HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2014-04-23CITY OF ITHACA
COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. April 23, 2014
Present:
Co-Chairs: Kane, Rogers
Commissioners (3) Brower, DaGrossa, LaPadula
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liason – Kerslick
Police Chief Barber
Officer Williamson
Information Management Specialist Day
EXCUSED:
Commissioner Wright
CALL TO ORDER: 3:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes of the March 26, 2014 Meeting:
By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner DaGrossa
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the March 26, 2014 Community Police Board
meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
REPORT FROM COMMON COUNCIL:
Common Council Liaison Kerslick reported that he is working with the Mayor on
filling the vacant Commissioner positions on the Board. There is currently one
application on file. He will be meeting with the applicant and reporting back to
the Mayor. A background check still needs to be completed once the interview
process has been conducted.
The Ithaca Police Department Working Group has been focusing on solutions
that could improve public safety on the Commons without adding more staff to
the department. It was suggested that the Community Police Board could be a
liaison to this working group. One model that is being explored is the Burlington,
Vermont program that employs civilians to assist the Police Department. These
people act as “eyes and ears” for the police and intervene and resolve problems
if criminal activity is not involved and it is safe to do so. For example, if people
are smoking in a “No smoking Area” instead of calling the Police, the civilian staff
member could educate them about the law and ask them to move along.
Eventually these people develop relationships with the public and could direct
them to needed services such as housing, employment, social services, etc.
They can also give statements to the police if they witness a criminal activity.
REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Police Chief Barber reported that the department has been very busy with the
end of classes nearing for the two campuses. The Quality of Life Detail has four
officers and one Sergeant on patrol each night covering East and South Hills. All
officers are working on overtime. Some of the officers will be pairing up with
Cornell University patrols for the end of year events such as Slope Day.
The Deputy Chief position has been filled by Lt. Chris Townsend. Lt. Townsend
will be sworn into office on May 7, 2014. The IPD Officer interviews will be taking
place soon. There are three candidates on the list to be interviewed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Officer Jamie Williamson, Records Division, presented information on crime
statistics in the City. He distributed a chart of year end totals from 2008 -2012
along with the year 2013 broken out by month. Officer Williamson explained
some of the variations in the numbers and the types of offenses included in the
categories. IPD has engaged in a public education campaign to encourage
home owners and students to protect their property both in their homes and in
their vehicles.
MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ACTIVE
INVESTIGATIONS:
By Commissioner LaPadula: Seconded by Commissioner Brower
RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board enter into Executive Session to
discuss active investigations.
Carried Unanimously
RECONVENE:
The Board reconvened into regular session with no formal action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Cindie L. Day
Information Management Specialist