HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2014-03-26CITY OF ITHACA
COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. March 26, 2014
Present:
Co- Chairs: Kane, Rogers
Commissioners (4) Brower, DaGrossa, LaPadula, Wright,
OTHERS PRESENT:
Council Liason — Kerslick
Police Chief Barber
Information Management Specialist Day
The meeting was called to order at 3 :34 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 26. 2014 MEETING:
By Commissioner DaGrossa: Seconded by Commissioner LaPadula
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the February 26, 2014 Community Police Board
meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT FROM COMMON COUNCIL:
Common Council Liaison Kerslick reported that during the recruitment process for
a youth member, it was decided that a confidentiality form should be created and
signed by all Commissioners regarding the information discussed in the executive
sessions. City Attorney Lavine is drafting on this form.
The Mayor has been informed of the vacant positions on the Community Police
Board and has been doing outreach via social media platforms to ask people who
are interested in serving on Board to fill out an application. Council Liaison Kerslick
also requested to receive copies of submitted applications so he could work with
the Mayor on getting the positions filled.
A working group comprised of staff and elected officials, has been created and
meets on a monthly basis with representatives of the Ithaca Police Department.
The group has been reviewing different ways that police departments operate in
cities that are similar in size and dynamics of Ithaca. Burlington, Vermont has been
operating programs that have been looked at and some ideas that the group has
reviewed could become an opportunity to partner with the Commons Ambassadors
and Ithaca Downtown Alliance for various issues related to the Commons. If
successful, this type of initiative could free up police officers for other duties and it
would be a more efficient use of services.
Commissioner Kane asked if the national search for the new Deputy Chief position
would result in any Commissioners participating in the hiring process.
Commissioner Kerslik responded that interviews for positions are typically
conducted in conjunction with the Human Resource Department, and he was not
sure which process was being used for the Deputy Chief position.
REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Police Chief Barber apologized for arriving late for the meeting, noting that he has
another meeting that conflicts with this one.
Chief Barber reported that interviews for the Deputy Chief position will take place
next Thursday and hopes to make an appointment shortly after. He advised
interested commissioners to contact Jo Flomerfelt in the Chief's Office to see if
anyone had filled the space on the interview panel reserved for a member of the
public.
He further reported that an arrest had been made in the recent residential
burglaries. The department is currently short - staffed due to officer injuries. They
are trying to keep each shift fully staffed while scheduling around vacation, sick
time, and training.
NEW BUSINESS:
Co -Chair Rogers shared an e -mail he received from the Chair of the Bicycle
Pedestrian Advisory Council regarding what he had observed in a congested area
at the pedestrian crosswalk at the Cayuga /Cascadilla Street intersection. He
stated that a patrol vehicle passed a man with children who had been waiting to
cross the street, and he felt the patrol vehicle should have yielded to the
pedestrians.
Common Council Kerslick reported that he forwarded the e -mail to the Engineering
division for their review as well. Chief Barber reported that his shift also reviewed
this information.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
By Commissioner Brower: Seconded by Commissioner LaPadula
RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board enter into Executive Session to
discuss active investigations.
RECONVENE:
The Board reconvened into regular session, with no formal action taken.
Common Council Kerslick reported that he would like to review crime statistics for
Ithaca at an upcoming meeting. Discussion could be held on related issues in
order to get a better understanding of the statistics. Chief Barber said that the
Board could invite Officer Jamie Williamson to the meeting as he completes the
monthly reports to New York State on various crimes. He stated that he would
bring a graph of the past 5 years of statistics for the Board to review.
Chief Barber also reported that he would bring Lt. Townsend to a future meeting to
train the Board on conducting investigations.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Cindie L. Day
Information Management Specialist