United City of Yorkville Public Safety Committee met May 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Note: This meeting was held in accordance with Public Act 101-0640 and Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor Pritzker pursuant to the powers vested in the Governor under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, The United City of Yorkville is encouraging social distancing by allowing remote attendance at the Public Safety Committee meeting.
In Attendance:
Chairman Dan Transier/electronic attendance
Alderman Seaver Tarulis/in-person
Alderman Craig Soling/in-person
Absent: Alderman Marek (attending Public Works meeting)
Other City Officials in Attendance:
Police Chief Jim Jensen/in-person
Others in Attendance: None
The meeting was called to order at 6:02pm by Chairman Dan Transier.
Citizen Comments: None
Minutes for Correction/Approval: March 3, 2022
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business:
1. PS 2022-13 Monthly Reports Review for February 2022 - March 2022 Chief Jensen reported on February overtime, participation in Special Olympics, Valor Awards given at a City Council meeting and a Facebook post about a high school altercation. The Department honored a trooper on the anniversary of his death--he was on duty at the time of death. His son is a Yorkville police officer. Chief Jensen said significant time was spent on recruiting in February. He said last year there were over 100 applications and only 50 this year. He also reported on training hours, Part I and II crimes, the areas of traffic focus and he said written citations increased. Crisis intervention calls were down from 2021 and overall, incidents were down from February last year.
In March, there were reimbursed overtime hours, Polar Plunge participation and a focus on Facebook posts. Officer Goldsmith was recognized for his assistance with a program at the intermediate school. Facebook posts were started in March for Autism Awareness month in April. Chief Jensen said there were also several lost dog posts. Alderman Tarulis commented that the police response for lost dogs is much improved over several years ago when he received complaints that police did not respond well for these calls. There were 396 hours of training and many traffic stops for speeding on the major roads. Alderman Soling asked if the stops were in the morning or afternoon and he said he receives many calls about speeding violations on Rt. 34. Information about the time of day was not available, though Chief Jensen said many are during the rush hours. Chairman Transier asked if the cars can be towed if the tickets are written as misdemeanors and Chief Jensen will research.
Alderman Soling asked about fraud cases such as bank accounts being compromised. The Chief said most of the cases involve out-of-state or out-of-country fraudsters. Mr. Soling also thanked the Chief for assistance with installation of a stop sign at Pleasure and Sunset. Alderman Soling said high school students cut through the subdivision to avoid Game Farm Road and there is a blind corner at Sunset causing near miss accidents.
Also in March, many background investigations were done for liquor licenses. The Chief reported on Part I and II crimes, both down from last year, while crisis intervention calls were up from February.
2. PS 2022-14 Adjudication Reports for March and April 2022
Chief Jensen said in March, there were several parking tickets written after a 2-inch snowfall. Public Works is unable to plow when cars are parked on the street. Most were found liable with two dismissed. There was also a Disorderly Conduct at the Middle school and an alcohol sales to minor in April.
3. PS 2022-15 Fiscal Year 2023 Hiring Update
The Chief thanked the Committee/Council for approving a 33rd officer--they are at 31 now. He shared the numbers for persons who applied and tested for officer positions and noted the low number of applications here and across the country. The Chief said other departments are offering higher salaries and also signing bonuses to attract candidates and Yorkville cannot compete with that. He is also considering a lateral movement program. He said plans for future retirements should be starting now and he will present a plan for consideration.
Alderman Soling asked about part-time officers as a solution. The Chief said they have a part time program, but no hours for it because of all the training requirements. There is also a liability. There are 3 Community Service Officers who work special events and are called in during snow days. An existing Citizens Police Academy Program has many participants who are now older and leaving the program. He hopes to start another one.
4. PS 2022-16 License Plate Recognition Update
Chief Jensen said this topic is somewhat controversial. Yorkville voted no regarding the license plate recognition (LPR) system, but other towns covered in the multi-jurisdictional KenCom dispatch center voted for the system. The system is operational, however, Yorkville chose to not have cameras in the city. If a major crime occurred that could be solved by using the system, Yorkville would have a choice to use the LPR. It would only be used for serious felony crimes and must be authorized by the command staff. The Detective Sergeant could be given access with the permission of the command staff, however, the patrol officers will not have access.
When access is granted, a reason code must be given and the reasons will be audited every 60 days.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement must be signed in order to retrieve data when needed. The Chief requested permission from the committee and Council for approval. Alderman Tarulis said he has mixed feelings, but added that it is a tool and he will approve using it. Other committee members were OK with approving it as well and this will move to the consent agenda.
5. PS 2022-17 Community Emergency Services and Support Act & 988 Illinois Suicide Prevention Hotline Update
The 9-8-8 and CESSA programs are two separate entities. The 9-8-8 is similar to 9-1-1 and is a suicide prevention hotline to provide mental health support, guidance and resources. The program was mandated by the state and some funds have already been diverted from the 9-1-1 surcharge. The Chief predicts the KenCom fees might be increasing because of this diversion.
CESSA is a mental health response team that will respond, instead of police, to calls for mental health assistance. If someone calls 9-1-1, that operator will be trained to ask the appropriate questions to determine the caller's needs and who should handle the call. The CESSA Act does not want police responding unless there is a threat. There is currently a mental health team in place in Kane County funded by a state grant and they are responding to multiple calls each days.
Chief Jensen said his department had 144 mental health calls last year and 94-96 commitals. He said the police department and other emergency responding agencies are seeking more information since this was to have taken effect July 1, but has been pushed back to the end of the year
Alderman Soling noted that officers have typically responded to EMS calls or fire department calls. If it is determined that intervention is needed, all personnel need to know what action is should be taken. Much more information is needed at this time.
Old Business: None
Additional Business: None
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 6:49pm.
https://www.yorkville.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4674
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