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2021 General Meeting – October
October 27, 2021 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- 6:45 – 7:00 pm Gather on Zoom
- 7:00 – 7:10 pm Call to Order and Welcome / How we’ll do this meeting
- Moderator: John Delfs
- Monitoring Chat for Questions: Dick Thompson
- 7:10 – 7:55 pm Commissioner Robert Gazzola, New Rochelle Police Department
- Introduction and Presentation
- Questions – Moderator
- Initial comments- working for the NR police department for 37 years; good mix of young and mature officers; community engagement will grow.
- Goals for the Police Department – community policing is a priority and is more of community engagement; won’t be in cars as much; important to meet community in non- confrontational setting; two promotions of Captains; 4 divisions (?); 2020 police reform committee formed; presented a plan to council; modified and ratified with Council; have had a number of meetings; provide implicit bias training; 50 officers trained with body cameras; additional in car video cameras; have more transparency with collected data, but now have a clerk to post data; make it easier to file complaints and now can file online; can also add complements; moved internal affairs to a more private location for filing complaints; join county programs on mental health (embedded mental health response team, 24 hrs/day; start date at beginning of 2022; will post info in English and Spanish; increased social media presence.
- Police Reform: Current Status / Next Steps – meeting tonight on police reform – see above.Q&A:-Any consideration for “Able” Program – Much of Program is already in place.-One thing to change – what happens around the country (negative side) is frustrating that people assume the worst.
- What neighbors can do to help – Even just say hello and approach the officer. Don’t hesitate.
- How feel safe after murder at Julianos- suspect had no remorse. More of a happenstance and random act.
- RPNA Issues:
- Traffic in Neighborhood – pass through at high speeds. Not an easy fix. Difficult to monitor unless occurs at same time of day. Let him know if specific times and streets and will try to investigate.
- Loud noise from cars – awakened in middle of night, very common.
- Reports of Break-Ins – 1 attempted burglary since January of 2021: 1 burglary on Woodland but may have involved landlord, and 1 on Pelham Road candy store to steel cigarettes.
- Questions from the Audience / Questions from Chat:
- Will Dare Program come back? No, it’s proven it doesn’t work but are looking into programs in middle schools (New Roads – mentor program to meet with kids with certain problems with incentives.). But hasn’t occurred in last few years but trying to re-engage.
- Possibility of neighborhood watch programs- wants to have it but in past it sometimes fizzles out over time.
- Another idea is to gather a list of houses that have cameras and police can follow-up directly.
- Main Street double parking – Can police enforce better? Construction is a hindrance. Enforcement is challenging but need full time enforcement to be effective.
- Speed monitors – can they be used? Mobile speed sign may/may not be functional. But will offer to set up. Speed surveys are also possible. Let police know. Speed survey first and then monitor.
- Speed bumps – traffic engineer does survey if neighbors want it. Some neighbors don’t like long term due to associated noise. Check with traffic department.
- Is it possible to bring back YPI Program? Youth Police Initiative. Interaction of police and youth. One week program. Will consider it if someone offers program.
- Is mobile unit still working? No, it is not useable. Have requested and will put in budget request for next year.
- 7:55 – 8:00 pm Thank you and Adjournment
