HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-08 Approve 2023 Public Safety Advisory Commission Annual Report City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Council Members
From: David D. Wilske, Chief of Police
Date: February 5th, 2024
Item: Public Safety Advisory Commission 2023 Annual Report
Council Action Requested:
No action required. Information only.
Background Information:
The Public Safety Advisory Commission had a very productive year. The Commissioner’s
participated in the majority of public safety events that included: Police Week Open House, Fire
Prevention Open House, National Night Out, 4th of July Parade and Arts in the Park to name a
few.
Highlights for 2023 included a final report for the THC discussion and ordinance and locating
‘Adopt a Siren’ participants for the emergency sirens in town. In addition, the 2023 Commission
Goals included:
- Facility tours of the Dakota 911 Center and Dakota County Jail.
- Review of a possible camera registry for community members to share privately owned
surveillance video when crimes occur in their neighborhoods.
- Review of the city charter in regards to a youth member as part of the PSAC.
The PSAC members have developed the 2023 Annual Report which is attached for your review.
Financial Impact:
None
Advisory Commission Discussion:
No applicable
Council Committee Discussion:
Not applicable
Attachments:
None
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2023 Annual Report Public Safety Advisory Commission
The commission had a great year.
The commission reviewed their handbook and found no changes in our Mission statement nor
in our Directives. Edits were made in other areas of the handbook.
Commission Mission Statement:
Enhancing awareness of public safety through community programs, educational opportunities
and public engagement. Our work is to advise our elected officials.
Commission Directives:
• It is the purpose of the commission to represent the interests of the community on matters of
public safety.
• The commission shall provide advice, input, and feedback to the City’s public safety
administrators and elected officials.
• The commission shall review and monitor the strategic goals of the City’s public safety
departments.
• The Police and Fire Chiefs will relay Commission concerns/decisions to the Council
Committee on Public Safety who in turn will report to the City Council/Mayor.
2023 Commission Membership includes:
Chair: Dolores Pemble Secretary: Theresa Auge` Gary Stevens
Melissa Blackstad Vicky Baukel Andrew Caflisch
John Gunter Mary Nehring
2023 Commission Goals
1. Review the city charter surrounding the topic of a youth member. The city council adopted the edit in
the city charter removing reference to a student member.
2. Pursue touring of 2 facilities. The commission toured the 911 Communication Center and the Dakota
County Jail. The commission found both of these tours valuable.
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3. Adoption of a city-wide camera registry. Data was collected and provided to the Police Department.
Until funding is available, this is not moving forward.
4. Support the selection process regarding the monthly siren testing. All 7 of the city sirens now have
residents available for the monthly testing. This has freed up police staff.
2023 Accomplishments
• The commission drafted proposed language for a city ordinance on the topic of THC.
This was sent to the Public Safety Committee of the city council in February.
• Edits to our handbook were adopted by the commission regarding meeting
attendance.
• Assisted in serving at the swearing in of police hires throughout the year.
• Commission members all have photo Identification and new PSAC t-shirts. These are
used in the many events the commission participates in.
• Toured the 911 Communication Center and Dakota County Jail.
• Provided to the Public Safety Committee an opinion on the Spin City Scooters.
• Commission members attended the Police Reserve Annual Recognition.
• Secured sponsors and activities for a community National Night Out. Secured some
donations for a raffle. Commission members served food at this event.
• Commission members attended the Fire Prevention Week Open House.
• Commission members attended and served at the Police Open House.
• Commission members attended and participated on the 4th of July parade.
• Commission members participated in the Arts in Park program.
• The commission has recruited a full slate of members for the 2024 year.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve Hastings in this capacity and look forward to more
interaction with the Council and public safety staff in the future. Thank you.
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