WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=GcOBehnvGDM

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:17.400
I haven't heard from Dean, we'll see. He might join us. >> Right. We're up on YouTube and DC is here. >> I'm here. Hi, welcome. Um So, this is the Public Safety Committee

2
00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:33.160
on July 8th for our regular monthly meeting. Welcome, soon-to-be Chief Belloy. >> Hello. >> Um Pat, are there any members of the public? I mean, we just went live, so I don't know.

3
00:00:33.160 --> 00:00:49.040
Um we have public comment in the top, but we can come back to it if people join us later in the meeting. >> Yeah, nobody on Zoom. We've been live on Zoom for 5 minutes now and no one we have no attendees, so that's it. >> All right, we'll come back to that. So,

4
00:00:49.040 --> 00:01:04.239
um So, we'll start with um police activity. If you could bring up the um MPD uniform crime report stats. >> Yeah. >> Um during the month of May, um the Township of Maplewood showed a

5
00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:20.640
decrease of 4.35% For comparison, there was a 70% decrease um from April 2025 to April 2026, so still a decrease, little bit less of a decrease this month, but still a decrease.

6
00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:36.840
So, overall, we've seen crime down um 30 more than 30% lower than in 2025. And that is a big decrease over the year. In May, there's no homicide, rape, robbery, or arson.

7
00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:57.200
So, we can bring Yeah, see if you can I'm going to take a look at this chart. So, this is So, looking at this in a chart way is something that Mayor DeLuca started last year, and the department has been helping with the with putting the

8
00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:12.800
information like this and it helps to see I mean there's some that we don't see many changes in but um the big one that we were seeing a lot with auto theft right? So if you look at that we can see um

9
00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:35.240
changes over the last 5 years which is pretty dramatic. Um and then we can look at all incidents um year-to-date also pretty dramatic. Um and those are the main ones. The

10
00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:50.959
um the five auto thefts we did have this month were four of them were unlocked vehicles with keys inside. So that's something that we've been um you know saying over and over to residents lock your cars, take your

11
00:02:50.959 --> 00:03:06.080
keys. Um and I think the police department has been um sharing that message as well. Um do you have um Deputy Chief, do you have any other

12
00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:22.320
um additions things to share about where we are this month with our uniform crime report? >> Um yeah, so to add what you were saying the slight increase with the auto thefts

13
00:03:22.320 --> 00:03:38.040
the vehicles did have keys inside. The other vehicle was actually not taken but it was enough damage where we would consider it a theft of the vehicle. Um the other incidences all incidences a lot of them were thefts from

14
00:03:38.040 --> 00:03:55.880
shoplifting um somehow damaged things. Some citizen reports where residents have come in and report things to us that we're investigating as well. Um package thefts are included there as well. >> Thank you. Yeah, I saw that.

15
00:03:55.880 --> 00:04:11.600
And um the one thing that I noticed with the auto thefts, I believe all of them are recovered. >> Yes. >> Yeah, so that's a great job. Um Great. So, let's move down to traffic and parking

16
00:04:11.600 --> 00:04:26.400
>> one thing on the burglaries, it's from zero to two is 200%. >> I know. But there were arrests made in both situations. So, there the actual burglary itself was cleared.

17
00:04:26.400 --> 00:04:47.640
>> Okay. Yeah. Thanks for the bath. All right. So, these are overnight parking tickets. And the gray, again, the gray is for this year. Uh if you can scroll a little bit up, Pat. We can see yeah. So,

18
00:04:47.640 --> 00:05:05.840
uh 2024 is the blue, 2025 is green, and 2026 this year is the gray. So, um So, you can see in the month of May and our our reporting does lag by 2 months. Um so, the reporting in May is showing

19
00:05:05.840 --> 00:05:22.960
um slight dip in May, but um you know, we've got uh Mhm. >> Oh, no. I was going to say I would attribute that because when I checked the schedule, um there were

20
00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:38.560
some instances, a few officers that were out on injury. Whose tickets normally would have been accumulated in that number during the overnight hours. >> Um still seeing a lot of tickets, so that's a great that's great. Uh scroll down.

21
00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:54.440
We've got some more. We've got Okay, so here's our parking tickets. Wow, look at those gray numbers shooting up there. Um this is something we've heard from residents, you know, about the parking turnover in the town and we've been

22
00:05:54.440 --> 00:06:13.800
cracking down. And also the delivery drivers, a lot of times we see them parking where they shouldn't be parking, basically. So, good numbers. Any questions, comments? Keep going to the next slide.

