HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 3 , 1995
3 : 00 P.M.
Large Conference Room
Members present : Jordan, Getty, Krizek.
It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the agenda as
proposed. Ayes : Three . Motion carried.
Councilperson Getty explained that he had received many phone calls
from the public about items which involve police enforcement and he
requested that Police Chief Koehrsen meet with the public safety
committee to discuss preparation for review of the department by
the public safety review committee. Many citizens are complaining
about the lack of enforcement for the "boombox ordinance" .
Chief Koehrsen stated that the violation of the noise ordinance is
an issue throughout the City. There are vehicles with huge sound
systems installed in the rear of the vehicle. Officers are
enforcing the noise ordinance by issuing traffic citations rather
than preparing a criminal case for each incident as a result of the
ordinance change the council approved earlier this year. One of
the problems with enforcement is that boom boxes are prevalent
during the time frame that the Police Department is receiving its
peak numbers of calls for service. Staff is directed during this
period to answer priority calls such as robbery or assaults first
so many calls have a thirty to forty minute response time . During
that period of time it is virtually impossible to find the offender
as they have left the area. Boom boxes are causing frustration for
both the citizens and the police as they are difficult violations
to enforce .
Councilperson Jordan asked if there was a way to increase
enforcement by citizen involvement . Koehrsen explained that only
sworn officers can write citations . Jordan suggested that letters
citing the complaint could be mailed if citizens would provide a
license plate number for the offender. Koehrsen agreed that
letters could be sent to the registered owner if citizens would
provide a written complaint citing the date and time of the
incident and the vehicle information.
Councilperson Krizek asked whether the opening of the new jail will
affect the officers' enforcement capabilities . Koehrsen stated
that the current jail is limited to a capacity of sixty-four beds
and with the City of Waterloo officers averaging six arrests a
night with the jail at full capacity it means six people must be
released to remain at the maximum capacity level . The new jail
contains two hundred seventy-two beds which should help until the
new maximum is reached.
Getty requested more speed enforcement . Koehrsen stated that
traffic stops using the laser equipment involve one officer
operating the gun and two or three officers as chase vehicles to
enact the actual stopping of the vehicle. There are limited times
where there are enough officers to coordinate more speed
enforcement . The Police Department staffing level is approved for
one hundred twenty-seven sworn officers but currently have one
hundred twenty-two. Five new officers have been approved for
hiring after the Civil Service list is approved.
Councilperson Jordan asked for an update on the number of reserve
officers and asked the Chief to review their duties. Chief
Koehrsen stated that there are currently eight experienced reserves
and thirteen newly sworn reserve officers just beginning their
training period. The reserves must ride with a sworn officer and
so are limited in their duties . They may write tickets but are
only required to work eight hours per month and so are limited in
accessibility.
Public Safety Committee
Page 2
Getty stated that he has received complaints about the enforcement
of handicapped parking. Koehrsen stated that handicapped parking
violations are one of the few items that the police department can
enforce on private property. He personally watches for violations
as he drives around town but only writes two to three actual
tickets per year as some of the apparent violations have approved
handicapped parking permits but fail to properly display their
permit .
Chief Koehrsen addressed the problems with vehicles that aren' t
displaying plates by stating that officers are authorized to cite
violators if plates aren' t displayed front and rear or temporary
plates aren' t proper. Councilperson Krizek asked that the Chief
investigate using reserve officers to assist in citation writing,
both speeding and parking enforcement .
Councilperson Getty requested that special attention be given to
the two business addresses for Saint Vincent de Paul as illegal
dumping has become a problem. Getty requested that another public
safety committee meeting be set in ten days to get feedback on the
problems that have been discussed.
Getty inquired as to whether there are plans for officers to
increase efforts to serve outstanding warrants once the new jail is
open. Koehrsen stated that it isn' t the intention of any of the
area agencies to fill it to capacity in the first week. Even if
there is capacity in the jail, the court systems would be
overloaded if there are a glut of arrests .
Councilperson Jordan stated that he had a greater appreciation for
the work of the police department after he road with officers one
Friday night . Jordan asked Koehrsen to give special attention to
complaints received from residents on Rachael Street about underage
persons drinking in the park near Hoover Junior High.
Councilperson Krizek asked if there are ways to use Community
Development funds to assist in policing efforts . Koehrsen
explained that up to this date he has not been successful in
tapping these resources.
With no further items before the public safety committee it was
moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 3 : 50
p.m. Ayes : Three . Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk