AGENDA

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

JANUARY 15, 2003

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 6:02 p.m.

Adjourned: 9:00 p.m.

 

Present were:      Chairperson Councillor Michael C. Perotto

                             Councillor Barbara G. Haller

                             Councillor Joseph M. Petty

 

Also:                     City Manager Thomas R. Hoover

                             Assistant City Manager Paul V. LaCava

                             Police Chief James Gallagher

                             Fire Chief Gerard Dio

                             District Fire Chief Walter Giard

                             District Fire Chief Timothy Gray

Deputy Fire Chief Paul A. Rogacz

Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Henderson

Budget Director John Pranckevicius

                             Local 1009 Worcester Fire Dept. President Frank Raffa

                             Local 378 Worcester Police Dept. President Anthony Petrone

City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

 

1.                 Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Universal Hiring Program.

#18G CM  December 17, 2002

Recommend Approval


Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief forward to the City Council as soon as possible the fourth quarter calendar 2002 crime statistics report and any additional data that may be relied upon to compare Worcester’s statistics to other New England urban areas.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief provide the City Council with data concerning the results of investigations into the more recent murders recorded in the City of Worcester.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager to move forward with the background checks on the 31 members of the police recruit class.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief to elaborate for the City Council the different options available to operate the Fire Department during the summer months elaborating in accordance with the various financial scenarios that may become reality.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council if he is authorized to override collective bargaining language to ensure the public’s and employee’s safety in the event of worst case funding scenario.

 

2.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Quarterly Report Regarding Major Crime Statistics.

#20C CM October 15, 2002

Recommend File

 

3.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Quarterly report regarding Major Crime Statistics.

          #19A CM  September 3, 2002

Recommend File

 

4.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Staffing Level Needs for FY’03. (Fire Dept.)

          #12A CM  September 10, 2002

Recommend File

 

5.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Next Fire Class.

#13D CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

6.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Number of Fires and the Number of Firefighters working for the Worcester Fire Department.

#12A CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

7.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Closing Fire Companies Over the Summer Weeks.

#12A CM  July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

8.       Petition of Kevin M. Ksen et al request City Council Public Safety Committee adopt written guidelines governing police department surveillance of labor unions, community groups, students and others involved in free speech activities.

#6 CC  January 29, 2002

          In Committee March 14, 2002 – held

          In Committee May 8, 2002 – held

          In Committee June 19, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

Speakers:

1.                 Susan Stepp, 45 Claridge Road, Worcester

2.                 Kevin Ksen, 5 Shawmut Street, Worcester

3.                 Ronal C. Madnick, 12 Pine Tree Drive, Worcester

4.                 Russell Chernin, 122 Lee Street, West Boylston

5.                 Stephen Fisher, 660 Main Street, Worcester

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Solicitor report to the City Council concerning the photographing of protestors in public places.

 

9.       Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Surveillance and Photographing the Public At-large.

          #20F CM  May 14, 2002

          In Committee June 19, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

10.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Photographing Protesters in Public Places.

          #16A CM  April 30, 2002

          In Committee May 8, 2002 – held

          In Committee June 19, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

11.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Seattle and San Francisco Ordinances relative to Photographing Protesters.

          #16F CM  May 14, 2002

          In Committee June 19, 2002-held

Recommend File

 

12.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Photographing Protesters in Public Spaces.

          #20E CM  May 14, 2002

          In Committee June 19, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

13.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Rights of Peaceful Demonstrators to Use Electronic Amplifying Devices.

#16B CM  May 28, 2002

Recommend File

 

14.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Proposed Policy for Photographing Protestors.

#19A CM  July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

15.     Relative to Information Collected under the State’s Sex Offender Registry.

          #20B CM  January 15, 2002

          In Committee March 14, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief forward to the City Council the total number of Worcester residents who have registered as level three sex offenders.

 

16.     Relative to the Number of Citations Issued in Most Recent Period Relative to Clearing Snow from Sidewalks.

          #20A CM  February 12, 2002

          In Committee March 14, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the police Chief request those police department personnel interacting on a regular basis with Crime Watch Groups consider becoming involved in encouraging residents/property owners in shoveling their sidewalks in compliance with the city ordinances.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager consider requesting WCCA include in their regular programming a public service notice encouraging residents/property owners to shovel their sidewalks in compliance with the city ordinances.

 

Speakers:

1.                 Barbara T. White, 38 Upland Gardens Drive, Worcester

2.                 Scott Babbitt, 7 Augusta Street, Worcester

 

17.     Relative to the Number of Vehicles Towed in Last Five Years.

          #20A CM  February 26, 2002

          In Committee March 14, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council the number of calls received at the Abandoned Car Hotline during calendar 2002 and the number of vehicles that were towed for that same period.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager update the City Council on the renewal of the towing contract including any language changes to same.

 

18.     Relative to the announcement that the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety has selected the Worcester Police Department to receive a live-scan fingerprinting unit under the National Criminal History Improvement Program’s Phase III of the Electronic Fingerprinting System Project. This live-scan unit is valued at approximately $60,000.00.

In City Council March 19, 2002 #20C CM Order Adopted with gratitude.

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only.

Recommend File

 

19.     Relative to Money Needed to Conduct a Gun Buy Back Program.

#20D CM  March 19, 2002

Recommend File

 

20.     Relative to Illegal Sale of Alcohol from Private Residence.

#20E CM  March 19, 2002

Recommend File

 

21.     Relative to Monitor and Enforce the Provisions of the Noise Control Ordinance.

          #20B CM  April 23, 2002

Recommend File

 

22.     Relative to Plan for Conducting Neighborhood Sweep.

#20A CM  April 30, 2002

Recommend File

 

23.     Relative to Additional Security Precautions.

#20A CM  May 14, 2002

Recommend File

 

24.     Relative to Malfunctioning Elevators at the Worcester Police Department.

#20D CM  May 14, 2002

Recommend File

 

25.     Relative to the Philosophy and Status of Community Policing in the City.

#20H CM  May 14, 2002

Recommend File

 

26.     Relative to Publishing Addresses of Persons Arrested.

#16A CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council any powers that police departments from other parts of the Commonwealth might exercise in the court system against landlords who house tenants facing charges of disturbing the peace.

 

27.     Relative to Staffing Level Needs for FY’03. (Police Department)

#20A CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

28.     Relative to Long Term Plans to replace Police Radios.

#20D CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a

report detailing the last several year’s expenditures of LLEBG funds for public

safety equipment.

 

29.             Relative to Policies and Procedures that trigger an investigation when an assault or bodily injury occurs.

          #19A CM  September 24, 2002

Recommend File

 

30.     Relative to Prostitution Related Arrests.

#19B CM  September 24, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief provide the City Council with updated figures concerning arrests for prostitution.

 

31.     Relative to Statistics for Worcester Residential Colleges and Universities by year.

#19C CM  September 24, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager update the City Council on college-aged arrests in the City of Worcester.

32.             Relative to Use of Auxiliary Police.

#20A CM  October 15, 2002

Recommend File

 

33.     Relative to Breaking and Entering Crimes.

#20D CM  October 29, 2002

Recommend File

 

34.     Relative to Public Information Officer.

#20A CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend File

 

35.     Relative to Amber Alert Type Program.

#20B CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend File

 

36.     Relative to Materials Provided to the Community Regarding Crime Prevention.

#20C CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend File

 

37.     Relative to Philosophy for Controlling Prostitution in the City of Worcester.

#20F CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend File

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

38.     Relative to Synopsis of Fire Department Vacation Schedule.

#13D CM  August 21, 2001

In Committee May 8, 2002 – held

Recommend Hold

 

39.     Relative to the “Assistance to Firefighter Program”.

#12B CM  September 18, 2001

In Committee May 8, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager contact Congressman McGovern to request that the City be informed where federal funds in the Assistance to Firefighters Program are being expended.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief provide the City Council with a comprehensive report stating what equipment has been purchased recently by and for the Worcester Fire Department in recent years with grant monies from federal, state and other funding sources.

 

40.     Relative to providing an Update on the Implementation of the Twenty-six recommendations of the Community Task Force on Abandoned Buildings.

#18A CM  November 20, 2001

In Committee February 11, 2002 - held

In Committee May 8, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration provide the City Council with an update of the actions taken citywide as a result of the powers granted to the Task Force on Abandoned Buildings under city ordinance.

 

41.     Relative to Webster Square Fire Station Traffic Light.

#7B CM  May 14, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief notify City Council when traffic signals are installed at both Greendale and Webster Street Fire Stations.

 

42.     Relative to Update on Computerization in the Fire Department.

#12A CM  June 11, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief update the City Council on the computerization needs of his department.

 

43.     Relative to an Update on Fire Station Closings during the summer of 2002.

          #12C CM  June 11, 2002

Recommend File

 

44.     Relative to Legislative Amendments of interest to the City of Worcester concerning the Fire Department.

#12D CM  June 11, 2002

Recommend File

 

45.     Relative to Number and Origin of Dormitory Fires Since 2000.

#12A CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

46.     Relative to Updated Chart on Accidental Fires.

#12B CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief provide the City Council with an updated chart on accidental fires.

 

47.     Relative to Types of Fires Reported in the First Quarter of 2002.

#12C CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief provide the City Council with a report detailing the types of fires for calendar 2002.

 

48.     Relative to In-Service Inspections.

#12B CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

49.     Relative to recognition given to our local fire fighters and community personnel.

#12C CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

50.     Relative to Recommendation Regarding Relocation of Central Fire Apparatus.

#12A CM  September 3, 2002

Recommend Hold

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief report to the City Council where fire stations might be placed if we were starting with a blank slate.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief provide the City Council with information concerning the timelines that will be adhered to in the event the Central Fire Station is deemed to be abandoned for commercial development.

