Public Safety Commission

MIDDLETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT City of Middletown 222 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 860.638.4100 FAX 860.638.4104 Jessica.dipasquale@middletownct.gov PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, December 18th, 2023 Hybrid/In-person Meeting at Middletown Police Department 1. Chairman Ford Calls Meeting to Order at 7:02PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilman Darnell Ford, Chairman Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney Councilman Gennaro STAFF PRESENT: Chief Erik Costa MEMBERS/STAFF ABSENT: Rich Davis – Deputy Chief of Police Fire Chief Jay Woron 2. Approval of Minutes – November 20th, 2023 Councilman Ford made a motion to approve the PSC Minutes for November 20th, 2023 as Councilwoman Salafia so moved, seconded by Councilwoman Sweeney. There being no further discussion or objection, Motion passed. 3. Public Hearing – Matters on the Agenda Only Lynette Lockhart: 38 Preston Ave: Wanted to touch base with where you stand with what is going on with Country Club Road and Preston Ave. Liz Crooks: 125 Preston Ave; Still concerned about Country Club and Preston Ave. They are a cut through every time there is congestion on 91. Cars fly down. There’s kids getting on the bus. Datco is using a small van, she puts on her flashers and cars still blow right by her as kids are getting on the van. Per Liz, the police do not have a budget for traffic stops etc., but with the amount of tickets they could issue in these areas would be there entire budget with all those who speed through.  Chief Costa asked for a van description, Liz answered it was a minivan that you would see privately, with signs that say carrying school children. Sandy: 205 Preston Ave; Concerned about the traffic and speed of traffic. Mostly concerned about tractor trailer trucks. There is not enough room for two vehicles, especially a tractor trailer. Can the city send letters to Estes, Suzio’s, Fed Ex, Trash recycling etc. to stay off street? What is the status of the no through trucks or local traffic only signs? The police have been out two times, parked in the top of her driveway since the last meeting. Hasn’t seen any since a week after the last meeting. She is expecting police in the area when 91 is congested and during commuting hours. Councilman Ford made a motion move up Agenda Item 7 so we could answer the public’s questions. Councilman Gennaro seconded the motion, the motion was approved. 7. Traffic Concerns Chief Costa reported;  Preston Ave and Country Club Road concerns o He met with highway director and public works in re to initiatives to do traffic studies o Sent a letter to Meriden public works and Police chief to meet with them to talk about Thurrott side of Preston Ave. Submitted a request for No Through Trucks signage that start in Meriden (Road) that turns into Preston. We have submitted for the Preston Ave side as well. o We do not have the legal right to limit Tractor Trailer use right now, but will send out letters once we have concrete answers from studies. o We are putting together a study to put stop signs at the intersection of Higby at Country Club Road and Atkins. o Traffic stops have increased by 70 since last meeting, most on Country Club Road and Preston. o Budget does allow for OT if this continues to be a problem. o A letter was sent to the commission in regards to this issue and next steps.  Councilman Ford expressed concerns for school children during pickup and drop-off; is there anything we can do to have a presence during that time? o Chief Costa answered; Officer Zadjura has been out there, we have an early car in that area, but calls do come into that area that will pull the officers away. Chief will continue with this initiative and will hire OT if needed.  Councilman Ford asked if anything has been said to the bus companies yet? o Chief Costa answered; No, and he doesn’t think we should. We do not want to tell companies they can’t pass through, when they are able to. There are a lot of delivery trucks delivering to facilities. Maybe put letters out to the companies to try to look for alternate routes but it will be tough because its commerce. o He will follow up with bus companies to see what they are noticing and how can we collaborate with them.  Councilman Ford asked for a timeline on the studies. o Chief Costa advised the stop sign study should be quick. He will talk to Howard Weissberg and Public Works.  Lynette Lockhart asked if there is anyone they should be contacting specifically in the PD. o Chief: Office of the Chief of Police 860-638-4100 o For increased traffic call dispatch, they’ll connect with patrol supervisor 4. Correspondence a. Officer’s Accolades Chief Costa reported;  We received correspondence from Councilman/Council President Gene Nocera and Councilwoman Salafia (minority leader) thanking us for our response to the changeover in Common Council, for being present in the swearing in ceremonies as well as meetings for the boards. 5. Monthly Reports a. Overtime Balances Chief Costa reported;  ***None*** b. Community Reports & Incident Statistics Reports Chief Costa reported on Incident Reports;  2,664 calls for service – November, down about 201 calls from last month  Criminal investigations decreased as well  37 in custody arrests, last month 64  147 motor vehicle accidents – November, 1 Fatality. October was 65  208 Motor vehicle stops, up 69 from October  DUI arrest, increased  Narcotics arrest increased  Ordered in 88 officers including Sergeants and patrolman, 308 hours of OT Chief Costa reported on Community Reports;  Active in “Holiday on Main o Chief read to children at RJ Julia Bookstore  Attended CT Police Chiefs Association traffic safety commission, he is a committee member o Camera enforcement and approvals that are necessary  Multi lock down drills throughout all schools, private and public  Domestic homicide, 2 fatalities both due to speed and improper driving  Stop and Shop Turkey Drive: 950 turkeys for Middletown Families  Touch a truck events  Officer Bodell, Bear and William Werner delivered baskets to the Kiwanis Club  Pal program hosted 2 events o Halloween and Christmas party  Over 200 kids attended as well as Middlesex Chamber members and stakeholders  Social media has increased in the last 2 years due to community involvement and events  Held a Community Task force meeting, going to set a meeting with all youth stakeholders in the city to collaborate and support youth in crisis  Assisted in a coat drive for IRIS, a refugee non profit  Held an Operational task force meeting to find better ways to do training and patrol the city. o Discussed Country Club Rd. and Preston Ave strategies  Redesign of lanes and reflectors  Attended holiday party at City Hall  Held an Instructor meeting to collaborate strategies to train better and maintain use of force and de-escalation techniques  Attended military funeral for unclaimed soldiers  Attended Middlesex chamber meetings  Assisted fire department  Attended fire arms range meeting, almost fully functional  Sims house in underway o Concrete foundation has been poured o Once set will have an open house for the public  Working on extra patrols on Main St during the holiday season  Attended a general council meeting for case workers; both positions approved and will be presented at next Common Council meeting  Attended the safety committee meeting re PMA and workers comp  3 entry level officers on FTO, will be off Jan/Feb. Two lateral should be off in the next couple weeks and put back on patrol.  Adding a detective to our special investigations units  Adding a detective in Major crimes  Adding to our traffic Unit  We have 8 open positions, we have a list of laterals waiting to be tested, and then we will interview. This will put the PD and units at full strength  Deputy Chief Davis and Captain Godwin attended Executive Training at the Southern Inst of police Technologies in Louisville KY  Facilities cars have all been delivered, last two are waiting for cameras and radios then will be on patrol  Chiller, three boilers, and LED lights replaced resulting in significant decrease in energy costs  First level walkway in PD lot has been repaired  Councilwoman Salafia asked - When you have a lateral transfer, how long does it take from advertise to start date? Chief Costa answered -We are at the mercy of HR, once sworn in they enter a 5 week FTO program. Entry level process is almost a full year. Chief Costa mentioned part of his 5 year plan would be to have our own academy. Councilwoman Salafia asked if that would be a separate facility. Chief Costa answered - We would use Long Lane or our own PD. These are ideas, nothing concrete. Councilwoman Salafia asked if we would have to get our certification first? Chief Costa answered - we would have to go through post. Councilwoman Salafia asked what certification are we doing now? Chief answered Calea but that has nothing to do with the academy. Councilwoman Salafia asked how many police academies are in the state? Chief Costa answered all the big cities have their own academies. We need to train for our own needs specific to the city. We have a lot of talent right now from degrees to specialties.   Councilman Ford asked if there was going to be extra patrol for the holidays and will that address panhandling and loitering? o Chief Costa answered yes, nothing new popped up just extra for panhandling, loitering and anything else that comes up.  Councilman Ford asked if the two new case workers that were approved are second shift? o Chief answered first shift, but we do have 2nd shift case workers.  Councilman Ford asked about full Capacity of PD. o Chief Costa answered 120.  Councilman Ford asked about changes on NEXgen. o Chief answered we will have to purchase software, which will be on the next budget  Councilman Ford asked about community complaints o Chief answered we have 2 initiated investigations gong on  Found things that were deficient in Professional standards manner c. Accountability Update ***None*** 6. Old Business ***None*** 7. New Business Councilman Ford asked for a motion to accept the proposed meeting schedule of the 3rd Monday of every month at 6:30p. Councilwoman Salafia seconded the motion and the 2024 calendar was unanimously approved. 8. Public Hearing Re-opened -- Other Matters ***None*** . 9. Meeting Adjournment Councilman Ford asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Councilwoman Salafia and seconded by Councilwoman Sweeney. Motion passed unanimously. Next Public Safety Commission Meeting, Monday, January 22nd, 2024 at 6:30 pm. TO VIEW THIS MEETING IN ITS ENTIRETY, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: www.cityofmiddletown.com Public Meeting Videos Available Archives Public Safety Commission (PSC) Respectfully Submitted, Jessica DiPasquale Recording Secretary