COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
Chief Kveton stated that he has had correspondence from Mr. Bob Davis of the Public Works Department in regards to concerns that the department is having with snow removal the municipal streets.
Chief Kveton advised vehicle thefts totaled $2,640.00. There were other thefts totaling $9,880.00. Property recovered for the month of totaled $2,640.00.
Chief Kveton advised that for an update on our transparency lists on our web-site, from the PDI System, we have thirteen (13) different categories listed currently; arrest demographics, bias crimes, call for community service engagement, crime mapping, monthly report, an officer involved shooting, officers’ response to resistance (which is basically resisting peace officer), traffic stops, traffic accidents, citations, warnings, and year-end report are all listed. Chief Kveton stated that this information our citizens can view without asking for it specifically.
Chief Kveton called upon the officers to come up to the podium and receive their stars.
Chairman Hejl and the Commissioners extended their congratulations to the aforementioned officers and received applause.
Commissioner Haluska made a motion to approve Resolution No. 165 / General Order No. 7.24 for Vehicle Operation and Maintenance. Motion seconded by Commissioner Sawyer. Motion carried 5 Ayes – 0 Nays.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Cliff Wroe/mlh, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
There was no other correspondence.
Chief Kveton advised there were no vehicle thefts. There were other thefts totaling $9,963.00. Property recovered for the month of totaled $368.
Chief Kveton also presented the annual report for 2017. The second page is an overview of the report, which shows that Officers increased their response to community traffic concerns by 62%. The Detective Bureau, after having an increase of cases investigated by 86% over the last four years, had an additional increase of 29% in 2017. Calls for Service have gone up 26%. Training hours for our department has a 4% increase as we work to our goal. Traffic accidents decreased by 8%. The overall Calls for Service for the Department increased from 11,951 in 2016 to 15,088 in 2017.
Edith Robinson, 10805 W 151st Ave. Cedar Lake, IN – She has worked in our town for many years and will not mention names, but with regards to the dog case that is currently in court; there are many things being said that are negative and confusing being said about this incident. She wants to know if it is being dealt with like any other case like a murder case. These dogs are living things just like humans, and she is not going to mention any names, but she wants to know as well as the rescuers that work with Animal Control, who were present at the meeting, that the case is being dealt with at a professional level. The dogs should not be release into a life of torture like they had in the past. Pit Bulls get a bad rap, and she does not want to hear from public people that his breed should be abolished. It is not the dog, the breed, it is how they are raised. She would hope that any Police Officers in any town would take this case and make it as important as a murder trial and not just a dog case. These dogs have feelings and the people behind these dogs have feelings and would hope that they fight for these dogs as much as we fight for them. I hope someone will take the reins and run with this and give this town much more positive press.
Laurie Tuttle (Difficult to hear), business address is 9564 N Industrial Dr., which is across the street from where the dogs were taken. We need to tell people coming from other states that St. John will not tolerate the activities that were going on with the neglect and abuse of these dogs regardless of breed. As you can see, I am a dog trainer, and when I hear that it is just a dog, it really infuriates me. If we let this go on what is going to stop the next ten since they go from state to state and town to town? Someone needs to stand up and tell them that we do not want it here.
Chief commented that this is an ongoing investigation; the individual has been charged with multiple misdemeanors and felonies and cannot comment on the case. It seems that you have some information; I believe that the case has been handled diligently by our officers and if there is a particular circumstance that is concerning, come in and talk with me and I will investigate it to make sure it is handled correctly.
Cynthia Yaverski, 10606 Maloian Dr. I am a Volunteer for Animal Control Officer since November and own a pit bull. Once this case happened, I want to thank the officers who have responded when there were issues at the facility. I have called the police when there were issues, and one of the officers did state that he wished this would go away which infuriates us since this dog is just like any other dog, but because it is a pit bull this is what happens. Jan Kalinowski has done an amazing job for this town and does the best that she can for this town. She went on to say that the town has received bad press and we want to have good press and that these dogs are being discriminated against Chief stated if there is something specific to come in and it can be investigated. Cynthia responded by stating, the Police Commission knows too and that they need to see some pictures of the dogs. She went on to say the Volunteers are there 4 to 5 days or more caring for the dogs and continue to work full-time jobs. It is not just the Pit Bulls, but there are other animals that we are caring for as well.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Cliff Wroe, 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 no vehicle thefts. There were other thefts totaling $3,325.00. Property recovered for the month of totaled zero (0).
Chief Kveton advised that he had a conversation with Town Manager Stephen Kil in regards to traffic citations that have been issued over the last couple of years for comparisons. Chief advised there are two (2) types of traffic citations. One is by town ordinance, and the other is total citations. Just reviewing the last three (3) years; in 2016 the first quarter we issued 281 Town Ordinance and 533 total citations issued. In 2017, it went up to 368 Town Ordinance and 648 total citations issued. In 2018, It has gone up again to 404 Town Ordinance and 921 total citations being issued. The increase is attributed to an increase in addressing concerns from the public and at the request of the Council to reduce traffic crashes and injuries. In the year-end report you can see there is a reduction in traffic crashed and injuries as the traffic enforcement increases.
Town of St. John, Lake County
Indiana, Board of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners
______________________________
Charles Sawyer, Secretary
ATTEST:
________________________________
Cliff Wroe, Recording Secretary
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.)
Chief Coulson with Cedar Lake Police sent a thank-you letter for the assistance the St. John Police Department provided to them.
Merchant’s Bank sent a hand-written letter of appreciation for all St. John Police Department does for the community.
Chuck and Cindy Kreisl of Calumet Harley-Davidson sent a letter of appreciation for St. John Police Department’s assistance with the Bike Blessing ride on April 28, 2018.
The Lake Central School Board of Trustees sent a letter of appreciation for support provided to the schools and the added presence provided by the St. John Police Department.
Chief Kveton reported from April 1, 2018 through April 30, 2018, the members of the St. John Police Department logged 18,646 miles and responded to 532 law incidents. These investigations led to 31 arrests and 51 charges being filed.
There were 380 traffic citations issued along with 300 written warnings for a total of 680 citations being issued during the month. Vehicle thefts totaled zero, other thefts totaled $16. No property was recovered.
Chief Kveton made a request of the Commission: Officer Luke Schreiber, who has been with us 18 years, has submitted paperwork to the Police Pension Board which will be considered right after this meeting requesting a disability pension which resulted from the effects of the officer-involved shooting that occurred last August. Chief Kveton requested the Commission’s tentative approval for the hiring of the next individual on the hiring list pending the approval by the Town Pension Board and the State PERF Pension Board of Officer Schreiber’s disability pension. The next academy date starts at the beginning of August. Time is of the essence in order to avoid missing the academy start date.
Commissioner Hejl entertained a motion. Motion by Commissioner Haluska. Seconded by Commissioner Sawyer. The motion carried 5 ayes to 0 nays.
B. General Order 2.24 Social Networking – Resolution No. 107 for General Order 2.24.
C. General Order 1.08 Duty to Obey Lawful Orders – Resolution No. 153 for General Order 1.08.
Commissioner Hejl entertained a motion. Motion to approve the aforementioned General Orders by Commissioner Haluska. Seconded by Commissioner Sawyer. Motion carries 5 ayes to 0 nays.
(Commissioner Hejl adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m.)
Respectfully Submitted:
Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Police Commission
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.)
There were 410 traffic citations issued along with 324 written warnings for a total of 734 citations being issued during the month. Vehicle thefts totaled $10,000; other thefts totaled $640. Recovered property was the vehicles that were stolen for a total of $10,000.
Commissioner Hejl entertained a motion. Motion to approve General Order 3.04 by Commissioner Haluska. Seconded by Commissioner Sawyer. Motion carries 3 ayes to 0 nays.
(Commissioner Hejl adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m.)
Respectfully Submitted:
Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Police Commission
COMMISSIONERS | POLICE CHIEF | |
Rose Hejl, Chairman | Robert Long | James A. Kveton |
Paul Haluska, Vice-Chairman | Kevin Vana | |
Charles Sawyer, Secretary |
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.)
Absent: Robert Long.
Chief Kveton stated that, with the Commissioners’ permission, he would like to call Officer Luke Lukasik to be promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Chief Kveton bestowed upon Officer Lukasik the tie-tack and badge for the rank of Corporal. Chief Kveton stated that Deputy Chief Demeter inspected the badge to ensure it is set properly and that it has his badge number on it.
Chief Kveton congratulated Corporal Lukasik.
Chief Kveton shared with the Commissioners that Corporal Lukasik is the type of officer who is willing to come forward with information and ideas; who imparts different perspectives and contributes new information, ideas, and perspectives; and who has worked diligently on the Policies, Rules & Regulations.
Chief Kveton told Corporal Lukasik that he respects him a great deal, respects his opinion, and thanked him for being willing to share his new ideas.
(A brief recess was taken for those present to offer Corporal Lukasic congratulations.)
(Commissioner Hejl adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m.)
Respectfully Submitted:
Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Police Commission