Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/12/1997 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 12, 1997 I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Farley called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. Present at the meeting were: Trustees George Clowes, Paul Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer and Daniel Nocchi. Trustee Timothy Corcoran arrived at 7:50 P.M. Staff present included Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Police Chief Ronald Pavlock, Problem Solving Officers Joseph Favia and Anthony Halachoulis, Student Resource Officer Kenneth Lee and Administrative Intern Aric Ahrens. Also present were Sheldon Tabas, President of the Courts of Randview Condominium Association, Jerry Johnson, Vice President of the Randwood Towers Condominium Association, Rick Poore, President of the Mount Prospect Townhome Association, Joyce Van Geertry, Building Manager of Prospect Commons, Lillian Perhan, of the Concerned Homeowners Association, Dr. Shirley Smalley, Superintendent of River Trails School District 26 and Dr. Alice Epstein of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. MINUTES Approval of Minutes of July 8, 1997 and July 29, 1997. Motion was made by Trustee Hoefert and seconded by Trustee Nocchi. Minutes were approved. II1. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. PROBLEM SOLVING OFFICER (PSO) - COPS AHEAD GRANT PROGRAM REVIEW Assistant Village Manager David Strahl made introductory remarks concerning the Problem Solving Officer program. He stated that the program is based on the concept of Community Oriented Policing that has been widely used in police departments across the country in the last several years. The officers appointed as Problem Solving Officers (PSOs) spend a great deal more time dealing with residents on a one-on-one basis and are viewed as facilitators in solving problems facing the community. He stated that by working with residents, the PSOs help the residents to identify and solve the issues in their community. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl continued his introduction by stating that 1 the initial funding for the Problem Solving Officer program was in large part secured through a Federal "COPS Ahead" grant. He stated that the activity reports from the PSOs have shown that the program has had some very positive impacts in the Village and that due to the fact the Federal grant monies will soon expire, the Board needed to address the issue of whether to continue the PSO program by securing funding from other sources. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl then introduced Police Chief Ronald Pavlock who elaborated on the details of the program for the Board. Police Chief Ronald Pavl0ck preceded his overview with introductions of the two officers assigned as PSOs, officers Joseph Favia and Anthony Halachoulis. He then stated that the Board would hear testimony from several individuals regarding the Problem Solving Officer program. He stated that testimony would be provided by the following individuals: Sheldon Tabas, President of Courts of Randview Condominium Association, Jerry Johnson, Vice President of the Randwood Towers Condominium Association, Rick Poore, President Mount Prospect Townhome Association, Ed and Joyce Van Geertry of Prospect Commons and Lillian Perhan, member of the Concerned Homeowners Association. Police Chief Ronald Pavlock then began his overview of the Problem Solving Officer program by stating that the program had been in place for two years. He stated that by assigning Officers Halachoulis and Favia to the program, a void was created in the Patrol Division. This void was filled by the hiring of two officers to replace Officers Favia and Halachoulis in the Patrol Division. Police Chief Ronald Pavlock continued his overview by informing the Board ~that he considered the assignment of the PSOs as being reflective of a certain law enforcement philosophy rather than just a specific program. He stated that the Police Department has been conducting citizen surveys since 1989 to determine what the residents of Mount Prospect require of their Police Department. He stated that the PSO program is a natural extension of this customer service orientation. He stated that the program was intended to introduce the problem solving concept to the Department, and that the entire Department and the community it servers must accept the problem solving philosophy in order for it to be effective. Police Chief Ronald Pavlock then stated that the philosophy has indeed been accepted by the Department and the community and that many positive results have been observed that can be directly attributed to the PSO program. He stated that grant monies that became available on April 1, 1995 to offset the PSO assignments have expired and that he was requesting direction from the Board regarding the continuation of the PSO program. Mayor Farley then solicited testimony regarding the PSO program. First to speak was Mr. Sheldon Tabas, President of the Courts of Randview Condominium Association. Mr. Tabas stated that he had lived in the Boxwood area for nine years. He stated that for the first seven of those years, it was his op!nion that the level of criminal activity had increased from one year to the next. He stated that the level of criminal activity had decreased in the last two years since the PSO program was initiated. He stated that he no longer sees abandoned automobiles and public intoxication to the same degree as in the past. Mr. Tabas continued by explaining that PSO Joseph Favia had helped to organize the community and that this organization had lead to many changes in the past two years. Among the improvements listed by Mr. Tabas were: additional streetlights installed in the area and the creation of the Boxwood parking program. He also stated that children are playing in the parks in the neighborhood, which was an indication of the improvements the area has experienced since the PSO program began. He stated that he would like to see the program continue so that other efforts could be undertaken to help to improve the community, and he thanked PSO Joseph Favia for his effort in bringing about the changes. Mayor Farley inquired of Mr. Tabas as to whether he felt the results experienced in his neighborhood could have been achieved without the PSO program. Mr. Tabas responded that he felt it was unlikely that the same results could have been achieved. He stated that the cohesion provided by PSO Favia was essential in obtaining substantial results. He stated that the recognition by the residents of the fact that the Village would stand behind PSO Favia helped to provide some of the leverage needed to bring about change. Mr. Jerry Johnson, Vice President of the Randwood Towers Condominium Association, spoke next. He stated that he has seen many changes since the inception of the program. Among the improvements he listed were: a cleaner neighborhood, zoned parking which helped in the removal of abandoned automobiles, families out walking together, and single women walking unafraid at night. He thanked PSO Favia and stated that Officer Favia had put more effort into his job than was required of him. He stated that PSO Favia helped to guide residents.in solving their problems and that the security at Randhurst and the condominium's private security had worked well with the Police Department to improve the community. He stated that he had a copy of a letter from the President of Randwood Towers Condominium Association to the Village Board informing them of his desire to see the program continued. Mayor Farley inquired of Mr. Johnson as to whether he felt that the community would continue to see improvement with the continuation of the PSO program. Mr. Johnson stated that he felt that there would be a continued improvement should the PSO program be extended. He also expressed concern that the community would regress should the program be eliminated. Rick Poore, President of the Mount Prospect Townhome Association spoke next. He thanked PSOs Favia and Halachoulis, the Mount Prospect Police Department and the Village for creating the PSO program. He stated that one of the benefits of the program was the creation of a Neighborhood Watch. He also stated that he felt that crime would increase in his neighborhood if the PSO program were eliminated. Mayor Farley inquired of Mr. Poore as to whether he felt that the improvements his community has experienced could be extended without the P$O program. Mr. Poore responded that he felt that this was unlikely. He stated that tl'ie PSO program provided the communication necessary for the improvements in the community. Ms. Joyce Van Geertry, Building Manager of Prospect Commons spoke next. She stated that the program has allowed residents to have a one-on-one relationship with the Mount Prospect Police Department. She stated that the program has been extremely important to Prospect Commons. She stated that the improvements were made possible by working closely with the PSO. Ms. Lillian Perhan, of the Concerned Homeowners Association spoke next. She stated that she is a twenty-five year citizen of Mount Prospect. She stated that it was very reassuring to know that she can call on PSO Halachoulis should she have any problems or concerns. She stated that she felt the service her community receives from the Mount Prospect Police Department is outstanding. Ms. Perhan went on to explain that several factors accounted for PSO Halachoulis' effectiveness in bringing about change. Among these factors were: the fact that PSO Halachoulis has a badge to help bring out respect, the participation by PSO Halachoulis in meetings and the input he has provided outside of those meetings as well, and the fact that PSO Halachoulis has the power to accomplish some things that would be impossible for the residents to achieve on their own. Mayor Farley then solicited comments from the Village board on the PSO program. Trustee Clowes stated that the PSOs provide a great deal of helpful information 4 and advice to residents. He stated that an essential aspect of the program is that it helps owners and tenants to take responsibility for the condition of their community. He stated that he hoped that in the long term the success of the program would help to eliminate the need for PSOs. Trustee Clowes then inquired of Ms. Van Geertry as to whether she felt there was an overlap of responsibilities between the Crime Prevention Officers and the Problem Solving Officers. Ms. Van Geertry responded that she viewed the CPO program as being more of an educational program, whereas the PSO program provided the hands on assistance that was necessary for substantial change. She stated that she felt that although the two programs were complimentary, that the continued follow-up of the PSO program differentiated the two programs, and that the follow-up was essential to the problem solving process. Police Chief Ronald Pavlock then provided a summation of the characteristics and benefits of the PSO program. He stated that it allowed each resident to be a part of the problem solving process, and that the attitude brought into the Department through the PSO program needed to be continued. General comments by t~he Village Board included the following: Several Trustees noted the success of the program as a catalyst for change. Several Trustees expressed support for the philosophy behind the Problem Solving Officer program. Some Board members mentioned the potential of the program to provide a "ripple" or "snowball" effect in other areas of the Village, and that improvements are not limited to the particular neighborhoods served by the two PSOs. Mayor Farley expressed his thanks to the two Problem Solving Officers on behalf of the Village Board. Problem Solving Officer Joseph Favia stated that he appreciated the solid commitment by the Board and staff. Problem Solving Officer Anthony Halachoulis stated that he would like to reiterate Officer Favia's remarks and thank the residents who he had worked with over the life of the program. Consensus of the Village