City Council - Public Safety Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY APPROVED 9-12-2017 MEMBERS PUBLIC SAFETY Robert J. Zygarowski, Chairman Frank Laflamme, Vice Chairman Jerry Roy Gary Labrie Shane Brooks MINUTES June 27, 2016 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Monday, June 27, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present Zygarowski, Laflamme, Labrie Members Absent Roy, Brooks Also Present Councilor Lamontagne, Councilor Krampits (arrived 6:18), Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Daniel Sullivan (Captain, Police Department) Meeting called to order at 6:10 PM In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 Communication from Police Department dated June 20, 2016 regarding Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $22,381. Captain Sullivan informed the committee of the following: The US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance has notified the Chicopee Police Department that we are eligible to receive a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) through their Programs Division. The eligible allocation amount for this jurisdiction is $22,381. A local match is not required for this grant. The JAG guidelines allow for the purchase of public safety equipment. The Chicopee Police Department would like to use the grant funds to purchase new Ballistic Helmets and Tactical Headsets with Integrated Digital Hearing Protection for our 1 Special Response Team (SRT). In addition, we would like to purchase extra patrol rifles for our patrol force. We anticipate that the allocation amount will cover the entire cost of our project. The high threat environment in which our Special Response Team (SRT) operates in necessitates the need for a ballistic helmet. Ballistic helmets offer protection against handgun bullets. The helmet that we would like to purchase is a high cut style helmet that accommodates tactical headsets. The tactical headset consists of rugged ear-cups combined with an attached microphone. The headset allows the officer to stealthily communicate with other SRT members, while the integrated digital hearing protection lets the officer hear everything around him and reduces harmful noises. Officers that are only armed with a handgun are at a severe disadvantage when faced with an adversary that is armed with a rifle or an assault rifle. The patrol rifle is capable of dealing with multiple assailants from longer distances and with greater accuracy when compared to a handgun. Motion made by Councilor Labrie and second by Councilor Laflamme to approve. Committee vote 3 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 Minutes – July 14, 2015. Motion made to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM. 2