Public Safety Minutes 2004 08-26-04 Page 1 of 7
APPROVED 12/9/04
WITH CORRECTIONS
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Thursday,August 26,2004
6:30 PM
City Conference Room
In Attendance:
Chairman Alderman Kot
Alderman James
Alderwoman Ohare
Alderwoman Spears
Mayor Prochaska
Police Chief Harold Martin
Guests:
Officer Jonathon Helland-City of Yorkville
Barbara J. Dettmer-City of Yorkville, Dept of Bldg Safety
W A Dettmer-City of Yorkville,Bldg Dept
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 pm.
Approval/Correction of Minutes: July 22,2004: The committee approved the minutes
as amended.
Police Reports—July 2004: Chief Martin stated that the Department is now going to be
doing an informational sheet every month for training to give a better picture of what
direction the Department is going and where the money is being spent.
Alderwoman Ohare pointed out that there was a considerable amount of increase in the
amount of pages in the report. Chief Martin stated there were a lot of reports made in
July. He stated now there is 1,405 reports to date and last year they had only 1,650
reports for the year.
Alderman Kot stated there was an increase in burglaries on the incident reports for
offenses, he questioned if there was anything major going on in the community. Chief
Martin replied that most of the burglaries are to vehicles, and all but one of the vehicles
was unlocked. The officers are patrolling constantly to keep an eye on that issue. They
did have an increase in overtime with investigating due to a burglary that occurred at
Unified Supply. They are still exploring the case and have a couple of suspects. The
offenders did damage to vehicles inside the building that were unlocked along with
trashing some offices. Chief Martin noted that there was also a burglary at an Antique
place in the City, but the owners did not allow the police to process the scene due to the
dust they used. This caused the police to not collect any more information.
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Alderwoman Spears stated public complaints increased as well. Chief Martin stated most
complaints were regarding either dogs,ATVs,or the miniature motorized scooters. Chief
Martin stated one of the Officers had to give a ticket to a young man who had been
warned numerous times for riding on the street.
Chief Martin went over the Leads Report explaining that the Department successfully
passed the Audit done by the Leads Agency as far as the Department complying with the
rules and regulations. Sergeant Diederich is in charge of these compliances being
followed and had every thing in place for the audit. Out of 30 rules,the Department only
had 16 that applied to them and all were in compliance. Chief Martin gave praise to
Sergeant Diederich for doing such a good job keeping the Department in line.
Chief Martin pointed out a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice giving the
Department a thank-you for having there canine involved in a previous search done in
Cook County. Officer Andrew Jeleniewski was involved in the search done in the
Lansing area.
The Department also received a thank-you from the Yorkville Citizens Police Academy
for hosting the Pork Chop Fundraiser.
The City of Plano sent a thank-you for letting them use the Dare car and being in the
Sesquicentennial parade on June 26, 2004.
Chief Martin went over a letter he sent to Officer Barry Groesch for his involvement with
the Educator's Police Academy and the Neighborhood Watch Program. Chief Martin
stated had congratulated him for continuing to work so well in these areas. Chief Martin
included news clippings that spoke about the good work they are doing.
Chief Martin stated in the clippings it was shown that Officer Delaney had read at the
Library to the kids.
Chief Martin stated that the Department did put out the advertisement for the position of
a full time Records Clerk. He stated that the internal posting led the part time clerk to
apply and passed the testing and requirements. The Department hired her on as of
August 16, 2004. The Department will now put out a posting for her previous position of
a part time records clerk. Chief Martin stated that they require 50 wpm typing skills with
2years experience and 60 credit hours of college in that area. The Committee moved to
send to COW on 9/7/04.
Fire Works Ordinance: Alderman Kot invited guest speaker Mr. Dettmer to speak
regarding this issue.
Mr. Dettmer started by stating approximately 2 years ago he came before this Committee
suggesting to the City to prohibit the sale of fireworks in the community. Sergeant
Diederich and Mr. Dettmer are the ones who have been in charge of going out to the tents
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that sell in the City. He is approaching the Committee again to prohibit the sales of
fireworks in the City due to the hazards both the Officer and him are seeing.
Mr. Dettmer stated that the standard has been changed that they have to use a United
Nations standard as a basis of weight in explosives. The standard that is set for fireworks
is 1.4grams/ 1.3 grams in checking each box. He stated the boxes are no longer written
in Chinese and they are marked with the new standards in mind.
As Sergeant Diederich and him started developing there inspection technique and going
thru every single package,he pointed out that they found over 50%of the items the City
told the vendors they could not sell were found. Mr. Dettmer passed around pictures of
the products found at the tents that were not allowed by the City of Yorkville to be sold.
He added that the vendors kept trying to pull more things on them.
Mr. Dettmer stated that it is known that approximately 24,000 fires are started by
fireworks outside and there are approximately 8,000 injuries when dealing with
fireworks. Most of these injuries happen to children. He pointed out to the Committee
that a fountain firework burns at approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mr. Dettmer explained that as they package these items they are coming in with a higher
explosive value to them. He went over that this past season there were two tents up and
one of them opened without following the rules. The Sergeant and Mr. Dettmer do
everything methodical to do everything identical to make it fair for all. They had to close
the tent down at that point and found in the tent they were selling numerous items not
allowed.
Mr. Dettmer explained that by being a building inspector he is involved in this area due
to his military experience with explosives and having been in the fire service.
He stated the policing over the tents and the sale of fireworks is a constant for the City by
allowing these sales. The Police Department had to do constant patrolling as well. Mr.
Dettmer stated that this previous season they even had to speak with one Vendor's
Attorney. When they explained the City's position,the Attorney agreed to listen and help
in the removal of the restricted fireworks.
He explained to the Committee the eagerness for these Vendors to sell restricted
fireworks. If they get those thru,the City will end up dealing with the Court end if there
are any injuries. Most other Communities do not allow the sale of any fireworks for
these safety issues. Mr. Dettmer offered his time to the City to help in setting up the law
to prohibit these sales any longer.
The Committee agreed that there is no need for the City to allow the sale of fireworks any
where due to the safety and the constant policing necessary to handle correctly. They
asked that this new ordinance be ready by the next Public Safety Committee Meeting to
be approved.
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The Committee questioned Chief Martin on how the Law works with people getting the
fireworks elsewhere and bringing them into the community. Chief Martin replied that the
Law allows people to possess them, they just cannot use them.
DARE 2003/2004 Survey: Chief Martin stated that the Department had received the
results and the kids were mostly positive about the program The kids involved are
Kindergarten, 3`d, 5d', and 7d'grades. Alderwoman Spears questioned why the program is
not run in the High School grades. Chief Martin stated it was due to funding issues, but
the Department is just glad to have it running so well in the lower grades. Alderman Kot
added that with the lack of funding,he understands why the program is losing interest.
He urged Chief Martin to keep the citizens informed on how the program is going for the
youth. Chief Martin agreed to this important issue of showing the public that the City is
behind it.
Chief Martin also stated that they located a class for one of the new Officers to attend.
The class will be in Springfield Missouri and will be an 80 hour class. They have to go
so far for classes due to the State of Illinois having stopped funding for training.
Police Cadet Update: Officer Helland approached the Committee to discuss the policy
and procedure for running a Cadet program in Yorkville. The policy mirrors Aurora's
policy which has been running well since 1997.
He also did a breakdown of how much it will cost the City to outfit a Cadet. The cost
will be approximately$750.00 which is more than half the cost of a normal Officer. The
City will have all items returned upon any Cadet leaving the program as well.
Chief Martin stated they will only start with having one Cadet until the City has more of
a need with the work load.
Officer Helland informed the Committee that the Cadet will go for 2-3 years, due to the
Cadet being required to be attending College full time while in the program The policy
states the Cadet will have to attend Waubonsie Community College so that the Cadet
does not have to spend time on travel more than necessary.
Alderman Kot asked if the Labor Attorney had a chance to review the Policy and
Procedures yet. Chief Martin stated that it is still in the infant stages to get this program
running. Chief Martin also stated they are looking to get the program going by the next
budget year. Officer Helland thought the only timing issue will be the budget year with
the School semester beginning.
The Committee all approved this process to continue and urged Officer Helland to have
the Attorney look over and approve the policy by the next Public Safety Meeting.
Neighborhood Watch Update: Chief Martin stated this is regarding Media information
out of the newspaper and block parties that have happened as an FYI for the Committee.
He continued by saying that the Riverfront block party will move forward. Chief Martin
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also said that the Fox Hill neighborhood is moving along. The Department has tried to
break the groups down into smaller numbers to help them work easier. Chief Martin
thought there are approximately 10-12 groups running now.
Business Registration/False Alarm Ordinance: Chief Martin opened discussion with
showing the committee different packets from other Communities as far as their business
registration and how they handle False Alarms on there buildings or homes.
Chief Martin stated that it is not unusual for the Department to handle 3 or 4 alarms to go
off on one shift. The examples provided show the Committee the different fees other
local Communities charge after so many different False Alarms go off at one place. With
the fees in place,people tend to fix the problems that caused the False Alarm faster to
save the Police and/or Fire Department time and money from going out when not needed.
Chief Martin spoke to the Committee regarding how big of an issue it is with the constant
calls to the School with alarms always being set off. The Department will look into
talking to the School Board to help resolve this issue and work it out.
The Committee asked Chief Martin to look back six months to chart how many False
Alarms have occurred to show the Committee how much money could come into the City
from setting up fees and to show how much time and money has already been spent on
False Alarms.
Chief Martin will have this information ready for the next Public Safety Meeting, as well
as having a draft of an ordinance for Residential & Business for the False Alarms.
K-9 Dog Run: Chief Martin went over the memo on the Proposal for an outside Canine
dog run for when they need to be out of the vehicles. The proposal from McCoy
Construction Co. is estimating the cost to be not more than$2,760.00 for a IN x 14ft
run.
The Committee questioned if funds were available at this time. Mayor Prochaska stated
that the Moose was just inquiring what they could donate money to the City for. He felt
this would be the perfect project for that. It was also suggested to write a letter to the FBI
for assistance. Chief Martin will look into the donations and bring back the results to the
Committee at the next meeting with the results.
The Committee will send this to 9/7/04 COW as a FYI that they are contingent as long as
funding is found.
FBI Academy Attendance: Chief Martin informed the Committee that he was invited
by the Supervisor out of the Chicago FBI Office to attend the Academy in July for 10-11
weeks in Quantico, Virginia.
The Committee thought this is a great compliment for the Chief and a great opportunity
for the City to have a Chief with such intense training in charge of the Department. The
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Academy is offering Chief Martin Master's Level Training which will specialize in
higher command personnel.
Chief Martin stated there is no guarantee he will be able to attend, but with the
Committee's strong approval will try to move forward and attend.
Additional Business:
• Alderwoman Spears stated she had received a complaint regarding the sidewalk
that runs high above the west side of Rt 47 just south of the river. The citizen
found it was crumbling every where and felt quite uneven, especially trying to
push the stroller. Mayor Prochaska suggested putting a call into IDOT explaining
how unsafe it is for the citizens.
• Chief Martin informed the Committee about a Breakfast with the Seniors he had
attended along with four of the other Officers. There were 50-60 seniors there
and it was a great event.
• Alderman Kot questioned if the Culvert grate had been installed yet. Chief
Martin stated he will find out if Eric Dhuse had that complete.
• Alderman Kot questioned if there was any thing ready to continue with the Liquor
Ordinance yet. Mayor Prochaska stated that Chief Martin and he had met with
Dan&Kelly last Friday to have them put together some information by the next
meeting.
• Alderman Kot also stated he spoke with Officer Groesch about having the State
come in and doing an Anti-Drug presentation. He asked Chief Martin if he had
received any update about that. Chief Martin stated it was moving along well but
not for sure. Alderman Kot stated that he had spoken to the School and they had
talked about tying it in with the mandatory requirement with doing extracurricular
activities at school. If it is to happen this fall, Mr. Kot would like to move
forward quickly.
• Mayor Prochaska brought up the issue of why the speed limit is 55mph out west
of Cannonball, yet Oswego has a 40mph limit with a four lane road with few
driveways. Chief Martin will put a call into IDOT to find out how Oswego
qualified for that low speed limit.
• Mayor Prochaska also stated that in the paper it was run that the City did run a
liquor sting and the City did have 3 sales go thru that are being dealt with.
• Chief Martin added that in the paper today was a call from the Police Department
asking the Trucks to slow down or else there will be consequences.
The Committee discussed on having the next meeting October 7, 2004 to set up there
meetings for the first Thursday of the month. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58pm.
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Minutes by: Sheila Teausaw
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