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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2013-08-28CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. August 28, 2013 Present: Commissioners (6) Kane, Rogers, DaGrossa, Levine, LaPadula, Wright OTHERS PRESENT: Common Council Liason — Kerslick Police Chief Barber Information Management Specialist Day EXCUSED: Commissioners (2) Baker, Brower CALL TO ORDER: 3:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By Commissioner DeGrossa: Seconded by Commissioner Wright RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the July 24, 2013 Community Police Board meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Dimbaza Dumile, City of Ithaca, asked questions regarding the Community Police Board Complaint /Compliment form. He voiced his concern that once the form was available on -line, teenagers would fill them out as prank complaints and questioned how the Board would be able to filter them out. The Commissioners, along with Chief Barber, responded that false complaints would clearly stand out as pranks as they would not match up with service calls or reports for the day. Requiring hard copies of the forms to be submitted with the complainant's signature also eliminates the risk of that type of abuse of the system. The forms will be available on -line; however, people will not be able to submit them electronically. REPORT FROM COMMON COUNCIL Alderperson Kerslick reported that Common Council received the results of the investigation conducted by the FBI, NYS Attorney General, and the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office that the accusations made against Lt. Byrd and Officer Moore were not credible and they were fully exonerated from any wrong doing. A written report of the findings will not be submitted. August 28, 2013 Alderperson Kerslick further reported that he is still working with the Youth Council in the search for a city resident to serve on the CPB as the Youth Commissioner. The Commissioners suggested exploring whether a student would be able to obtain credit for a class while serving on the CPB. They also suggested that someone reach out to the New Roots School as it is located so close to City Hall. REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief Barber reported that the population of Ithaca has nearly doubled with the return of students to Cornell University and Ithaca College. There have been late night parties occurring throughout the community resulting in many calls. The department has been doing their best with the resources they have. The Commissioners inquired about panhandling on the city streets. Chief Barber responded that according to the City Code, it is perfectly legal to panhandle as long as solicitors do not exhibit aggressive behaviors. A Commissioner inquired as to whether the donation from the owner of the West Village Apartments for additional patrols is permitted. The Chief responded that donations and payments come in all the time for extra patrol for private events (ex: weddings, sporting events, traffic control). Chief Barber announced that retired Police Officer Jay VanVolkinburg passed away recently at the age of 51. Officer Van Volkinburg served the City of Ithaca for 22 years. Chief Barber submitted two complimentary letters that he sent to Officer Schwartz and Officer Dupay on their actions and team work on a case. OLD BUSINESS: Commissioner Rogers announced that he conducted his ride- along with the Ithaca Police Department. He rode with Officer Joly, and the experience gave him an entirely different view of the job. The students had returned to Ithaca and Aurora Street was packed with students out for the evening. Commissioner Rogers noted that the police cars did not have cameras in them. Chief Barber responded that he would love to have cameras in all of the fleet vehicles but the purchase and installation of the units would be a large expense that is not currently budgeted, and a use policy would also have to be in place. Alderperson Kerslick noted that he sent the Commissioners a draft of the on -line version compliment /complaint form to review. The person completing the form would not be able to submit it via e -mail but they could save it to their files and mail, or drop off the signed form the City Clerk's Office. IF August 28, 2013 Commissioner Rogers stated that he is working on a Standard Operating Procedure for Commissioners to learn the process of investigating complaints. The document will be in put into the orientation books that the Commissioners receive, so they can understand the process. The Board decided that it would be nice to have a short outline of the process available on -line for people to review prior to submitting a complainant or compliment form. This is a project that will be worked on and added to the application form at a later date. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Kane reported that the Board received a letter in the mail containing an information card detailing the interpretive services that the Cornell University Translator Interpreter Services (TIP) provides. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner LaPadula RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board enter into Executive Session to discuss active investigations. Carried Unanimously RECONVENE: The Board reconvened into Regular Session with a recommendation of the resolution of cases as follows: Resolution: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner Levine RESOLVED, That case 2013 -5 is hereby closed, and, be it further RESOLVED, That case 2013 -2 is hereby closed. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Cindie L. Day Information Management Specialist 3