23
00:06:15.840 --> 00:06:36.320
And additional parking tickets, again, looking good. And keep going. And moving violations, and this gets into really the um pedestrian safety, traffic safety on our roads. So, it's really good to see those

24
00:06:36.320 --> 00:06:52.800
gray numbers for 2026 being really high. I know that you had some um specific traffic details. Um, so any other um information to share on this? >> Yeah, so we're um still had traffic

25
00:06:52.800 --> 00:07:08.480
details. We had the click it or ticket uh grant enforcement that gave us some additional uh manpower to focus on summonses. As well as, you know, once the weather breaks, more people tend to drive. We have more people on our roads and traveling through and in the

26
00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:25.520
shopping areas, people are out of their houses. So, you know, we I think we have a uptick in traffic as well. >> Yeah, this is looking good. I mean, this is number one of the big things that we hear about is, you know, the the driving around town, right? And people say they

27
00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:41.000
ask for enforcement. So, uh thank you. You're sure certainly doing that. Uh Mayor, any questions? I see we've got Mr. Daffis has joined us now. Any questions from either of you? >> I'll have a I have a question.

28
00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:56.160
Good evening. Uh yeah, this data looks great. Uh Um this aggregate data. Do we have and I'm not sure we have the technical capacity for this. So, it's a twofold question.

29
00:07:56.160 --> 00:08:12.240
Do we have specific data that breaks this down by where in town these violations are being issued? Do we have the technical capacity to do that?

30
00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:27.600
>> So, we did for the last two meetings, I broke out I mean, we we do have charts that show um the violations in on like Parker or in

31
00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:44.800
Maple Village in Maple Village. And so, the last two meetings include charts that show those specific areas. Um Deputy Chief, is there a better way to break that kind of information out other than going through each month and

32
00:08:44.800 --> 00:09:01.920
compiling it? >> Currently, the answer is no, but we are looking into some software improvements where we could map some of this data to make it more visible. >> Yeah, I think that's great. Of course,

33
00:09:01.920 --> 00:09:18.400
you are because you're visionary. I think that's great because I think we want to be able to show that um it aligns with the areas where you're constantly told that there's an issue

34
00:09:18.400 --> 00:09:35.120
where more enforcement needs to happen. Uh and we also want to show that the enforcement is equitable across town. Uh which is, you know, always something that we should be able to show. So, I appreciate that.

35
00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:51.240
Thank you. >> Yeah, that's a good point. It's So, the charts that I've seen are it's kind of like pulling data by area. It It's Do I have that right? And and then it's listed like you know, like

36
00:09:51.240 --> 00:10:07.720
if a car is ticketed for making a left turn on Maple Drive, if the car is ticketed for you know, um um being like um I'm just trying to think off the top of my head, but there were there were a lot

37
00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:24.120
of different reasons for the ticketing, you know, whether they're you know, um unsafe letting out of passengers. That was like on Parker. So, there were specific things that we were looking at, but um it it was month by month and you kind of had to scroll through the whole thing

38
00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:39.400
and so I compiled all of the data, um but it was not it was not easy to find that. So, yeah. >> We're trying to move to a better system >> Yeah. Much easier. >> Yeah, I agree with that.

39
00:10:39.400 --> 00:10:55.640
>> It would also be helpful to know what times of day uh is Boston enforcement happening. It may not be happening certain times of day. It may be, you know, all over the place. You know, I don't know, but I think those sort of like trends, those

40
00:10:55.640 --> 00:11:13.080
data points are really helpful in you know, allowing us to better evaluate uh our enforcement, to assess our enforcement and to see where we need improvement, to see that it it aligns

41
00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:29.880
with what our residents are asking us for, um and good for us as a governing body to ensure that, like I said, we're we're having equitable enforcement. Um The aggregate data is great as a starting point, but it doesn't tell the

42
00:11:29.880 --> 00:11:46.080
story uh with greater detail and clarity. It's kind of like a silent film, right? You could You have the characters and there's a story being told, but you you don't have any words. Um, and so once we can have those details, I think it'll better showcase

43
00:11:46.080 --> 00:12:02.760
what's going on and what's not going on. >> Yeah, I agree. And uh, I'm also working together now with the uh, community Maplewood Community Bolon Police because they're also very interested in that data and they've been accurate data and

44
00:12:02.760 --> 00:12:19.160
introducing me to new software types. So we are going to figure this out. >> That's great and that's what they should be doing. Is there someone from SEABOP on here tonight? I'm in the car not scrolling through. >> No. No. >> Why doesn't

45
00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:42.080
anyone come? So hopefully they do. >> Ay, ay, ay. Okay. Thank you. I'll be quiet now. >> Pat, you want to keep scrolling down? >> Yeah. >> So we've got here's radar violations. And you can keep going.

