CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Safety Committee Meeting | Wednesday, October 20, 2021 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:36 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:19 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey | | Vice Chairperson Sarai Rivera | | Councilor Donna M Colorio |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Donna M Colorio | | | | | Also: | Deputy Police Chief Paul Saucier
Police Chief Steven M. Sargent
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
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| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may join us directly within the Esther Howland (South) Chamber, follow the below link to join via the WebEx application or dial the direct line as indicated. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user you may dial *3. - Phone Number: 415-655-0001, Access Code: 2306 691 0739.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=e10f4d8c5730bad1c5035fdc18bb2fc6c | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Sean Libbey, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4c | |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Safety hereby approves the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting on September 27, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted. | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication regarding a virtual Opportunity Fair established by the Worcester Police Department and Human Resources.
# 9.3A CM March 16, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief, who discussed the process for conducting a virtual Opportunity Fair for the Worcester Police Department, including holding such fairs after the city’s school years.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the effect COVID-19 had on the fair with the Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed the increase in minority populations taking the Police Exam with the Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program.
# 10.11A CM September 22, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved to take the item up with item #4a.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the Police Chief, who discussed the individuals that expressed interest in joining the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed the importance of reaching out to the city’s colleges for additional individuals to join the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the number of individuals that expressed interest in joining the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program, as well as the background checks used to determine successful candidates with the Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an update concerning the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program once the program is passed by the State Legislature.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the collaborative effort that was undertaken to create the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program with the Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the items be placed on file.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with an update concerning the Worcester Police Department Cadet Program once the program is finalized. | |
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| | | 4a. | Resolution of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to implement a paid cadet program in both the police and fire departments, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.
# 16l CC March 2, 2021
In Committee April 28, 2021
| Attachments | | | In Committee for informational purposes only | | |
| | | | | | Recommend File (See Item #3b) | |
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| | | 4b. | Resolution of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to delay any body camera program until after the Commonwealth issues statewide standards for the purchase and use of body-worn cameras, along with the recommendation that the Human Rights Commission and Worcester Police Department hold at least five public listening sessions to discuss the program and its impact.
# 16h CC March 2, 2021 | Attachments | | | In Committee for informational purposes only | | |
| | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with report concerning the findings from the five listening sessions on body-worn cameras.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the Police Chief, who discussed the community input provided during the listening sessions relative to the use of born-worn cameras for police officers.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with report concerning the findings from the five listening sessions on body-worn cameras. | |
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| | | 4c. | Petition of Sean Libbey request City Council address issues concerning bikes and motor bikes taking up the entire street.
# 9g CC October 12, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief, who discussed issues relative to bikes and motor bikes taking up the entire street, as well as the current protocols utilized by the Police Department to address the issue.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey discussed the available options for residents to call in information about illegal bike and motor bike usage with the Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager include information relative to reporting illegal bike and motor bike activity on the city’s Facebook page.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the items be placed on file.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager include information relative to reporting illegal bike and motor bike activity on the city’s Facebook page. | |
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