CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Safety Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:04 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:13 PM


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
David J. Rushford

Committee Members

Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor Morris A Bergman
Councilor Sarai Rivera
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey Councilor Morris A Bergman
 
Also:Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson; Deputy Chief Steven Sargeant Deputy Chief Sean Fleming; Assistant City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk
 
1.

Communications of the City Manager

1a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the Police Academy. # 13.10A CM January 12, 2016

Attachments

Recommend File

1b.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning homicide and gun violence. # 13.10B CM January 12, 2016

Attachments

Recommend File

1c.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the policy and use of tasers by the Worcester Police Department. # 9.10A CM August 11, 2015

Attachments

Recommend File

1d.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the use of canines within the Worcester Police Department. # 9.10B CM August 11, 2015

In Committee December 2, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request the Police Chief report to City Council what additional resources would be required to add canines to his department’s budget.

1e.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Ban on the Sale of Synthetic Marijuana. # 12.10A CM September 16, 2014

In Committee October 28, 2014 - Held In Committee December 2, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request the Police Chief and the City Solicitor work cooperatively to identify a method of banning all synthetic marijuana in retail stores.

2.

Miscellaneous Items

2a.

Petition of Kamel Anthony Bryant request City Council create a Neighborhood Crime Watch, install cameras and step up patrols in the area of 23 Barclay St. # 7b CC January 19, 2016

Attachments

Recommend File

2b.

Order Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning plans, if any, by the City to have police officers wear body cameras while on duty. # 15f CC January 12, 2016

Attachments

Recommend File

2c.

Petition of William Breault request City Council enact an amendment to the Revised Ordinances to establish a seizure policy in regards to all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes being illegally driven on city streets and in city parks. # 9b CC September 01, 2015

Attachments

Speakers: Willam Breault
Major William Bilotta, Special Operations for Environmental Police

Recommend Hold

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor and the Police Chief work together to explore how New York City and Boston as well as other communities have implemented legislation/ordinances/regulations regarding the confiscation of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes. Further, request the City Manager after this review, propose any new ordinances and regulations for the city to implement that would be helpful to stop the illegal activities of these types of vehicles and further, request bringing these recommendations back to City Council on the next City Manager's calendar. (City of Boston’s Ordinance regarding Recreational Vehicles enclosed)

Request City Manager consider updating the city’s PSA’s (public service announcements) and social media to recommend the use of the city’s tip hotline to report illegal use of ATVs and dirt bikes.

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor clarify for City Council as to what types of off-road vehicles need licensing.

Request City Manager request the Police Chief assign officers to work with the Environmental Police to learn methods to confiscate ATVs and dirt bikes by using the laws already in place, as well as methods to bring cooperation and coordination between the police and other departments; such as Code Enforcement and the Fire Department, to use their rules and regulations to further impede the illegal use of ATVs and dirt bikes.

2d.

Order of Councilor Morris Bergman - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the July 22, 2014 previously voted order as to whether or not all terrain vehicles and all related modes of transportation can be confiscated when used in an illegal manner. # 11k CC March 17, 2015

In Committee August 27, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend Hold

2e.

Order of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request the Standing Committee on Public Safety conduct a public hearing concerning the public safety and public nuisance issue of ATVs and other off-road vehicles proliferating across the city. # 11r CC April 14, 2015

In Committee August 27, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend Hold

2f.

Order of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request Standing Committee on Public Safety hold meetings throughout the various communities in the City to recognize all interested parties and as a way to pass meaningful resolutions in regards to equality in the community. # 16d CC January 07, 2015

Attachments

Recommend File

2g.

Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request Standing Committee on Public Safety hold meetings for substantial discussions in regards to issues of equality in the community as a way to address concerns brought forth by the peoples of Worcester. # 16c CC January 07, 2015

Attachments

Recommend File

2h.

Petition of Jo Hart request City Council request the City Manager have the Police Chief and Commissioner of Public Health create and release yearly a report of body-count statistics (deaths by serious injuries and violence) indicating whether the cause was the result of guns/knives or vehicles with dates and provide statistics for the last ten years for the City of Worcester, Worcester County and the state. # 9z CC September 01, 2015

Attachments

Recommend File