City of Bloomington, Indiana Board of Public Safety, 16 Sep 2020

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From YouTube: Bloomington Board of Public Safety, September 16, 2020

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meeting agenda: https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/download?meetingFile_id=7603

A

All members are present the first thing we will do.

A

Is approve, oh maquiba is not present.

A

And the first thing we will do is approve.

A

The minutes from last month.

B

I move that we approve the august 18th board meeting minutes.

C

A

And um in the past, nicole, has called the role.

D

Okay, sorry, I was just reading through the chat uh kim.

D

Yes, rafi, yes, louise, yes and susan.

D

Yes, okay, we will start with fire department, business and the.

A

Report on monthly statistics and training.

E

Great. Thank you um for monthly statistics.

E

We are right around our normal averages, with iu still being down below their.

E

Normal averages for the year most significant incidents to report. I.

E

Do want to make notice that we did have a technical rescue which is.

E

A confined space, so that is not something that's normal.

E

But it was not a highly critical one. It was a person trapped in storm drain. We.

E

Had to get out beyond that um training, we are slightly.

E

Below our normal averages, we are down four positions right now,.

E

In physical positions, but we also have several people out on vacation and.

E

Otherwise, but we are still on track to meet our annual goal for uh fire and ems training.

E

And we are still dealing with covet issues on our inspections.

E

We are down one inspector, so we are still.

E

Not planning on being able to meet anywhere near our annual goal on fire.

E

Inspections or public education events for 2020.

E

Any questions on statistics you can move on to letters of.

A

Appreciation and commendation, um I don't see the presentation on.

E

Screen, I don't think there were any of note.

E

There may have been one in the packet, but nothing of note.

A

Okay, any general business for general business. We are moving into.

E

Our new lease space that will come down also.

E

Into expenditures which we can get into the details on that, if you prefer.

E

But this has been a really interesting project.

E

We were leasing space from iu health at a dollar square foot per year, which, if.

E

You know anything about real estate. That is an extraordinary rate. We are now dealing with market rates, but we.

E

Still have the need for the storage for additional office space, and this newly.

E

Spaced that the flooring is going in today, as we speak, we'll be opening here relatively soon.

E

And that is uh going to give us some much needed space and once it's open I'd.

E

Be more than happy to schedule a tour if anybody is interested.

E

From the board to come and see the new area.

E

Engine one is also here in bloomington, the replacement engine.

E

uh Which, again will also be another expense that you should be seeing.

E

In the next budget cycle, for you or the next claim cycle, but it'll be.

E

Checked in and we're looking at, potentially the end of the month or beginning of next month, for it to go into service.

E

uh With that, we've only got one more large vehicle to replace.

E

And then the entire fleet will be new at that point, and that concludes general.

E

Business- madam, madam chairman, yes.

F

um Chief moore, can you- um and this is this- is probably.

F

A uh general just a question related to the.

F

Wildfires that have been taking place in uh you know washington, oregon and.

F

California, I know that um one of the the.

F

I guess issues that have come up is just firefighter fatigue.

F

um In those departments has, um I guess, the state of.

F

Indiana- and I guess more specifically, um you know the city of bloomington.

F

Been contacted or um firefighters have um you know, I guess the the.

F

um I guess you know with your consent, or you know.

F

Whatever it is to call an assist, or you know that sort of thing, if you can.

F

If you get where I'm going just.

E

The city of bloomington, we only belong to one deployable.

E

Team, uh which is indiana task force, one our firefighters, are not certified for.

E

That level of wildland firefighting here in indiana, we don't deal with that.

E

It is a very extensive and grueling process. We do.

E

Have a few firefighters that are partially certified, but with us not.

E

Being a part of a national network to deploy on that.

E

We would not ever be sending local resources.

E

We do have one member of the department that has been assigned indiana task.

E

Force one and that person is deployed out in assistance for things like the hurricanes and others.

E

But we have a signed agreement with that deployable task force.

E

For up to 10 percent of our department, if needed, they could recall 10.

E

Of our department to help with a state level, emergency or a national level,.

E

Emergency as long as we're certified to handle.

E

Whatever that is, and again we're not certified for the wildland firefighting to that level,.

F

A

um Do you have any upcoming large purchases or expenditures.

E

Yes, we do, uh we have the new engine which will be.

E

Just around six hundred thousand the lease space.

E

uh Once the construction on it is finished, uh there will be.

E

um Somewhere in the realm of about twenty thousand dollars for.

E

Furniture flooring and then paying the contractor for some of the.

E

Items that we've asked for we have an order of gear about 25 sets.

E

Of gear, which is in the realm of almost 70 000,.

E

That are due for delivery and um the only other larger it's not as.

E

Large but we did just test 105 candidates.

E

For our new hire process and those those tests will be paid for.

E

Out of city funds, but they will also be reimbursed by.

E

The people that took the test unless they had a fiscal impact waiver.

E

So you should see a charge of almost four thousand dollars for testing.

