PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

DECEMBER 8, 2003

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 5:35 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:30 p.m.

 

Present were:       Chairperson Councillor Michael C. Perotto

                             Councillor Michael C. Perotto

                             Councillor Barbara G. Haller

 

Also:                     City Manager Thomas R. Hoover

                             Police Chief Gerald J. Vizzo

                             Fire Chief Gerard A. Dio

                             District Fire Chief Timothy Gray

                             Budget Director John Pranckevicius

                             City Auditor James A. DelSignore

                             Director of Neighborhood Services Paul LaCava

                             Deputy Police Chief Carlo Genatossio

                             Local 1009 Vice President Donald Courtney

                             Local 1009 President Frank Raffa

                             Local 378 President Richard Cipro

                             Communications Director Kathy Henry

                             City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

Communications of the City Manager

 

1.       Relative to Requesting the Newspaper to Report Home and Worcester Address when Reporting Arrests.

#19C CM August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

2.       Relative to Police report on the area bordered by Main, West, Highland and Elm Streets from January 2002 to the present.

#19D CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

3.       Relative to Police Officers on Paid Detail also cite for traffic violations.

#19E CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

4.       Relative to Placing a Cap on Paid Detail for Police Officers.

#13A CM  August 20, 2002

Recommend File

 

5.       Relative to Options for Taking Authority over People Who are Taken into Protective Custody.

#20G CM  October 29, 2002

Recommend File

 

6.       Relative to Problems on Shrewsbury Street regarding Liquor Establishments.

#20H CM  December 3, 2002

Recommend File

 

7.       Relative to Water Safety Officer assigned to Indian Lake.

#20F CM December 17, 2002

Recommend File

 

8.       Relative to Noise by Watercrafts, Enforcement on Various Bodies of Water in Worcester and Agreement with the Town of Shrewsbury regarding enforcement on Lake Quinsigamond.

#20H CM December 17, 2002

Recommend File

 

9.       Relative to whether Worcester Police can enforce noise laws when patrolling Lake Quinsigamond.

          #19D CM October 14, 2003

Recommend File

 

10.     Relative to Status of Vandalism in the Beechmont St. Area.

#20A CM January 7, 2003

Recommend File

 

11.     Relative to Condition of Worcester Police Department Vehicles.

#20C CM February 11, 2003

Recommend File

 

12.     Relative to Results of Investigation into the More Recent Murders Recorded in the City of Worcester.

#20D CM February 11, 2003

Recommend File

 

13.     Relative to Addresses Where Drug Related Arrests were Made Within the Past 12 Months.

#20G CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

14.     Relative to Worcester Residents Registered as Level 3 Sex Offenders.

#20F CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

15.     Relative to Fourth Quarter Calendar Year 2002 Crime Statistics.

#20E CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

16.     Relative to the Community Services Unit.

#46 CC March 25, 2003

          In Committee April 2, 2003 - Held

Recommend File

 

17.     Relative to the Community Service Unit.

#20A CM April 1, 2003

Recommend File

 

18.     Relative to deployment of Police personnel.

          #20A CM April 29, 2003

Recommend File

 

19.     Relative to Standard Response Time to 911 Calls

     #19D CM June 17, 2003

Recommend File

 

20.     Relative to Updated Figures Concerning Arrests for Prostitution.

#20A CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

21.     Relative to Strategy to Significantly Reduce Prostitution.

#19E CM June 17, 2003

Recommend File

 

22.     Relative to complaint calls and arrests with regard to prostitution for 2003 by the month

#19A CM July 1, 2003

Recommend File

 

23.     Relative to arrests for prostitution that have occurred in Green Hill Park for a 6 month period.

#19B CM September 9, 2003

Recommend File

 

24.     Relative to number of arrests made with regard to prostitution by month for 2003.

#19C CM September 16, 2003

Recommend File

 

25.     Relative to a Report from the Joint Committee of the License Commission for the City of Worcester and Worcester Area Colleges.

#17A CM September 8, 1998

In Committee April 5, 1999 – Held

In Committee August 18, 1999 – Held

Recommend File

 

26.     Relative to Prevention & Education: Minors & Alcoholic Beverage Consumption.

#18A CM September 7, 1999

Recommend File

 

27.     Relative to copy of the Keg Law.

#20A CM September 28, 1999

Recommend File

 

28.     Relative to Owners of Properties Associated with the disturbances in the College Hill Area.

#19D CM July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

29.     Relative to Arrests – College Hill/Holy Cross.

#19F CM September 24, 2002

Recommend File

 

30.     Relative to Update on College-aged Arrests.

#20B CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

31.     Relative to update on College aged arrests.

#20C CM April 15, 2003

Recommend File

 

32.     Request adoption of an order relative to Police Mutual Aid Program.

#15C CM July 1, 2003

In Committee for informational purposes only.

