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Home My WebLink About2025 03-19 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesMARCH 19, 2025 28 I.EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. with Board President Daniel Jones (Absent), and Board Members, Darryl Heller (Absent), Lee Ross, Al Kirsits, Pamela Claeys and Board Attorney Danielle Campbell Wise. Chief Ruszkowski and Attorney Kylie Connell virtually joined the meeting at 8:32 a.m. and left the meeting at 8:46 a.m. Firefighter Brian McLaughlin, Union President Eric Griffin, and South Bend Firefighter’s Pension Fund Secretary Andrew Zwierzynski joined the meeting in person at 9:04 a.m. The meeting was held in the 13th Floor Boardroom, County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams for the purposes specified in I.C. 5- 14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(a) to receive information concerning and individual’s alleged misconduct and I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(7) for discussion of records classified as confidential by state statue (I.C. 5-14-3- 4(a)(9)). The meeting concluded at 9:20 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member _________________________________ Ross Lee, Member ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Hillary Horvath, Acting Clerk II.REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9: 27 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 with Board President Dan Jones (Absent), and Board Members Darryl Heller (Absent), 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 Acting Board Clerk Hillary Horvath. 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/2025BPSHybrid 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 Member Lee Ross welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of the Board Members. B.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the February 19, 2025, regular meeting. C.FIRE DEPARTMENT 1.APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS a. Emanuel Araiza b. Brandon Briggs MARCH 19, 2025 29 c. Elvin Castro d. Nicholas Catanzarite e. Derrick Dawson f. Grant DeLaPaz g. Collin Dudek h. Eric Kelver i. Elliot Knight j. Ethan Knight k. Francesco Lizzi l. Jesus Martinez m. Chase Merz n. Oscar Miranda o. Eric Peterson p. Zach Petrie q. John Posego r. Steven Singh s. Jordan Smith t. Zhane Smith u. Demetrius Williams Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter to the Board requesting the Board approve the hiring of the above listed individuals as probationary firefighters at the rank of Firefighter 2nd Class. The Board members congratulated the individuals and thanked them for their future service to the City of South Bend. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Probationary Firefighters. 2. APPROVE RECOMMENDED DISCIPLINARY ACTION – CAPTAIN GREG METZGER Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter of recommended disciplinary action to be levied against Firefighter Captain Greg Metzger. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Recommended Disciplinary Action. 3. APPROVE CHIEF’S LETTER REQUESTING INITIATION OF DISABILITY PROCESS FOR FIREFIGHTER PURSUANT TO I.C 36-8-8-12.3 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a modified letter requesting the initiation of disability process for firefighter pursuant to I.C 36-8-8-12.3. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Initiation of Disability Process for Firefighters. 4. UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF LEXIPOL POLICY – 710 DEPARTMENT USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Attorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol policy for implementation and reminded the Board members and the public that the above policy was submitted and approved at the January 15, 2025 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Attorney Taylor clarified this was the policy where the Union said it did not get to review it in advance per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Attorney Taylor informed the Board that the policy has now been reviewed by the Union and is being brought before the Board again. Lee Ross thanked Attorney Taylor for the update. 5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2025 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for February 2025. He noted that they have completed 231 inspections for the month of February, which is a little bit lower than a year ago at this time. He explained the inspectors are doing a great MARCH 19, 2025 30 job out there, not only reinstating a lot of businesses, but also making time for the new businesses that are coming to the area. Chief Buchanon noted the increase in calls and incidents, but he did not have an explanation as to why incidents have increased when factors like weather have been favorable to the department. He emphasized the importance of individuals being proactive with fire safety and education to help decrease incidents within the city. He explained that the department’s attempts to increase personnel should aid in the department’s efforts to educate residents, do more inspections and investigations, and be able to respond more effectively to any incidents. Pam Claeys brought up two (2) false alarms at the Central Station and asked for more information. Chief Buchanon noted the station is one (1) of eleven (11) and is older than the others. He noted that sometimes electrical components in fire detection devices malfunction and it is being resolved. He acknowledged the humor in the fire department having to respond to their own facility’s alarms. He also joked about on-duty firefighters’ amateur cooking skills nearly setting off alarms. D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. DETERMINE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PAY STATUS PURSUANT TO I.C. 36-8- 3-4(N) – EMANUEL GARICA Police Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter asking the board to determine the continuance of administrative leave and implore the Board’s discretion regarding the paid or unpaid status of the leave to be effective February 28, 2025. Pam Claeys asked about Officer Garcia receiving backpay if his charges are dropped at a later time. Chief Ruskowski stated Officer Garcia may be eligible for backpay if exonerated of all charges. Chief Ruskowski emphasized that even if the officer is exonerated, the SBPD will do an internal investigation on the officer. Attorney Wise confirmed. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved administrative leave without pay for Officer Emanuel Garcia effective February 28, 2025. MARCH 19, 2025 31 2. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT JANUARY 2025 Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for February 2025 and stated there was a twenty-one percent (21%) decrease in Part One Offenses. Chief Ruskowski noted that there have only been four (4) criminal assault shootings this year. He noted this upcoming Friday would be their fire alarm testing day at the Police Department and it would result in about twenty (20) minutes of bells and whistles going off. Pam Claeys noted the rape statistic increasing. Chief Ruskowski noted all the staff involved once those calls come in. He stated he believes the statistical increase could be due to people feeling like they can report those types of crimes not necessarily because there is more crime. E. UPDATE REGARDING TRANSITION TO MERIT BOARDS MARCH 19, 2025 32 Attorney Weiss stated that for the Fire Merit Board they now had three (3) of the five (5) members selected. One (1) was selected through the fire membership election, one (1) was appointed by the Mayor, and one (1) was appointed by the Common Council. She stated with three (3) members they now have quorum and could start having meetings for training on Board rules and any new members will jump in later. Attorney Weiss stated that for the Police Merit Board, the police membership had an election a few days prior and elected its two (2) members, the Mayor selected two (2) appointments, and the Common Council made its one (1) appointment and are therefore fully formed and will be starting training and rule adoption. She noted the May meeting may be when agenda items are transitioned from the Board of Public Safety to the Merit Boards, but there will be a Resolution brought to the Board of Public Safety when the time comes for the transition. F.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. G.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 9.54 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member _________________________________ Ross Lee, Member ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Hillary Horvath, Acting Clerk