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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/13 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesPUBLIC AGENDA SESSION JULY 17, 2013 57 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in the 13th Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Patrick Cottrell and Board Members John Collins and Luther Taylor present. Board Members Eddie Miller and Laura Vasquez were absent. Also present was Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky, Attorney Cory Hamel, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, and Fire Chief Stephen Cox. Board members discussed the following agenda items: Request to Remove Contractors from City Board -Up List — Fire Department On June 19, 2013, Fire Chief Stephen Cox sent letters to two companies on the City Board -Up list, informing them they were in violation of Resolution No. 73 -2010 regulating the operations of Board - Up companies. Chief Cox stated he received a response letter from Towne Fire and Water Restoration stating they have occasionally been unable to assist with board -ups when called and are unable to continue on with the program, but would appreciate the opportunity to apply again in the future. They also requested a copy of the report showing the number of refusals that should have been attached to the Chief's letter to them on June 19, 2013, but was not. Chief Cox stated Service Master contacted him by phone and were upset about being removed from the City's list, but did not deny their refusals to respond, and said they understood. Ms. Beachkofsky informed the Board that they would need to decide how to proceed with Towne Fire and Water since they are now asking to remove themselves from the list voluntarily. Chief Cox noted the resolution regulating the Board -Up list requires that once a company is removed from the list by the Board for failure to meet the guidelines of the resolution, they can't come back for a period of one (1) year. - Adopt New Oath of Office for the South Bend Fire Department Chief Stephen Cox stated Firefighter Fred Jaronik did research on the oath of office for the Fire Department and presented the Chief with ten (10) different Fire Department oaths used in cities such as Ft. Wayne, Elkhart, and Evansville, Indiana. Chief Cox noted the current oath used by the South Bend Fire Department is very short and doesn't say a lot. Chief Cox stated he sat down with the union and they agreed that the oaths presented by Firefighter Jaronik were better. He noted they all contained verbiage similar to the Police Department oath of office. Chief Cox stated he still had some question about using the line "so help me God" in the oath, but every oath presented, had that line. Mr. Cory Hamel, Assistant City Attorney, suggested sending the oath to the officers prior to the swearing -in for their review. He noted they could strike out that line if they object to it. Ms. Beachkofsky stated she would check with the City Clerk's office to see if that issue has ever come up in the past, and how it was handled. - Adjust Official Hire Date of Captain Brad Fuelling — Fire Department Chief Stephen Cox stated Captain Fuelling joined the Fire Department in 1993, left to take another job in 1997, and returned to the Department in 2001. At that time, he retook the hiring tests and was re- hired. Chief Cox noted Captain Fuelling bought back all of his PERF time lost during his absence from the department. He is requesting the Board acknowledge his buy back time and seniority. He is also requesting his prior badge number 379 be re- issued to him. Chief Cox noted that is a big deal on the Fire Department. Mr. Taylor asked if he has all of his documentation from PERF. Chief Cox stated he has all of his documentation confirming his buy -back of time. - Approval of Case Reporting General Order -- Police Department Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated he has presented the Board with a draft policy on case reporting which.is an effort to memorialize routine practice in the department. He noted the past practices will be put into writing in a formal policy, which is currently lacking. Chief Teachman stated the policy is an attempt to provide a control mechanism. He noted violent crimes against individuals require a Police report, but this policy will require the report to be approved by the officer's supervisor before the officer goes off duty. The goal is to place responsibility on the supervisor for their shift. Ms. Beachkofsky requested they have a roll -call to inform the officers of the requirements of the new policy so they can be made aware. - Discussion Regarding Special Events Policy — Police Department Attorney Beachkofsky requested this be tabled until a later date. - Employee of the Month — Police Department Chief Teachman stated Sergeant Joseph Leszczynski had two notable instances in the month of May; one apprehension of a burglary suspect and recovery of thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise, and another robbery and kidnapping suspect apprehension. Chief Teachman noted that in the robbery and kidnapping apprehension, Sergeant Leszczynski, while out on routine patrol, was flagged down for a robbery and kidnapping in progress. He brought his patrol car next to the suspects, blocking the exit door in the suspect's vehicle, which allowed him to make an arrest of the suspect. PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION JULY 17, 2013 58 - Monthly Statistical Analysis Chief Teachman noted that most Part 1 offenses decreased in June, except for rape and robbery. Chief Teachman stated that since the FBI re- defined the guidelines for rape in 2011, the new tracking guidelines show a 100% o increase. Overall, he noted, Part 1 offenses are down I 1 %. Chief Teachman stated that he understands that murder statistics are an indicator of marksmanship and emergency response. He suggested shots fired would be a better tracking indicator, but until a gunshot indicator is in place, there can't be a true representation. Currently, he noted, not all gunshots are reported, and some fireworks are mistakenly reported as gunshots. Chief Teachman stated that based on current tracking, forty (40) people were shot at this time last year, and twenty -six (26) this year. - Anti- Violence Committee Update Chief Teachman asked to add an update of the anti - violence committee to the agenda. He noted that members of the committee attended a presentation at the Kroc Center based on the David Kennedy method. The presenter spoke about the strategy being used in Chicago and its effect on their murder rated. He noted that the strategy has not been fully deployed in the City yet it has caused a decrease in murder by 65 %. Chief Teachman stated several representatives from the City of South Bend attended training sessions on the David Kennedy method in New York and are working on forming an initiative for training in South Bend. - Addition to the Agenda President Cottrell requested the Police Department Vehicle Policy be added to the agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Beachkofsky declared the meeting adjourned at 8:38 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY LIZ, z1fl, ��kel Patrick D. Cottrell, Member Laura A. Vasquez, Member Eddie Miller, Member Collins, Member Luther Taylor, A EST: inda M .Martin, Clerk EXECUTIVE SESSION JULY 17,_2013 The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 8:40 a.m. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13"' Floor, County City Building, South Bend, Indiana, for the purposes specified in I.C. 5- 14- 1.5- 6.1(b)(2)(A)6(A). Board President Patrick Cottrell was present, with Board Members John Collins and Luther Taylor present. Board Members Laura Vasquez and Eddie Miller were absent. Also present were Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Board members did not discuss any subject matter other than the subject matter as specified in the Public Notice. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY EXECUTIVE SESSION JULY 17, 2013 59 Patrick D. Cottrell, Member Laura Vasquez, Member Eddie Miller, Member Tohn ..nlline l� Tr�mhar &Wa r_� Luther Taylor, Mem AT,)TEST: �L3hda M. Martin, Clerk REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2013 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:25 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, with Board President Patrick Cottrell and Board Members John Collins and Luther Taylor present. Board Members Laura Vasquez and Eddie Miller were absent. Also present were Police Chief Ronald Teachman, Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky and Attorney Cory Hamel. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13"' Floor, County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. ACCEPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Mr. Cottrell stated unless there were any additional corrections, the Board would accept the Minutes of the Public Agenda Session, Executive Session, and Regular Meetings of June 17, 2013, and the Special Meetings of June 24, 2013 and July 16, 2013 as presented. FIRE DEPARTMENT APPROVE REQUEST TO REMOVE SERVICE MASTER AND TOWNE FIRE AND WATER FROM CITY BOARD -UP LIST PER RESOLUTION NO. 73 -2010 In a letter to the Board, Fire Chief Stephen Cox informed the Board that he delivered by certified mail the letters approved by the Board of Public Safety on June 19, 2013, notifying Service Master and Towne Fire and Water that they would be removed from the City Board -Up list for failure to respond to calls, a violation of Resolution No. 73 -2010. Chief Cox stated in his letter that neither company has appealed their removal from the current board -up list, and the ten day appeal time has passed. Chief Cox noted since he wrote the letter to the Board, he received a letter from Towne Fire and Water requesting to be removed at this time from the list and to be able to re -apply in the future. Chief Cox stated Service Master called him and requested a copy of their response report, which