HomeMy WebLinkAbout12212022 Board of Public Safety Meeting86
I.EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Public Safety met in Executive Session on Wednesday December 21, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. with Board President Dan Jones (absent) and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, AlKirsits and Board Attorney Danielle Weiss. The meeting was held in the 13th Floor Boardroom,
County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, for the purposes specified in
I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A) to receive information concerning an individual’s alleged misconduct.The meeting ended at 9:00 a.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Darryl Heller, Member
_________________________________
Lee Ross, Member
______________________________ Alfred Kirsits, Member
ATTEST:
___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk
II. REGULAR MEETING December 21, 2022 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, with Board President Daniel Jones (absent), and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, and Al Kirsits were present. Also present were Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire Chief Todd
Skwarcan, and Attorneys Danielle Weiss, Kylie Connell, Adam Taylor, and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner was also present. The meeting was held on the 4th Floor Council Chambers Room, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/BPS12212022
Attorney Weiss asked that everyone mute their microphone when not speaking and reminded attendees that comments from the public should be saved for the Privilege of the Floor portion of the meeting. Attorney Weiss then read through the agenda to note any additions or corrections.
Board Member Lee Ross welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of Board
Members.
A.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGSDarryl Heller noted two minor corrections to the November 16, 2022 minutes. Clerk Theresa
Heffner confirmed the corrections would be made, so based on these changes Darryl Heller
motioned to approve the Minutes of the November 16, 2022, regular meeting, seconded byAl Kirsits.
Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by a roll call, the Board
approved the Minutes of the December 7, 2022, special meeting minutes presented.
B.POLICE DEPARTMENT
1.APPROVE HIRING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS
Rico Butler
Robert Delee
Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the hiring of Probationary PoliceOfficer Rico Elijah Butler and Robert Dale Delee effective December 21, 2022.
Chief stated that Officer Butler has met the requirements of the application process of theSouth Bend Police Department and graduated from the Northern Indiana Police Academy on
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Friday December 16, 2022.
Chief stated Officer DeLee has met the requirements of the application process of the South Bend Police Department and was an officer on the Plymouth Police Department from April
20, 1999 to December 13, 2022.
Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the hiring of Probationary Police Officer Rico Butler and Officer Robert Delee.
2.SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERSCaptain Fulnecky gave a brief biography of Officer Butler and Officer DeLee highlightingtheir talents, achievements, education, and interests. City Clerk Dawn Jones administered the oath which was then followed by the badge pinning.
Lee Ross congratulated both officers and thanked them for wanting to serve our South Bendcommunity and citizens by joining the South Bend Police Department.
Al Kirsits congratulated the officers and asked that they be safe and to always respect thebadge and oath of duty.
3. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASSNiall O’ReganConnor ReddenSteven S. Spadafora
Georgia WellsAustin Wiorek
Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the above officers be promotedto Patrolman 1st Class effective December 15, 2022. Chief stated that the above officers have
successfully met the requirements outlined in the working agreement to become Patrolman1st Class within the SBPD.
Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the
above officers were promoted to Patrolman 1st Class.
4.ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COMMENDATIONSAnthony DawsonGarrett RadzikowskiKayla Miller
Ronald KaszasGery MullinsBrianne FentonJames MaxeyEric Mentz
Brett Airy
Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter of commendations for the above officers. ChiefRuszkowski gave a summary of the commendations and bravery of each officer.
Lee Ross commended the officers and accepted the commendations on behalf of the Boardand stated each officer will be given a challenge coin for their heroic efforts.
Al Kirsits Congratulated the officers that were given commendations and praised their effortsin the field.
5.APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION OF RETIREMENT - SANDRASMITHPolice Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter of Application and Declaration for
Retirement for Patrolman Sandra Smith. Chief Ruszkowski stated Officer Smith is retiring in
good standing from the SBPD effective January 12, 2023 and will have been with thedepartment for thirty-three (33) years and six (6) months. Chief Ruszkowski thanked her for
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her many years of service with the SBPD and wished her success in her new endeavors.
Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved.
6.APPROVE 2023 SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSIONSIn a letter to the Board, Chief Ruszkowski recommended that the following Special PoliceCommissions be renewed and/or issued for the year 2023. He read through the followingpowers of each category, noting whether they include carrying of a weapon or any powers ofarrest.SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT Volunteers in Policing (VIPS)
Richard Cowper Tom Camren
Garnett Keeys Barbara Leavell Patrick Leavell Steven Wieger
It is my recommendation that the following South Bend Police Department personnel be commissioned as members of the South Bend Police Department Special Police Unit, but do
not have the authority to be armed nor do they have powers of arrest:
PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS
James Buchmann Ella Cramer
Angela Davis Courtney Donndelinger Adam Harman Antonio Salazar
It is also my recommendation that Special Police Commissions be issued or renewed for the following South Bend Police Department Records/Data Specialists. These
Commissions do not include the powers of arrest nor the carrying of a weapon.
Alma Bueno Julianne Camparone Kim Davis Madonna Fleenor Jennifer Garrett Jeanette Hardman
Jennifer Jozwiak Lauren Morgan Beverly Perry Maria Scherer-Lutz Tracy Wright
SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT
It is my recommendation that the following be commissioned to carry a weapon while acting in the capacity of Arson Investigators. They have no powers of arrest:
Doug Hylkema Tony Nania
Barry Sebesta John Szucs
The commission is issued for the purpose of writing citations and otherwise enforcing Chapter 9, Fire Prevention, of the South Bend Municipal Code. The commission does not authorize the powers of arrest, nor the carrying of a weapon:
Chris Baker Carl Buchanon Mike Damiano Brian Koloszar Robert Means Andrew Myers Todd Skwarcan Mike Lagodney
Mike Szucs Gerard Ellis Brandon Roark James Jones
PARKING PROPERTIES
Block by Block
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This commission is issued for the on-street patrol parking enforcement personnel and does not include the carrying of a weapon, nor the powers of arrest:
Amanda Grover
Jon Preston Abplanalp
Rogers Smedley
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT
It is my recommendation that Special Police Commissions be assigned to the following
officers of Indiana University South Bend. These Commissions are issued for the purpose of issuing citations for parking violations where such violations have fines set by Ordinance and State Law. All of their officers are sworn and certified through the State of Indiana by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Training Board. These Commissions have the same
authority of as one of our own sworn police officers in which they have the authority to carry
a weapon and the powers of arrest:
Kurt Matz Edwin Garcia Timothy McNeely Soledad Garcia
Mark Walsh Troy Hudgen
Glenn McQueen Jordan Felton Bradley Howe Bryce Peterson Aaliyah Porter Tyler Garber
This will empower the above listed individuals to enforce parking violations on the
following streets adjacent to the campus:
Mishawaka Ave. from Bellevue Street on the west to 21st Street on the East; Bellevue Street from Mishawaka Avenue on the north to Hildreth Street on the south; Hildreth Street from Bellevue Street on the west to the campus proper on the east; Esther Street from Mishawaka
Avenue on the north to Hildreth Street on the south; Ruskin Street from Bellevue Street on the west to the campus proper on the east; 20th Street from Mishawaka Avenue on the north to Northside Boulevard on the south; Vine Street from 20th Street on the west to 21st Street on the east; and Northside Boulevard from 21st Street on the east to Memorial Park on the
west. IVY TECH SOUTH BEND CAMPUS
It is my recommendation that a Special Police Commission be assigned to the following security officer of Ivy Tech South Bend Campus. This Commission is issued for the purpose
of issuing citations for parking violations where such violations have fines set by Ordinance
and State Law. This officer is sworn and certified through the State of Indiana by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Training Board. This Commission has the same authority as one of our own sworn police officers in which they have the authority to carry a weapon and the powers of arrest:
James E. Clark Jr
This will empower the above listed individual to enforce parking violations on the following streets adjacent to the campus:
Main Campus: Michigan St. from Broadway St. north to Sample St. Sample St. east to Fellows. Fellows south to Broadway, including Dean Johnson Blvd. (which runs east and west inside this perimeter). Broadway St. west to Michigan. The property ONLY owned by Ivy Tech at 328 Michigan Street and the property owned by Ivy Tech at 250 Sample St.
DEPARTMENT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT
It is my recommendation that the following individuals be Commissioned for the Department
of Code Enforcement. This Commission is issued for the purpose of writing citations for Ordinance violations where such violations have fines set by Superior Court Judges. This
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Commission will also empower the below-listed individuals to enforce the Snow Route and Residential Snow Emergencies and to tow vehicles found to be in violation of these Ordinances. This Commission also includes Animal Control officers who issue tickets for nuisance violations. This Commission does not authorize the powers of arrest nor the
carrying or use of a weapon.
Code Enforcement Officers:
Edward Williams John Helak
Jim Wood Stan Molenda
Chyna McBride Dora Gonzalez Angelo Logrande Chris Pemberton Dena Criswell Chad Hooten Steve Meadows Steve Szaday
Cornelius Johnson
Animal Control Officers:
April Michaels Sara Kaszas
Jamie Ealy Brittany Miller
Lindsey Cuellar Grace Fuller Diana Hosteler
Kite Realty Group:
Teagan Lawson
Laz Parking:
Idowu Oluwabukola
Please note that any previous Special Police Commissions that were issued to anyone not listed in this letter, are now rescinded. The aforementioned police commissions are in effect until rescinded.
All of the aforementioned individuals have met the Commission requirements of the South Bend Police Department.
Darryl Heller asked if the weapons that the fire investigators carry are issued to them or if
they are personal weapons. Assistant Chief Skwarcan added that they are issued by SBFD.
Darryl Hellers asked if someone is not on the list, are they approved. Chief Ruszkowski answered that they are not approved and when someone is added or replaced we bring the list back to the board for approval.
Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by a roll call, the Board approved the 2023 Special Police Commissions.
7. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT NOVEMBER 2022
Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for November. He
noted a fourteen percent (14%) reduction in Part 1 Offenses. He estimated upwards of fortypercent (40%) of cases have some type of mental episode involvement, and then heemphasized the importance of mental health resources in the community and policing.
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C.FIRE DEPARTMENT
1.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2022
Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for November 2022.Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan was present to answer any questions.
E.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOORAttorney Weiss reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams to
indicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. She reminded attendees that they
would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak.
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Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski praised new EMA Director Kirsits and Assistant |Director Lopez for their excellent communication for the upcoming snowstorm with planning and preparation for the community. Board member and EMA Director Kirsits thanked Chief Ruszkowski for his kind words and for acknowledging their efforts as they try to create a
helpful agency for the community.
F.ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Darryl Heller,seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
______________________________ Darryl Heller, Member
______________________________ Lee Ross, Member
______________________________
Alfred Kirsits, Member
ATTEST:
______________________
Theresa Heffner, Clerk