46
00:12:42.080 --> 00:13:04.680
Warning notices. And these are total summonses year-to-date. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Just 2026 is year-to-date on these. >> Yes, right. Okay. All right. Um,

47
00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:21.520
any other questions or comments on the on this data? It's It's um, we started um, I think the mayor started compiling this last year. We wanted to make sure and show that we are seeing enforcement and that we are, you know,

48
00:13:21.520 --> 00:13:37.920
addressing this. But um, as Mr. DAF has pointed out, it'd be great to drill into the data a little bit more cuz certainly we've been looking at, you know, Parker Avenue as we hear residents talk about, "Hey, there's you know, um you know, people are letting their kids out where they're not supposed to, people are parking where

49
00:13:37.920 --> 00:13:53.080
they're not supposed to, you know, obviously you guys can't be everywhere all at once so though that'd be great. Um you know, having the data to show that there is enforcement happening um really helps and the same in the village. Um you know, when we hear about the

50
00:13:53.080 --> 00:14:10.440
delivery drivers and we hear about um unsafe driving. Um being able to really show with the data, you know, that we're enforced doing enforcement um and what we're doing is helpful. So, um thank you for that. Um

51
00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:26.040
So, I just marked a couple of things that I just mentioned um parking in the village in handicap spots and on Parker Avenue bike lanes remain, you know, um challenging spots. Um cars uh parked too close to driveways,

52
00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:42.839
that's something that we're addressing in the engineering and public works committee. There are several streets are going to get the signs um uh you know, no parking 5 ft of a driveway um so that residents don't get blocked in um so that those will be areas to

53
00:14:42.839 --> 00:15:00.280
keep an eye out for. Um And then these are the motor vehicle accident calls in the last month. Pretty standard. Uh we had kind of an outlier in February, but um May looks to be

54
00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:17.839
um kind of in the line of the last couple of months. >> I think February was the ice and snow. >> Oh. Yeah, that could be. Um and then I added this new section to the agenda on community engagement and

55
00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:33.840
communications because I know this is one of your um big areas and so I wanted to just note a few things. Um, and these are just things that I noticed. Um, you know, we had the pop-up rally after the Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes, and we wanted to thank the

56
00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:49.640
Deputy Chief for attending. Um, it means a lot to our community to see our police department there. And when you guys came to the Wear Orange event at Town Hall, that meant a lot, as well. So, that kind of community engagement is important. Um, and I wanted to mention the sensory activation

57
00:15:49.640 --> 00:16:06.200
vehicle was used at both the health fair and several of the officers were very interested in it, and we brought it out again on July 4th. Um, and uh, had Officer Smith help set it up, and um, >> [clears throat] >> you know, so that was really helpful. Um,

58
00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:21.240
you know, it's something to think about for future use. Um, the the vehicle is managed by the South Orange Police Department, so it's available to us to use when it's not already booked. So, unfortunately, I think for National

59
00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:38.839
Night Out, they may be using it in South Orange, since that's the same night. Um, but if we have other events that we do, or that the the police department does, um, you know, that that it may be available for, we can, um, reach out and

60
00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:55.120
and and get it for those. So, it'll be at Maplewoodstock this weekend. Um, it was at Pride. So, it's it's a it's a it's a nice thing to be able to use. Um, so just putting that out there, and um,

61
00:16:55.120 --> 00:17:11.000
obviously happy to talk more about it, um, at any time. Um, I saw a couple of, um, Instagram posts about the pool being open for the heat wave, and especially the summer meal food program. So, um, thank you for putting those out, for helping us get

62
00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:27.280
the word out. Um, I noticed you I think I just shared it. You just put out a really nice, uh, disability pride month post. Um this is a good opportunity to share out the blue envelope program again. >> Yes. >> Um and I've been noticing the upcoming

63
00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:44.400
junior police academy. >> Yes, we are still holding out. I believe we have about five seats left. >> Okay. >> It's new and exciting this year. We plan to do some you know, new exciting trips and some new things. So, if anyone may

64
00:17:44.400 --> 00:18:00.520
be interested, please come our way. >> Yeah, let us know how we can help. Um you know, how uh the township committee and how we can be involved and help with that. Um that's a great community engagement opportunity.

65
00:18:00.520 --> 00:18:20.000
And then National Night Out on August 4th. >> August 4th. >> That. Um So, thank you again. And oh, I'm like trying to scroll it up and it's not my screen. So, Pat, you can scroll up. So, overtime we're kind of in the same

66
00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:36.400
range. Um I didn't see any outliers there. It's overall decrease when you look at salaries and OT together. Um So, do you have an update on I I know that So, going over other police items

67
00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:52.280
starting with the uh MPD efforts to prepare for the new e-bike law taking effect. Um So, we held a seminar, a webinar, uh you've been putting out um information. I think that's been helpful. Um have you

68
00:18:52.280 --> 00:19:07.520
heard from members of the public? Do you have any details on how to best implement that? >> So, um no members of the public currently have reached out to us with additional questions, but we did post

69
00:19:07.520 --> 00:19:23.200
from motor vehicles the state list of basically what the requirements were. Um at a few of the executive chief meetings, there was some conversation about, you know, once officers are trained, we have trained our staff about

70
00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:39.760
what the new regulations are. Um motor vehicles has to, you know, give the community residents the time to make appointments to get in compliance. So, we're going to probably have a warning issuing period like anything else prior