A

And then any personnel issues? Okay, so we are currently down four.

E

Positions, um I have one that's uh essentially on terminal.

E

Leave waiting for a medical retirement, um we have two on light duty.

E

uh One of which being a worker's comp and.

E

I think that covers it, for that I did want to update you on our hiring process.

E

Again, we had 222 applicants to start 105 have now tested.

E

The testing process is closed. If they did not test, they will not be able to.

E

Move on initial diversity, numbers for that of.

E

The 222 we are about 17 and now the testing has concluded.

E

With the people that are still in the applicant pool, we're at 16.7 percent diversity left over.

E

So we're we're on par with the general population and the diversity profile.

E

Moving forward, we will get test results within the next two to 14 days.

E

And at that point, if they've passed the test, then we'll be moving on to the.

E

Interview phase and then we will be coming to the board to approve our hiring list which we're looking at potentially. If we.

E

Can work it out this year we may try another recruit school, but definitely by march, we'll be we'll be uh starting. A new.

E

Recruit school to fill our vacancies.

C

So what happened? So we have a hundred plus.

C

Candidates are they then placed on a list one to a hundred.

C

You like do you rank them and they go down the list from one to a hundred and.

C

Get as many as you need to accept. Yes,.

E

So uh what we do is we take their raw score from the written test.

E

They will go through a panel interview. We have seven.

E

On our internal hiring committee, which consists of a representation of the.

E

Entire department, I will also say we made a special.

E

Attempt to ensure that the little bit of diversity we have in our department is.

E

Represented on that hiring committee, those scores will be.

E

Added to their written test score and at that point we'll be able to rank them on.

E

A list of from one to, however many people pass and then.

E

We'll bring that list to you uh ranked and then we go from the top of the list.

E

To the bottom of the list, when we do job offers yeah, that's what I meant so.

C

If I may ask you so the ranking and take it from.

C

One who tries to rank students all the time and doesn't always.

C

Succeed because it's really hard, how do you rank.

C

You give them a test, you give them some other things and then you, how do you.

C

Decide from the one to the hundred, how does that work? Could you briefly in.

C

This in in our time, don't take a lot of time.

C

I just I'm really curious, because I don't even know how you begin to do that.

E

Yeah so, based on the process, we run, we we.

E

End up having basically test scores, metrics.

E

So the written test score we get a from zero to 100 percent from the testing.

E

Company that score is recorded. We also when we do uh the interview.

E

Process there are the questions that everyone.

E

Asked they're all ranked uh so those seven people on the the.

E

Hiring committee give them a score from one to five on.

E

Every question, and then that becomes a raw score that is then uh calculated. So those two mathematical scores are added.

E

Together and then that the highest score is number one, the lowest score is the last person on the list.

C

Okay, I have lots of questions, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna save them. I'm curious to.

C

See what the list looks like, but I'm happy to wait. We don't have to take.

C

Time now to do that, thank you. Thank you. We'll move on to the.

A

New business, which is the verbal certification of the payroll, can the.

A

Chiefs, certify that the payroll is correct. Yes,.

E

Yes um and then we will move on to.

A

Police department, business and we'll start with the new hire candidate.

G

Yes, captain pedego could not be here tonight.

G

um So he has asked that you move forward uh with approving the hire of franklin.

G

A

Yost, okay, I think everybody received the.

A

Information about um jake does anyone have any questions.

A

And if I do a quick question, they're all quick questions, I warn you.

C

So in reference to uh we usually do the.

C

I don't remember we usually do the your uh personnel after so you're gonna tell.

C

Us I'm just curious if you could tell us now, how are we we're below? Is that correct? We.

C

Used to be a hundred, then we went to 105, but then we were down.

C

To 95 at some point yeah, so right now we are down. We have we're down 10.

H

um We have uh three certified people, starting.

H

The beginning of october, and then this latest one.

H

And then we have a couple people. uh We have one that's off on military. That's.

H

Coming back and we have, I believe, one.

H

Or two on light duty still: okay, thank you.

A

um Would someone like to make a motion um and.

A

Did it say on here? Oh, we don't have to do an effective date right. It's just.

A

Asking that the probationary, that the hiring processes continue to move.

A

A

Would someone like to make a motion.

B

Mute myself, yes, I would like to move uh for the approval of franklin, jake yost,.

B

A

Was that a second? Yes, it was all right. um So.

D

It looks like maquiva joined us as well. Welcome maquiba.

D

uh Susan yeah, yes rafi.

F

Yes, luis, yes, ken, yes and maquiba,.

D

You're on mute, if you also are able to join in.

I

I don't I don't know what I'm saying yet we are talking about the hiring of the.

A

New police officer.

A

um The approval and it's fine to just abstain.

A

Okay, that hiring will move forward and we'll move on to the.

A

Police report on monthly statistics and training.

H

Okay, so you all have that I'm not sure how to.

H

Share the screen, so um the calls for service um again.

H

In october were down from last year, um they have been down every month since.

