Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 1-17 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesREGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2024 1 I. REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:22 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller (not present), Lee Ross, Al Kirsits (not present) and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, present were Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire Chief Andy Meyer, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Adam Taylor, Kylie Connell, and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner. The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the South Bend Police Department, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2024BPSHybrid 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. A. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Board President Dan Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of the Board Members. B. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Lee Ross, and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the December 20, 2023 regular meeting. C. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER - IMAN DELANO SALIK WHITE Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of recommendation for the hiring of Iman Delano Salik White, effective January 17, 2024. Chief stated Iman Delano Salik White has met the requirements of the application process of the SBPD and was a sworn officer on the Hammond Police Department from March 10, 2022 to January 14, 2024. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the hiring of the above Probationary Police Officers. 2. SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER Sergeant Stewart gave a brief biography, highlighting his talents, achievements, education, and interests. City Clerk Bianca Tirado administered the Oath which was then followed by the badge pinning. 3. ACKNOWLEDGE COMMENDATION OF LIFE SAVING AWARD – BRIAN MEADOR Chief Scott Ruskowski submitted a letter of commendation for Officer Brian Meador. Chief Ruskowski stated that a family brought in their one-year-old son into the Police Station that was suffering from a seizure and had stopped breathing. Officer Meador quickly entered the lobby where the family was and began chest compressions while the officers waited for the EMS to arrive. Officer Meador was able to continue chest compressions until the child responded and then was transported to Memorial Hospital. Chief Ruszkowski commended Officer Meador for his life saving measures. The Board congratulated Officer Meador and thanked him for his service to the residents of South Bend. Chief Ruszkowski noted that Officer Meador received a plaque and a pin that goes on his dress uniform as well as a challenge coin. 4. FILE 4TH QUARTER REPORT FOR SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the 4th Quarter report for specialized training and travel associated with members of the SBPD. Chief Ruszkowski stated the expense total for this quarter was $7,470.68. REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2024 2 Ms. Claeys noted that there are several that have zero (0) training hours listed. Assistant Chief Skibbins noted that the training time does not get recorded until the certificate is completed. Ms. Claeys asked what cell hawk technology is used for. Chief Ruszkowski explained that it allows officers to obtain information from people, cell phones, etc. once we get search warrant permission from the courts. He elaborated that the device is not a simple “plug and play” device and it requires some very well versed officers and detectives that are good at that specific technology as the device requires precision and accuracy to perform. Chief Ruszkowski emphasized the Department can't afford to make mistakes, especially when it comes to a search warrant. 5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT DECEMBER 2023 Chief Scott Ruskowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for December 2023. Chief Ruszkowski stated there was a nine percent (9%) decrease in Part One Offenses for December 2023 compared to December 2022. REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2024 3 Chief Ruskowski also noted that they received over 101,000 calls for service in 2023. He added the Department usually gets around the 96,000 to 98,000 mark but 101,000 was a pretty big increase and I think notably we had over 15,115 hundred mental health service calls that we responded to which is not counting medic responses that are referred to Oaklawn, that is just the ones that SBPD responded to. Chief Ruskowski referred to the homicide category, noting there were twenty-three (23) homicides, twenty (20) of them were by shooting, but it was drastically down and we had 124 people shot in 2022 and we had eighty-two (82) shot last year in 2023. He emphasized that eighty-two (82) is eighty-two (82) too many, but there is a noticeable decline. Lastly, Chief Ruskowski stated there are many components involved in decreasing the crime rate but ultimately the goal is to get to zero (0). D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENTS Randy Newman Eric Purcell Shannon Pohl Craig Fruth Chief Carl Buchanon submitted Letters of Application and Declarations for Retirements for the above Firefighters. In Chief Buchanon’s absence, Assistant Fire Chief Andy Meyer discussed years served and retirement dates. Captain Randy Newman was appointed to the SBFD on May 10, 1989, and served as a member of the Swiftwater Team as a diver and boat operator, the hazardous material team, and the Honor Guard for more than twenty (20) years. Captain Newman’s effective date of Retirement was January 8, 2024. Firefighter Eric Purcell was appointed to the SBFD on October 25, 2000, and his last assignment was as the pump engineer of Engine 8 A-Shift, and his effective date of Retirement was January 10, 2024. Firefighter Shannon Pohl was appointed to the SBFD on June 5, 2020, achieving the status of Paramedic and EMT-A, his last assignment was on Engine 3, A-Shift, and his effective date of Retirement was January 13, 2024. Firefighter Craig Fruth was appointed to the SBFD on June 18, 2003, and his effective date of Retirement was August 20, 2023. Chief Buchanon’s letter asked the Board to join them in appreciation and gratitude for the above firefighters’ commitment and distinguished services to the SBFD and the residents of the City of South Bend and wished them many years of good health and happiness in retirement. Ms. Claeys stated if Board Member Kirsits were present, he would say there is a lot of institutional knowledge between the retirees. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, the Letters of Application and Declaration for Retirements were approved. 2. ACCEPT LETTER OF RESIGNATION - ANDREW HEIN Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter of resignation for firefighter Andrew Hein. In Chief Buchanon’s absence Assistant Chief Meyer stated Firefighter Hein was appointed to the SBFD on September 2, 2022, achieving the status of EMT-A, and his last assignment was at Station 9, A-Shift with an effective date of resignation of December 25, 2023. 3. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 1023 – Uniform Regulations 1024 – Badges REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2024 4 1025 – Identification Cards 1026 – Work-Related Illness and Injury Reporting 1027 – Release of HIPAA – Protected Information 1028 – Line-of-Duty Death 1029 – Line-of-Duty Death and Serious Injury Notification 1030 – Family Support Liaison 1031 – Funerals 1032 – Militatary Leave 1033 – Driver’s License Requirements 1034 – Nepotism and Conflicting Relationships 1035 – Member Speech, Expression, and Social Networking 1036 – Omitted, Under Review 1037 – Omitted, Under Review 1038 – Omitted, Under Review 1039 – Pregnancy Policy (previously approved) 1040 – Omitted, Under Review 1041 – Temporary Limited or Modified Duty Policy Attorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol Polices for approval, and reminded the Board Members and the public that the above policies were submitted to the Board at the December 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pamela Claeys and followed by a roll call, the proposed changes for the above Lexipol Polices were approved. 4. FILE QUARTERLY TRAVEL & TRAINING REPORT Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the quarterly travel and training report for October, November, and December of 2023. In Chief Buchanon’s absence, Assitant Chief Meyer stated the expenses for the quarter was $20,625. 5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2023 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for December 2023. REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2024 5 6. FILE 2023 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the annual statistical analysis report for 2023. Ms. Claeys asked about Naracan usage. Assistant Chief Myer advises that they would really have to dig into what the reports are saying. By cross-referencing the Narcan administration numbers with our provider impression. It’s not hard to do, but the number of times Narcan is administered is not a good indicator of what the opioid response might be in the community. He noted that he can generate the numbers, but there will need to be REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2024 6 an explanation provided with the numbers. E. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Attorney 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. Board Member Pamela Claeys informed attendees that there would be a community- wide Safety Summit in Riverpark sponsored by the Riverpark Business Association, Riverpark Neighborhood Association, Riverpark West Neighborhood, IUSB, IUSB Honors Program, and Adams HS with the goal to bring all the Riverpark entities together for communication and safety purposes. The date she gave for the event was Monday, February 12th from 6-7:30pm at IUSB The Grill. F. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pamela Claeys and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Lee Ross, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk