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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-11-17 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The November 17, 2020, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Graham. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilwoman Ward, Councilman Vogt and Councilman Hussey. Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, Councilman Mike Lester, City Administrator Steve Crowell, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Captain Eric Wilde, FOP President Detective Jeremy Bowman, Rusty Hart, Mary Schantz, Cheryl Hibbett, Susan Randolph and NAACP President Rod Chapel. Approval of Minutes Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 30, 2020 meeting. Councilwoman Ward seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Police Radios Councilman Graham advised he had received concerns regarding police radios. He asked Captain Wilde to speak on the subject of police department radios. Captain Wilde stated some time ago the State of Missouri established the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN) which allows law enforcement agencies with all-band radios the capability to communicate with one another. The police department's radios are not all band and do not have this capability, which hinders engagement in joint operations with other law enforcement agencies. The radios cost approximately $5,000 each. Captain Wilde advised $400,000 of Sales Tax G money had been set aside towards the purchase of these radios. However the money was used for unexpected expenditures such as police vehicles. The department has purchased 15 portable radios at a cost of $72,853.50, and 15 mobiles radios for vehicles at a cost of $72,459. These radios have been assigned to the command staff and supervisors. The department's long term goal is for all 90 officers to have MOSWIN capable portable radios. With the purchase of the 15 portable radios, the department is in need of 75 additional radios at a cost of approximately $365,000. 2 Captain Wilde advised a MOSWIN Memorandum of Agreement has been secured with the Cole County Sheriff's Department, Lincoln University Police, Capitol Police, Callaway County Sheriff's Department and the State Highway Patrol. All of these agencies presently have MOSWIN capability. Councilman Graham questioned whether CARES funding could be used to purchase portable radios. Captain Wilde advised the 30 radios (15 portable and 15 mobile) already purchased have been placed on the CARES funding reimbursement list. City Administrator Crowell advised Cole County determined the distribution of CARES money they received and designated money toward salary use. He stated the city would resubmit reimbursement for the 30 radios to Cole County and request future acquisition for additional radios. Cole County l imited the contribution to the City of Jefferson at a little less than $1 million. Mayor Tergin advised she would request a conversation take place with the County regarding CARES money expenditures. Body Cameras Councilman Graham asked Captain Wilde to address where the police department stood on the purchase of body cameras. Captain Wilde advised he has conducted an in-depth study, and there are two options for the acquisition of body cameras. One is to purchase the hardware (cameras) and storage, the second is to lease the equipment. The initial expense of purchasing would be approximately $400,000. However there is the added expense of storage and repair and upkeep to the cameras. The lease option, which would be approximately $750,000 to $1 million over a five year period, has the advantage of storing video to the Cloud, repair of cameras, and replacement of cameras every two years. The cost would be predictable. Captain Wilde advised with the lease option, the in car cameras and body cameras could be integrated into one system. Councilman Graham advised a Fourth Ward constituent has forwarded information on a possible BJA grant. He sent a copy of the information to Chief Schroeder and Captain Wilde. Captain Wilde stated the funding would most likely come from Sales Tax H. Councilman Hussey advised Sales Tax H would be the tax renewed in 2021, and the funding would be available from 2022- 2026 [2027]. Citizen Rusty Hart addressed the committee advocating for the purchase of body cameras. He suggested the police department purchase three body cameras for the "three traffic units" as a start. He also offered information on the use of body cameras by the Vienna, Missouri Police Department. Citizen Mary Schantz stated with the change in the federal administration in 2021, additional grants may be available. Captain Wilde advised he has researched BJA grants administered through the Missouri Department of Public Safety. In response to a question concerning body camera policies, Captain Wilde advised the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) offers model policies to agencies. There are confidentiality considerations and legal ramifications that have not yet been settled in court. Cheryl Hibbett with the Racial Equity Group stated the group views the policies as more important than the cameras themselves, and suggested that citizen groups be involved in establishing the policies. 3 Susan Randolph with the Racial Equity Group stated the department must identify the purpose of the body cameras, how the officers' reports will be written, and who has access to the footage. Captain Wilde advised addressing those issues was premature at this point in the process. Councilman Graham stated there was certainly concern in the community for body cameras, and he would work to attempt to get funding for their purchase. Nimrod Chapel, President of the local NAACP, stated modern equipment such as body cameras were good for the officers and good for the community. Transparency instills trust and his organization supports the use of body cameras. It was suggested that the progress of the purchase of body cameras be brought before the committee on a quarterly basis, and Councilman Graham agreed. Presentation from the Fraternal Order of Police Detective Jeremy Bowman, President of the local Fraternal Order of Police, advised their membership focuses on the ground up, the officers that are on the street. He addressed portable radios in three areas: their importance, COVID-19, and moving forward. Radios are a key component for communications between law enforcement agencies. Emergency communication cannot be expedited without them. Detective Bowman stated he had sent a sheet to committee members outlining the limited channels of communications available to th e police department. COVID-19 does not affect the work that officers do. During May through November of this year, officers responded to approximately 30,000 incidents, the same number as during that same time period in 2019. COVID-19 has affected staffing as a number of officers have either had COVID or been quarantined. During the course of their duties, they are exposed to citizens with COVID - 19. Wearing masks is not always functional as verbal commands by officers must be clear and concise. In the current situation, medical information is given over open air radios and is accessible to anyone with a police scanner, citizens and media alike. The new radios have encryption capabilities to protect personal information. Detective Bowman stated the police department is behind the curve in both salaries and equipment. Moving forward, officers need to have the tools to get the job done. OTHER BUSINESS Chief Schofield advised the fire department shares many of the same concerns and challenges with radios. This is an opportunity for both the fire department and police department to work towards consistent equipment and ongoing maintenance. The fire department has the same interoperability issues communicating internally in large buildings. Firefighters must utilize several frequencies, but they do not have up-to-date hardware or infrastructure to support it. Portable radios on each of their firefighters are also their highest priority. They were number one priority in "pink sheet" budget requests, but were not funded. Fire Department Equipment sales tax money has been earmarked for radios, and the money has been rolled over year after year in order to have enough to purchase a portion of the needed radios. Approximately $130,000 has been set aside, but an additional $86,000 approximately is needed. 4 Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised open burning during daylight hours is from November 1 through March 1. Citizens need to be attentive to the burning and be considerate of neighbors. The fire department has one opening for an assistant fire chief. Interviews are being held on Monday, November 23rd. Chief Schofield plans to fill the position by the end of the year. Police Department Updates Captain Wilde advised that Sgt. Joe Matherne retired after 23+ years of service. Sgt. Matherne served as the Community Services Unit supervisor. Mayor Tergin advised she had presented a key to the city to Sgt. Matherne on the day of his retirement. Captain Wilde stated an assessment center will be established to fill the sergeant position. Captain Wilde has been attending inauguration planning meetings each Tuesday at SEMA. The National Guard is facilitating the meetings. On election day there were no major issues in the city. The police department and Missouri State Highway Patrol had a contingency plan if needed. Captain Wilde thanked the citizens for a peaceful event. The political rallies that have been held have also been peaceful. Adjourn Councilman Graham thanked the committee for making the adjustment to their schedules for today's meeting. He also thanked the citizens for their valuable input. The meeting was adjourned by Councilman Graham at 8:53 a.m.