Committee Report - PHPS - 4-18-12 — File 192967

April 18, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 4/26/2012 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 Present Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Present Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Michael Cabral Deputy Police Chief Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt., ISD Present 192790 - That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety address criminal activity and code violations at 132 Central Street, whether the City can recover funds spent on public safety calls there, and whether the City should conduct outreach to tenants to ensure a safe environment.: Deputy Chief Cabral explained how the Police Department tracks calls to a specific location and informed those present that directed patrols of the address in question have taken place since the shooting incident. Deputy Chief Cabral reviewed the facts of the case and stated that there is an ongoing investigation underway, however, the residents of the property have been uncooperative and at the present time there are no leads. Chairman White directed the Deputy Chief to run background checks on all of the people on the porch during the incident, asked questions about the manner in which the investigation is being conducted and made suggestions. Chairman White requested that the police department remain vigilant on this issue so that it does arise again in the summer. Some residents of the property expressed concern over the police report. According to neighbors, there is suspicious and suspected drug activity at a neighboring property. The owner of the property was present and indicated that he was undertaking action to evict the problem tenants. Deputy Chief Cabral explained how incidents may be reported to the police and Alderman Roche stressed the importance of reporting incidents so that they may be documented by the police. Alderman Roche’s motion that the Director of Traffic and Parking examine the feasibility of installing NO PARKING signs at the intersection of Central, Ames and Robinson Streets, was approved.

Committee Meeting April 18, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 4/26/2012 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192921 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss measures to address fire safety at 155 Central Street.: In the past six years, there have been four fires at this address, three of them related to smoking. Mr. Nuzzo has been to the property and has spoken to the residents and to VinFen staff, advising them to change the smoking policy at the property and to make sure that cigarette butt receptacles are available. Neighbors spoke about their concerns regarding residents of the property flicking cigarettes in an unsafe manner. Chairman White directed Mr. Nuzzo to check the history of fire alarm calls for this address. Alderman Roche’s motion that the City Solicitor and the Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development (ISD) determine if fines may be assessed at the property located at 155 Central Street for violations of the city’s smoking ordinance, was approved. If Mr. Nuzzo is unable to satisfactorily resolve the matter, representatives of VinFen will be invited to attend a future meeting of the committee to discuss this matter and claims made by neighbors that VinFen staff does not properly care for the residents at this facility. Representative Provost is also involved with the matter at the state level, and the committee will work with her. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE