a Captain in Special Assignment and has fulfilled all of his requirements. The Chief noted Firefighter May has done an outstanding job and is well liked and respected by his fellow firefighters. - Resolution No. 45 -2014 — Approving the Fire Department 2014 Strategic Action Plan Attorney Cory Hamel stated he has constructed a similar resolution for the Common Council's approval also. Chief Cox explained the Fire Department got a group of twenty (20) individuals together representing the department and battalions, without regard to rank, to put together a plan. He noted they met for three (3) days to discuss the goals and issues, and to come up with a plan on how to best address those. Chief Cox stated they had external stakeholders come to speak on behalf of the community. Chief Cox noted there were two (2) ladies from the Chamber of Commerce facilitate the meeting, and prepare an analysis of the department and create a plan. They created five (5) goals to achieve over the next two (2) years and the associated actions needed to take to reach the goals. Chief Cox noted they had the perspective of someone with anywhere from twenty (20) years on the job to one (1) year on the job. He added they created a wonderful plan. Chief Cox stated that Goal No. 5 deals with training issues, and within that goal the department has already finished out almost half of the goals within the plan. He stated this plan is considered a living document that the department will meet every four (4) months on to review as they go. Mr. Taylor commended the department for taking on something like this. Chief Cox noted they intend to put the plan on the City website for the public's awareness of their goals. Ms. Vasquez asked what is considered the most challenging goal. Chief Cox stated it would be No, 4 because it is controlled by more outside influences that the department doesn't have control over. Employees of the Months — Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Ruszkowski stated they have three (3) individuals selected for three (3) months for Employees of the Month. For the month of May, Patrolman Nicholas Pogotis received information regarding a shooting. He spotted the suspect's vehicle, called for back -up and was able to stop the vehicle and recover the weapons and stolen property from previous burglaries. Chief Ruszkowski stated the suspects were found to be responsible for several previous crimes as well as this shooting. In another shooting in the month of June, Patrolman Steve Hammer saw the suspect's vehicle in the video at the business and was able to find the car, apprehend the suspects and the weapon. In July, Chief Ruszkowski continued, Patrolman Greg Howard got called to a suicide hostage situation. Without any formal negotiation training, he stayed with it for six (6) hours without food or drink and ended up saving the individual from attempting suicide. Chief Ruszkowski stated it was pretty amazing work. - Monthly Statistics — Police Department Chief Ruszkowski noted the increase in murder and rape statistics. He added that they are seeing changes in increased comfort level of victims willing to talk to police after being victims of rape. He noted this is huge. Chief Ruszkowski stated aggravated assault is up but they are not sure why the violence increased. He informed the Board that the larceny increase is due in part to shoplifters, noting the Police get a call when an alarm activates at the exit door. Chief Ruszkowski noted sometimes these involve a Police chase, the suspect crashes, the Fire Department is called in, and all over a $20 bottle of liquor. He stated the Police are looking at a program to determine if it is worth a life, and the cost of Fire and Police personnel. He added they are meeting with business leaders on instituting a policy on locking up liquor as it seems to be the biggest crime along with clothing theft. Chief Ruszkowski added he hopes to have something put together by the next Board meeting on how