he shared with them. He noted they were not happy about being removed but agreed that they have not always been able to respond to calls. Ms. Beachkofsky requested the CIerk of the Board confirm that she had not received any form of appeal from either company also. Ms. Martin stated she had not heard from either company. Therefore, Chief Cox requested the Board approve the removal of the two companies for failure to meet their terms regulating response to calls. Upon a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the Board approved the removal of Service Master and Towne Fire and Water from the City's Board up list for a period of one (1) year. ADOPT NEW OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Stephen Cox stated the Fire Department did significant research of other Indiana Fire Department's oaths, and found numerous examples of more robust oaths that reflect the job duties more accurately. He noted he still has questions about whether the line "so help me God" should REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2013 60 remain in the oath with the separation of church and State, but their research shows every other oath in Indiana contains that wording. He noted he would take the Board's suggestion and allow recruits to review the oath prior to their swearing -in and to be able to strike those words if they aren't comfortable with them. Mr. Taylor thanked the Chief for looking into this, noting it reflects well on the department and the direction it is going. Upon a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the Board approved the new Oath of Office and for the Chief to share the oath with the recruits prior to the swearing -in ceremonies. APPROVE ADJUSTMENT OF OFFICIAL HIRE DATE OF CAPTAIN BRAD FUELLING In a letter to the Board, Chief Cox stated Captain Brad Fuelling was hired on the Department in 1993, left for another job in 1997, and was hired back in 2001. He is now requesting that his hire date be changed from 2001 to 1997 to reflect his seniority and years of service. He has also requested his original pin number 376 be restored to him. Chief Cox stated Captain Fuelling took care of his employment issues with the State, but it was never addressed by the Board of Safety. Upon a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the Board approved the Chief's request to restore Captain Fuelling's original pin number of 376, and adjust Captain Fuelling's official hire date from June 1, 2001 to December 8, 1997, subject to receipt of PERF documentation affirming their consent, and Legal review. FILING OF QUARTERLY TRAVEL AND TRAINING EXPENDITURES REPORT — APRIL MAY AND JUNE 2013 Fire Chief Steve Cox submitted to the Board a written Quarterly Travel and Training Expenditures Report for the period of April, May, and June 2013. The report summarizes travel and training expenditures for the South Bend Fire Department personnel during this quarterly period. There being no questions concerning this report, the Quarterly Report for Travel and Training Expenditures was accepted and filed. FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — JUNE 2013 Chief Cox noted that his department took part in a significant rescue of an individual that was buried in a hole at a construction site. He stated they did a fabulous job, along with the Clay Fire Department, Mr. Cottrell stated if there were no objections, the Board would accept the following report for the month of June for filing as presented. A summary is as follows: JUNE JUNE 2012 2013 STRUCTURE FIRES Property Damage_ B ui Id ings & Contents (Estimates) $157,207.00 INSPECTION DIVISION Fire Prevention /Inspection Bureau 220 Inspections (65 Re- Insnecti, INVESTIGATION DIVISION (Police /Fire Arson Bureau) 18 Investi: Arson POLICE DEPARTMENT $212,760.00 188 Total Inspections ;73 Re- Inspections) 16 Investigations Arson SET DATE FOR SPECIAL MEETING REGARDING TOWING RESOLUTION Upon a motion by Mr. Collins, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the Board set their next regular scheduled meeting of August 21, 2013, to resolve the City Towing List issue. Ms. Beachkofsky stated she would contact all of the companies on the list prior to that date to meet with them. APPROVAL OF CASE REPORTING GENERAL ORDER Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated this new policy addresses those instances that require an officer to file a report. It requires the officer make a report when there is a crime against a person; and only if there is insurance involved on property, crimes. He stated it also addresses the review process. Chief Teachman noted this policy addresses a vacuum present when he took office. Upon a motion by Mr. Collins, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the Case Reporting General Order was REGULAR MEETING JULY 17 2013 approved. TABLE DISCUSSION REGARDING SPECIAL EVENTS POLICY President Cottrell stated the Board would table this discussion at this time. 61 ACCEPT RECOMMENDATION FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR FILING — MAY 2013 — JOSEPH LESZCYNSKI In a letter to the Board, Chief Ronald Teachman stated that Sergeant Joseph Leszczynski was selected as Employee of the Month for May, 2013. The award is to recognize officers, civilian employees, on the South Bend Police Department who have demonstrated actions noted by supervisors or citizens from both a professional law enforcement position and in support of the community policing efforts with citizens of South Bend, Chief Teachman noted that he heard from others on Sergeant Leszczynski's work ethics, and he was unanimously selected for Employee of the Month. Chief Teachman stated Sergeant Leszczynski apprehended a burglary suspect on Dundee Street and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen goods. In a separate incident, he was traveling in his vehicle when he came upon a suspect's vehicle in a robbery /kidnaping. Sergeant Leszczynski positioned his Police car against the suspect's vehicle blocking his escape, and was able to apprehend the suspect. It was later determined that the suspect was responsible for numerous other crimes. Mr. Cottrell stated the Board would accept Chief Teachman's recommendation for Employee of the Month for May 2013, as outlined in his letter. FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — JUNE 2013 Chief Teachman stated that Part 1 offenses are determined by the FBI. He noted two categories showing an increase; robbery and rape. Chief Teachman stated robbery is of a big concern to him, with an 18% increase. He stated the Police Department is looking at crimes for patterns, victim profiles, and other significant trends. He stated that rape was redefined by the FBI to include behaviors not previously defined as rape. Because of that re- classification, statistics show a 100% increase. Chief Teachman noted that based on the old definition there are twenty -three (23) cases of rape at this time this year, versus twenty -two (22) cases last year. By the new definition, there are forty -four (44) cases this year, versus the twenty -two (22) last year. Chief Teachman noted murder shows a 63% reduction. He explained he recognizes murder statistics are marksmanship and medical response. He stated it would be more accurate to track the number of people being shot, and shots fired. He stated those statistics have not been tracked historically and they will have statistics going forward, and as of June 2013 there were twenty -six (26) people shot, versus forty (40) in 2012. Mr. Cottrell indicated that unless there were questions or objections by members of the Board, the statistical analysis report for the month of June, 2013, as submitted by the Police Department, would be accepted for filing. There being no objections, the following report was accepted for filing: UPDATE ON ANTI - VIOLENCE COMMITTEE Chief Teachman stated Mayor Buttigieg is concerned with violence in the community and convened an anti - violence commission. The commission held a meeting several months ago and heard from several people from Chicago who have implemented the David Kennedy method. He noted the policy is not yet used in the whole City, just some districts, but Chicago had the lowest murder rate since 1965 as a result of the Kennedy method being implemented. Chief Teachman stated some of the members of the South Bend Anti - Violence Committee traveled to New York City to train with David Kennedy and will move forward with his strategy. JUNE JUNE YEAR TO DATE PART I OFFENSES 2012 2013 CHANGE 2( 012) 2013 CHANGE MURDER 1 1 0 8 3 - 5 RAPE. 3 15 + 12 22 44 + 22 ROBBERY 28 27 1 132 156 + 24 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 17 16 - 1 107 72 35 BURGLARY RESIDENT 119 85 - 34 612 486 - 126 BURGLARY NON RESIDENT 30 42 + 12 233 125 - 108 LARCENY 251 257 + 6 1414 1349 - 65 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 24 16 - 8 141 135 6 ARSONS 3 1 - 2 16 12 - 4 GRAND TOTAL 476 460 - 16 2685 2382 - 303 UPDATE ON ANTI - VIOLENCE COMMITTEE Chief Teachman stated Mayor Buttigieg is concerned with violence in the community and convened an anti - violence commission. The commission held a meeting several months ago and heard from several people from Chicago who have implemented the David Kennedy method. He noted the policy is not yet used in the whole City, just some districts, but Chicago had the lowest murder rate since 1965 as a result of the Kennedy method being implemented. Chief Teachman stated some of the members of the South Bend Anti - Violence Committee traveled to New York City to train with David Kennedy and will move forward with his strategy. REGULAR MEETING JULY 17 2013 62 TABLE APPROVAL OF VEHICLE POLICY President Cottrell stated he would like to table this agenda item due to too many unanswered questions. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Cottrell declared the meeting adjourned at 10:02 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Patri¢ , ��J/ resident Laura A. Vasquez, Memb r =..._ Eddie Miller, Member JO&Xollins, Member Luther Taylor, M ATTEST: [ A L; �da M. Martin, Clerk