COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton stated he also provided each Commissioner tonight with a copy of the 2016 Year End Report. The report is all inclusive of the Year 2016 and goes through all the statistics normally presented for the year. There are some additional anecdotal information, photographs and narratives included in this Year End Report so that it makes it easier to understand all the activities of the St. John Police Department for the last 12 months. Commissioner Hejl thanked Chief Kveton for putting the Year End report together.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton advised in the last week or so, the Department has been extremely busy. Chief Kveton stated he sent out an e-mail earlier today notifying the Commission of an incident where two (2) men went into the Go-Lo Gas Station, located at 93rd Avenue and Wicker Avenue. While one individual distracted the clerk, the other individual took all the scratch off lottery tickets from the counter, and then they fled the store. Over the weekend, information was developed, and Det. Cpl. Steven Flores was able to identify the two (2) offenders. There are charges pending at this time. Currently, the two (2) subjects are not in custody.
Attorney Austgen asked to confirm there will be an Executive Session at 5:30 P.M. on the night of the Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting. Commissioner Hejl confirmed the Commission would have an Executive Session at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, May 22, 2017.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton advised there were zero vehicle thefts. There were other thefts totaling $11,578.00. There was no Recovered Property in the month of April 2017.
Police and Fire Manpower Study by GovHR, Inc. – Chief Kveton stated this process is almost completed. There is a meeting scheduled for this coming Thursday with GovHR and the Town Council, so there should be more information available by next month.
a. Resolution No. 101 / G.O. No. 4.13 – Employee Awards and Recognition;
c. Resolution No. 103 / G.O. No. 7.38 – School Crossing Guard;
d. Resolution No. 04 / G.O. No. 4.14 – Grievance Procedures;
e. Resolution No. 105 / G.O. No. 1.15 – Mutual Aid;
f. Resolution No. 106 / G.O. No. 2.23 – Electronic Communications, Devices / Distracted Driver;
g. Resolution No. 108 / G.O. No. 3.10 – Training Standard for SWAT;
h. Resolution No. 109 / G.O. No. 2.22 – Emergency Recall Procedures;
i. Resolution No. 110 / G.O. No. 4.05 – Off-Duty / Extra Duty Employment;
j. Resolution No. 113 / G.O. No. 5.08 – Collection of Crime Data;
k. Resolution No. 114 / G.O. No. 7.36 – Law Enforcement Animals / Police Canine (K-9);
l. Resolution No. 115 / G.O. No. 7.37 – School Resource Officer / Liaison;
m. Resolution No. 116 / G.O. No. 8.14 – Planning Special Events;
n. Resolution No. 117 / G.O. No. 7.09.6 – Computer Voice Stress Analyzer;
o. Resolution No. 118 / G. O. No. 4.11-4.12 – Disciplinary System;
p. Resolution No. 119 / G.O. No. 3.05-3.09 – Training Records, Mandated In-Service Training and Supervisor Training;
q. Resolution No. 120 / G.O. No. 1.14 – Mission, Values and Philosophy;
ii. Resolution No. 139 / G.O. No. 8.13 – Active Shooter;
jj. Resolution No. 140 / G.O. No. 4.16.18 – Job Description: Police Chaplain;
kk. Resolution No. 141 / G.O. No. 7.28.1 – Mobile Audio/Video Recording;
ll. Resolution No. 142 / G.O. No. 12.01-12.11 – Property and Evidence Management; and
mm. Resolution No. 143 / G.O. No. 5.01-5.03 & 5.05 – Privacy and Security of Records.
With a second by Commissioner Vana, the motion carried unanimously (3-0; Ayes – 3 / Nays – None).
Chief Kveton stated over the last several months, there have been some very good investigations conducted by our officers, which resulted in recognition for our officers. Corporal Timothy Gardenhire, Officer Nicholas Stamate, Officer Luke Schreiber and Officer Jacob Patzschke received Distinguished Service Awards / Unit Citations for their quick response and diligent work regarding the apprehension of three (3) juveniles who tried to flee from our officers.
Officer Paige Hickenbottom and Officer Jacob Patzschke received Distinguished Service Awards for their efforts in a Home Invasion, which turned out to be an individual who was allowed into the house by the juvenile female who lived at the residence.
Officer Ronald Olson received a Meritorious Service Award when he put his own safety in danger’s way in order to protect the life and property of one of our citizens on January 24, 2017 during a house fire.
Chief Kveton stated he would like to praise these officers for their wonderful service to our community and for the recognition they received. Commissioner Hejl stated they are proud of all these officers, and this news was very good to hear.
