HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-14 Health and Public SafetyHEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY MARCH 30, 2014 4:46 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Tim Scott
Other Council Present: Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, Karen White,
Gavin Ferlic
Others Present: SBPD Chief Ron Teachman, Melissa Fershone, Ernie Galos, Kathy
Cekanski - Farrand, John Voorde, Mr. Davis (Owner of Club Fever)
Agenda: 1. Bill No. 13 -14 Amending Police recruit pay (10192 -12)
2. Update —Club Fever
3. Shot Spotter Presentation
4. Update South Bend Animal Control Special Committee
Chairing his Health & Public Safety Committee, Chairperson Derek Dieter called upon SBPD Chief Ron
Teachman to explain Bill No. 13 -14. This Bill submitted by the Chief would change the way police
recruits are paid, in fact returning to previous long- standing policy. That 1s to send police recruits to
Plainfield training before being sworn in as police officers. Therefore allowing police pay to be based on
their graduation from the Police Academy. The Chief said this would provide incentive for recruits to
complete the training and perform well while there. Compensation would be provided during training.
Currently recruits are sworn in as police officers priorto being sent to the training academy.
Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand said this system works for the Fire Department recruits.
After brief discussion Tim Scott moved to send to full Council favorably. Dr. Fred Ferlic seconded and all
affirmed.
Chief Teachman then provided an update on the "Shot Spotter" system implemented on January 25`h.
The Chief said the system has successfully exceeded expectations. The system will listen and identify
screening them from other gunshot like sounds. The Chief added that the rank and file sees the tool as a
valuable asset.
During the Council session Derek Dieter asked the Chief the cost of the system. The Chief said it was
approximately $45,000.00 to cover a square mile with three square miles currently covered.
Dr. Ferlic said it sounds like a good device, but resources should be balanced to increase "on street'
patrols.
The Chief said the force was twelve below budgeted strength and was working to recruit to at least that
level. He solicited the Council to help with recruiting, especially with minorities.
Moving along to an update on what the owner of "Club Fever' in downtown South Bend was doing to
stem incidents like the gunfire reported outside the club some weeks ago. Mr. Davis, owner of Club
Fever explained the incident referenced saying the club capacity was at its max that night. There was a
crowd of over 1,000 when 500 to 600 were expected. That night the car was closed and the lights went
on immediately at the report of trouble. Since then both security and performance contracts have been
strengthened. The owner said he tries to work with the City to have a safe place of business.
Before moving on to the last agenda item the owner pledged to work with the Police Department to the
benefit of the business and the patrons.
Valerie Schey then took the floor to report on the activity of the Special Animal Care and Control
Committee she set up. Valerie said the current Chapter 5 addressing animals had been worked on for
the past year "scrapping" the old, starting nearly from scratch, using Fort Wayne's ordinance as a model
to come up with a better "mousetrap ". Best practices from Fort Wayne and other Indiana cities had
been incorporated with advice from Committee members chosen for their expertise in animal care. The
new suggested Chapter 5 was in final review and would hopefully be accepted by Council at their
meeting on April 28th, 2014.
Valerie then introduced two attorneys Melissa Fershone and Ernie Galos who worked on the new bill.
They walked the Council through major provisions answering Council questions along the way.
One of the most controversial aspects of the bill was the elimination of breed specific legislation. The
contention being, no breed can be blindly ruled dangerous. Temperament testing would be
emphasized.
In summary, Valerie said the new Chapter 5 was designed to promote the rights and responsibilities of
pet owners. She said spaying and neutering would be promoted and improved public safety was the
goal.
Derek Dieter adjourned the meeting at 5:41 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Derek Dieter, Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee