Board of Police Commissioners

REGULAR MEETING WEST HAVEN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS November 15, 2016 The regular meeting of the West Haven Board of Police Commissioner was held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 7:00PM at the Police Headquarters, 200 Saw Mill Rd. West Haven Present were Commissioner Raymond Collins, Paul Butler, Jr., Andrew Giaquinto, and Keith Sweeney. Also present were Chief John Karajanis, Jr. and Deputy Chief Joseph Perno. Absent were Commissioner Deborah Wright and Dave Russell, City Liaison. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 7:00PM 1. Minutes of November 1, 2016 A motion was presented by Commissioner Sweeney to accept the Minutes of November 1, 2016. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Butler and approved unanimously. 2. Public Input Chairperson Collins opened public session at 7:01. Annette Tchelka, 21 Chestnut Street – Wants to raise concern about the speeding on Chestnut Street. She went to the City Council meeting and was told that there is speeding everywhere. Donna Rzssa, 35 Chestnut Street – Wants to thank Ciccosanti for trying hard to get people out there and helping to slow it down out there. Her reason for coming out today was to talk about the non-emergency line. She said when she calls the non- emergency line, the last thing she gets is the dispatcher, and there are bikers and skateboarders swerving and filliping us off. By the time the dispatcher gets on the line, those kids are already gone. To this, Chairperson Collins told her to dial 911 instead of the non-emergency line. He said that they have been telling everyone coming to community meetings that if they need someone immediately they should call 911, that you won’t be abusing it if you use it for that purpose. Christopher Seria, 39 Chestnut Street – Stated that this speeding is out of control. I went to the city council meeting and Councilman Dave Riccio said he would meet me Friday to check it out on his own and it would be great if a representative from the police office was present. Sergeant Ciccosanti responded to the Chestnut Hill complaints – He said that he would love to meet him on Friday, but because officer funerals, he cant be there on Friday, but he would love to meet another day. He pulled out some statistics say that within 2016, there have been only two accidents in the area and the speeding did not cause one of them. He went on to say that there is a speeding issue all over West Haven. There are police officers out there (Chestnut Street) everyday just at different times of the day. He stated that they are going to put a speed trailer out there. We do not have speed tables and bumps because the average cost is $5,000 to $7,000 for one. Other than enforcement, he do not have any other ideas, but said that if anyone has any other ideas, he would be glad to hear it out and work with the residents as much as he can. He also said that the people that live in the area are the biggest offender of speeding because they know the area. When said that when they do obtain the trailer, they will have a study. The trailer will tell then how many people are speeding there and when there is a heavy traffic of the cars, which is important to have to continue enforcement. In terms of having signage, the cost outweighs the benefits. Officer Nolan has been assigned to at Chestnut hill. He said that the average speed there is 35mph, which is not excessive. He said that they give a buffer of about 15 to 20 miles per hour and once they hit 40, they are going to get pulled over. He also said that he does not get many drivers going over 40, and he does try to go out at different times to catch speeding in that area. No one else from the public came forth thus closing the public session at 7:29. Mayor O’Brien added that the city has temporary Speed bumps that the Police can use if they think it would help. The problem with temporary speed bumps according to the commission and Sergeant Ciccosanti is that they would have to paint the roadway around it and put up multiple signage per bump, and on top of the it must meet the state requirements and code. On top of that it must be built by public works to the exact specification so it can be in accordance of state law. Sergeant Ciccosanti said that he would continue to try and work with the residents on Chestnut Street to solve the issue. 3. Communication 3.1 Monthly Attendance Report –September 2016 3.2 Support Services monthly Report – October 2016 3.3 Monthly Injury & Lost Time Reports – September 2016 3.4 Animal Control Division Monthly Reports – October 2016 3.5 K-9 Monthly Reports – September & October 2016 3.6 Monthly overtime Report – October 2016 3.7 Investigative Services Division Monthly Reports –October 2016. 3.8 Letter of Appreciation – Sgt. Ciccosanti – Faith Missionary Baptist Church 4. Report of the Chief Chief Karajanis said that they held the operational and administrative meetings with the department, staff, and the police department. He said that he met with Lee Tiernan, retired Detective Puglia, and Detective Simone regarding the upcoming federal lawsuit. He also stated that he has begun meeting with units in the department to get a jump on preparing for the budget. 5. Old Business 5.1 Ordinance Hearing – Mrs. Noize Gourdet 96 Rangeley St – Blight 5.1 a. Litigation Executive Session Last time the commission met, an extension was given to Mrs. Noize on 96 Rangeley Street, and today was the deadline for that extension. Officer Cinque went out to see the property today before the commission meeting. He brought in copies of the pictures for the commission to see and stated that they did clean it, but they are still in violation. He said that there are still two unregistered vehicles, debris, and other junk around the property. He said that they did remove the big trailer and the big pickup truck, but they are still in violation. After stating all of this, Officer Cinque recommended that the fine stay. Commissioner Sweeney said that he contacted the officer today, himself, and he also went out for an inspection and he agrees with Officer Cinque. Commissioner Sweeney motioned to keep the fine, seconded by Commissioner Cinque and unanimously approved. 5.2 Ordinance Hearing – Mr. Mark Finck 63 Richmond Ave – Blight 5.2 a. Litigation Executive Session This property was given two extensions as expressed in the last meeting. The homeowner does struggle with the nephew that lives there according to Officer Jefferson. She said that as long as he lives on the property, there would be continuous problems. She said as of yesterday, there were new problems, and new violations, but they were down to minimal violations. She said that there was still one pile of tires, but the trash was picked. She also stated that this property look much better than it did one year ago, and even six months ago. She was satisfied with the way the property currently looks and said that she will continue to work with the family to improve the state of the place. Commissioner Sweeney also inspected the property today and agrees with the officer that the place looks much better than it did when the ticket was first issued. Officer Sweeney motioned to dismiss the ticket based on the fact that the officer continues to work with the family, Commissioner Butler seconded that motion and it was passed unanimously. 6. New Business 6.1 Christmas Tree Lighting – Saturday, 11/26/16 Motioned by Commissioner Butler, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, and passed unanimously. 6.2 Ordinance Hearing – Mr. Richard Gay – 57 Coleman St –Blight 6.2 a. Litigation Executive session Mr. Gay was in violation of the blight ordinance. He had a washing machine in the driveway of the residence along with various scrap items, pile of metal scraps covered in tarp, tires, and scrap metals. Mr. Gay said that everything is gone at this point, that the mess was temporary because he was just cleaning up. Commission Sweeney state that there is an ongoing problem of the lack of communication between City Hall and the Police Department. He said that the building department goes out and do their job. The police officer and does the same. But the two do not coordinate. He said the two departments must have better coordination. Commission Sweeney went on to say that this property could be cleaned up by now and maybe not, but we do not know that. He said that the officer in change of the case must also take a look at the property before coming to the meeting. There needs to be a quick inspection of the property done before these meeting. Commissioner Collin stated that he drove by the place and it did not look that bad. Commissioner Collins then entertained a motion to table this hearing until the next meeting taken place in December 6, 2016 at 7PM. Mr. Gay requested that the board order the neighbor to stay out of his driveway to which Commissioner Collins said that they would talk to the neighbor about that. Commissioner Sweeney asked Mr. Gay, “Mr. Gay, would you allow the officer to go on the property and inspect both the rear and side portion of the property as it is not being able to seen by the streets?” To this, Mr. Gay stated, “Absolutely”. The motion placed earlier was seconded by Commissioner Butler and approved unanimously. 7. Pension Board The pension Board discussion was tabled until next meeting since Commissioner Wright is absent from this meeting. 8. Report of Committees – Personal Committee None 9. Commissioner Reports None 10. Executive Session Commissioner Butler motioned to go into executive session, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney and approved unanimously at 7:52PM. Minutes Recorded by: M. Sumra