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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/2014 Board of Public Safety MinutesPUBLIC AGENDA SESSION OCTOBER 15 2014 68 The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:07 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 in the 13th Floor Board Conference Room, County-City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, Luther Taylor, and Daniel Jones present. Also present was Assistant Fire Chief Jim Lopez, Police Chief Ronald Teachman, and Attorney Cory Hamel. Board members discussed the following agenda items: - Special Police Commission Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated this Commission is for a new hire at Downtown South Bend for their parking enforcement program. - Draft Police Retail Theft Policy Chief Teachman stated Officers Scott Hanley and Scott Bryant will be at the regular meeting to discuss their draft policy. They are asking that the Board review and make a decision at their next meeting. - Halloween Trick or Treat Hours Chief Teachman noted Halloween falls on a Friday this year which is problematic. He stated the Police will staff appropriately. - Employee of the Month — August 2014 Chief Teachman informed the Board that Patrolman Timothy Cichowicz saw a pattern in crimes and did research that resulted in the solving of a number of crimes. - Monthly Statistical Analysis — Police Department Chief Teachman noted that September Part 1 violent crime offenses such as aggravated assault and rape are troubling. He noted that rape statistics are the most difficult to report because of the nature of the offense and no insurance report required to file, so they are not always reported. Chief Teachman noted the trend overall in Part 1 offenses is a 4% decline. He added that larceny is an indicator that reflects 55% of all Part 1 offenses. He stated the best indicator of violence in the City is shots fired, not actual murder statistic. As of October 13, 2014, the Chief stated the City is in the fourth year of a decline in the number of persons shot. Mr. Miller noted the Gun Violence Commission has worked with approximately forty -seven to forty -eight individuals suspected to be part of the problem. Chief Teachman noted there has been a remarkable decrease with that call -in group. Chief Teachman noted the shots fired statistics showed that the public called in only 8% of the shots fired. He noted that the Police were unaware of 92% of the shots fired based on those statistics. He explained there are a lot of factors that affect whether the public will call in shots fired including fear of retribution, thinking someone else already called in, and uncertainty of whether the sound was actual gun -fire. Mr. Jones questioned whether the Notre Dame area shootings are more frequent or just given more publicity. Chief Teachman noted that since a shooting last year, this is the first in that area. He added they are generally given more media attention. Chief Teachman stated the Police continue to meet with the Notre Dame security and students and educate them on safety and how not to be a victim. - Addition to the Agenda Chief Teachman stated he had something he would like to propose to the Board in the form of a Duty Manual change. He explained he is proposing to change in the Duty Manual the organizational chart placing the Public Information Officer (PIO) currently under the authority of the Services Division Chief to be under the Chief of Police's supervision and still be available to the Division Chiefs. Ms. Vasquez questioned why the Chief was requesting this change, Chief Teachman stated there are times when the PIO has gotten a time -off request approved by his supervisor and he (the Chief) is not aware of the request and is looking for the officer and can't find him and his supervising officer is off also. Mr. Collins asked doesn't the Duty Manual state that any information released to the public has to be streamlined through the Chief s office. The Chief stated that is what the Duty Manual states. Mr. Collins stated then the PIO should be under the Chief s authority. Mr. Taylor agreed, noting that the Chief needs that PIO reporting to him so he can report to his superiors. Ms. Vasquez asked if the other Chiefs were aware of this request and agreed to it. Chief Teachman stated yes, they had discussed it. Mr. Hamel stated the Board can add this to the agenda and approve the concept and have the Chief present the Duty Manual General Order at the next Board meeting for final approval. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 8:43 a.m. PUBLIC AGENDA SESSION ATTEST: Linda M .Martin, Clerk OCTOBER 15, 2014 69 BOAR OF PUBLIC SAFETY Laura A. Vasquez, LresiLC!-T- Eddie Miller, Member Collins, Member 2 Luther Taylo e Daniel Jo s, ember EXECUTIVE SESSION OCTOBER 15.2014 The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 8:45 a.m. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13th Floor, County City Building, South Bend, Indiana, for the purposes specified in I.C.5- 14- 1.5 -6. I(b)(2)(A)6(A). Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, Luther Taylor, and Daniel Jones were present. Also present were Assistant Fire Chief James Lopez, 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 9:12 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY �1 Laura Vasquez, President Eddie Miller, Member Jo ollins, Member Luther Taylor, b,!�) DanieiJo, ember ATTEST: -� nda M. Marti , Cler REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 15 2014 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, with Board President Laura Vasquez and Board Members Eddie Miller, John Collins, Luther Taylor, and Daniel Jones present. Also present were Police Chief Ronald Teachman, Assistant Chief Fire Chief James Lopez, and Attorney Cory Hamel. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13th Floor, County City Building, South Bend, Indiana. REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 15 2014 70 APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the Board approved the Minutes of the Public Agenda Session, Executive Session, and Regular Meetings of September 17, 2014 and the Special Meetings of October I and October 6, 2014 as presented. FIRE DEPARTMENT FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — SEPTEMBER 2014 Fire Chief Stephen Cox submitted to the Board the monthly report for September 2014 compiled by the Prevention/Inspection Bureau of the Fire Department. Assistant Chief James Lopez made note of the aggressive smoke and carbon monoxide detector push by the Fire Department. 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 2013 1 2014 STRUCTURE FIRES Property Damage -- Buildings & Contents (Estimates) $89,800.00 1 $137,900.00 INSPECTION DIVISION 261 Inspections 254 Total Inspections (70 Re-Inspections) (70 Re-Inspections) INVESTIGATION DIVISION 16 10 Investigations Investigations 2 Incendiary 6 5 Accidental Arsons 0 Natural 3 Undetermined POLICE DEPARTMENT APPROVE AND ENTER FINDINGS OF FACT — JOHN HALL President Vasquez stated since she was absent from the Hearing of Charges on October 6, 2014 for Patrolman Hall, she would turn this over to Mr. Miller, Mr. Miller stated the Board found that Detective Sergeant John Hall was in violation of the rules and guilty of neglect of Orders based on I.C. 36- 8- 3- 4(b)(A) and (C). He noted the Chief's recommendation was for an interdepartmental transfer and demotion. Mr. Miller stated the violations do not warrant a demotion and the Board is without the authority to impose an interdepartmental transfer. Therefore, Mr. Miller presented the Findings of Fact regarding the disciplinary hearing stating that the Board finds that Patrolman Hall be suspended from duty without pay for fifteen (15) working days, effective date to be determined by the Chief of Police. Therefore, upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the Findings of Fact regarding the disciplinary charges were approved as outlined above. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSION — JOSEPH MONTES Police Chief Ronald Teachman recommended that a Special Police Commission for Block by Block be issued on October 15, 2014 until revoked, for the above referred to individual. These Commissions are issued for the on- street patrol parking enforcement personnel and they do not include the carrying of a weapon or the powers of arrest. The aforementioned individual has met the Commission requirements of the South Bend Police Department. Upon a motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the Special Police Commission was approved. DISCUSS DRAFT POLICE RETAIL THEFT POLICY Police Chief Teachman stated of Part One crime statistics, larceny is the largest category making up 55% to 60% of the entire category. He noted of that category, shoplifting is a large part, taking up a large portion of the officer's time. Chief Teachman stated Captain Scott Hanley and Detective Sergeant Scott Bryant approached him with proposed changes to the Retail Theft Policy in draft form for the Board to consider over the next month. Captain Hanley stated the policy is the result of a month's work to update the existing policy that goes back to the 1990's and is outdated and has fallen behind based on research of national policies. He informed the Board that what he is proposing REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 15 2014 71 is based on language adopted from a lot of national policies and changes in the law. Captain Hanley stated currently the Police cannot make an arrest for a theft under $750.00 or a prior conviction on the part of the suspect. He noted he would like to see that lowered to at least $100.00, but preferably $50.00. He explained the ultimate goal is for the prosecution of criminals and he has been working with the Prosecutor's Office to prosecute, and with stores to put ownership back on them to help identify the criminals. Captain Hanley passed out pamphlets he is proposing to distribute to businesses on the process of Retail Theft and proposed new Police Security Reports. He noted if the policy is approved, it will be adopted locally by the County also. He added he has discussed the proposed policy with them and at least thirty (30) other loss prevention individuals, and is open to discussion with businesses and officers regarding any aspect of what the Police Department is trying to achieve. Ms. Vasquez asked how he will contact the store owners. Captain Hanley stated it's been suggested that they use VIP's to distribute the fliers and offer training on multiple dates. He noted the form will also be available on their website. He stated it will save time on the officer's as well as the Prosecutor's Office, APPROVE HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT HOURS In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman recommended Halloween Trick or Treat hours be held on October 31, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. President Vasquez noted the Chief recognized that will fall on a Friday and the Police Department will staff appropriately to cover. Upon a motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the date and hours were approved as outlined above. ACCEPT RECOMMENDATION FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH — AUGUST — TIMOTHY CICHOWICZ In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman stated that Patrolman Timothy Cichowicz was selected as Employee of the Month for August, 2014. 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 stated on August 7, 2014, Patrolman Timothy Cichowicz responded to a call at a CVS on Western Avenue to assist in the arrest of a suspect. He recognized the suspect as a suspect in several other crimes. Patrolman Cichowicz put together information that led to at least four (4) other crimes that were committed by this suspect. There being no further discussion, the Board accepted the recommendation of Employee of the Month as outlined above. ACCEPT AND FILE DONATION TO SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief Teachman, Police Department, advised the Board of a generous donation of a large number of books and other school supplies from the Galien School system for distribution in the Police Department's Hispanic Outreach program. He noted the books will be passed on to La Casa de Amistad and other organizations. There being no further discussion, the donations were accepted and filed. FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — SEPTEMBER 2014 President Vasquez stated that unless there were questions or objections by members of the Board, the statistical analysis report for the month of September 2014, as submitted by the Police Department, would be accepted for filing. There being no objections, the following report was accepted for filing: SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER YEAR TO DATE PART i OFFENSES 2013 2014 CHANGE 2013 2014 CHANGE MURDER 1 1 0 6 13 + 7 RAPE 9 9 0 68 76 + 8 ROBBERY 32 24 8 260 223 - 37 AGGRAVATED 16 15 1 146 175 + 29 ASSAULT BURGLARY RESIDENT 94 68 26 794 636 - 158 BURGLARY NON RESIDENT 28 29 + 1 230 207 23 LARCENY 299 297 2 2297 2307 + 10 MOTOR VEHICLE 28 27 1 236 223 - 13 THEFT ARSONS 3 3 0 21 23 + 2 REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 15, 2014 72 GRAND TOTAL 510 473 - 37 4058 3883 - 175 ADDITION TO THE AGENDA - APPROVE DUTY MANUAL CHANGE — PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER REPORTING President Vasquez stated the Chief requested an addition to the agenda in the form of a Duty Manual change regarding the organization of the Department. She explained his request is that the Public Information Officer (PIO) report directly to the Chief of Police rather than the Division Chief. Upon a motion by Mr, Jones, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the change was approved subject to the Chief bringing the General Order change to the Board for formal review and approval at their next regular meeting in November. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Patrolman Theodore Robert, Police Department, stated he is questioning who is investigating the investigators in the Police Department. He added there should be steps to follow to investigate the investigator to avoid bias on their part. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Miller and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. BOA -OF PUBLIC,, SAFETY i' Laura A. Vasquez, Presi ent Eddie Miller, Member Jo llins, Member Luther Taylor bar Daniel Jones, ember ATTEST: da M.