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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1999-05-27 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Second floor Conference Room, City Hall TIME & DATE: May 27, 1999, at 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Pryor, Jones, Graham, Laskowitz, Nelson Alderperson Shenk Nancy Falconer, CPB Staff Debased: Commissioners Skibinski.,Killeen, Chief Basile Guests: Terry Garahan, Mental Health Clinic Lt. Beau Saul, IPD 1. Commissioner Pryor called the meeting to order 2. Approve Minutes of Meeting, April 22, 1999 Corrections were made to the minutes as follows: Moved by Commissioner Graham, seconded by Commissioner Jones Approved unanimously 3. Report from Common Council Alderperson_Shenk reported that Lt. Glenn Sharon was approved by Common Council for promotion to Deputy Chief in the Ithaca City Police Department and that another promotion will take place soon. Another person is to be hired as Deputy Chief shortly, and the City is about to sign a contract with the PBA. It was commented that it was a very high number of officers who approved the contract. Y%( Deputy Controller Steven Jhessill now handle all vouchers for the CPB without requiring Alderperson Shank's signature. Alderperson Shenk reported that at the City Budget meeting it was stated that the income for the city from overtime on parking meters was, in the last six months, less than the previous six months. Reasons given were that some meters are out of order and the Thurston Avenue meters are being replaced because of problems with them. rTHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD 2 MEETING MINUTES MAY 27,1999 '4. Old Business Commissioner Jones handed out a corrected copy of the draft of the Appeal procedure for determinations made by this Board. More corrections were made, and a copy of that draft with current corrections will be handed to all members at the next meeting. Commissioner Pryor brought up the issue of the Risk Reduction program (otherwise known as the 'needle exchange') being promoted by AIDS Work and said that she believes the Board should ask George Ferrari to attend a meeting and discuss the issues in this proposal so that the Board is better informed. Board members concurred. Commissioner Pryor informed the Board that the brochure describing the CPB purpose and function has been translated into Spanish and will be printed in Spanish in the near future. Commissioner Laskowitz said there is a booklet in existence that states the number of Hispanic persons living in the County. He volunteered to gather the figures on this so that we know how many to print. He also suggested that the Board might wish to let the public know that it provides translators if needed during complaint investigations. 5. New Business Lt. Saul of the IPD and Terry Garahan, Supervisor in the T.C. Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, were introduced and explained how the unit they created functions. The largest number of calls to the Police Dept. is from or about citizens who are labeled emotionally disturbed. Lt. Saul noticed in past years that the calls were from the same few people, and felt that if the police and the Mental Health Clinic could answer these calls together, they could react in a more proactive manner. He also believed they could become familiar with the citizens involved, and note who might be improving or deteriorating. Other officers appreciate the results this program has produced, and departments across the country have called to ask about its formation and functioning. It is a program that results in solving many of the repeat probems, not only for the citizens involved, but in lessening the number of repeat calls to the department. The police can legally judge whether a person is in danger of harming self or another, and can take him to a doctor for evaluation, who can admit to the hospital if necessary. The person can be held for up to 72 hours in the hospital. Mr. Garahan stated that if the person is not admitted, he follows up the next day and tries to find other ways to solve the problem. This includes helping the person receive the things he needs. Mr. Garahan"s habit of sending commendations to officers who help with these cases has built a positive ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD 3 MEETING MINUTES MAY 27,1999 response on their part. Discussion followed. Lt. Saul has now been promoted and cannot continue the work on this program. However, he will be training other officers to take his place in this joint effort. Commissioner Pryor adjourned the meeting to Executive session at 4:22 p.m. nef REVIEW of A FINAL DETERMINATION MADE BY THE ITHACA CITY COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD A written request for a review of a final determination by the Community Police Board stating the specific grounds for a review must be received at the office of the Board or the office of the Chief of Police within 45 days of the Board's final recommendation having been mailed to the complainant. A review of a final determination may be requested only on the following grounds: a) new evidence to his or her complaint advanced by the complainant or b) evidence of prejudicial treatment toward the complainant or c) failure by the Board to have observed its procedures. The Board may decide to review a complaint by a vote of a majority of a quorum of its members. The member or members who conducted the original investigation shall not vote on the request for review. The complainant will be notified in writing of the outcome of the review.