Though he did not see the item on the agenda but based on his knowledge gained through conversations with the Chief, Commissioner Dodaro asked Chief Frego if he was requesting permission to fill one of the two supervisors’ positions at this time. Chief Frego responded with a “yes.” Commissioner Hejl made a motion to promote the first officer on the Sergeant’s Eligibility List to the rank of Sergeant. With a second by Commissioner Vale, the motion carried unanimously (3-0). Some discussion ensued regarding as to when to make this promotion effective. Chief Frego stated it would not be possible to get the officer sworn-in at the next Town Council Meeting, which would be held this coming Thursday, January 13, 2011. Therefore, the swearing-in would have to be at the last Town Council Meeting for the month scheduled for January 27, 2011. It was agreed the effective date for this promotion would be the first day of the next pay period after January 27, 2011, which would be Saturday, January 29, 2011. Commissioner Dodaro asked that once Chief Frego set up the swearing-in, the Chief then notify the Commissioners so that they could make arrangements to be in attendance.
Chief Frego stated he has been in contact with an individual who is taking “up the torch” to deny the parole of John Lee, the individual convicted of killing both Indiana State Trooper John Streu and St. John Town Marshal James Larimer in 1971. The next parole hearing is February 8, 2011. This subject has requested that Chief Frego, and whoever else is available, appear before the Parole Board on February 8, 2011 at 8:30 A.M. Indianapolis time. Chief Frego stated he would be going to Indianapolis the night before the hearing and would be staying the night so that he could appear before the Parole Board on the morning of February 8, 2011. Chief Frego added that James Larimer’s son is flying in from California for this hearing as well. Trooper Streu’s wife, who lives in Peru, Indiana, will also be in attendance. Chief Frego stated there is a petition being circulated for individuals to sign in regards to denying John Lee parole. Some discussion ensued. The Commission stated they were in favor of Chief Frego attending this Parole Hearing.
Chief Frego advised the Commission that February 20, 2011 will be the 40th Anniversary of the shootings of Trooper John Streu and Town Marshal James Larimer. A memorial service is in the process of being planned on that day. Officer Steve Flores is involved in the planning of this event, and he is doing a really good job. The Indiana State Police will be in attendance, along with the Lake County Bags and Drums. The service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on February 20, 2011 at Kolling Elementary School, the site of the actual shootings. Refreshments will be served after the service in the school’s gymnasium. Some discussion ensued.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Emerald Towing
Kubiak Service
Stan’s Auto Body and Towing
Mr. Tim Rosinko, of St. John Auto and Towing, had planned on being in attendance but was currently at the hospital due to a fall. Commissioner Dodaro commented that the total number of tows for the Year 2010 (341) was down from Year 2009 (399). Other than fewer tows, everything else appeared to be going well. A gentleman named Scott, representing Emerald Towing of 12644 Wicker Avenue in Cedar Lake, Indiana, stated it has been 2-1/2 years since his company has received a tow from the St. John Police Department, and he wondered why his firm was not being called for tows. Scott also stated he had knowledge that the St. John Police Department called for a heavy wrecker tow on February 7, 2011, and his company did not receive that call. In response to Chief Frego’s question, Recording Secretary Joan Gorcos advised there were only two (2) heavy wrecker tows in 2010 from the St. John Police Department, and Stan’s responded to both. Chief Frego stated he did not know exactly why Emerald did not receive a tow from St. John, but it could be due to availability. Some discussion ensued. Commissioner Dodaro stated Chief Frego would look into the matter and would get back to Emerald Towing with an answer.
Chief Frego commented that a Memorial Service is being planned for the 40th Anniversary of the shootings of Town Marshal James Larimer and ISP Trooper John Streu. The service is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 20, 2011, and will be held at the Kolling Elementary School (site of the shootings). All area departments are invited to attend, as well as the widows of the slain officers, their families, and anyone else who like to attend.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Commissioner Dodaro stated he would like to get the gun range up and running. Chief Frego stated the Department was in the process of completing the range but due to the recession, the range was put on hold.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Chief Frego stated that he has been keeping Mr. Austgen up to date with what has been done with the consolidated dispatch and they agreed a consolidated meeting should be held so everyone knows what has been done so far. They have had three meetings where they were part of establishing the Ordinance creating the commission establishing the consolidated dispatch. The commission consists of 21 members; 17 are police chiefs; the member must be a police chief or fire chief selected by their respective council. That has not been done yet. When the Ordinance is passed they will create an Interlocal Agreement that each town must sign.
Currently, there are 17 separate dispatch centers in Lake County; in 2014 there will be two, the main one and a backup center located somewhere in the county as provided by law.
He stated that there are advantages and disadvantages. An advantage to the town is the cost savings of about $254,000 a year to run the dispatch center. The State legislature will convene in October and for consideration is the 911 line charge that would be increased on the resident’s phone bills that will fund the consolidated dispatch centers. The towns will no longer have to pay for that service; it will be totally funded by the line charges. A disadvantage would be the loss of a personal touch – the familiarity with the Town and who the “frequent flyers” are. The town would still have to man the record center, a location to pay tickets, and people in the lock up need to be monitored 24 hours. They are currently monitored via camera from the dispatch center. SCADA is also monitored at the dispatch center. He does not know what will be done with the municipal alarms: store alarms, water alarms. Mr. Kil stated that he anticipates those items would be moved to someone internally, monitored with a laptop computer. Chief Frego stated that they also have people calling the police administration line asking about events in town. Some of the $254,000 savings would be used to man the remaining clerical work.
Chief Frego stated that the Commission discussed the hiring of people for the consolidated center. The Commission will be doing the hiring. The will hire the Director of the Center, setting the salaries, discipline, rules, procedures, etc. He also mentioned that the majority of the commission is required to have a criminal justice background.
He stated that they are still working on where the center will be located; will it be in an existing building or will they build a new building. Chief Frego also stated that until recently the 911 money has been used for 911 equipment in some of the communities. St. John received 911 money when the new station was built. The money will no longer be used for that.
Discussion ensued regarding Porter County, which has already consolidated and they are in debt. However, they consolidated prior to the 911 surcharge increase. A question was asked about whether the towns have to pay to get into the consolidated center. Chief Frego’s understanding is that it must be funded by the County, they have been mandated to execute this, and it is the Executive Officer of the County that must make this happen. Attorney Austgen mentioned he does not interpret the Statute that way; the county took the lead and is in that position which is a home rule ordinance.
Chief Frego stated that all but two counties have not consolidated. It has been recommended that the dispatch centers go on 800 MHz; no one in Lake County is 800 MHz they are currently on UHF; 800 MHz is expensive, walkies are $2,500 and car radios are $4,000. And they are not compatible with what the town has now. The equipment they have now does not match what they have planned. A rough estimate for St. John is 25 walkies times $2,500 plus 25 car radios times $3,700 plus the peripherals needed for the change. There may be grants available.
Discussion ensued as to who is going to run the dispatch center. Chief Frego stated that the current Sheriff changed the language of the ordinance to give the Commission the right to hire the director, to do the discipline, and to do the rules and regulations for running the center.
Discussion ensued regarding the cost to run the center. The sheriff’s department is sending out questionnaires to determine the current needs of the police. If the money falls short are they going to come to the Town’s for additional money? Is there a business plan, is it being developed, will the individual communities review the business plan.
ATTEST:
/s/ Sherry P. Sury, Clerk-Treasurer
Chief Frego stated he has been reviewing the mid-year numbers, and the Department has responded to 10 fewer incidents than at this time last year. Also, there are an additional 30 Infraction Deferral Agreements compared to this time last year. In an effort to show activity, and starting with the June 2011 Monthly Report, Chief Frego stated the number of traffic stops made each month by the Department will be reported. Commissioner Dodaro queried, regarding with the increase in traffic enforcement by the Department, as to whether there has been a decrease in traffic accidents. Chief Frego stated that he has not noticed any significant increase or a decrease.
Commissioner Dodaro brought to Town Councilman Gembala’s attention the fact that the Police Department has one (1) officer who does not have a car assigned to him. Commissioner Dodaro stated that up until this point, they have not been able to get the Town Council to approve the purchase of a new squad car; however, the Department is in desperate need of one. Chief Frego stated he is aware the Town Council has been very busy with the appointment of a new council member to replace Councilman Michael Fryzel, and they have not been able to address the matter of a new police car. Chief Frego state he would make an appeal to the Town Council again after matters settle down but unfortunately, there are no more Ford Crown Victorias available. Councilman Gembala stated the Town Council has been busy, and the top issue is getting all the brush cleaned up from the storm. The Town had to hire extra people for brush clean up. These employees have created a third crew which is assigned to the clean up detail. The regular Public Works crews have been working 10 hours a day, but they cannot get caught up. Some discussion ensued.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Chief Frego advised a new reporting category has been added to the Monthly Report; that being: Traffic Stops. This data is included on the page with the 511 Citations Issued and Infraction Deferral Agreements. In June, the St. John Police Department conducted 670 Traffic Stops. Chief Frego stated that the officers of the St. John Police Department issued 284 “511” Citations, some of which were written by officers working the grants. There were 122 Infraction Deferral Agreements in the month of June 2011, for a total of 593 Infraction Deferral Agreements for the year-to-date.