Board was to explore ways to continue to fund the Problem Solving Officer program in lieu of the expiring Federal funding, Consensus of the Village Board was that the Problem Solving Officer program should be continued if funding can be found. V. REVIEW OF THE STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICERS - RIVER TRAILS MIDDLI~ SCHOOL AND WESTBROOK (NSSEO) Police Chief Ronald Pavlock provided an overview of the Student Resource Officer program. He stated that the program initially began in August of 1995 at River Trails Middle School, and was partially funded by the school district. He explained that the funding was split between the school district and the Village with the school district paying the salary and the Village paying for the benefits of the Student Resource Officer (SRO). Police Chief Pavlock stated that by having an officer in the school, the safety of the learning environment is enhanced, and the Police Department gains a groat deal of information from working closely with the children and school officials. Police Chief Pavlock then introduced Dr. Shirley Smalley of the River Trails School District to provide testimony to the Village Board regarding the Student Resource Officer Program. Dr. Shirley Smalley, Superintendent of the River Trails School District stated that..--., the SRO Program helps to prepare the children to become productive citizens. She ~. ) cited as an example the fact that the school experienced only four (4) referrals to the Police Department in the previous school year, compared to forty-one (41) referrals in the school year prior to the inception of the Student Resource Officer Program. Dr. Smalley stated that Student Resource Officer Allen Wilcox serves as a role model to the children. She stated that the children's behavior has improved since the inception of the program and that very few students are arrested in the aroa which the school serves. She stated that occurrences of vandalism and graffiti have decreased in the Boxwood area since the inception of the program. Dr. Smalley stated that the River Trails School Board was extremely appreciative of the Student Resource Officer program and considers their contribution towards the program to be a wise investment. Mayor Farley inquired of Dr. Smalley as to who exercised direct supervision over the SRO. ' Dr. Smalley responded that the SRO worked closely with the Principal of the school, but also rocoived a great deal of direction from herself, Police Chief Ronald Pavlock and Village Manager Michael E. Janonis. General comments from the Village Board included the following: Several Trustees stated that they felt the program should continue. Trustees cited improved communication with the school and increased respect on the part of students towards adults as benefits of the program. Trustees also cited as beneficial the tendency of the children to develop a relationship with a Police Officer that was not adversarial. Consensus of the Village Board was supportive of the continuation of the Student Resource Officer program at River Trails Middle School Police Chief Ronald Pavlock continued the discussion regarding the Student Resource Officer Program by addressing the SRO position assigned to Westbrook School as part of an agreement with the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO). Police Chief Pavlock stated that the program was very similar to the one at River Trails Middle School. He stated that the program had been very successful and he felt that Officer Lee and the Police Department in general benefitted from the experience. He also stated that there had been very few problems at the school requiring Police assistance in the last year. He then introduced Dr. Alice Epstein, of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization who provided testimony regarding the SRO program at Westbrook School. ~ Dr. Epstein stated that the program had been very successful, and that she felt that i the Village had an excellent Police Department. She stated that the SRO provided ~ a positive role model to the children. She stated that many neighborhood residents I. articulated concerns about the program's inception at VVestbrook. She stated that ~' in response, the Police Department worked with residents through monthly neighborhood meetings in order to allay their concerns. Mayor Farley stated that he recalled the meetings and noticed a marked and desirable change in the residents' attitudes towards the program as it progressed. Trustee Hoefert stated that it would be useful if better statistics were kept so that the effectiveness of the program could be better documented. Dick Bachhuber, 625 S. Edwards inquired about the selection process., He stated that the Police Department had done an excellent job in identifying officers who would become excellent Student Resource Officers. Police Chief Ronald Pavlock stated that the Department evaluated every officer in order to determine individuals who would become excellent SROs. He stated that they tended to be officers with children, but that it was also essential that the Officer volunteer for the program. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl expressed his thanks to the Village Board on behalf of the staff for allowing experimentation with new programs such as the Problem Solving and Student Resource Officer programs. Consensus of the Village Board was supportive of the continuation of the Westbrook (NSSEO) Student Resource Officer program. VI. MANAGER'S REPORT None. VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Hoefert stated that he had received a letter from a resident who was very pleased with the service he had received from the Public Works Department. The individual had experienced a problem with his water and was very happy with the timeliness and quality of the response he received in getting his problem solved. He stated that this letter was indicative of the quality of work done by the Public Works Department. VIII ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ARIC AHRENS Administrative Intern /aa