City of Belleville Police & Fire Committee met Jan. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Committee Chair Alderman Johnnie Anthony called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Committee Members Present:
Johnnie Anthony Bryan Whitaker
Shelley Schaefer Carmen Duco
Dennis Weygandt Scott Ferguson
Kara Osthoff
Excused: Mary Stiehl
Department Head/Staff: Chief Matt Eiskant
Asst. Chief Mark Heffernan
City Treasurer, Sarah Biermann
Guest: Michael Hagberg; Kurt Daesch
Minutes:
Alderwoman Schaefer motioned to accept the minutes of the December 12, 2022, meeting as presented, second by Alderman Weygandt. All members present voted – Aye. Motion passed.
Public Comments:
None.
Staff Report:
Police Department:
1. Crime Statistics: Chief Eiskant presented a multipage packet to the committee members with crime statistics from 2014, 2021 and 2022 for the board’s review. The Chief explained that several types of crime events are now being reported differently to better represent the actual crime in the City of Belleville. He stated that overall, crime is down in every category compared to 2014 and 2021. Asst. Chief Heffernan added that with more Police Officers on staff, a better quality of life is provided to the citizens of Belleville.
2. Chief Eiskant reported that Police Officer Karl Kraft had retired. There is one lateral hire that will be made in the month of February. Currently, of the nine new officers hired, seven are in Field Training and two are in the Police Academy. When these Officers have completed training, two Officers will be placed in Housing and a Street Crimes Division will be started up again. For this fiscal budget year, a goal of 79 Officers on staff is desired. For the 2023/2024 budget year, a desired level in the mid-eighties will be requested. There will be two new School Resource Officers appointed at the request of the school district. The school district will pay 75% of the salary, along with annual payments for a police vehicle.
Alderman Weygandt asked if new cameras for the downtown area are in the plan. Chief Eiskant stated that fifteen new cameras and license plate readers will be installed in the West Main/East Main area along with some in the west end of Belleville.
Fire Department:
Fire Chief Stinson was running late. Alderman Weygandt made a motion second by Alderman Ferguson to table the items until next meeting.
Members voting aye on roll call: Whitaker, Ferguson, Schaefer, Weygandt, Duco, Anthony, Osthoff. Motion passed.
New Business:
None.
Old Business:
None.
Adjournment:
Alderwoman Schaefer made a motion second by Alderman Weygandt to adjourn the meeting at 6:32 p.m. All members present voted - Aye. Motion passed.
https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01092023-2925
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