71
00:19:39.760 --> 00:19:58.680
to actual enforcement. >> Yeah, that makes sense. So, you're you're the officers still need to get some training on this. >> So, we have most of the department trained in the you know, with a complete understanding of what the statute is, what it's about, the way to enforce it, how the age

72
00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:15.040
ranges work. We have a few people left that we're going to need to, you know, bring on board, and we'll do so before the end of the month. And then, once there's like a consensus on the state level that motor vehicles has got given everyone opportunity, >> Yeah. >> then, you know, enforcement will

73
00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:32.440
definitely start taking place. So, we'll have probably have like a warning period as well. >> Okay. I think one of the main issues for us is the um the e-bikes being on the sidewalks. >> Yeah. >> Especially, you know, there are some

74
00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:46.560
that use them in Spring on Springfield Avenue. Um and merchants have been um have expressed concerns about that. And then, in in residential areas on the sidewalks, um it's just they move too quickly. It's it's it's very dangerous

75
00:20:46.560 --> 00:21:05.760
for pedestrians. And the the new e-bike law does prohibit them from being on sidewalks, so that's really, I think, one of the biggest issues for us. >> Okay. >> Um bringing to your attention that early morning walkers at DeHart, like around

76
00:21:05.760 --> 00:21:23.360
the 5:00 a.m. hour, uh would like to see more, you know, see some police presence. I wrote this down in my notes and I can't remember who told me this, but um I know we do have, especially with the heat, we do have people getting out pretty early.

77
00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:39.640
>> Okay. >> Um from our municipal partnership meeting, I'm passing on we discussed hazard routes and crossing guard staffing for the next school year and then the new bus routes. Um so this is more just a check-in that

78
00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:55.640
have you gotten the information from the school district? Um because I believe there's going to be several changes. There's there's going to be changes to when school start >> Yeah. >> and end. So we need to take that into consideration for the schedule.

79
00:21:55.640 --> 00:22:12.080
And then um and then they're they're looking at, I guess, which hazardous routes um uh need coverage. >> Um I've not gotten that complete report yet, but I did get the changes to the

80
00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:28.280
time for the current staffing that we have and the changes to the bussing. >> Okay. So yeah, I just want to make sure the community the coordination is happening there so that we can make sure that we have crossing guards in the right places

81
00:22:28.280 --> 00:22:46.480
um in the right times. And then they also mentioned I think that the funding they were using for they had some security guards at the middle schools and the funding they were using ran out. So um making sure that you're aware of that as well. >> Yes.

82
00:22:46.480 --> 00:23:01.360
>> Um I love seeing all the training that you guys do every month. Um I noticed there were 10 training courses and I I pulled out a few of them um just to share um

83
00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:17.200
the the active shooter workshop and active shooter incident response. Um excellent to be prepared, the art of interviewing, public public records 101 for officers, narcotics training, responding to veterans and police

84
00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:33.600
officers in crisis. So, all um really good um training. Um anything else you wanted to share about those or others that you wanted to point out? >> Um something that's notable is for the active shooter, we actually have a

85
00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:49.560
sergeant trained to teach that class. So, not only did I also participate, we have a sergeant that's certified um on the state level that will be able to teach that class not only in-house, but across the state as well. Um

86
00:23:49.560 --> 00:24:05.800
we have some changes to records, so we made sure that everyone that's involved in OPRA and all of our records is up-to-date, and we're constantly looking for training relating to crisis because that's a big volume of our, you know, calls and we get a lot of concerns about

87
00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:21.360
it. So, we're making sure our officers attend crisis intervention, you know, any kind of de-escalation, and we were able to send veterans, retired veterans that are now police officers to this training specifically so that they will

88
00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:37.360
be able to have that connection if any member of the community needed it. >> Great. Thank you. Um that's so good to hear. Um Pat, do you see if anyone from the community board and police is online now? >> We have no members of the public tonight.

89
00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:51.600
>> Oh, no members of the public. I keep asking people to come. >> [laughter] >> Um all right. So, we'll keep on going. Office of Emergency Management, Pat, do you have anything to update us on that?

90
00:24:51.600 --> 00:25:08.920
>> Uh yeah, just that we last Friday, um and I and I guess even last week and and even the beginning of this week, Maplewood was fortunate in not facing some of the uh, emergencies that we saw in nearby municipalities. Um, we we had a heat wave and unfortunately throughout

91
00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:24.120
the state we saw, um, 29 deaths reported as of yesterday. Um, which is always scary and it, you know, kind of goes to why we keep putting out messages to the public about where our cooling centers are and and going yes, you refer to when we can make our

92
00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:39.800
municipal pool open to the public. We also saw a lot of power outages from Friday's storm. Again, Maplewood was fortunate. We had trees down across roadways. We had, uh, DPW out for a few hours Friday and early Saturday morning and there were power

93
00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:56.280
outages, but not to the extent that we saw even in our, uh, neighboring municipality, South Orange, who had >> They had a lot. >> Yeah, like 800, 900 outages at a at their high point at at one time, so a lot. And then we saw flooding, uh, over the weekend and early this week in a lot

94
00:25:56.280 --> 00:26:12.560
of the shore towns. So, um, fortunately, Maplewood has not, uh, had issues to the same extent of those other places, but it's a good reminder for why we stay prepared, so. >> Yeah, so I had a question about the cooling center cuz I understand the police department is one of our cooling

95
00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:27.680
centers. >> Yep. >> Um, how does that work when people go there? Um, do they just show up or they have to call ahead of time? >> They can do either. So, they can walk into the police department or they can call the police department and >> Okay.

96
00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:45.640
>> not all set up, we'll stage them in the the courtroom there and then So, at some point in >> Okay. >> Go on. >> Sorry. Uh, when when they go in, do they have to show ID? >> No.

97
00:26:45.640 --> 00:27:02.800
>> No. >> No, it's set up it's set up for as a temporary staging area until we can get a typically the community center is set up as the cooling center or shelter.

98
00:27:02.800 --> 00:27:19.800
But we have people go to the police station so that we know that there are people who need it and then we call staff in, they open the community center and then we ask we get people over there. >> Okay. Um I had >> the protocol. But but just one thing on this because in the summer though

99
00:27:19.800 --> 00:27:35.000
we don't use the community center, we use the senior center. >> Okay. Um yeah, I had someone pull me aside at the 4th of July and say, you know, it's really hot, but people don't want to go to the police office the police

100
00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:51.600
department for a cooling center because then they have to show ID and they get kind of nervous and >> No, it's not true. >> All right. >> Also, in our communications to the public, we have encouraged them for anybody looking for a place to cool down to go to the

101
00:27:51.600 --> 00:28:07.640
libraries. We've included the location of both of the libraries, the website >> library is a great place. I mean, it's just a great place anyway, but it's that's a great cooling center. >> Yeah, so can I speak Yeah, can I speak on this, please, cuz I brought this up in previous years.

102
00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:23.320
Um I we got to kind of discontinue the practice. With all due respect, nothing against the police department, but but people don't want to go to the police department unless they have to. Not for cooling, not for entertainment, not for anything unless they have to,

103
00:28:23.320 --> 00:28:40.680
right? Um and frankly, with all due respect again to everyone, uh I'm part of the TC, so, you know, I'm taking this on, too. Um when you go to the police department, it you know, it's it's like you're walking into some like

104
00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:57.840
command center, right? Like it's not very welcoming. Not that because anyone is rude, but it's all very like closed off and and and not very hospitable place. So, now that we have the library, I really think we should

105
00:28:57.840 --> 00:29:15.200
get into better practice of promoting that because I wouldn't want to go to the police department hours or anyone else's. And when you look at the practices that other nearby similar communities, Bloomfield, Verona, Montclair, what they utilize, it's often not the

106
00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:29.920
police department. The police department becomes an OEM shelter as a last resort during power outages and when there is like a need, an emergency per se, um but not

107
00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:45.880
as shelter from the cold, not as shelter from the heat um as an ordinary course. And I would really really encourage us to think about discontinuing this practice. That's all I have to say.

108
00:29:45.880 --> 00:30:02.160
>> In our communications this year, we've put out that residents could and should go to the library. We've also put out that we they can after hours, anytime, but you know, I think it's specifically needed after hours when the library is closed, to go to the police

109
00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:16.640
department. Again, to Mr. DeLuca's point, that's temporary and we would open up a cooling center for them. Most other municipalities in Essex County, they just have their library hours and when their libraries are closed, they don't have opportunities for cooling centers, at least municipally offered

110
00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:32.920
cooling centers. So, Maplewood does more than most in the fact that when libraries are closed, we would open up cooling centers for members of the public. So, you know, again, we should be we do and should encourage our public to go to libraries. It's a

111
00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:48.040
a more suitable place for them, but when the library is closed, if residents still want to have a place to go, they should go to our police department. We will keep them there until we can open up a cooling center, and then we'll move them over to a cooling center. >> So, I think this sounds like, you know,

112
00:30:48.040 --> 00:31:03.120
a good opportunity to explain to the public how this works because clearly, um you know, there's miscommunication from what the you know, the individual who, you know, shared concerns with me. And um the library it I mean, they the library

113
00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:19.160
does close at like 5:00. I think one day it stays open till 8:00, but um you know, and right now we're not open on Sunday, so you know, if the library isn't open, we're not necessarily going to have the senior center open and staffed. So, I guess that's what the

114
00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:35.040
what the the in between, right? Is that you go to the the >> The library's open from 10:00 to 5:00 10:00 to 8:00 every day, Monday I'm sorry, Monday through Thursday. The main library is open 10:00 to 5:00 10:00 to 8:00. And then 10:00 to 5:00 on um

115
00:31:35.040 --> 00:31:51.480
Friday. Hilton is open. Hilton is open you have the dates here. times here, right? Yeah. So, this is this is what went out with the notice in our uh it was a a news brief, so it went to all residents who subscribe to our

116
00:31:51.480 --> 00:32:08.560
newsletter and any other Maplewood news. Um at the top is the first thing is the is the library resources. >> Yeah, I don't have a problem with the notice. I thought the notice was excellent. Uh and putting the library up top is a great thing. I mean, look, it's something to think about, right? When

117
00:32:08.560 --> 00:32:24.280
with respect to the library the new uh uh uh branch of the library of the Maplewood library on Baker Street, the new building. When we were talking about that that new building and designing it, there was conversation at the time um

118
00:32:24.280 --> 00:32:39.200
uh of the I don't know if it was the community room or or the adjacent space, not the the, you know, uh regular operational space, but like the community space staying open later for

119
00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:54.400
students across the street, for for anyone, as sort of a hangout safe space. Now, I know that since the library has opened, we haven't had those conversations as it relates to operationalizing that, you know,

120
00:32:54.400 --> 00:33:08.960
staffing needs and costs associated with that and this that and the other. Those discussions need to be had uh and looking into this a little bit deeper. But, I would encourage us to go there and look at that. I mean, that's why we

121
00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:26.520
built that space to offer it as a community space beyond its normal library and library function. Um as an event space for people to book, of course, but also as a community third space.

122
00:33:26.520 --> 00:33:42.520
Um so, that's what I'm thinking about. When I'm thinking about like, oh there's a there's a heat wave and there's an emergency or there's a a winter break and people don't have power or something, that would be a space where they could go. Now, of course, it'd have to be staffed and we have to figure it

123
00:33:42.520 --> 00:33:58.720
out what that looks like and what it costs. But, you know, I think it's a worthwhile exercise. At least those that's just my opinion. I don't know if any other other persons feel that way. >> Dean, I have to tell you, Dean, I I don't ever remember having that conversation.

124
00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:14.120
So, um >> Okay, well, I do. I remember having that conversation early where I the building was being designed and like this idea of when we were doing the surveys, in person, people coming in and putting

125
00:34:14.120 --> 00:34:32.200
things on the board and the different locations on stickies and what is it that they were hoping to get out of this new building. Um I remember that being a piece of it. >> But, let's let's go back to this to this thing about the police station. Um

126
00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:49.320
we do not have a building that's open and staffed after 8:00. >> Right. >> That's it. >> That's a challenge. >> if someone loses power at 9:00 p.m. we cannot send them anywhere because

127
00:34:49.320 --> 00:35:05.080
there's nobody there. >> Right. >> So, we ask them to go to the police station so that we could gather them and then we call in a staff person to go over to one of the buildings that we have. And then that's how it works. They don't

128
00:35:05.080 --> 00:35:21.040
go to the police station for shelter. They go for the police station and go to the police station for the transition so that we can get the shelter open. And there's no ID. There's no anything. The door is the door is open. Um

129
00:35:21.040 --> 00:35:36.720
people come in and the the courtroom door is open. They sit in the courtroom. And then once and then once there's a a critical mass of people say, "I need shelter. I need some time." Then we will call someone to um

130
00:35:36.720 --> 00:35:54.840
uh Melissa gets called and she calls a an aid an attendant rather and gets the building open. >> How many people take us up on that? >> None. >> None. >> Never. Not a single >> Well, I shouldn't say that. We've had We've had in the past we've had

131
00:35:54.840 --> 00:36:10.680
uh people go to the libraries during the day, but in off hours not too many. >> Even during like Super Storm Sandy or >> No, that was a whole different We staffed it. >> Oh, we staffed it, right? And Ida >> it because that was our shelter. People slept there.

132
00:36:10.680 --> 00:36:28.080
>> Right. But as a cooling center I don't In my tenure at least 3 years we haven't had anybody. >> Right. Or heating. >> Or heating. Yes. Right. >> I mean, I think a lot of people would be more inclined to go to a relative's house or

133
00:36:28.080 --> 00:36:44.840
friend's house or to a hotel, but the benefit of continuing to use the library is for those individuals who don't have access to a friend or a neighbor or another place to go. So, it makes our community, I think,

134
00:36:44.840 --> 00:37:01.120
more um just more It just provides for those who may not have those options. Um >> Yeah. >> I just wanted to offer one thing. Um if the resident chooses to, they could call us, give us their house

135
00:37:01.120 --> 00:37:15.960
address if they did not want to come to the police station, explain to us they're in need of a cooling center, and where they are, and we could still start the same process without them physically having to come in to us after hours.

