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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 6-18 Board of Public Saftey Meeting MinutesREGULAR MEETING JUNE 18, 2024 33 I. REGULAR MEETINGThe Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (one day earlier due to the Juneteenth Holiday), with Board President Dan Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller (not present), Lee Ross, Al Kirsits, and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Adam Taylor, Kylie Connell, and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers 4th Floor, County-City Bldg., 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., 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 MEMBERSBoard President Dan Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of theBoard Members. B.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by roll call, the Boardapproved the Minutes of the May 15, 2024, regular meeting. C.FIRE DEPARTMENT 1.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR MAY 2024Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for May 2024. Henoted that they have completed 132 inspections for the month of May, which is a little bitlower than a year ago at this time. He exclaimed the inspectors are doing a great job out there, not only reinstating a lot of businesses, but also making time for the new businesses that are coming to the area. He added that they responded to 1907 incidents in May andhad 5671 apparatus calls. REGULAR MEETING JUNE 18, 2024 34 Al Kirsits asked Chief Buchanon if the Fire Department had been participating in Spray and Play this week due to the heat. He noted when he was a firefighter, they spray and play all the time and he wondered with the high temps if they were doing more of it with the high heat. A lot of departments around the Midwest were stopping training and engaging with spray and play events due to the heat. Chief Buchanon advised that he was not sure about this week, but they have been having them at least two (2) or three (3) times throughout the week and especially on the weekends. With Juneteenth coming up on Wednesday, there will be a lot of kids that want to go to the park, so we will be trying to make sure we have a few companies out to assist with that. D.POLICE DEPARTMENT 1.APPROVE PROMOTIONS OF PATROLMAN 1ST CLASSEvan EckelbargerKole Miller Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted letters of recommendations for the above officers to bepromoted to Patrolman 1st Class effective June 21, 2024. Chief stated Officer Eckelbargerand Officer Miller have successfully met the requirements outlined in the workingagreement to become Patrolman 1st Class with the SBPD. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, theBoard approved the Promotions to Patrolman 1st Class. 2.ACKNOWLEDGE COMMENDATION OF LIFE SAVING AWARD – DAN NAPOLITAN Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Commendation for Officer Dan Napolitan.Chief Ruszkowski stated while working light duty at the front desk on May 6, 2024, arecords specialist employee started choking, Officer Napolitan immediately gave theHeimlich and back blows and was able to dislodge the food and she was able to breathe again. Chief noted Officer Napolitan’s quick actions saved the employee’s life and recommended Officer Napolitan receive a Lifesaving Award. The Board memberscongratulated Officer Napolitan and President Jones stated he would be presented with acommendation coin. Congressman Yakim also presented him with a national Life SavingAward. 3.RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES302 Control Devices (Current Policy 302 and 303 being combined into Policy 302)424 Mobile and Portable Audio/Video Recorders (includes Body Worn Devices) REGULAR MEETING JUNE 18, 2024 35 President Jones noted that when body cams are mentioned, it seems like every now and then we see national incidents with police and for some reason they don’t have their body cameras on. He stated that he is really pleased that this policy has been implemented. Attorney Kylie Connell submitted the above Lexipol Polices for review by the Board and to be considered for approval at the next Board Meeting. Attorney Connell noted that Policy 303 is being combined into Policy 302. 4.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT MAY 2024Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for May 2024,and stated there was a twenty-three percent (23%) decrease in Part One Offenses. Chief Ruszkowski noted that on the first page of the statistical analysis report, it shows a decrease of 470 Part One Offenses from last year. On the second page it shows a twenty three percent (23%) decrease in Part One Offenses. He noted that contrary to social media, or other circulating comments, South Bend had a twenty three percent (23%) decrease from last year. The only thing that went up was arson by one (1) incident. Also, for a reference point, only four (4) people have died from criminal assault shootings this year, and we had ten (10) this time last year. Al Kirsits stated that he read an article recently that some cities may be defunding or getting rid of the ShotSpotter. He asked if it was a good tool for the City. Chief Ruszkowski advised that the number one intention is a quick response. If someone has been struck, we can get there to render aid and it also works well as an investigative REGULAR MEETING JUNE 18, 2024 36 tool. We can prove that something did happen there or prove that it did not happen there. Every time we have a neighborhood meeting, the people ask for it if they don’t have it in their neighborhood. Currently, the ShotSpotters are in the worst areas for crime and based on analytics, a total of four (4) square miles. Al Kirsits asked if the ShotSpotters are reliable. Chief Ruszkowski advised that they actually do surprise checks that we don’t tell the company about so that we can be sure the sensor features are working properly. 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. There was no one present or virtual that wanted to speak. F.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Pam Claeys,seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 9:31 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk