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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1987Minutes of the Police Services Committee Meeting .February 17, 1987 Members Present: Aldermen John Bleveans, .' Jack Korshak,' and Lorraine Morton Members. Absent: Aldermen Dennis Drummer and . Jon- Nel son . 'Staff .Preset:, . '' Chief William H. Logan .Commander Frank Kaminski Presiding Official: Alderman John Bleveans The meeting of the Police Services Committee was convened at 7:50_pim.' by Alderman Bleveans at the Evanston Civic Center, Aldermanic Library: The following agenda items were considered. Item I. - Minutes Minutes of the December 16, 1986 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Item II. - Communications • The ALERT for February '87 was reviewed. • The Committee reviewed several articles regarding the Department's Crime Prevention Program and the Department's Victim -Witness Program. • The citizen letters were reviewed. e The material regarding the false statement was described. A motion was made by Alderman Karshak to present the proposed ordinance to council. The motion was seconded and passed. Alderman Bleveans indicated he would present the ordinance. • The information on Pitbulls was reviewed and discussed. It was decided to defer this item until the next meeting so committee members could study the information. It was requested that Ellen Szymanski from the Legal Department attend the next meeting. 2-17-87 Page 1 of 2 Item III. - Complainant Reviews P 86-023 Complainant: Charges: Accused: Summary: :. Disposition 'By Chief: Review by Comm ttee: t 86-025 Complainant:, Charges: Accused: Summary: Disposition by Chief: Review by Committee: B/M 19 Years of Age Verbal Abuse B/M 39 Years of Age Non -Uniformed Officer B/M 32 Years of Age Non -Uniformed Officer The complainant Alleged that the accused. officers detained the complainant and were verbally abusive. The accused officers denied the allegation and indicated they stopped the complainant in reference to calls in the area. Not Sustained, Accepted. z "W/M.46 Years of Age Physical Abuse W/M 26 Years of Age Uniformed Officer The complainant alleged that he observed the...: accused officer physically abuse a person being placed in a squad car by grabbing the offender in the groin area. The apparent offender did not file any complaints against the officer. The accused officer denied the allegation. Not Sustained. Officer counseled on the way to place a prisoner in a squad car. Accepted. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, William Chief of P 'ce WHL:jk 2-17-87 Page 2 of 2 I Minutes of the Police Services Committee Meeting May 19, 1987 Members ' Present': ' ' : Aldermen John Bleveans and Lorraine Morton Aldermen Dennis Drummer, Jack Korshak, and John Rudy Acting Chief Ernest A. Jacobi Commander Frank Kaminski Sergeant John Popadowski Ellen Szymanski, Legal Department Sally Roethle, City Manager's Office Alderman Maiorie Collens Alderman Norris Larson Alderman John Bleveans The meeting of the Police Services Committee was convened at 7:50 p.m. by Alderman Bleveans at the Evanston Civic Center, Room 3650. As a quorum was not present, the committee reviewed and acted on items pending the approval of these actions at the next regular committee meeting. The items do not necessarily reflect the number in which items were reviewed. Item I. - Minutes Minutes of the February 17th, 1987 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Item II. - Communications • The Committee reviewed and discussed the letter on a proposed amendment to the vehicle alarm ordinance from Evanston Hospital, The letter from Evanston Hospital recommended changing the new auto alarm ordinance to better fit the problems of the hospital's - that is, the vibrations of the parking structure triggering alarms for under ten minutes. As part of the discussion, Alderman Larson related an incident he observed regarding an auto alarm in which a police officer was apparently tied -up dealing with an auto alarm for forty-five minutes. Alderman Larson commented that if a criminal wanted to commit a crime and minimize the chance of apprehension, all he would have to do is to set off car alarms to tie-up the police. The Committee decided to keep this item open for future discussions. • The citizen letters were reviewed. The Committee requested that these be sent to Council members. • The Postcard Survey and Annual Report -Internal Affairs/Inspections Bureau were held for review for the next meeting, The Committee requested that these informational items also be sent to Council. 5-19-87 Page 1 of 3 9 • The Committee reviewed the memo regarding the Special Olympics Torch Run for mentally retarded and physically handicapped children. The torch will pass through Evanston on June la, 1987 and will be carried by Evanston Police Officers. • The Department has been honored by being selected as a site visit for students from the Bramshill College for Police Staff. The . Bramshill College is located in England and serves as the leading police administration school for police officials in England. A group of five students will be visiting our department in July, 1987. Item III. - Complaint Reviews .. 87-001 Complainant: W/F '43 Years of. Age Charges: Verbal Abuse Accused: W/M- 35 Years of Age Uniformed Officer W/M 45 Years of Age uniformed Supervisor Summary:'' The accused members allegedly failed to take the proper action on a parking complaint. It was alleged that the accused uniformed officer used improper language while speaking to the witness officer which was overheard by the complainant. Disposition by Chief: Not Sustained. Officers were counseled. Review by Committee: Accepted. e 87-002 Complainant: B/F 52 Years of Age Charges: Verbal Abuse Accused: B/M 44 Years of Age uniformed Officer Summary: The complainant alleged that the accused officer referred to her as a bitch. After the initial complaint, the complainant refused to cooperate further with the investigation. Disposition by Chief: Unresolved Review by Committee: Accepted Item IV. - Discussion Items e Alderman Collens addressed the Committee regarding her reference about changing the distribution system for the ALERT. She proposed making the ALERT an insert to the HIGHLIGHTS. jhe commented about the advantages and concerns regarding her proposal. Alderman Collens mentioned that even though her proposal would increase circulation, the ALERT as a community organizing mechanism may be affected. The 5-19-87 Page 2 of 3 Committee recommended sending this item for further discussion to the Residential Crime Prevention Committee. R Ellen Szymanski, Legal Department, discussed the merits of a dangerous dog ordinance. The committee requested that information be put in ordinance form for their review. ., Minutes of the Police Services Committee Meeting July 27, 1987 Members Present: Aldermen John Bleveans, Dennis Drummer, Jack Korshak, . Lorraine Morton, and John Rudy Members Absent,,.., -,None . Staff Present: Acting Chief Ernest A. Jacobi Commander Frank Kaminski Sergeant John Popedowski Ellen Szymanski, Legal Department Presiding Official: ,= Alderman John Bleveans The meeting of the Police Services Committee was convened at 7:50 p.m.'by Alderman Bleveans at the Evanston Civic Center, Room 2403. The items do not necessarily reflect the order in which items were reviewed. Item I. - Minutes The minutes of the May 19, 1987, meeting were reviewed and accepted. Item II. - Communications e Staff presented some brief information on the post card survey and the Internal Affairs Annual Report. The Committee accepted both reports. • Nine letters of commendations from citizens were reviewed. a The press release on the Department's Summer Youth Program was reviewed. a The memo on the new crime analysis project from PIMS was reviewed. This new pilot project is,called STAC (Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Crime). STAC hopefully will enable the Crime Analysis Unit to project crime. The Committee was very interested in this project and expressed a desire to have the next meeting at the Department so the members could see the Department's computerized systems. e Alderman Bleveans highlighted a conference that will be held in Evanston on September 29 called the International Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (IACOLE). Alderman Bleveans will be a participant in one of the sessions at the conference. 7-27-87 Page i of 3 • Alderman Drummer mentioned the recent Governor's Home Town Award given to COE-POPS. Alderman Drummer indicated that this award represents the hard work of many people, including the police department staff. B/M 41 Years of Age Theft of Property W/M 33 Years of•Age Uniformed Officer 8/M 23 Years of Age Uniformed Officer m The complainant alleged that at the time of his arrest he had $150.00 cash on his person, and when he was released from jail it was not with his property. The prisoner property receipt indicated the complainant only had $1.45 on his person at the time of arrest. The complainant did not cooperate in taking a polygraph regarding this incident. Unfounded. Accepted. r 87-004 Complainant; B/M 45 Years of Age Charges: Unnecessary Force Accused: W/M 35 Years of Age Uniformed Officer W/M 36 Years of Age Uniformed Officer Summary: The complainant alleged that the accused officers used unnecessary farce in arresting him after he had punched his wife in their presence. The officers denied the allegation and stated they only used force necessary to effectuate the arrest. Disposition by Chief: Not Sustained Review by Committee: Accepted. • 87-05 Complainant: B/M 34 Years of Age Charges: Unnecessary Force Accused: W/M 35 Years of Age Uniformed Officer W/M 31 Years of Age Uniformed Officer Summary: The complainant alleged that the accused officers used unnecessary force in arresting him. The accused officers, denied the allegation and stated they only used force 7-27-87 Page 2 of 3 necessary to effectuate the arrest. Disposition by Chief: Not Sustained Review by Committees Accepted. Item IV. Other Business l A.) :• Staff mentioned that the.Residential Crime Prevention Committee (RCPC) met an July 15, 1987 with Alderman Collens regarding the ALERT. The matter is still under discussion and they will report back to the Committee. • The draft ordinance on Pit Bulls was reviewed and discussed. Ellen Szymanski from the Legal Department responded to questions and other considerations raised by members of the Committee. Alderman Bleveans requested that a new draft ordinance be prepared based an the comments made by the Committee. He also made a motion that prior to taking any action on this ordinance, a public hearing be held at one of the future meetings. He requested that notice of this public hearing be put in the Highlights publications. The motion was seconded and passed. Staff was assigned to coordinate the date and notice. • The Auto Alarm Ordinance was passed for further consideration at a later meeting. B.) ' • The Foot Patrol beat patterns were reviewed and discussed. Staff commented an how beats were designed and staffed. The current five beat pattern was discussed. Thispattern may change when the two new foot officers are added. The Committee questioned the delays in adding the additional officers. Staff responded that other expected vacancies have caused the force to be down nine officers at this time. The Committee requested to know how many officers have been hired in the past year compared to those positions vacated. Representatives from the Washington School neighborhood were present and voiced a concern about when they will be receiving a foot patrol officer. Staff responded that they will receive one as soon as additional officers are hired. These representatives also voiced some concerns regarding the effectiveness of the park rangers. As a result, the Committee made a request to receive information on what the park rangers are supposed to do, who assigns them, and who supervises them? Staff will obtain information. • The Bike Patrol reference was held over until the next meeting. • The Handicapped Parking Program was held over until the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Res ully submitted, r trn6st Chief of olice EAJ.- jk 7-27-87 Page 3 of 9 Minutes of the Police Services Committee Meeting October 20, 1987 Members Present: Alderman John Bleveans' Lorraine Morton,.end-John Rudy'k Members Absent:.. Dennis Drummer and Jack Korshak Staff. Present: Chief of Police Ernest A. Jacobi Commander Frank Kaminski Sergeant John Popadowski ,Eller: Szymanski, Legal Department..' Presiding•Official: Aldermen John Bleveans The meeting of the Police Services Committee was conversed at 7:45.p.m.-- t by.Alderman Bleveans at the Evanston Civic Center, Room 2402. The items do not necessarily reflect the order in which items were reviewed. Item I. - Minutes The minutes of the July 27, 1987 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Item 1I. - Communications e Thirteen citizens letters were reviewed. a The memo regarding terminations/hiring was reviewed. The members expressed a concern about the continuing number of vacancies in the Police Department. Chief Jacobi responded that the Personnel Department is processing applicants and a civil service meeting has been scheduled. The Committee indicated that their concern is that a way must be Found to hire sufficient police officers so that the police department is fully staffed at all times. The Committee asked that this concern be brought to the City Manager's attention. Alderman Bleveans indicated he would relate this concern. a The excerpt from Perceptions of Neighborhood Quality in South Evanston was reviewed. The information on the park rangers was reviewed. Chief Jacobi indicated that some action has already been taken to better utilize the rangers next year. a Alderman Bleveans briefly described his participation at the International Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement Conference which was held in Evanston in September 187. Alderman Bleveans indicated that the Committee would gain from participation in this conference and should seriously consider sending a representative to next year's conference, i • The press release on the Forfeiture Funds was reviewed. j • The Crime Stoppers brochure was reviewed. Alderman 8leveans requested that this be passed until the next meeting. r Alderman 8leveans mentioned as a point of information that the,Rules Committee is considering expanding the role of the Police Services Committee to include the Fire Department. Item III. -- Complaint Reviews • 87-009. Complainant: W/M 30 Years of Age Charges: Property Damage and Verbal Abuse Accused: W/M 34 Years of Age Plain Clothes Officer W/M 29 Years of Age Plain Clothes Officer Summary; The complainant alleged that the accused officers stopped him and his partner and failed to identify themselves. The accused officers allegedly made inappropriate statements to the complainant and then threw a hand drill on the trunk of his car. The accused officer denied the allegations and indicated that they were assigned a special tactical detail for auto break-ins when they stopped the complainant at 1:00 a.m. while cruising the area looking at cars. It should be noted the complainant was a car repossessor in Evanston looking for a car. Disposition by Chief: Not Sustained. Review by Committee: Accepted. Item IV. - Public Nearinq - Dangerous Doqs 0rdinance Alderman Bleveans invited members from the audience to give any comments regarding the proposed ordinance. The following individuals made comments to the committee regarding the ordinance: 1.) Mr. Fred Sanders, 2011 Jackson. 2•) Anonymous Citizen 3.) Mrs. Pat Beam, 2323 Prospect. 4.) Mr. Thomas Sexton, 1801 Brown. 10-20-87 Page 2 of 3 After the citizen input, the Committee unanimously agreed to introduce the draft ordinance to council at its October 26th meeting. The Committee also recommended several amendments to the ordinance including limiting the number of dangerous dogs, requiring signage for anyone who has a dangerous dog on their property, a written appeal processing when a dog is labeled as dangerous by the City, and notifying at the time of registration that the dog is dangerous. 10-27-87 Page 3 of 3 Minutes of the Police Services Committee Meeting November 17, 1987 .. Presiding Official: Alderman John Sleveans 'The meeting of the Police Services Committee was convened at 7:45 p.m.- . by Alderman 9leveans at the Animal Shelter, 2310 Oakton. The items do not necessarily reflect the order in which items were. reviewed. Item I. - Minutes The minutes of the October 20, 1987 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Item II. - Communications a Three citizen letters expressing appreciation For services rendered by members of the police department were reviewed. a The International Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement booklet was reviewed. This contained the agenda for +ts recent Convention at the Orrington Hotel. The committee again discussed the desirability of sending a member of the committee as a delegate to its next convention. Item III. - Complaint Reviews e 87-006 Complainant: W/M 32 Years of Age Charges: Unreasonable Force Accused: W/M 29 Years of Age Uniformed Officer W/M 34 Years of Age Uniformed Officer Summary: The complainant alleged that the accused officers used unreasonable force when they arrested him. The complainant had been stopped by the accused officers and when he was told he was under arrest, the complainant fled. A chase ensued and the 11-17-87 Page I of 3 complainant wee physically detained. The Accused officers denied the allegations. Disposition by Chief: Not Sustained. Review by Committee:.Accepted. w " . 87-008 - Complainant: Unknown Charges: Unprofessional Conduct Accused: B/F 24'Years of Age Investigations Review by Committee: a 87-010 An unknown complainant alleged that the accused officer was at a location and discharged her weapon. The initial investigation indicated no weapon was discharged. The accused officer was found to be out of the city without permission and gave false information with regard to her whereabouts. Sustained. Officer disciplined. Accepted. Complainant: B/F 16 Years of Age Charges: Verbal Abuse Accused: W/M 30 Years of Age Desk Officer Summary: The complainant alleged that the accused officer referred to her in a disrespectful manner during her arrest. The accused officer admitted to the charge. Disposition by Chief: Review by Committee: IV. - Other Business Sustained. Officer disciplined. Accepted. a The Committee discussed the Crime Stoppers Plus Program in connection with the reference by Council concerning a reward program For information about crimes committer) in the city. It determined that this was an appropriate reward mechanism and other methods are not really needed. The Committee will send a response to Council describing the Crime Stoppers Program. 11-17-87 Page 2 of 3 e The Committee discussed the new Dangerous Dog Ordinance with Chief Animal Warden Bill Andrews. Chief Warden Andrews indicated that the new ordinance will be helpful to him in dealing with these types of animals. Warden Andrews expressed a reservation about being able to house these types of dogs in a regular shelter cage. These dogs tend to be so vicious that reinforced cages are needed to contain them. The Committee requested that the Chief put together a proposal on the cost to reinforce three cages at the shelter specifically for dangerous dogs. Also, the Committee expressed a concern over the expectations that are created in the community when the Council adopts such legislation, i.e., the community expects that it will be able to rely on the city to respond to.complaints of violations of the ordinance and to respond in a timely manner when dangerous dogs are threatening lives. The additional services demands that this ordinance may create were discussed. The Chief was asked by the Committee to look at the question of whether additional staffing is needed to assist Chief Warden Andrews in enforcing the new dangerous dog ordinance. a Alderman Rudy reported to the Committee regarding a report on additional Parking Enforcement Officers. It appears there is . support to hire parking enforcement officers in direct relation to the amount of revenues they produce. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. EAJ: jk Re tfully submitted, Ernest Jacobi Chief of Police "MINUTES TO BE APPROVED AT NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING" 11-17-67 Page 3 of 3