H

March um over the previous month uh last year,.

H

Nuisance calls 55 of those calls were noise related and.

H

29 were disturbance, related calls.

H

If you look at major crop our major uh categories of crimes, crimes against.

H

Persons, um those are down um also.

H

uh This this period, um crimes against property, are down as well.

H

As traffic accidents being up.

H

Going into more detail the crimes against persons aggravated assaults.

H

Were slightly up for the period um intimidation was slightly up.

H

uh Simple assaults were down, as were sex offenses.

H

uh In the crimes against property, burglaries were down, forgeries were down.

H

um Frauds were slightly up, vehicle thefts were down.

H

Robberies were down and thefts were slightly up over the last period.

H

um Moving to adult arrests, arrests for the month of august were.

H

Almost half of what they were last year um and again those have been down.

H

Almost all year, except for the month of february, where they were just slightly.

H

Higher than last year, juvenile referrals are also down that.

H

Has been the trend most of the year, also, except for the month of february, where.

H

They were up by one over the previous year. Domestic violence cases were down.

H

In august um and again those have been down.

H

Except for early in the year when they were slightly up.

H

Hate crimes, the hate crime reporting period is july to september.

H

So at the end of september we will we will prepare the quarter report.

H

On hate crimes, um trends, business burglaries, we had.

H

A series on in the grimes and south walnut area.

H

We had a series of burglaries in the on the hillside drive area where solar.

H

Panels were stolen um and we had uh in the done in palmer.

H

Area which is still in that hillside area, where there were some garage.

H

Burglaries uh training report there were there was.

H

One thousand thirty seven and a half hours of training.

H

Some of the highlights we had legal updates from the prosecutor's office. We had implicit bias training. We also had our mandatory annual.

H

Training, which includes suicide by cop active shooter and trauma.

H

In the brain, our community engagement activities for.

H

The month we had five for a total of seven or seven hours.

H

That involved 11 officers.

H

um You can see in the in the notes we spent some time in the crestbound.

H

Housing area by officers by our social worker and by our.

H

Neighborhood resource specialists, basically just up there they've been.

H

Passing out popsicles and water bottles and things up there.

H

Our police social worker had a total of 40 referrals.

H

She had a total of 125 contacts. um You can see in the notes some of the things.

H

Some of the highlights picked up and delivered food to homebound clients.

H

um Worked with center stone a lot um and um supported ursus system community.

H

Members with with support uh groups for afro the.

H

Death of a significant other neighborhood resource specialists had a.

H

Total of 66 calls for service and those are listed in the.

H

In the uh reports as to what those were, um I also want to give you an update.

H

On the stride center it opened in august, if you're not familiar with.

H

What that is, that is a crisis diversion center for people that.

H

That um the officers might come in contact with that may have.

H

Committed a minor crime or may have some other issue such such as a mental health.

H

Issue or a substance use issue that had come in contact with with.

H

The police that basically needed services more than.

H

Going to jail that so far the last I heard.

H

Of all the agencies in the county, bpd was the only police department that had.

H

Referred anybody there and I believe um last week the numbers.

H

uh Were we there were like nine? I think referrals.

H

Totals so far it's new starting out it's it's.

H

They're, the center stone is running it they're, encouraged by.

H

The early results of of its use, they are starting to see some people who.

H

Are returning on their own once we had taken them there. So that's a.

H

Positive sign people seeking some kind of treatment, so that's it for.

H

A

um Letters of appreciation and commendation.

H

H

uh One from july, um just one it was from a local person.

H

Wanted to know that police were appreciated um for their.

H

Service um says: please continue to keep our streets safe. There was another one. It looks like from.

H

A uh young person that um wanted to thank the.

H

Officers for what they do.

H

There was an email um that was commending officer, andrew dawson,.

H

For an investigation that he did, she talked about his professionalism and.

H

um And they wanted to just alert us to that. um Actually, this.

H

Person who wrote this was a chief of police somewhere else, um so he understands the importance of.

H

Letting other chiefs know the good work that they're.

H

They're, their officers do and I believe that's it.

A

Okay, um I wanted to say something with the.

I

Letters of appreciation I was able to invite.

I

um Sorry, I gotta really my head anyways, but I was able to invite chief over to a.

I

Conversation with the naacp, and I was hoping that we had a letter of.

I

Appreciation in there, but we wanted to um the chief, came over and talked to a group of people at the naacp.

I

And he offered some opportunities for people to share their concerns and talk.

I

And so just wanted to, on behalf of naacp uh show appreciation for that too.

B

Yeah chief dakoth, what is a leo family? That's referred to.

H

The law enforcement officer- ah thank you.

C

um Very quickly in that vein, I wanted to say last night.

C

We had the national latin x heritage month, kickoff.

C

And it's on facebook live somewhere and yes, I was the emcee and I killed it.

C

In case you were wondering, but that's not the reason why I am.

C

Telling you I am telling you because gabriele skivel.

C

The police officer she was invited to speak.

