CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Safety Committee Meeting | Tuesday, December 12, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:30 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:28 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey | | Vice Chairperson Sarai Rivera | | Councilor Donna M Colorio |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey
Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Donna M. Colorio | | | | | Also: | Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier
WPD Lieutenant Sean Murtha
Director of Emergency Communications Charles Goodwin
City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Public Safety Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93622914564
Public Safety Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Safety Committee Zoom Access Code: 936 2291 4564 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Safety hereby approves the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting on September 27, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager - Police Department | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the weapons confiscated in 2023.
# 9.12A CM October 17, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief, who provided an overview of the weapons confiscation by the Police Department.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey then discussed the different types of illegal weapons found with the Police Chief, along with the numbers of handguns confiscated by the Police Department over the years.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brough forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the types of firearms confiscated by the Worcester Police Department, particularly during drug busts.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the increase in the City’s population as it relates to the number of illegal firearms seized with the Interim Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey also recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the State’s firearm laws with the Interim Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey then discussed the City’s education regarding illegal weapons and the involvement of the ATF with the Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the enforcement and prosecution of gun crimes in the City.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speaker:
1. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, who spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the types of firearms confiscated by the Worcester Police Department, particularly during drug busts. | | | | Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the enforcement and prosecution of gun crimes in the City. | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the use of a robot in critical police incidents along with the benefits of such use.
# 8.12A CM October 3, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief who discussed the use of robots in critical police incidents. Councilor Toomey discussed the benefits of robot use and different types of robots with the Police Chief.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief and Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning different options for the purchase of a robot by the Police Department and the Fire Department.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the life-saving technology of robots.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Police Chief and Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning different options for the purchase of a robot by the Police Department and the Fire Department. | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on whether Body Worn Cameras are on when police respond to evictions and foreclosures.
# 8.12B CM October 3, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief who discussed the use of body worn cameras during evictions and foreclosures in accordance with the body worn camera policy.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a Police Cadet Program that will impact the representation and demographics of underrepresented groups within the Police workforce.
# 9.12A CM May 2, 2023
In Committee September 27, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief, who discussed specifics of the Police Cadet Program, including the recruitment of diverse individuals and the different aspects of the program.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the diversity and challenges of the Police Cadet Program.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey then recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the her gratitude and appreciation for the program.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3e. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the number of confiscated Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's).
# 8.12A CM November 14, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Police Chief, who discussed the confiscation of Off Highway Vehicles (OHV).
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager - Emergency Communications and Management | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Heat and Cold Weather Emergencies.
# 8.13A CM October 3, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Director of Emergency Communications, who discussed the activation of warming and cooling centers, along with cold and heat emergency plans.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey then discussed the number of residents who need emergency shelter with the Director of Emergency Communications, along with the need for additional shelter space and warming and cooling centers.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Director of Emergency Communications and Management provide City Council with a report concerning the facilities and locations being utilized as warming and cooling centers throughout the City.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Director of Emergency Communications and Management provide City Council with a report concerning the facilities and locations being utilized as warming and cooling centers throughout the City. | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Disaster Relief Fund.
# 9.14A CM November 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Director of Emergency Communications, who discussed the funding and operations of the Worcester Disaster Relief Fund, including the need for an advisory board.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey then discussed the criteria for emergencies and the amount of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund with the Director of Emergency Communications.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the importance of the Worcester Disaster Relief Fund.
Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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