Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 15, 2022 Meeting took place at 3:30 p.m. in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber, Laconia City Hall, 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia, New Hampshire 6/15/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Whittum called the meeting to Order at 3:32 pm. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman Whittum invited Adam Michalewicz to lead the Pledge of the Allegiance. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Executive Assistant Lori Marsh. 4. ROLL CALL 4.A. Chairman Whittum recognized Commissioners present - Chairman Douglas Whittum, Commissioner Frank Mello and Commissioner Scott Davis. 4.B. Chairman Whittum recognized Staff present - Chief Matthew Canfield. 4.C. Chairman Whittum recognized a quorum has been established and there are three Commission members present. 5. CITIZEN RECOGNITION - Adam Michalewicz Chairman Whittum recognized Commissioner Davis. Commissioner Davis explained an unfortunate situation involving a senior skip day that occurred at Ahern Park on Thursday, May 12th. He indicated he witnessed several hundred young people in the park along with a great amount of trash that day and, when he went back the next morning on May 13th, he was appalled to see how much trash was left behind. He also discovered Adam Michalewicz picking up trash. When he inquired of Adam if he was with a group or alone, Adam responded it was just himself. Commissioner Davis, on behalf of the Laconia Police Department, wished to commend Adam's initiative and is grateful and proud of his efforts as a Laconia High School graduate who just wanted to keep the area clean for others to use, as well as sending pictures and comments to the school district involved to make them aware. Adam advised he goes to the park all the time, as he does photography, and he was going there that day to take pictures of the sunset, where he was met with the trash left by the seniors. He said he was showing one of his friends who is from outside the area and wasn't pleased to show him this, so he decided to do something about it and went back the next morning to pick  and comments to the school district involved to make them aware. Adam advised he goes to the park all the time, as he does photography, and he was going there that day to take pictures of the sunset, where he was met with the trash left by the seniors. He said he was showing one of his friends who is from outside the area and wasn't pleased to show him this, so he decided to do something about it and went back the next morning to pick up. Commissioner Davis presented Adam with a Proclamation and Certificate of Award on behalf of the Laconia Police Commission and Laconia Police Department. 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS 6.A. Commendations & Awards No discussion. 6.B. Resignations/Retirement No discussion. 6.C. Promotions/Classification Change No discussion. 7. COMMAND STAFF REPORTS 7.A. Chief - Support Division Chief Canfield advised the following: They are in the final stages of equipping the emergency response trailer, which is ready for delivery; however, we are awaiting shelving for it. They are continually searching for grants and are currently working on a COPS Hiring Grant to cover one of the positions proposed in this year's budget. We have fared well in years past with the COPS hiring grant and hope to do the same this year. They area also working on a Micro Grant to supply some breaching tool equipment and some safety equipment to officers in response to an active shooter event. There was some learning points that we took away from the incident in Texas, so we are looking to proactively change what we do here and make adjustments in that area. The budget is at 86.54% through the year as of May 8th and trending just around $100,000.00 under budget. 7.A.i. Orders & Bulletins 7.B. Chief - Operations Division Chief Canfield advised the following: The summer schedule is in full swing and going full speed ahead through the summer and into the fall.  Chief Canfield advised the following: The summer schedule is in full swing and going full speed ahead through the summer and into the fall. We are In the midst of Laconia Motorcycle Week and wishes to point out a special thank you to Captain Finogle and Lieutenant Noyes, who did a vast majority of the Operational Plan, as well as all of our staff. This is a long planning process that starts at the beginning of the year and continues through the event. The first weekend was busy, but from a police perspective it was safe and uneventful. We hope the remaining days follow that same trend. They are in the planning phases for the Iron Man event in September. This is another large event that takes a lot of planning and months of preparation. They are also at the beginning stages of the July events and Pumpkinfest. Officers Shaheen and Cleary finished a mountain bike school. This mountain bike program is certainly a good tool, especially for uses during Motorcycle Week and makes our officers happy as well. Sergeant Cameron and Officer Hogan finished motorcycle school. Once their equipment is in, they will be able to ride the motorcycle, which will give us three riders. Commissioner Davis inquired about us having one motorcycle and Chief Canfield confirmed that we currently have one, but if our budget is approved we have money in there to purchase a second motorcycle. He advised we have always had two motorcycles in the past, but one was a lease vehicle that was not renewed last year. Our hopes are to get another one this budget year. Commissioner Davis inquired what other big summer events are scheduled, besides 4th of July. Chief Canfield advised just the weekends in the Weirs are busy until we hit Ironman, Pumpkinfest and a couple of events in the fall at Tower Hill. Commissioner Davis inquired when the Ironman takes place and Chief Canfield advised it has been moved to September. He advised that is a big event working with not only the owners, who are out-of-State, but we take the lead on the public safety planning part of it and then work with all of our law enforcement partners where the event passes through their town, so there is a lot in putting that together. 7.B.i. Hirings 8. COMMISSION ACTION 8.A. Acceptance of minutes from previous meeting On a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, and passed unanimously, the meeting minutes of May 18, 2022 were accepted with a few noted corrections. 9. REVIEW OF MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORTS 9.A. Department Monthly Highlights Chief Canfield reviewed the Department Monthly Highlights report. No further discussion. 9.B. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics Chief Canfield reviewed the Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics. No further discussion.  Chief Canfield reviewed the Department Monthly Highlights report. No further discussion. 9.B. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics Chief Canfield reviewed the Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics. No further discussion. 9.C. Budget Reports Chief Canfield advised the budget is looking good. Chairman Whittum noted historically the budget has always come in close to right on or under. Chief Canfield agreed and said we watch it pretty closely throughout the year. 9.D. Monthly Traffic Statistics Chief Canfield reviewed the Monthly Traffic Statistics. He noted in the last couple of years we were able to get a couple of speed radar signs, one of which is a digital readout board that has a radar in it, so we can display a message along with displaying the speed. They have been a tremendous help and we have used them a lot in the Lakeport area where the detour/construction is taking place, along with our other radar measurement tools. . Commissioner Davis inquired about any major motorcycle accident this year so far. Chief Canfield advised we haven't had any in Laconia; however, he is aware that Moultonborough had a fatal today and Holderness had one last night. He also is aware of another one on I-93 in Manchester where a motorcycle hit a guardrail. 10. CORRESPONDENCE TO/FROM THE DEPARTMENT Chief Canfield advised we received a really nice thank you letter from the Bristol Police Department for assistance by the Belknap Regional Accident Investigation Team. 11. CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Canfield reviewed the Overdose Statistics and advised the following: We received one community survey response on our website. The person was very happy with the police service delivered. The budget was presented to the City Council and we're hoping for approval of the 2023 budget at the end of this month. The Union Contract was approved by the City Council this past Monday night, which is a positive that we can put to rest and move forward. We are looking to move forward with the security perimeter fence around the police department. We have had numerous problems over the years with everything from people attempting to steal cruisers to tires being slashed, as well as a number of other things. We have been searching for funding opportunities to provide this fence and this year it was funded the City Council. That has gone out for bid and is slated to be installed at some point in August. Monday he attended a meeting with the Homeland Security Director regarding school safety and security. They spoke about the events in Texas and what happened there and preparedness in our schools here. This was a very beneficial meeting and, as a result, there is a Statewide call tomorrow that he will be on to speak about the results of the Governor's School Safety Task Force that he sat on, how the implementation went throughout the State, and talking about general school safety in New Hampshire schools. 12. OLD BUSINESS  tomorrow that he will be on to speak about the results of the Governor's School Safety Task Force that he sat on, how the implementation went throughout the State, and talking about general school safety in New Hampshire schools. 12. OLD BUSINESS No discussion. 13. NEW BUSINESS No discussion. 14. OTHER BUSINESS No discussion. 15. CITIZEN RECOGNITION - Jackson Grenier And Ian Kristoffersen Chief Canfield invited Jackson Grenier and Ian Kristoffersen to join him at the front. Chief Canfield advised that on August 30, 2021, Jackson and Ian found a firearm while playing in the woods. Upon finding this, Jackson and Ian went to an adult and reported what they found. Upon officer arrival, it was determined that a rusted 9mm Ruger firearm was found. This firearm was later determined to have been stolen. Chief Canfield advised Jackson and Ian should be commended for their actions, as they did not touch the firearm and notified an adult, which was the safest action. On behalf of the Laconia Police Department and the Laconia Police Commission, Chief Canfield presented Jackson and Ian with Certificates of Award for their actions. 16. CITIZEN COMMENTS Councilor Cheney inquired if there has been talk about purchasing the new motorcycle now, since the budget is about $100,000.00 under. Chief Canfield advised he will look into it. Councilor Cheney advised it concerns him that we only have one motorcycle and feels it would be good for the traffic unit also. He also stated he wishes to thank the Chief and department for the traffic surveys. He indicated we have had some complaints from the south end about serious speeding issues, which the Chief has been able to put to rest as a result of the survey. He indicated he has also had regular conversations with a gentleman from the Centenary Avenue area, who is worried about his grandchildren being run over by speeders and who indicated people are speeding at different times of the day. Councilor Cheney advised he has asked Chief Canfield to do another survey for that area, as well as possibly having the traffic unit spend some time up there. This gentleman wants the speed limit on Centenary Avenue reduced to 15 mph. He indicated he spoke with the City Manager and subsequently to the Public Works Director about any statutory provision and the Public Works Director advised him it was his belief that other than school zones, the State minimum speed limit is 25 mph, which is what it is currently on Centenary Avenue. He also told the gentleman that it didn't matter what we set the speed limit at if we didn't have enforcement and that is what he is hoping to see. He also advised he Intends to vote for the budget in two weeks. He hasn't heard any grounds for opposition and anticipate seeing an approved budget. 17. CONFIRMATION OF NEXT MEETING DATE  opposition and anticipate seeing an approved budget. 17. CONFIRMATION OF NEXT MEETING DATE The next Regular meeting date of July 20, 2022 was confirmed. 18. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According To RSA 91-A:3,II (A)) RSA 91-A:3II(a) - The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee, or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him/her, unless the employee affected (1) has the right to a meeting, (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted. On a Motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Mello, and passed unanimously, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3II(a), the Laconia Police Commission entered into Non-Public Session at 4:14 pm. Roll Call Vote to enter Non-Public Session: Chairman Douglas Whittum Yes Commissioner Frank Mello Yes Commissioner Scott Davis Yes At 4:43 pm, the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, with a unanimous vote. Public Session reconvened at 4:43 pm. 19. ADJOURNMENT On a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 4:44 pm.