C

And she did a fantastic job and I wanted you both to know that she was tremendous and we really.

C

Appreciated having her, she went both in spanish and english, and she.

C

Spoke for maybe 15 minutes and you can go watch it. It's on facebook.

C

It's tape somewhere anyway, thank you for for her for doing.

C

What she did, it was tremendous she's she's, a uh she's.

H

A great person, so it was great to have her. Thank you.

H

Are you holding your dog he's a cat? I think.

H

Okay, all right, don't leave me alone.

A

We'll move on to general business.

H

I don't really have any general business. uh Mcqueen talked about the naacp. I was.

H

Going to mention that, but she kind of covered that it was a nice.

H

Opportunity to to uh um uh talk about.

H

Some some things recently and let them ask questions and so.

H

Again, that's something that I'm more than willing to do for.

H

Different organizations, you know they just.

H

All they have to do is ask so.

A

um Then any large upcoming purchases there may still be one for.

H

The storage building, but I think those have all been taken care of, but but you.

H

Might see there might still be one outstanding for that.

G

Okay, you're also going to start seeing some trickle through for cars.

G

Yeah- and these are just replacement vehicles.

H

Yes, okay, all right, then personnel issues kind of addressed it earlier.

H

We have three that are getting ready to start um the beginning of october.

H

um The one you just approved probably will start sometime in october.

H

And we still have some openings.

C

It's not a good time. I wanted to ask. We were asked.

C

From the public- and I wanted to ask you one, you know the the piece that came out.

C

In the ids about police officers.

C

Wearing masks- and I wanted to ask you about that-.

H

So we actually, we bought all of our officers.

H

Masks you can see. This is an example of it that was early on for.

H

For a while, uh the police department, the fire department.

H

um Didn't wear masks as regular as other city employees.

H

Just due to the nature of our job, but a few weeks ago, the mayor.

H

When, when the mayor lowered the the gathering size.

H

We went to wearing more masks again, it's a situation where.

H

um We don't require them to wear them in their cars.

H

We don't require them to wear them when they're outside in their distance from.

H

People, but what happened with the ids.

H

Was there was a particular iu student who.

H

On more than one occasion would follow officers around.

H

And video them trying to um bait them into something that off the.

H

Officer that was on the video um didn't violate any of our policies. He.

H

Was talked to about um his conversation with that young man.

H

um Which I also had a conversation with the dean of students about that.

H

Student's behavior because interfering with the police.

H

Can be a crime um but our office it was new, the officers are.

H

More um aware about wearing masks now- and I.

H

Don't think that it's, it should be a problem anymore.

C

Thank you another question. I had also about no knock warrants.

C

Do we do those? Yes, we have done them in the past. We do not do them very often.

H

um They are for high risk situations that mostly involve.

H

um Violent felons that we are looking for.

H

A no knock warrant is is kind of a misnomer because you still have to knock.

H

And announce you just don't have to wait the same amount of time that you would.

H

Wait on a normal warrant, most of of uh those high risk warrants.

H

We do that would be a no knock warrant also require.

H

An additional judicial approval to do we most of the time have our tactical.

H

Team, which is our our cert team, serve those. So there is.

H

Also, a precaution that we take where we have.

H

A marked squad car that um also is on a pa.

H

System announcing that we're there with a search warrant.

H

um And uh we take every precaution that we can.

H

To make sure that um it, when we do those that there are.

H

There is no one that is in harm's way. Obviously we can't make 100.

H

Guarantee that that's the case, but we do a lot of surveillance prior to.

H

To serving those types of warrants to make sure that.

H

The target of that warrant is, is the only person inside the house.

H

um And we also try to take every opportunity to.

H

Apprehend, whoever we might be looking for in one of those situations.

H

Out on the street, whether not inside a house.

H

To prevent other other people from getting hurt.

C

The chief may ask you on that point, so I understand you correctly so when.

C

For example, the one time we spoke about the serve vehicle on the new pa system.

C

Is that what you meant, like you, bring the the pa system.

H

And you announced well that was not a no-knock warrant situation, but.

H

um That would be a type of situation where we would use those.

H

Those tools that we have to to make sure that the person inside knows.

H

That we're out there, so you said, they're not warrants but they're. Basically, you.

C

Knock and then you just come in yes, we still announce our.

H

Presence, um you know, I think what everyone is is.

H

Focusing on is what happened in louisville, um where.

H

Where um the no someone was killed in that situation and.

H

And let me the big differences here is um so what happened in that situation is.

H

When they were serving the war enforcing forcing entry, someone from.

H

Inside the residence fired out at the police and hit hit an.

H

Officer then, what happened was that the police indiscriminately fired into that dwelling, not knowing who was in there.

H

That is not something that we would do. um Some of you may have been on the.

H

Board um when we shared the body cam video from.

H

From probably a couple of years ago, of the.

H

The uh sexual assault that was happening on, I think it was 13th street, where we.

H

Got a call from one of the roommates who had locked herself in a bedroom and said.