Attorney Austgen congratulated Detective Corporal Steven Flores on his upcoming marriage.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton advised vehicle thefts totaled $9,000.00. There were other thefts totaling $6,200.00. Recovered Property totaled $9,000.00, which was the vehicle that had been reported stolen.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton advised vehicle thefts totaled $87,000.00. There were other thefts totaling $7,365.00. Recovered Property totaled $8,600.00, which was the vehicle that had been reported stolen.
Policy 4.16.11 - Job Description: Administrative Assistant
Policy 4.16.12 - Job Description: Records Clerk
Policy 4.16.13 - Job Description: Animal Control Officer
Policy 4.16.15 – Job Description: Detective
Policy 4.16 - Classifications and Job Description
Policy 4.16.1 - Job Description: Chief of Police
Policy 4.16.2 - Job Description: Assistant Chief of Police
Policy 4.16.3 - Job Description: Deputy Chief of Police
Policy 4.16.4 - Job Description: Captain
Policy 4.16.5 - Job description: Lieutenant
Policy 4.16.6 - Job Description: Sergeant
Policy 4.16.7 - Job Description: Corporal
Policy 4.16.8 - Job Description: Officer
Policy 4.16.9 - Job description: Assistant Information and Technology Director
Policy 4.16.10 - Job Description: Accreditation, Training and Community Outreach Mgr.
Policy 9.01.1 - Dispatcher Duties and Responsibilities
Policy 9.01.2 - Severe Weather Warning System
Another citizen had concern for a “Quiet Zone” on the railroad through town; the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad that are just east of the Town Hall and they cross just north of 93rd Ave. The citizen was under the misconception that if we asked the railroad to create a “Quiet Zone” in St. John, the railroad would pay for all the infrastructure improvements that would be required through the Federal Railroad Administration. I did contact the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington D. C. and spoke with two representatives and our local Region 4 representative, and they affirmed that the information is completely incorrect. The Town of St. John would have to pay for all infrastructure improvements for any crossing where we would want to implement a “Quiet Zone”. The initial costs for a planning meeting alone is $6,000-$10,000 per railroad organization. The regional representative from the Federal Railroad Administration, Tammy Wagner, advised that a rural crossing in the middle of nowhere with gates, flashers, and bells would be a minimum of $200,000. With the crossings being so close to each other, and crossing each other, the software would increase that to $250,000-$500,000 per crossing. That would just be putting in gates, flashers, and bells and would not account for any other safety measures such as median barriers, or the purchasing of property to widen the crossings to allow median barriers. The estimated cost is in excess of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 to the Town to implement a “Quiet Zone” not accounting annual costs by the railroad for maintaining the “Quiet Zone” crossing.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton advised vehicle thefts totaled $105,000.00 which included two high end vehicles. There were other thefts totaling $11,136.00. Recovered Property totaled $105,350.00, which included the vehicles that were reported stolen.
• Vehicles traveling westbound show 20,559 vehicles traveling less than 30 miles per hour; 29,500 were doing between 31 and 40 miles per hour; there were roughly 1,000 vehicles 41 to 50 miles per hour. 28 cars were between 51 and 60 miles per hour. Westbound is travailing away from the sign and the statistics show it slightly faster with the 85th percentile showing 36 miles per hour.
• Eastbound traffic had 46,000 vehicles traveling under 30 miles per hour; 13,971 vehicles were between 31 and 41 miles per hour. It is not a strong indication that there is a problem there. This was from September 7th to September 29th.
There was a note on social media concerning manpower delegation with regards to traffic citation and traffic enforcement on Joliet St or other streets instead of Wicker Avenue. We did another study to look at the percentage of traffic accidents to our citations. 51.7% of our citations are issued on Wicker Avenue, 62% of our accidents happen on Wicker Avenue, so we should actually be putting a little more effort there. On Joliet Street, .7% of our accidents occur on that street but our citations issued are 5%, so we are actually spending more time there based on the data.
The last report is the comparison from 2016 to 2017. In August of 2016, we had 137 warnings and 78 citations issued, in the same period of 2017 we had 169 warnings and 254 citations, which is a 225% increase. The officers are doing a great job and working very hard at traffic enforcement and reducing traffic crashes.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Deputy Chief Demeter advised vehicle thefts totaled $8,550.00. There were other thefts totaling $8,851.00. Recovered Property totaled $100.00.
A. Resolution No. 102 / General Order No. 6.01 – 6.11 – Response to Resistance
B. Resolution No. 125 / General Order No. 9.01 – 9.08 – Radio and Emergency Communications.
C. Resolution No. 148 / General Order No. 7.25.2 – Bicycle Patrol
D. Resolution No. 150 / General Order No. 7.28.2 – Police Escorts
E. Resolution No. 152 / General Order No. 7.25 – Special Use Equipment
Commissioner Haluska made a motion to approve Resolution Numbers 102, 125, 148, 150 and 152 with their equivalent General Orders. Motion seconded by Commissioner Vana. Motion carried four (4) Ayes and zero (0) Nays.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton advised there were zero vehicle thefts. There were other thefts totaling $2,847.00. There was no property recovered for the month of October 2017.
Starting with our Sergeant’s Eligibility List (in order):
1. Steven Flores
2. Jay Dahlin
3. Michael Moffitt
Corporal’s Eligibility List:
1. Dave Rybicki
2. Luke Lukasik
3. Ronald Olson
4. David Wortsman
5. Lucas Zuzich
6. Shane Adams
Chairman Hejl extended her congratulations to the aforementioned officers.
Chief James Kveton asked Chairman Hejl to make another motion, that being a vacant “Corporal’s” position, and requested the immediate promotion of Officer Dave Rybicki. Commissioner Haluska made a motion to make the immediate promotion of Officer Dave Rybicki to the rank of Corporal. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Long. Motion carried 5 Ayes / 0 Nays. Chairman Hejl congratulated Corporal Rybicki.
Chief James Kveton presented Officer Dave Rybicki with his new corporal’s badge, stating that a new one with the correct number will be given to him shortly. (Applause and congratulations from the commission and the audience).
Chief Kveton advised that another note related to promotions, is that he has provided the Commissioners with a proposed Organizational Chart, based on the human resources study that was done on the St. John Police Department. Chief Kveton directed their attention to structural changes that he believes will benefit the police department for the year 2018.
Chief Kveton advised that as they move forward into 2018, he proposes other promotions and adjustments to the organizational chart. Attorney Austgen asked the chief to check if the organizational chart requires a SOP, and if not that may it should be.
Attorney Austgen advised the second sealed envelope provides another proposal from Stan’s Towing. The proposal appears to be complete, other than an insurance certificate or a signatory. However, he feels that you have two (2) proposals here this evening and inquired as to what sort of action Chief Kveton is looking for this evening.
Chief Kveton stated that based on the two (2) proposals that he is requesting that the Commission make a recommendation, and he believes that it is correct for the commission to accept these two (2) proposals. Commissioner Long advised they have both done very well.
Chief Kveton stated that what we have done this time, is to layout specific guidelines that the towing firms will be required to follow. This would ensure that if any incidents were to occur, where certain expectations are not followed, there will be a manner in place in which to hold them accountable, or at least, notify them that they must follow the guidelines. Chief Kveton advised that both firms have the required guidelines and made their proposals based on those guidelines, so there should be no questions in regards to those guidelines.
Commissioner Long made a motion to approve both vendors. Motion seconded by Commissioner Haluska. Motion carried 5 Ayes – 0 Nays.
Chief Kveton asked Attorney Austgen if he should put on the record the organizations that the RFP’s were sent to. Attorney Austgen advised yes, and the record should reflect that there was full transparency in soliciting proposals for this new upcoming business year.
Chief Kveton noted that request for proposals were sent out approximately two (2) weeks ago, and sent to Kubiaks Service, Stan’s Towing, St. John Auto, Midnight Blue and Emerald. They were requested to be returned to me by 8:00 a.m. (CST) this morning, October 27, 2017. Those were the two that I received by that deadline.
Chairman Hejl advised the next agenda item is new business, which consists of five (5) resolutions before the board.
A. Resolution No. 139 / General Order No. 8.13 – Active Shooter.
B. Resolution No. 147 / General Order No. 7.09.4 – Vehicle Lockouts.
C. Resolution No. 149 / General Order No. 7.25.5 – Mobile Data Terminals.
D. Resolution No. 166 / General Order No. 7.39 – Vehicle Towing
E. Resolution No. 165 / General Order No. 7.24 – Vehicle Operation and Maintenance.
Commissioner Haluska made a motion to approve Resolution Numbers 139, 147, 149, 166, and 165. Attorney Austgen advised that he spoke with Chief Kveton on Resolution No. 165 and G.O. regarding Vehicle Operation and Maintenance, and there is language that needs to be gone over. It was discussed amongst the members to approve the four (4) resolutions and make a separate motion on the fifth.
Commissioner Haluska stated he would re-state the motion to approve Resolution Number 139, 147, 149 and 166, as written; and Resolution Number 165 after amendments have been made. Motion seconded by Commissioner Long. Motion carried five (5) Ayes and zero (0) Nays.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
________________________________
Joan M. Gorcos, Recording Secretary