Committee Report - PHPS - 1-23-12 — File 192493

January 23, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 1/25/2012 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived William A. White Jr. Chair Present William M. Roche Vice Chair Present Rebekah Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Tony Lafuente Ward 4 Alderman Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Thomas Pasquarello Chief of Police Present Dave Fallon Captain, SPD Present 192438 - That the Chief of Police appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety on January 23, at 6:30 PM, at the Mystic Development, to address crime activities, especially house breaks, in the Ten Hills section.: Chief Pasquarello commented on crime in the city, saying that there was a 10% reduction in violent crime and property crime in 2011 as compared to 2010 throughout the City. Break-ins in the Ten Hills area actually went down during the last 6 months in comparison to 2010. Chief Pasquarello explained that each shift has7 patrol cars in service, one for each sector of the city, and that if there is trouble in one sector, other parts of the city might experience a reduced police presence. From July 2011 to January 2012, there have been 25 incidents of crime in the Ten Hills area. That represents 10 fewer incidents for the same period a year earlier. Chief Pasquarello reported that some stolen property has been recovered in Arlington and attempts are being made to identify the owners. There was a discussion about the Police Department's ability to perform forensic activities, e.g., collecting fingerprints from crime scenes. The department has one officer who is able to collect fingerprints. A resident complained that it took six days for a detective to come to her home to investigate a break in and the committee wants Chief Pasquarello to provide an explanation for this. The committee also wanted to know why the Police Department only has one officer doing forensic work and Chief Pasquarello replied that the position requires six to nine months of extensive training and is a full time commitment. If another detective was assigned to the finger print unit, the Chief might have to take a patrolman away from a sector, creating a void somewhere else. At the present time, there is no contingency plan to alleviate the situation, however the Chief said that the best plan would be to have a full time forensic detective with a civilian to supplement the position.

Committee Meeting January 23, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 1/25/2012 Residents requested that directed patrols of the area be performed during the daytime hours, when residents are at work, and further asked how they could help in securing additional funds for the Police Department. Alderman Sullivan suggested that neighbors be aware of the problems in the area and consider establishing a Neighborhood Watch. He also asked that Chief Pasquarello develop a plan to combat crime in the Ten Hills area, noting that statistics might indicate that crime is down, but the concerns of area residents indicate that it is up. Chairman White requested that statistics for B&E's be tabulated on a yearly basis. Chairman White also requested that the Police Department provide neighbors with tips on reducing crime. Captain Fallon has developed a video presentation on this subject and will forward the link to those present who provided an email address on the sign-in sheet. Alderman Sullivan’s motion that the Chief of Police consider funding a second detective, or a civilian, position in the Forensic Unit, was approved. Alderman Lafuente’s motion that the Chief of Police examine the following locations for surveillance cameras: Bailey Road and Temple Road, Bailey Road and Shore Drive, the stairs at the top of Ten Hills Road, was approved. Alderman Roche’s motion that the Commissioner of Public Works (Lines and Lights), perform an analysis of the streetlights on Bailey and Temple Roads, under Route 93, and report the findings to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, was approved. Chairman White’s motion that the City Clerk send a communication to the city’s State Delegation, requesting them to contact the Department of Conservation and Recreation to ask that the area along the river bank, from the corner of Route 28 and Shore Drive to the boat house, be cleaned and cleared of all overgrowth and brush, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE