HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 09-17 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesSEPTEMBER 17, 2025 60
I. REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday,
September 17, 2025 with Board President Dan Jones, and Board Members Al Kirsits, Lee
Ross and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire
Chief Derek Erquhart, 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 Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits and carried by roll call, the Board
approved the Minutes of the August 20, 2025 regular meeting.
C. POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICY 313: CHILD ABUSE
Chief Ruszkowski submitted updates to lexipol policy 313 for the Board to review.
Attorney Connell noted minor updates and corrections to the wording.
Ms. Claeys asked about children who needs DCS and onsite assessments. Attorney
Connell said that DCS goes to where the child is as soon as possible whether that is
at their school or home.
Mr. Ross asked why the child’s age was raised from thirty (30) days to sixty (60) days.
Attorney Connell and Attorney Weiss stated did not have the exact reasoning for the
change but would follow up with his question.
2. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT AUGUST 2025
Chief Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for August 2025.
He noted an overall six percent (6%) decrease in the grand total of Part 1 Offenses
when comparing August 2024 to August 2025.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 61
D. FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR AUGUST 2025
Assistant Chief Derek Erquhart submitted the monthly statistical analysis report
for August 2025. He noted that the inspection division had 381 inspections and
553 re-inspections. He stated that property damage costs decreased by half
compared to last August.
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 Attorney Weiss noted that Board member Darryl Heller had submitted a
letter of resignation for his board member position. The Board thanked him for his
service to the Board of Public Safety and wished him well.
Board Attorney Weiss also noted that BPS meetings would be moved to the new
City Hall on MLK Jr. Dr. in November.
Sierra Swanson (resident) brought to the attention of the board recent interactions
that she had with a couple SBPD officers during a call for service. She stated she felt
the officers responding to her calls did not take her concerns seriously or follow
protocol and had reached out to IA, but had not heard back yet. President Jones
referred Ms. Swanson to the Citizen Police Review Board or the Police Merrit Board
who had jurisdiction over such issues now. Chief Ruszkowski also noted Chief
Skibins, who supervises the IA process, was in attendance and could speak to her
after the meeting about her concerns.
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
9:35 a.m.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 62
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Daniel Jones, President
Ross Lee, Member
Al Kirsits, Member
Pamela Claeys, Member
ATTEST:
Hillary Horvath, Clerk