Recommend File

 

33.     Relative to technical support for Laptop Computers in Police Vehicles

#19A CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

34.     Relative to cruisers supplied with Laptop Computers.

          #19B CM November 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

35.     Relative to police patrol at Green Hill Park.

#19E CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

36.     Relative to additional police coverage on Shrewsbury St.

#19F CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

37.     Relative to the number of arrests at 14 Shepard Street.

#19G CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

38.     Relative to shortage of support in the Bureau of Records at the Worcester Police Department.

#19I CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

39.     Request City Council adoption authorizing the filing of special legislation which would allow the City to use “Special Process Servers” in lieu of Police Officers in Housing Court enforcement actions.

          #15C CM September 16, 2003

Recommend Hold

 

40.     Relative to Candidates for the position of Chief of Police.

          #19D CM September 16, 2003

Recommend File

 

41.     Relative to cost to the city for responding to calls and complaints related to the PIP Shelter.

          #19B CM September 30, 2003

Recommend File

 

42.     Relative to crime statistics for the area surrounding the Public Inebriate Program.

          #19C CM November 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

43.     Relative to solutions & problem solving strategies dealing with urban crime.

          #19C CM September 30, 2003

Recommend File

 

44.     Relative to making an arrest on a civil warrant.

          #19D CM September 30, 2003

Recommend File

 

45.     Relative to recent shooting at vehicles on Fruit and Newbury Streets.

          #19B CM October 14, 2003

Recommend File

 

46.     Relative to the number of complaint calls and arrests made relative to several addresses in the City.

          #19C CM October 14, 2003

Recommend File

 

47.     Relative to addresses where arrests have occurred year to date in 2003.

          #19E CM October 14, 2003

Recommend File

 

48.     Relative to addresses where letters have been sent to property owners regarding the eviction of tenants arrested for certain crimes.

          #19F CM October 14, 2003

Recommend Hold

 

49.     Relative to level of staffing in the Traffic Division.

          #19A CM October 28, 2003

Recommend File

 

50.     Relative to the Worcester Police Department Canine Unit.

          #19B CM October 28, 2003

Recommend File

 

Communication of the City Auditor

 

51.     James Delsignore, City Auditor transmitting City of Worcester Police Salary Account Projection for Year ending June 30, 2004.

          #54 CC December 2, 2003

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager obtain from the State’s Community Policing funding agency stating on their letterhead their position regarding the appropriate use of community policing funds.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a copy of the November 23, 2003 Department of Justice letter and their response.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager consider the use of Community Development Block Grant funds for increased police presence in Crown Hill, Vernon Hill, Oak Hill and Grafton Hill neighborhoods.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Auditor provide the City Council with a monthly report concerning the Police Department.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief provide the City Council with his philosophy regarding community policing and how we are able to deploy officers to obtain the best results.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an update on the Weed and Seed program from a funding perspective.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Police Chief report to the City Council the process for assignment of paid detail work.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an update on condition of the vehicles owned and operated by the Worcester Police Department.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council how the public might access information regarding Level 2 sex offenders.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an update on the costs involved in responding to the PIP shelter.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Fire Chief provide the City Council with a report concerning structural fires in calendar 2003.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council intentions for re-use of the Brown Square Fire Station property.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council concerning a future request for funding for the construction of a new Fire Department training facility.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council the composition of the Local Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager consider using unexpended balances in the Community Development Block Grant for funding of the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager update the City Council on the funding for the Weed and Seed program and whether the City of Worcester provides any funds towards this program in addition to the federal funding.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an update on the Cutover Microwave Project.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

Communications of the City Manager

 

52.     Relative to Response to NIOSH report on the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Fire Report.

#13A CM October 17, 2000

In Committee November 9, 2000 - Held

In Committee May 8, 2002 – Held

Recommend File

 

53.     Relative to the NIOSH report.

#13B CM October 17, 2000

In Committee November 9, 2000 - Held

In Committee May 8, 2002 – Held

Recommend File

 

54.     Relative to completed report from the Fire Study Task Force which was established in August of 2000 to look at ways of implementing the recommendation of the TriData Corporation Study of the Worcester Fire Department.

#12D CM May 29, 2001

In Committee May 8, 2002 – Held

Recommend File

 

55.     Relative to synopsis of Fire Department vacation schedule.

#13D CM August 21, 2001

In Committee May 8, 2002 – Held

In Committee January 15, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

56.     Relative to Recommendation Regarding Relocation of Central Street Fire Apparatus.

#12A CM September 3, 2002

In Committee January 15, 2003 – Held

In Committee March 10, 2003 - Held

Recommend File

 

57.     Relative to the feasibility of placing a new fire station on Franklin Street adjacent to the site of the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse tragedy.

#13A CM January 28, 2003

          In Committee March 10, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

Councillor Perotto was recused from participating on this item on a roll call of 2-0.

 

58.     Relative to potential cost of construction of a new three tier fire station.

          #13C CM April 29, 2003

Recommend File

 

59.     Relative to projected increase in the number of runs in the event the Central St. facility is closed.

          #13B CM May 20, 2003

Recommend File

 

60.     Relative to Investigated Structure Fires – Year 2002.

#13A CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

61.     Relative to Updated Chart on Accidental Fires.

#13B CM February 25, 2003

Recommend File

 

62.     Relative to the City’s actions to prevent a tragedy such as the recent fire in Rhode Island.

#30B CM March 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

63.     Relative to Station Needs.

#13A CM April 15, 2003

Recommend File

 

64.     Relative to equipment purchased recently by and for the Worcester Fire Department.

          #13C CM May 20, 2003

Recommend File

 

65.     Relative to implementing light rescue vehicles.

          #13E CM May 20, 2003

Recommend File

 

66.     Relative to Fire Companies Closing during the summer months.

          #13B CM September 9, 2003

Recommend File

 

67.     Relative to cost for computers for the Fire Department.

          #13A CM October 28, 2003

Recommend File

 

LLEBG GRANTS/AWARDS

 

Communications of the City Manager

 

68.     Relative to the HUD requirements for CDBG and LLEBG grants as related to using these funds to cover salaries and the planned use for prior years’ CDBG unexpended balances.

#17E CM July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

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

#17C CM August 20, 2002

In Committee January 15, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

70.     Relative to FY’03 Local Law Enforcement Public Safety Equipment Grant Award to the City of Worcester in the amount of $108,000.00 from the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety.

#18B CM January 7, 2003

Recommend File

 

71.     Relative to the City’s usage of our LLEBG Funds.

          #5A CM April 29, 2003

Recommend File

 

72.     Relative to the recidivism rate of youth that have utilized the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant.

#17C CM July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

73.     Relative to FY’03 Firefighter Public Safety Equipment Grant Award to the City of Worcester in the amount of $102,000.00 from the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety.

#18A CM January 7, 2003

Recommend File

 

74.     Relative to Grant Monies to Build a Firefighter Training Facility in the City.

#13B CM March 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

75.     Relative to CDBG funding for a new fire station.

          #18E CM April 29, 2003

Recommend File

 

76.     Relative to assistance to Firefighters Programs.

          #13A CM April 29, 2003

Recommend File

 

77.     Relative to grants awarded to the Fire Department.

          #13D CM   May 20, 2003

Recommend File

 

78.     Relative to Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program.

#18C CM April 29, 2003

Recommend File

 

79.     Relative to the City’s receipt of two funding awards in the amount of $45,053.00 (for Worcester’s Adult Project Turnaround) and $29,750.00 (for the Youth Project Turnaround) under the Safe Neighborhood Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety.

#17C CM July 1, 2003

Recommend File

 

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

#17I CM August 20, 2002

In Committee January 15, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

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

#18B CM October 29, 2002

In Committee January 15, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

82.     Relative to the Weed and Seed Program Selection Announcement.

#18E CM November 12, 2002

In Committee January 15, 2003 – Held

Recommend File

 

83.     Relative to Weed & Seed Initiative.

#18A CM February 11, 2003

Recommend File

 

84.     Relative to the City of Worcester’s official recognition as a Weed and Seed Site.

          #17I CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

85.     Relative to FY’03 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Process.

          #17E CM September 9, 2003

Recommend File

 

86.     Relative to the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) public hearings.

          #17I CM November 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

 

Communications of the City Manager

 

87.     Relative to Prioritizing Calls of the Communications Department.

#6A CM July 16, 2002

Recommend File

 

88.     Relative to Communications Department March 8, 2003 Cutover Microwave Project.

#7A CM March 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

89.     Relative to Cutover Microwave Project.

     #7A CM April 1, 2003

Recommend File

 

90.     Relative to Number of Calls to the Complaint Line (799-8606) by the month.

          #7A CM June 17, 2003

Recommend File

 

91.     Relative to Communication Default Calls.

#7A CM July 1, 2003

Recommend File

 

92.     Relative to monthly report on the categories of complaints made on Complaint Line.

          #19A CM September 16, 2003

Recommend File

 

93.     Relative to October 2003 – Monthly report on the categories of complaints made on complaint line.

          #19I CM November 18, 2003

Recommend File

 

Report

 

94.     Report of the Committee on Commerce & Development Upon the Petition of Thomas W. Wharton request the City Council prepare a series of recommendations to the City Manager and his administration to develop a telecommunications master plan within 120 days.

In City Council September 18, 2001 #51 CC Order adopted

Referred to Public Safety Committee for informational purposes only

In Committee March 14, 2002 – Held

Recommend File