Public Safety Commission

SKOKIE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 PRESENT: Police Chief Brian Baker, Fire Chief Jeff Hoeflich, Cornell Collins, Ibrahim Mansuri, Fred Moore, Chairperson Paul Pitalis, Leslie Post-Weissinger, Jeff Schvimer, Linda Perlin, Senior Engineer Samantha Maximilian, Trustee Alison Pure-Slovin, Melissa Villegas EXCUSED: Deputy Chief Nicholas Eschner, Deputy Chief Stephen Jagman, Vice Chair Mark Penning, Paul Kruszynski, Mitchell Kushner, Kenneth Mantel, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker, Director of Engineering Russ Rietveld, Dennis Rizo, Howard Rosenburg, Director of Public Works Max Slankard ABSENT: Marcie Claus, Scott Ford, Bryant Smith, Nicholas Vickers CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Chairperson Pitalis called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. The minutes of the April 19th meeting were approved. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Baker gave the Police Department Report. The draft annual report is currently under review with the Managers office prior to being issued to the board of trustees. General offenses have gone up 4% which brings it back to pre-pandemic levels. Auto thefts also has shown a trend of going up. The Police Department has purchased a new drone to be able to use at the upcoming summer special events. The police citizens academy is now accepting applications which will hose the classes September 6th -22nd and will be held on Wednesdays 6pm-9pm. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners selected Damon Nikolopoulos for promotion to the rank of Sergeant. QA discussion followed. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT Chief Hoeflich gave the Fire Department Report. The Department continues to fill vacancies. The Chief gave an overview of two recent notable fire. A commercial building fire on Howard street which was controlled thanks to activation of sprinkle system and a residential fire where no injuries or displacements occurred. There is also a community risk assessment underway. QA discussion followed. ENGINEERING REPORT Samantha Maximilian gave the Engineering Report. Samantha reviewed with the commission the proposed Public Safety Overview and Recommended Tips that will be posted on a new section of the Village website. There was no feedback on the Recommended Tips and the commission approved to move forward with the 3-piece social media series via the communications department. Samantha also presented the 2023 CIP Map and review of ongoing projects this summer. QA discussion followed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Followed up with the commission for any known general public safety issues/topics they are aware of within the Village for discussion in future discussions/presentations around those topics. Commissioner Leslie Post-Weissinger provided ideas and topics that the commission could further discuss at future meetings. Engineering, Police Department, and Fire Department Liaisons will meet internally to come up with a schedule to present on each of the topics. NEW BUSINESS Paul Pitalis announced that he would like to have a group picture taken at the next meeting ADJOURNMENT At 8:20 p.m. a motion was made to adjourn which was seconded and then passed unanimously. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SKOKIE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023 AT 7:00 P.M. IN PERSON AT THE SKOKIE POLICE STATION TRAINING ROOM AT 7300 NILES CENTER ROAD PLEASE CALL ENGINEERING DIVISION AT 847-933-8232 IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING Document Number: 508651 Version: 61