HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 08-20 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesAUGUST 20, 2025 57
I. REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:17 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20,
2025 with Board President Dan Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller (absent), Al Kirsits, Lee
Ross 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 Hillary Horvath were in attendance. 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 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 Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board approved
the Minutes of the July 16, 2025, regular meeting.
C. POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. APPROVE AND RESCIND SPECIAL POLICE COMMISIONS
In a letter to the Board, Chief Ruszkowski recommended that the following Special Police
Commissions be issued for the newly hired employees for 2025 in the following departments:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Growth and Opportunity-Business License Administrator
It is my recommendation that the following be commissioned for the purpose of writing
citations and otherwise enforcing Chapter 4, Licenses, of the South Bend Municipal
Code. The commission does not authorize the powers of arrest, nor carrying of a
weapon:
Michelle Adams
The aforementioned individual has been approved by their respective department, met the
requirements of their department, and met the Commission requirements of the South Bend
Police Department.
It is also requested that you rescind the special commission of Jeanette Hardman
and Brenda McClung, they are no longer employed as Public Service Officers or
Records Specialist.
Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board
approved the special police commissions.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE YEARS OF SERVICE – ANTONIO PACHEO
Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter to recognize Officer Antonio Pacheo who
had been with the department for twenty-one (21) years, one (1) month and twenty-eight-
days (28) and retired in good-standing with the Department.
3. ACCEPT LETTER OF RESIGNATION – TERRY REDDEN
Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter of resignation for Officer Terry Redden.
Chief Ruszkowski stated Officer Redden was sworn into the department March 15, 2023
with an effective resignation date of August 13, 2025. The Board accepted the letter.
Attorney Weiss clarified this was the final disciplinary item that the Board would see
through and any from here on out would go through the designated Merit Board. Attorney
Connell stated that there was a hearing that was cancelled and Mr. Redden turned in his
resignation, so the case has been deemed closed.
AUGUST 20, 2025 58
4. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT JULY 2025
Chief Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for July 2025. He noted
an overall seven percent (7%) decrease in the grand total of Part 1 Offenses when
comparing July 2024 to July 2025.
D. FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMMENDATIONS
Jon Kirsits
Samuel Moon
Francesco Lizzi
Cesar Salinas
Justin Mika
Chad Stanley
Andrew Zwierzynski
Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter to the Board to commend the actions of six (6)
firefighters who promptly aided two (2) persons who were struck by a falling tree on July
11, 2025. The surgeon of one (1) of the victims credited the victim’s survival to the care
given to them at the scene of the accident.
Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a letter to the Board to commend the actions of firefighter
Zwierzynski who responded to a call regarding a pool drowning and dove into the pool to
pull the victim out on June 17, 2025.
Board President Dan Jones advised that they should receive commendation coins on behalf
of the Board.
2. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR JUNE 2025
Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for July 2025. He
noted that the inspection division had 436 inspections and 561 re-inspections for the month
and when considering only three (3) inspectors serve the City of South Bend, that is
outstanding.
AUGUST 20, 2025 59
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 Al Kirsits informed the Board that Retired Clay Fire Marshal Dave
Cherrone had passed away August 19, 2025. He noted his many years of service and many
positive interactions with the South Bend Fire Department over the years.
F.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Lee Ross,
seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 a.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Daniel Jones, President
Darryl Heller, Member
Ross Lee, Member
Al Kirsits, Member
Pamela Claeys, Member
ATTEST:
Hillary Horvath, Clerk