Chief Frego stated he is in the process of ordering a squad car; specifically, A Ford Crown Victoria. Approval to order has been received from the Town Council, and he has completed the paperwork to apply for Ford Credit.
Mr. Bugariu stated he had his camera taken away from him in 2008, and he was told by Officer Sidenbender that he had to arrest him and take his camera because he (Adrian) had been taking pictures. Mr. Bugariu stated his camera has not yet been returned to him. Commissioner Dodaro asked Mr. Bugariu if he was arrested when his camera was taken. Mr. Bugariu stated yes, he was. Commissioner Dodaro asked Mr. Bugariu if that case was still pending. Mr. Bugariu stated Jerrie Teibel put restrictions on him for stalking, but she was the one doing the stalking. Commissioner Dodaro asked Mr. Bugariu several more times if the case was still pending, and he finally answered “yes.” Mr. Bugariu then asked if the Police Department has an Internal Affairs Division or individual. Commissioner Dodaro advised that whenever there is a complaint filed against a police officer, that complaint will be investigated. Commissioner Dodaro stated this is not like Chicago, or the State of Indiana or the State of Illinois. The Police Department does not have an Internal Affairs Division. Complaints are investigated as they come in. Mr. Bugariu then began speaking of procedures when Chief Joseph Guzik was in charge. Mr. Bugariu stated that it seems to him that since Chief Frego has been in charge, he (Frego) has a different policy wherein all the charges or complaints are tossed in the garbage, or they are never received, just like (Mike) Fryzel and Jerrie Teibel used to toss the torte notices into the garbage. Commissioner Dodaro stated he cannot debate what Fryzel and Teibel did, but he could tell him this: The policy is the complaint form is filled out at the police station and signed in front of witnesses. The complainant, whoever that may be, does not walk away with a copy of the complaint. The complaint is then forwarded to the Police Chief, and it is investigated. Some discussion ensued.
Mr. Bugariu stated he knows for a fact certain police officers inside the Police Department know about Fryzel trying to commit attempted murder against him on May 14th, 2005. Mr. Bugariu stated he requests that this man (Fryzel) be arrested and charged with attempted murder. Mr. Bugariu then started speaking of Chief Frego disciplining his very good friend Bernie Johnsen. Commissioner Dodaro stopped Mr. Bugariu at this point, stating that these issues have been debated over and over again throughout the years, and he does not have answers for him (Bugariu). Commissioner Dodaro stated that if Mr. Bugariu was not satisfied with the St. John Police Department, he had the right to go to the Prosecutor’s Office and file a complaint there. Mr. Bugariu began making comments about the case that is pending in court, and Commissioner Dodaro stated again that he could not discuss this matter as it is still in court. Mr. Bugariu ended by stating, “I demand that Fryzel be arrested and charged with attempted murder.”
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Chief Frego stated the officers working the grant issued an additional 205 tickets, which is above and over the duty tickets. He stated the officers are working hard on the grant, which is usually a 6-hour shift after their regular duty shift. The high mileage on the grant officers’ vehicles is due to this extra enforcement. With the extra tickets being written, the number of Infraction Deferral sign-ups has gone up as well.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Chief Frego advised there is a new report added to the bottom of the Traffic Report. The new report gives the combined total number of traffic citations and written warnings issued while officers were on duty and/or working the grant. In October 2011, there was a total of 656 traffic citations issued, and a total of 155 written warnings issued. The combine monthly total of citations and warnings is 811. The year-to-date total combined total of citations and warnings if 5094.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
Chief Frego advised currently a Grant is being worked by officers of the department, and the total number of traffic citations written for the month of November (duty and grant activity combined) was 638 traffic citations. The total number of traffic stops by the St. John police officers for the month of November 2011 was 905. The year to date number of traffic stops is 6,292.
Commissioner Dodaro noted that Sergeant Fryzel was Number 2 as far as writing Ordinance 511 citations, following just behind Officer Adams. Further, Commissioner Dodaro stated Sergeant Johnsen is Number 3. Commissioner Dodaro commented this was impressive. Chief Frego stated the sergeants are leading by example. Commissioner Dodaro reiterated it was very impressive and commendable that the senior officers were leading by example.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Rose Hejl, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary