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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/13 Board of Public Safety MeetingPUBLIC AGENDA SESSION OCTOBER 16, 2013 80 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:12 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in the 13t" Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Also present was Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, and Attorney Cory Hamel. ADDITION TO THE AGENDA Mr. Hamel announced the addition to the agenda of the election of the interim President of the Board for the remainder of the year 2013 due to the resignation of former President, Patrick Cottrell. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Permanent Promotion to Lieutenant - Police Department Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated that since his arrival at the end of January he has observed the work of Lieutenant Eugene Eyster, and his job performance is exemplary. He stated Lieutenant Eyster handles all of the Special Events in the City, and they have doubled since 2012. He noted Lieutenant Eyster also handles the Notre Dame football game traffic and responds to traffic accidents. Chief Teachman stated he is extremely detail oriented. He added that Lieutenant Eyster is one of his senior -most officers. - Letters of Resignation — Police Department Chief Teachman stated there are two (2) officers resigning from the Police Department. One officer, Patrolman Christopher Deak was still in training. Chief Teachman noted he did not complete the program and chose to resign. Chief Teachman noted he is a current St. Joseph County officer. Employee of the Month — August 2013 — Police Department Chief Teachman stated this officer, Patrolman Greg Early, was nominated for Employee of the Month for his self - initiated work while on patrol, that resulted in the arrest of two (2) individuals for theft at a business. He observed them leaving the area of the business, with their truck overloaded with large steel pipes. It was later learned that the business has had previous burglaries of this type and these individuals may have been responsible for these recurring thefts. - Statistical Analysis - Police Department Chief Ronald Teachman stated this month's statistics have raised the reduction in crime down 3 %. He noted robbery and larceny are the reasons for the raise in the numbers. Chief Teachman stated the Police Department is in the process of installing auto license reader technology to aid in identifying individuals by matching license plates against a database and alarming the police if there is a previous record associated with the license number. Chief Teachman stated there is funding available for four (4) of these readers and they can be installed in vehicles or fixed locations. Quarterly Travel and Training Report- Fire Department Ms. Vasquez asked Chief Stephen Cox about the conference on Training for Fire Rescue. Chief Cox stated this is a fantastic conference. He noted they got ideas for engaging local Girl Scout troops at their Fire Training Center to encourage females to get involved and help increase female fire fighter applications. He noted another idea gained from the Fire Prevention Conference is having firefighters go door -to -door for inspection of alarm systems and fire prevention education. Another City used as a model chose fire districts with heavy fire occurrence. He noted they have seen a 40% decrease in fire damage through education of the public. Chief Cox stated he is working with City representatives to map out and identify heavy fire damage districts to have firefighters reach out to homeowners on fire safety training. Mr. Taylor noted that one thing to note that came out of these conferences is the implementation of CPAT. He noted the Fire Department adopted physical agility training due to attendance at these conferences. - Monthly Statistical Analysis —September 2013- Fire Department Chief Cox noted that arsons are up since last year. He informed the Board of a house fire that occurred the previous night where an individual was severely burned. Chief Cox stated the EMS personnel did an unbelievable job and basically saved this person's life. Chief Teachman added that a citizen, Charles Turner, who drove by, risked his life and went in and helped get the victim out before the Fire Department arrived. Chief Teachman noted it was due to his actions and the Fire Department that this individual's life was saved. He suggested the Board might want to honor Mr. Turner for his actions. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Vasquez declared the meeting adjourned at 8:43 a.m. PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION OCTOBER 16, 2013 81 BOAF2D OF PUBLIC ,SAFETY Laura A. Vasquez, Member l/ Eddie Miller, Member John Collins, Member Luther Taylor, Membtr ATTEST: inda M .Martin, Clerk EXECUTIVE SESSION OCTOBER 16, 2013 The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 8:45 a.m. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13'h 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 Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor were present. Also present were Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, 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 9:23 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY G� /( "w Laura Vasquez, Member Eddie Miller. Member John Collins, Member �t 4 0 v Luther Taylor, Memb r A� PEST: �fnda M. Martin, CIA REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16.2013 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:26 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, with Board Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Also present were Police Chief Ronald Teachman, Fire Chief Stephen Cox, and Attorney Cory Hamel. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, IP Floor, County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. ACCEPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Ms. Vasquez stated unless there were any corrections, the Board would accept the Minutes of the Public Agenda Session, Executive Session, and Regular Meetings of September 18, 2013; and the REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16, 2013 82 Special Executive Meeting of September 25, 2013 as presented. APPROVE CORRECTIONS TO SCRIVENER'S ERRORS IN MINUTES OF AUGUST 21 2013 Ms. Martin, Cleric of the Board, requested the Board approve two corrections to scrivener's errors in the Minutes of August 21, 2013. The first correction is to the PERF Buy -Back Confirmation Letter with the Fire Department in the Agenda Review Session. The Minutes state "the Board approved his retirement at their last Board meeting ". They should state "the Board approved his rehiring at their last meeting ". The second correction is in the Regular Meeting section of the Minutes under Fire Department, Approve Permanent Promotion to the Rank of Captain from Special Assignment. Within the Minutes there is a scriveners error stating Brian Ort be permanently promoted, and it should be Ryan Ort. The Board accepted the changes as presented. ELECT INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Mr. Taylor stated that due to the resignation of the former President of the Board, Patrick Cottrell, he would like to nominate Ms. Vasquez as interim President of the Board of Public Safety for the remainder of the 2013 year. When asked if she would accept the appointment, Ms. Vasquez stated she would. Therefore, upon a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, Ms. Vasquez was elected Board President for the remainder of 2013. POLICE DEPARTMENT APPROVE PERMANENT PROMOTION — EUGENE EYSTER In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman recommended that Lieutenant Eugene Eyster be promoted permanently to the rank of Lieutenant as the Traffic and Special Events Coordinator effective October 17, 2013. Chief Teachman stated in his letter that Sergeant Eyster was placed in a special assignment as a Lieutenant as the Traffic and Special Events Coordinator on October 17, 2012. This assignment required several evaluations be completed for one year to note his progress. Based on those evaluations, his supervisor recommended to the Chief that Lieutenant Eyster be permanently promoted. Upon a motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the recommended permanent promotion was approved. ACCEPT AND APPROVE RESIGNATION — PAUL MORING In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman advised he is in receipt of a letter of resignation from Sergeant Paul Moring in which he tenders his resignation from the South Bend Police Department, effective October 14, 2013. Chief Teachman stated in his letter, that Sergeant Moring was swom on the South Bend Police Department on December 28, 1998. Upon a motion made by Mr. Collins, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the resignation was accepted and approved. ACCEPT AND APPROVE RESIGNATION — CHRISTOPHER DEAK In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman advised he is in receipt of a letter of resignation from Patrolman Christopher Deak in which he tenders his resignation from the South Bend Police Department, effective September 27, 2013. Chief Teachman stated in his letter, that Patrolman Deak was sworn on the South Bend Police Department on November 14, 2012. Upon a motion made by Mr. Collins, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the resignation was accepted and approved. APPROVE RECOMMENDATION FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH — AUGUST 2013 — GREG EARLY 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. Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated that Patrolman Greg Early was selected as Employee of the Month for August, 2013 by his supervisor Lieutenant Steven Spadafora for not only his day -to -day performance but for his self - initiated response, not a call to service, in the arrest of suspects in a business burglary. In his memo to the Board, Chief Teachman noted this officer was instrumental in the apprehension of two suspects he observed leaving a business in a truck overloaded with large black steel pipes. Patrolman Early initiated a traffic stop and the two individuals stated they were given the pipes by an employee of the business. Patrolman Early contacted the owner of the business, who came to the scene and identified the pipes as his property and confirmed that he did not know REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16, 2013 83 the individuals and none of his employees would have given permission to give away the property of the business. Both suspects were ultimately arrested for theft (Class D felony). There being no further discussion, the