 

51.     Relative to Funding Options for a Training Facility.

#12B CM  September 3, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration continue to pursue any types of grant monies to build a firefighter training facility in the City of Worcester.

 

52.     Relative to funds set aside to purchase safety related items for the Fire Dept.

#13A CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend File

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

53.             Relative to assessment centers.

          #14C CM  November 10, 1998

          In Committee April 5, 1999 – Held

Recommend Hold

 

54.     Relative to constable photos.

          #20C CM  March 20, 2001

Recommend File

 

55.     Request adoption of the resolution to file and accept an FY02 Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) United States Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

In City Council March 5, 2002 #18A CM Resolution Adopted.

In Committee for informational purposes only.

Recommend File

 

56.     Relative to the Executive Office of Neighborhood Services’ (EONS) assistance to citywide Neighborhood Crime Watch Groups and Neighborhood Associations.

#18H CM  February 12, 2002

In Committee March 14, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

57.     Regarding recommendations relative to the eligibility of CDBG funds for the boarding up and demolition programs.

#18A CM  November 13, 2001

In Committee February 11, 2002 - held

In Committee March 14, 2002 – held

Recommend File

 

58.     Request adoption of the resolution to file and accept a facial recognition and data capture demonstrations for Five Massachusetts Communities Grant from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office within the U.S. Department of Justice.

In City Council March 19, 2002 #18C CM  Resolution Adopted.

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only.

Recommend File

 

59.     Relative to the Abandoned Building Tracking System.

#18J CM  March 19, 2002

Recommend File

 

60.     Relative to the JAIBG (Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant) – funded Spartacus II Graduate Program.

#18C CM  April 2, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an update on the Spartacus II Graduate Program.

 

61.     Relative to the Expenditure of Funds Received by the City of Worcester in the Form of Domestic Preparedness Program Grant.

#18C CM  April 23, 2002

Recommend File

 

62.     Relative to the progress in obtaining grant funds under the FY’02 Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

#18G CM  April 23, 2002

Recommend File

 

63.     Request adoption of the Resolution to file and accept a Fiscal Year 2002 Grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service Special Volunteer Programs to Support Homeland Security.

In City Council April 23, 2002 #18I CM  Resolution Adopted.

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only.

Recommend File

 

64.     Relative to an award of $41,950.00 from the Governor’s Alliance Against Drugs for the FY’02 Abuse Resistance Education Program (DARE) Summer Day Program.

#18A CM  May 14, 2002

Recommend File

 

65.     Relative to a FY’01 Grant from the Corporation of National and Community Service Special Volunteer Programs to Support Homeland Security.

#18D CM  May 14, 2002

Recommend File

 

66.     Relative to Traffic Signals at the Webster Square and Greendale Fire Stations.

#57 CC  May 21, 2002

Recommend File

 

67.     Relative to Final Statistics regarding Neighborhood Sweeps.

#20B CM  May 28, 2002

Recommend File

 

68.     Relative to Towing Cars from Private Streets.

#16B CM  June 11, 2002

Recommend File

 

69.             Relative to an award of $125,250.00 from the Safety Programs Division for Worcester’s FY’03 Disproportionate Minority Confinement (DMC) Challenge Grant Program.

#18E CM  June 25, 2002

Recommend File

 

70.     Relative to Traffic Lights Automatically Change to Facilitate Exit of Fire Trucks from Fire Station.

#23G CM  July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

71.     Relative to Crime Watch Groups.

#17B CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

72.     Relative to Make Up of the Advisory Committee for the FY’02 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.

#17C CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend Hold

 

73.     Relative to U.S. Department of Justice Weed and Seed Program.

#17I CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend Hold

 

74.     Relative to FY’02 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.

#17E CM  September 10, 2002

Recommend File

 

75.     Relative to Nuclear Waste.

#10A CM  September 24, 2002

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager update the City Council on the efforts to object to the transportation of nuclear waste through the City of Worcester.

 

76.     Relative to an award from the Executive Office of Public Safety in the amount of $22,414.00 for the City of Worcester’s FY’02 Violence Against Women Program.

#17C CM  September 24, 2002

Recommend File

 

77.     Relative to the City’s Weed & Seed Official Recognition Application to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

#18B CM  October 29, 2002

Recommend Hold

 

78.     Relative to the Weed & Seed Program Selection Announcement.

#18E CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend Hold

 

79.     Relative to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety Programs Division FY03 Community Policing Grant.

#18G CM  November 12, 2002

Recommend File

 

80.     Relative to USEPA Grant for Water Supply Security.

#24E CM  December 3, 2002

Recommend File

 

81.     Relative to Certification/Emergency Management Committee (LEPC).

#11A CM  December 17, 2002

Recommend File

 

82.     Relative to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety Programs Division, FY 2003 Firefighter Public Safety Equipment Grant Program.

#18E CM  December 17, 2002

Recommend File