136
00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:32.000
>> Yeah, that's a good point. I think that Pat, was that on the the list that it gave the police department or not? >> called a number. >> [clears throat] >> Absolutely. Yep, that's included in what we put out to the public. >> Yeah. Yeah, so that's a good point, absolutely. Um

137
00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:47.120
So, you know >> You know, at some point we have to walk around with a button. And when you meet to somebody who says, "Oh, you have to show ID." You have to press that button and say, "That's bullshit." >> [laughter] >> Yeah, I've been I've been pushing Yes, I agree. >> it all the time cuz there's so much

138
00:37:47.120 --> 00:38:04.200
out there that people, you know, they just believe all this stuff. >> Yes. Just like I've been pushing the button in social media threads all day today and not doing my work to counteract this narrative that we were not patriotic at all, and everything was

139
00:38:04.200 --> 00:38:20.960
happening on one side of town, and we didn't have enough flags, and the flags that we did have were not big enough. I'm like, you know what? This is not a good page. >> Who gives a >> I just kept scrolling. I just kept scrolling. >> Oh my god. Anyway, yes, against my better judgment. I know better at this point, but, you You sometimes we do what

140
00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:36.640
we do. >> [snorts] >> Um okay, so let's move on. Um South Essex Fire Department, um these are the latest numbers. They are in line with what we see every month with um uh

141
00:38:36.640 --> 00:38:54.040
almost half um of the calls are medical. Um uh very excited about our local um our local girl Simone getting all the attention when she was at the Knicks parade. So, I believe she's being honored at our um

142
00:38:54.040 --> 00:39:11.840
A lot of honors going on at the next meeting that I'm going to that you've got the uh Deputy Chief becoming our Chief with a big gala swearing in, and then um Simone will be honored during the meeting. So, um y'all have fun. Take pictures.

143
00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:29.880
Um and so, moving on to any other any questions for fire >> CFD is that we are working to uh address the overtime. >> Yeah, that is a big >> a consistent concern uh since the consolidation, and we have

144
00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:47.360
seen some good numbers. They're starting to dip a little bit. We've made some changes, and uh um so, that's that's good. >> And um De- Dean, I think you had some questions. Did did those get resolved on

145
00:39:47.360 --> 00:40:02.400
um uh let me see. Um alerts not not alerts. Um like repeated alarms going off in the same place, and then also helping individuals who um

146
00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:17.960
you know, are mobility restricted evacuate. >> Yeah, Pat said that administration was looking into it. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead, Pat. >> So, both of those we're making progress on the on the first, SEFD and fire

147
00:40:17.960 --> 00:40:35.520
prevention are working together to like we are to make sure we're coordinated on issuing fines for repeat occurrences. So, that's move forward. That's straight operational. On the on seeing how we can improve with the

148
00:40:35.520 --> 00:40:52.400
registries of people who are who may need assistance in times of an emergency beyond a typical emergency response. The county has lists that they keep with the through their OEM that are also kept with the state. We're seeing you know, we would like to have just one

149
00:40:52.400 --> 00:41:09.280
depository for all of this information instead of having multiple. And so, we've been Candace has been spearheading an effort with the county and the state to see how the information is uploaded and how we can be downloading it on a timely basis to keep our records current. She's still talking

150
00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:25.440
to them about exactly how that works cuz we we want to make sure before we go through the effort that it gets we're going to get out of the process what we want to. I'll follow up with her tomorrow and see where that process is. >> Okay. So, this was um So, Deputy Chief, I know we have in the

151
00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:41.080
police department, there is like a special needs registry. Um and so, this came up in the um South Essex Fire Department meeting and it's you know, you have one list, they have

152
00:41:41.080 --> 00:41:57.640
one list. How is it updated? Is it updated? You know, the the goal would be to have one um one registry, one list um that is more updated that can be shared across um first responders.

153
00:41:57.640 --> 00:42:13.920
>> Of course, I think that'd be very helpful. They formulate their lists and they're ready, we can add their things to our system pretty easily. So, we will have that for the residents that do contact us. >> Great. Great. Um

154
00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:30.600
So, moving on for other items, I did want to bring up the fact that there were um a couple of um ice sightings in town today. Um apparently, the spot right in front of the Hilton Library is um a repeated

155
00:42:30.600 --> 00:42:48.080
um location. So, um I did want to share out there was some questions from the public about you know, what what is the police department what is our police department do? Um Uh I I explained that most of the time

156
00:42:48.080 --> 00:43:04.320
you don't know that you don't get like um um nearly every time you don't get prior notification. Most of the time you don't know about it unless somebody calls or um and and that when you >> Just to be clear, you had said prior

157
00:43:04.320 --> 00:43:20.840
notification. I don't think PD has ever received prior notification. There are times when they've received notifications after the fact, but that's very infrequent. >> Yeah, I thought there was like one time maybe, but yeah, basically they don't get any. So, um so what um have you

158
00:43:20.840 --> 00:43:37.240
gotten a call about the recent We've had several like we probably had two today, multiple others this week. >> Um some of the incidences the residents do call us. Um usually after the fact.

159
00:43:37.240 --> 00:43:52.480
Um they'll say they believe they saw it normally as the car is driving away or they're putting the engine in the car right before they drive away. Um we do try to document the things they saw. Um if there's a car left on scene to attempt to make identification of the

160
00:43:52.480 --> 00:44:07.640
person that may have been taken away. We've done that in the past those Springfield Avenue. Um the vehicle that the driver was in was left there. We, you know, gave it a courtesy. We checked the registration. We found out it was not from our municipality, but we made a

161
00:44:07.640 --> 00:44:24.120
notification to the uh municipality where the individual was from to let them know where they can make a notification at the house that we believe that individual to be taken by immigration. Um which may speed up the notification process before they're allowed to get a call or you know, what have you so the

162
00:44:24.120 --> 00:44:40.200
family has some awareness. Let them know that there is a vehicle in Maplewood. If you have a key, please come pick it out. You know, those things we tried to you know, give as much courtesy and leeway. The vehicle was not a safety issue. So we were able to leave it there for a few days, you know, give the family time

163
00:44:40.200 --> 00:44:57.200
versus us towing it and incurring more fees. So we're trying to you know, work with the residents and the community, but we definitely welcome the calls um if they have information, if they believe they have information, our dispatchers will take the information and you know,

164
00:44:57.200 --> 00:45:14.440
keep it recorded and update it as the day progresses of each incident. So >> So what happens when you get a call from a resident that there's an ICE agent? What's the Send it Send someone out right away? >> Yeah, so we would send someone out to

165
00:45:14.440 --> 00:45:29.200
check the area. Um the officer for the most part would not engage with them if they're just sitting in the vehicle cuz we get a lot of that. They're sitting in the van kind of waiting for something to happen, but they will ride by to confirm yes, I

166
00:45:29.200 --> 00:45:46.880
believe that to be them. No, they will you know, not monitor them, but just you know, kind of monitor the area to make sure everything is staying orderly and that everyone is you know, remaining safe. >> And have they responded?

167
00:45:46.880 --> 00:46:03.240
Like I mean, um have you gotten the notification in time for an officer to respond? >> Um no, we actually had uh officers um say they believe someone to be sitting on the side of the road a a times. >> Um they thought themselves.

168
00:46:03.240 --> 00:46:19.040
>> Yeah, that they thought themselves. Um but for the most part the the notifications that we receive are usually toward the end of the incident. >> Got it. Um and and just to reiterate um the police

169
00:46:19.040 --> 00:46:34.600
department doesn't provide support or cooperation to the ICE agents. >> Got it. Of course. >> Um and I know in past conversations with Chief Sally he had emphasized that um the first priority would be for safety

170
00:46:34.600 --> 00:46:50.960
of everyone on the scene um and de-escalation primarily. >> Yes. >> Um Yeah, that was the basic that was the question was if someone at Hilton Library saw them and called the police

171
00:46:50.960 --> 00:47:10.720
what would happen next. And it sounds >> Yeah, officers would be dispatched, you know, to monitor the area if there wasn't actively a need for, you know, the Maple police to be involved in the situation. >> Um and so we just passed the um at our Township Committee meeting last night

172
00:47:10.720 --> 00:47:27.160
the immigrant trust directive and one of the things that we're working on the next thing that we'll be working on is a set of facts which we've already started we've got kind of a draft that we've been working with our attorney but we'll certainly um be working with you as well and in getting together facts for our

173
00:47:27.160 --> 00:47:42.880
community to answer these kinds of questions um and then holding uh a couple town halls so that we can, you know, talk directly to residents. Um I had invited residents to come to our meeting tonight. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to bring their questions directly

174
00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:59.920
to us uh but I I don't see I don't know is anyone do we have any public joining us cuz we can open up public comments again later in the meeting or at the end of the meeting which is pretty much We have a number of public. >> So, um

175
00:47:59.920 --> 00:48:19.880
So, I first want to ask my colleagues if there are any other items that you want to bring up before we move to our second public comment. All right, Pat, do you want to see if anyone online would like to speak? >> Yes, if anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak in public portion, please

176
00:48:19.880 --> 00:48:40.680
raise your hand. Our attendee did not raise their hand. >> Okay. Uh, well, we will certainly have more opportunity to have direct dialogue with the public, uh, just not at this meeting.

177
00:48:40.680 --> 00:48:55.560
Um, so, with that, we are now on to executive session, if we have a need to move to executive session. >> We do. >> All right. Um,

178
00:48:55.560 --> 00:49:10.640
>> For for personnel reasons. >> Is that a motion? >> Yes. >> And do I have a second? I'll second. >> On the third round, yes. >> All right.

179
00:49:10.640 --> 00:49:27.080
All right, goodbye member of the public. >> Thanks for joining us. >> Get a life. >> Oh my god, I think they heard you. >> no, no. >> Yeah, well, you know, you'll when you know who it is. >> Oh, oh, we know who it was? I didn't

180
00:49:27.080 --> 00:49:30.760
know who it was. Oh, we know who it was?