recommendation for Employee of the month was accepted for filing. FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — SEPTEMBER 2013 Chief Teachman stated that robbery statistics continue to rise and the Police Department is dealing with the problem by creating a robbery team of officers. He noted they are attempting to educate the public on the importance of locking their vehicles and turning off their engines to discourage vehicle theft. Chief Teachman noted that burglary is still down, as is arson. He stated rape continues to rise due to the new definition. Chief Teachman stated that based on the old definition, rape statistics are actually down. He noted that Indiana Code will change the definition of rape in 2014 to match the new definition by the FBI. Ms. Vasquez indicated that unless there were questions or objections by members of the Board, the statistical analysis report for the month of September, 2013, as submitted by the Police Department, would be accepted for filing. There being no objections, the following report was accepted for filing: FIRE DEPARTMENT FILING OF OUARTERLY TRAVEL AND TRAINING EXPENDITURES REPORT — JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2013 Fire Chief Steve Cox submitted to the Board a written Quarterly Travel and Training Expenditures Report for the period of July, August, and September 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 — SEPTEMBER 2013 Fire Chief Stephen Cox submitted to the Board the monthly report for September 2013 compiled by the Prevention/Inspection Bureau of the Fire Department. He noted that fires are down from 2012, but arson is up. Chief Cox noted that currently the statistics report on property loss only. He stated they are working on a program to also show property saved in fires. Ms. Vasquez stated if there were no objections, the Board would accept the report for filing as presented. A summary is as follows: SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2013 YEAR TO DATE Property Damage -- Buildings & Contents PART I OFFENSES 2012 2013 CHANGE 2( 012) 2( 013) CHANGE MURDER 2 1 - 1 13 6 - 7 RAPE 10 9 - 1 40 68 + 28 ROBBERY 33 32 - 1 222 260 + 38 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 20 16 - 4 177 136 - 41 BURGLARY RESIDENT 109 94 - 15 989 794 - 195 BURGLARY NON RESIDENT 30 28 - 2 360 230 - 130 LARCENY 240 299 + 59 2152 2297 + 145 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 22 28 + 6 211 236 + 25 ARSONS 2 3 + 1 24 21 - 3 GRAND TOTAL 468 510 + 42 4188 4048 - 140 FIRE DEPARTMENT FILING OF OUARTERLY TRAVEL AND TRAINING EXPENDITURES REPORT — JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2013 Fire Chief Steve Cox submitted to the Board a written Quarterly Travel and Training Expenditures Report for the period of July, August, and September 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 — SEPTEMBER 2013 Fire Chief Stephen Cox submitted to the Board the monthly report for September 2013 compiled by the Prevention/Inspection Bureau of the Fire Department. He noted that fires are down from 2012, but arson is up. Chief Cox noted that currently the statistics report on property loss only. He stated they are working on a program to also show property saved in fires. Ms. Vasquez stated if there were no objections, the Board would accept the report for filing as presented. A summary is as follows: SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2012 2013 STRUCTURE FIRES Property Damage -- Buildings & Contents (Estimates) $87,703.00 $89,800.00 INSPECTIONS (Fire Prevention /Ins ection Bureau) 269 Inspections 261 Total Inspections (92 Re- Inspections) (70 Re- Inspections) INVESTIGATIONS (Police /Fire Arson Bureau) 19 16 Investigations Investigations 2 6 Arson Arson REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16, 2013 84 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Mr. Theodore Robert, Police Department, introduced himself to the Board and thanked them for their efforts to make changes to policies in the Police Department. He stated he had three (3) concerns today he would like the Board to take into consideration. First, he reminded the Board of a letter he brought to the Clerk of the Board in September and asked if the Board had subsequently received the letter. The Board members acknowledged that they had. Mr. Robert stated that when he went through his disciplinary hearing, Sergeant Lee Ross testified that Mr. Robert interfered with an on -going investigation. Mr. Robert stated Lieutenant Ross was guilty of the same charges at the time he testified, yet he was not disciplined, to Mr. Robert's knowledge. Mr. Robert noted that he was relieved of his duties for interfering with an investigation. Secondly, Mr. Robert questioned why he was accused of defamatory remarks by the Police Department, yet when he addressed the same concerns to the Common Council, he was viewed as a concerned citizen. Third, Mr. Robert stated there is fear of retaliation in the Police Department for officers coming forward about perceived injustices. Mr. Robert requested the Board consider these three (3) concerns of his. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Vasquez declared the meeting adjourned at 9:47 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Laura ��A..Vasquez, Memb r Eddie Miller, Member John Collins, Member \\ Luther Taylor, Member ATTEST: i Linda M. Martin, Clerk ,