HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-91 Public Safety Qlnmmtttrr apart
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Q!n the Cunt a Qiounrit of the Mug of South #irud:
The May 20, 1991 Meeting of the Public Safety Committee was
called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member William
Soderberg, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting
Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Zakrzewski,
Coleman, Slavinskas, Duda, Puzzello, Luecke, Ladewski,
Niezgodski, and Soderberg; Don Porter, Sergeant Jim Moon and
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Soderberg noted that the purpose of the
meeting was to review Bill No. 28-91 which would amend
Chapter 20 of the Municipal Code entitled "Vehicles and
Traffic".
Sergeant Jim Moon of the South Bend Police Department gave
the presentation. He noted that he is the Liaison Officer
for the Civil Defense Unit.
Sergeant Moon stated that in 1986 the Civil Defense Unit had
authority and power to issue parking tickets. However under
the Parent Administration that authority was removed, and
that this Bill would enable the Board of Public Works to
authorize Special Police Commissions to permit members of
the Civil Defense Unit to issue parking violations.
Sergeant Moon then read a letter from Chief of Police,
Ronald A. Marciniak, in support of the Bill sponsored by
Council President Niezgodski. Sergeant Moon noted that
currently there are 13 Special Police Commissions held, with
the majority of the Unit having three years or longer of
service. They receive 32 hours of certified training from
the South Bend Police Department, and must meet monthly for
training purposes. Under State law they are prohibited from
going onto private property.
In response to questions raised by the Committee, Sergeant
Moon noted that State tickets for handicapped parking on
private property could be issued by regular members of the
South Bend Police Department, but that of the Civil Defense
Officers could not issue such tickets. He also noted that
under State law if an emergency was declared that tickets
could then be issued.
Council Member Ladewski suggested that this would be
important for Civil Defense Officers who were commissioned
to issue parking tickets during snow emergencies.
Sergeant Moon noted that none of the Civil Defense Officers
receive any pay.
Public Safety Committee
May 20, 1991
Page 2
In response to questions raised by Council Member Luecke, it
was noted that currently there are 13 Special Police
Commissions held with one Recruit Position. One year is
required as a recruit, with a recommendation then being made
by the Chief of Police to the Board of Public Safety for a
Commission to be established. The uniforms are similar to
the South Bend Police Department, except that they have gray
pocket flaps.
Council Member Luecke suggested that violations which plague
the neighborhoods such as parking illegally on tree lawns,
parking backwards, etc. should be areas that should also be
investigated for possible enforcement by the Civil Defense
Unit. He also suggested that noise coming from vehicles
should also be pursued. Sergeant Moon noted that Civil
Defense Officers are prohibited from making arrests.
In response to a question raised by Council Member
Soderberg, it was noted that Commissioned Officers in the
Civil Defense Unit do wear sidearms. Council Member
Soderberg commended the Civil Defense Unit and had high
praise for them from his experience of working with them at
the Firefly Festivals.
Council Member Duda spoke in favor of the proposed Bill, and
relayed an incidence where a Civil Defense Officer came to
her aid when her vehicle became inoperable.
Council Member Slavinskas also suggested that other areas be
explored, such as handicapped parking, etc.
Following further discussion, Council President Niezgodski
made a motion seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Bill
No. 28-91 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member William Soderberg, Chairperson
Public Safety Committee