H

My two roommates are being assaulted. The officer got there knocked on the door.

H

And he was immediately shot out from inside the house.

H

The officer did not return fire, he took cover.

H

um The two suspects inside the house committing that assault.

H

um Broke out a window and jumped out of the house and as they ran.

H

um They shot at the officer, the officer actually saw them.

H

And and engaged them um again, what happened in kentucky was.

H

That they just indiscriminately fired blindly into this residence that isn't.

H

Anything that we would do that is not our training, um and that is certainly not anything that um we approve of.

C

Gee final question: if I may ask you, I know that.

C

We've adopted most of obama's 20th century policing.

C

Recommendations was no knock warrants part of that part of that initiative. I.

H

Don't remember that being in there, um I don't. I don't think it got that.

H

Specific about about no knock warrants, I'm only.

C

Asking because I never adopted all of them, but one I we almost adopted all of us. I was wondering if.

C

And I know that we didn't that. Wasn't one of the things we didn't. We haven't.

C

Adopted yet so, thank you.

A

Any other questions or follow-up.

A

Okay, we'll move on to the cert arv deployment report.

H

We had none last month, none yeah, zero, okay,.

A

And then um we are going to move on to the public comment section.

A

And um I guess, will it be heather that will allow.

A

People to help people when they are able to make their comments.

A

And the comments will be limited to three minutes.

D

No, it will be me nikki. um We do have some members of the public.

D

Here so, if you'd like you can use the raise hand.

D

Feature or you can send me a message as the host.

D

And I'd be happy to unmute, you.

D

So we'll just give a few minutes for for the public to.

D

Do that, if they want.

D

Okay, uh we do have someone who would like to make a comment.

D

Oh, I I think she just signed off so maybe.

D

She'll come back in a moment. I apologize.

H

Actually, can we go back and do one thing we were going to do another pillar from.

H

The 21st century policing report, um if, if we can.

H

I meant to do that in general. Okay, let's go if everyone's okay, we'll just.

A

Do the we'll do the general business while we're waiting to see if this woman gets back online go ahead.

D

She has returned if.

D

Yes and she is ready to speak, so I'm going to unmute her if that's all right.

D

Let's do that hi. Sorry about that. um I just wanted to uh my name is molly.

J

Stewart I'm a resident of bloomington and um I just wanted to respond to the chief of police statement about.

J

The student interfering with the police and that that could have been a criminal charge.

J

um I would just like to make a statement that I.

J

I don't think that that's really in the spirit of the law.

J

About interfering with the police, um observing what the police are doing and.

J

In public should not be considered interfering and.

J

The officer was not required to respond to his questions so.

J

um I I don't want people in this city to think that.

J

They can't ask police questions about the.

J

Police complying with local laws and mandates. Police are.

J

Also required to do that, so um I would not. I would.

J

Not want to hear the chief of police, or any other police officer say that.

J

Somebody asking about a police officer complying with the law is interfering.

J

With law enforcement, I don't think that's accurate.

J

Thank you. That's all my time.

A

A

Is there anyone else, nope nikki.

D

I have not received any messages or seen any hands go.

D

A

Okay, then we're going to go back to general police business and talk about.

A

The 21st century.

A

uh Reporting or I'm not sure what the appropriate name is.

G

uh It is part of the final report on 21st century policing.

G

And our report to you from that um we're going to go over.

G

Pillar 4 today, which is entitled community, policing and crime reduction.

G

Part of the recommendations here actually a lot of the recommendations here are laid on agencies, not law enforcement.

G

Or not bpd, they be the federal government or some of the schools.

G

But some of the ones that do concern us is that.

G

Recommendation 4.1 is the law enforcement should develop and adopt.

G

Policies and strategies that reinforce the public of reimportance.

G

The importance of community engagement, managing public safety.

G

I think we've definitely gone over with you over the months. The number of.

G

Community engagement events that we routinely had prior to covet, it's become.

G

A little more challenging as of late, but we still maintain a lot of outreach.

G

um Usually to smaller groups than what we've been doing before, but there are some larger groups that we're doing via zoom and other you know type activities. um One of the action.

G

Items below is that law enforcement should consider adopting preferences for least harm resolutions, such as diversion programs or warnings.

G

And citations in lieu of arrests for minor infractions, I think the chief summarized earlier the stride program, which is.

G

New, uh it's yet but another option for the officers to put people into.

G

Treatment as opposed to actually incarcerating them but eve instead, we've moved in a lot of.

G

Our misdemeanor arrests are done via citation at this point time.

G

Rather than actually incarcerating folks, so you'll see our.

G

Numbers for physical arrests go down the numbers for the arrests.

G

Fluctuate month to month, as you've seen but a lot of those numbers you're seeing.

G

Are still arrested by citations, so the people are not actually physically incarcerated. uh The right center is again another.

G

Extension of that community and policing should be infused.

G

Throughout the culture and structure of the organization, that is exactly what we.

G

Do from the first week that the officers are with us.

G

They go through what's called a probationary officer's training course.

G

uh Where we highlight community policing entire concept.

G

And how that works for us and how we implement those things.

G

As we continue through again, most of the rest of this is is laid on the federal.

G

Government, uh some of it talks about the schools and interactions with juveniles, since we do not maintain school resource.

G

Officers, those don't necessarily apply to us, some of the.

G

Things, though, that do is where we talk about community policing, emphasizes.

G

Working with neighborhood residents and co-producing public safety again.

G

You've seen that time and time again from us where we're having neighborhood.

G

Resource specialists, we have officers, go to neighborhood.

G

Meetings, we have a sergeant assigned to the neighborhood watch program so.

G

It's something we've been doing for at least 15 years, although the.

G

Neighborhood resource specialists are new, they are a continued outgrowth of that effort and.

G

Going forward, some of the things we do get into with the juveniles, however, is.

G

uh 4.5.2 law enforcement agencies should engage.

G

Youth in communities in joint training with law enforcement, citizens, academies.

G

Right along problem-solving teams, community action teams and quality of.

G

Life again covets kind of impacted, some of that to a degree we're not accepting civilian writers at this point in time,.

G

Unfortunately, we had to cancel this year's the very successful teen academy.

G

My daughter was heartbroken because she loves to go to that.

G

And every year that is full to overflowing with.

G

Last year we had 56 teens that were with the officers for a week.

G

And they had just a tremendous amount of fun. We we always have.

G

More applications and we have to expand the program every year.

G

And I just think, that's wonderful, because the the people really have a.

G

Good time, an extension of that is the public safety cadets again, unfortunately, dunkova those are on.

G

Hold they used to be known as the public or the police explorers.

G

Think boy scouts with a law enforcement twist uh and we get a lot of kids.

G

Involved in that all the way up from 12 to, I think our oldest one was 19 when they went off to college.

G

But they stayed with us through that and again it's a it's a great process.

G

Because they're around the department, they can help out with various functions.

G

And they get to see and do things in the inner workings of the police department.

G

That most kids their age never would that's.

G

Basically, the highlights of this this program that it it really talks.

G

About with us, I know it seems kind of short, because there's a lot of these recommendations that are directed at the schools that.

G

Fortunately or unfortunately, we do not have any interaction with.

G

In terms of setting policies or procedures and or.

G

Necessarily being involved in the disciplinary procedures in any of the schools.

F

Madam chairman, yes, go ahead, rodney.

F

Thank you captain oldham, um um uh and this is this- is a question again.

F

uh Certainly, for um you captain, oh them as.

F

Well, as chief decal, can you um identify.

F

Maybe just you know again off the top of your head. What are.

F

Probably the three most pressing public safety.

F

Concerns in our community right now.

K

Oh, I think it's probably I mean violent crime, I think is.

H

It pressing concern for us gun crimes are a.

H

A top pressing concern for us.

H

You know both of those are are really tied together. um A lot of the violent.

H

Crime we have is, is uh related to guns, and so those are.

H

Probably the the the two big.

H

Main ones, that is, uh that are really um concerns for us.

H

um Our violent crime continues to tick up.

H

um We we've mentioned that in other uh briefings that we've had gun crimes.

H

um Are ticking up so those are our major concerns. Indiana has really liberal gun laws, so it's really hard.

H

To do much with gun type crimes, because anybody can.

H

Carry a gun, but those are those are probably the two most pressing.

H

uh Concerns that we have.

F

Captain odom did you have anything to add on to that or.

G

No, I mean over over everything else. The violent crime is.

G

Is the biggest concern.

F

So so now, I'd like to ask you, um in terms of you know the work that.

F

You, um you know have done with the community.

F

And again, I think um I am I'm careful.

F

To preface my remarks, um you know in a way that um you know I.

F

Make sure that, at least from the perspective of the public in.

F

The community um and that's just simply kind of an.

F

Awareness that um you know the pandemic has created so.

F

Much that has that has limited our engagement.

F

Members of the public, so in essence um you know many of the.

F

Things that are discussed in um in this particular.

F

Pillar are things that you know obviously you're restricted by.

F

Based on just simply, you know us um following you know,.

F

uh The recommendations from um you know certainly the mayor, but also.

F

What research is telling us about the covet.

F

But I I want to make the point that um I'd be interested to know what.

F

From the perspective of the the many communities.

F

That are around what interdependent or interrelated goal. Do you have with.

F

These different communities that um they take on some responsibility.

F

When it comes to violent crimes and gun crimes, so in.

F

Other words um for the community, I think.

F

What's at the essence of this goal, and certainly I'm speaking to.

F

You know my work as an equity professional is about.

F

Understanding that when we have interdependent goals,.

F

That means the community doesn't get theirs.

F

um Excuse me, in order for the police to actually be.

F

You know effective. That means that whatever the goal is.

F

Requires um the community to get theirs and the police department to get theirs.

F

If one doesn't get it, then the other doesn't get it, and so.

F

From this perspective, when we're looking at and talking about violent crimes and gun crimes, obviously.

F

The recognition is at the you know that lay individuals don't necessarily.

F

um You know do policing regarding the crimes, but there are.

F

Preventative things there are things that you all recognize.

F

Relative to your expertise as law enforcement officers.

F

That you can say yeah. We need to make sure that our communities know.

F

And understand that this becomes the necessity so.

F

In essence, what I'm trying to say is it'll. It will become necessary.

F

To take this particular pillar and think of it.

F

Think of of the goals that you have to establish with the community.

F

As as kind of a cornerstone or a linchpin,.

F

So until that actually happens that that symbiotic relationship happens.

F

I will not be satisfied that we're meeting.

F

The pillars that are relative to these goals.

F

And again, scott, I know that you mentioned that hey.

F

You know when it comes to building bridges with you know certain.

F

Communities you know that will require more work.

F

From the public and that's something that I think you know we, we, I would feel very comfortable having a discussion.

F

You know with the mayor and our elected officials about.

F

But when we look at these things, it's more than just.

F

Where the police are present but saying hey.

F

You know what we're noticing violent crime in this particular community.

F

So you know per the goal that we're looking at you know: residents.

F

The businesses, community groups and so forth in that area.

F

What is it that we can agree upon um based on understanding? Okay, if it's a.

F

Reduction in these violent crimes, what is it that the police and the.

F

Community can then jointly work together on to say, like.

F

Yeah now we're we're. You know: we've got.

F

Something there so I'm gonna I'll, be quiet and certainly.

F

um Look forward to hearing a reply. Oh rafi, that's you bring up a good point.

H

Back in january and february, I I had already started.

H

Reaching out to um a couple of different organizations.

H

To have them partner with us on ways to reduce violent crime and gun.

H

Crime, if you actually look at all the.

H

Statistics regarding that a lot of those violent.

H

Crimes happen behind closed doors, and so it's very difficult for the.

H

Police to be able to prevent those types of things, so I had reached out to.

H

Middleway to end and and we were going to start working together.

H

Together on programs to help bring awareness and and.

H

Highlight what those types of crimes are, so that we could.

H

Work on reducing them, I had reached out to.

H

The moms demand action for guns to work on firearms safety.

H

You know there are a lot of suicides, accidental shootings.

H

um And so um in fact we secured a bunch more gun locks that we were going to.

H

Give to them so that they could pass those out and also talked to student groups, because.

H

A lot of the violent crime also involves college age.

H

Students that may have been out at the bars or.

H

Whatever and so again a lot of those those types of crimes.

H

Happen behind closed doors that make it very difficult for us to be.

H

Able to do anything about so having those types of conversations.

H

And those partnerships discussing these these things that are.

H

Happening bringing awareness to them so that more people are aware to.

H

Try to do things to prevent them um is certainly would go along with this.

H

Pillar- and that is something that we started, but everything got put on.

H

Hold because of of covid, so I'm glad you.

H

Brought that up, because that those were steps that we had started to.

H

Take to try to address those increases yeah if I can add one thing to.

G

um You know, just as an aside covet has been a challenge.

G

But frankly, it introduced some things to us. We had never used before.

G

And I don't know many people had uh the video teleconferencing.

G

That we now have the capabilities we're doing instead of.

G

You know one mass meeting a week or two mass meetings a week, we're having a.

G

Bunch of small meetings with people you know using zoom, I mean it's.

G

Sometimes it zooms, sometimes it's the microsoft product, but it's become.

G

And I hate to use the word like this. It's a little more intimate when you've.

G

Got two or three people on a zoom call. Then we've got 20 people.

G

In a room or 30 people passing through a room and we can spend more time and it's it's been a challenge.

G

uh You know, as the chief can tell you, I'm not very.

G

Technically proficient so, we've all had to learn how to manipulate cameras and.

G

Work, different programs, but it's also opened.

G

Some doors that, frankly, I don't think we would ever had.

G

Because some folks are willing to talk on zoom but they're not willing to drive across town to a coffee with a cop or they're not willing to come to a meeting. You know in their evening because for.

G

Them that's family time, so it's opened some doors for us and I'm.

G

Not saying we're making the same numbers, but I think we're.

G

Making equally as important a connection as what we were with the.

G

Bigger meetings and again uh so I want to thank you, know.

F

Both of you, for you know, responding again just um you know, certainly my work.

F

um You know with the the school corporation.

F

um You know I'm definitely aware of the challenges and.

F

Certainly, having a mother that the school teacher who's, not as tech, savvy.

F

um Yeah, I'm definitely aware, but I think if there's any takeaway it is.

F

You know my my arden um wish and certainly.

F

You know my recommendation to uh make sure that.

F

You know again, I think um you know we do a lot in this community.

F

And there's a lot of opportunities to educate.

F

You know the members of our community about you know the things that you all.

F

Know and see and observe from a perspective of law enforcement.

F

And I think um I think the saying is that.

F

You know if you level with people they can handle bad news.

F

But from and certainly from perspective about just simply saying hey, this is.

F

What what we've noticed in terms of you know, gun crimes and.

F

Violent crimes related to this particular community, and so like.

F

Chief g claus say, stated: hey these things are happening behind closed doors.

F

But these are some of the signs or at least positioning those professionals.

F

That you know that work with uh victim assistance and.

F

And some other things to kind of get at saying: okay,.

F

We may not necessarily be the source, but we recognize middle way, house and other.

F

Professionals, uh you know that may be able to provide.

F

You some signs about. You know some things that you know you.

F

Might need to to look for in terms of reporting, so we.

F

Should be able to see maybe an increase in the number of calls.

F

Or reports, and certainly a decrease in the number.

F

Of specific types of crimes and that's just kind of a simple correlation, but I think you know I want you to to.

F

Take away that I'm saying unless you all have an inter.

F

Interdependent goal with the members of the community.

F

This pillar, um you know again presence, is one thing. I think it's very important.

F

Building relationships is the other, but this essentially is one of those that.

F

Puts the members of the community and the police on the hook to say we have a responsibility here.

F

To ensure that when it comes to, um you know the examples that you've.

F

Given us in terms of violent crime and gun crimes,.

F

We have something that we're both doing, and I think that obligates.

F

Our elected officials um to take stake in as well as um those people.

F

Who claim to be leaders of the community um and those.

F

People who are truly the leaders of the community so.

F

um And everything I just said doesn't require.

F

um Become it was more of a comment or statement.

F

Not a question. Thank you, though. I had a a a question or more like a.

I

Concern or a thought I'm trying to figure out what it is. um I'm just curious about from a mental.

I

Health standpoint as a social worker, what happens when the.

I

Officers found the um suicide homicide incident that took.

I

Place, I think it was last week or a week ago, so do they go through some type of mental health.

I

Participation or what do they do like what happens.

I

During that or after that, oh we um we do critical incident debriefings.

H

We have our social worker also reach out uh to the people who are on scene. um We.

H

Have a police chaplain that is available also.

H

To reach out and talk to people- and we have.

H

Other services that we contract with I'm out of indianapolis.

H

Some police, psychological stuff that um that we could also make available.

H

That was a particularly difficult situation.

H

And we we did make sure that we checked in with all of.

H

The officers who were on scene and our social worker also made contact.

H

With those with those officers to check in on them.

H

And make sure that any any assistance they might need that.

H

They would have that option available to them and then.

I

The following week, I believe there was another lady who committed suicide.

I

I don't know if that was through gun related or if it's through, like.

I

um Or if she took some medicine was that another option another time.

I

When a police officer had to find this individual that she find did.

I

Someone, a police officer, find her or was it a friend, well mcqueen. If I can.

G

You know the unfortunate thing is that we deal with suicides.

G

Almost daily okay, so it's not! I would love to tell you that it's a.

G

Rare circumstance, but it's not okay, um you know and just natural cause.

G

Deaths are are unfortunate, but they they occur.

G

Every day, um the one thing that we do have in place is a monitoring system. Both the peer monitoring system.

G

Supervisory monitoring system to to check in with the officers just to.

G

Make sure that everything doesn't build on everything.

G

Else and then eventually, somebody gets in trouble.

G

Again, the social worker, the chaplain, the supervisory response, the peer response.

G

um Is something that creates that safety net so that.

G

Somebody doesn't get left behind in us in a psychological thought.

I

Okay, yeah: it was just kind of like that compound trauma that I was thinking of.

I

But it sounds like there is some parameters put in place to support our.

I

Officers uh moving forward like when these.

I

Different incidences occur. Okay, thank you.

I

There's a question in the chat room: nikki: did you see that.

I

Yes, I did. I would like to.

D

Read the heather lake would like her question and comment.

D

um Read out loud, so I'm just going to read what she has written here.

D

She says I have a statement about the conditions of the jail.

D

I have heard that there are concerns about covet 19 conditions and procedures.

D

Are those being addressed and being made publicly accessible.

D

Because, as it is important for police to ask.

D

It is even more urgent for those who work in the environment, such as the jail.

D

To be wearing massive or mike rooker, could you respond to heather's question? Yes, I think there are a few of us who.

L

Could respond? um The jail is under the jurisdiction of.

L

The monroe county government- so I know it's confusing, always with local.

L

Government but uh we don't have any jurisdiction over.

L

The jail, so you might want to go to a commissioner's meeting.

L

Or the county council or take the issue up with one of your county representatives. If you have a concern about the condition at the jail.

L

D

Thank you mike any other comments or items in the chat.

A

Room sounds like no. um If and if.

A

Everyone from the public has made a comment. I would like to.

A

Then I will take a motion to adjourn.

F

Move that we adjourn the uh uh is this september yet uh september.

F

Meeting of the board of public safety.

F

um Good to see you all and goodbye, thank you.

K