HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-19 2022 Public Safety Advisory Commission Report City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Council Members
From: David D. Wilske, Chief of Police
Date: April 3rd, 2023
Item: Public Safety Advisory Commission 2022 Annual Report
Council Action Requested:
No action required. Information only.
Background Information:
The Public Safety Advisory Commission was very busy this year, especially after coming out of
the pandemic. The majority of public safety events and city events occurred once again and
the PSAC members participated in a number of these details.
Highlights for 2022 include creating a PSAC handbook for new and existing members and
researching and developing recommendations for THC products for the City of Hastings. In
addition, the 2022 Commission Goals included:
- Explore the opportunity to have a youth member on PSAC as directed by the city charter
- Finalize a commission handbook
- Arrange tours for the commission member of the police and fire department and local
training center
The PSAC members have developed the 2022 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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2022 Annual Report Public Safety Advisory Commission
The commission had a great year. We met monthly and had some membership changes.
Among those accomplishments was the drafting of a handbook which included a revised
mission statement and directives.
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 chief will relay Commission concerns/decisions to the Council Committee
on Public Safety who in turn will report to the City Council/Mayor.
2022 Commission Membership includes:
Chair: Dolores Pemble Secretary: Theresa Auge` Gary Stevens
Melissa Blackstad Vicky Baukel Bryon Ascheman
Jesse Starkson
2022 Commission Goals
1. Explore the opportunity to have a youth member on PSAC as directed by the city charter.
2. Finalize a commission handbook.
3. Arrange tours for the commission member of the police and fire department and local training
centers
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4. Identify ways to assist police and fire departments as requested.
2022 Accomplishments
• A new handbook was drafted with an updated mission statement and directives.
This was distributed to all commission members as well as the Public Safety
Committee of the City Council.
• We had members actively participate in the selection process of the new police
chief.
• Assisted in serving at the swearing in of several police hires and the farewell for
Chief Schafer.
• Commission members all obtained photo Identification and PSAC t-shirts.
• Toured the Hero Center and Hastings Fire Departments.
• Commission members attended two “Coffee with a Cop” events and have actively
recruited new locations for 2023.
• Commission members attended the Police Reserve Annual Recognition.
• Welcomed newly hired officers: Matt Green and Georgeanne Freeman-Denn.
• Commission members attended a Level 3 Predator presentation by the Department
of Corrections.
• Secured sponsors and activities for a community National Night Out. Secured some
donations for children.
• Commission members attended Fire Prevention Week Open House.
• Commission members attended Police Open House.
• Commission members attended the city meeting on “Homelessness”.
• Extensive discussion and report provided to the Public Safety Committee of the City
Council on the topic of THC Products in the city of Hastings.
• The commission has recruited a full slate of members for the 2023 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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