Public Safety Committee (DOC/Garner) Minutes
Special Meeting – October 1, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Newtown Municipal Center (Meeting Room #1)
3 Primrose Street, Newtown CT
Members Present: Police Chief Michael Kehoe, Newtown Police Dept; Warden Scott Semple, Garner Correctional Facility; Stephen Sedensky, State’s Attorney; Mike Kelley. Members Absent: E. Patricia Llodra, First Selectman; Rob Manna; Gino Faiella, Joy Previdi and Jack O’Byrne. Also Present: Bruce Clark, resident.
Chief Kehoe convened the meeting at 5:00 pm.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Kelley motioned to approve the minutes of June 4, 2013. The motion was seconded by Atty. Sedensky, then unanimously approved.
GARNER CORRECTIONAL FACILITY UPDATE
Population – Mr. Semple stated that the current population is 626, which breaks down to 302 mental health inmates, 192 general population, 112 accused/unsentenced (with 46 in the gym overflow), and 20 in the youth development unit.
Youth Development Unit - Warden Semple said with the addition of 8 beds, they now have a 24 bed capacity. Atty. Sedensky asked if the youth are in contact with older inmates and what are requirements to get into the program . Warden Semple said the youth are totally separate from the rest. He noted that the youth in this program are usually gang-affiliated with special needs and in most cases the parents are actively involved. He should be contacted if he knows of any youth who could benefit from the program.
Maintenance – Curbing in the parking lots have been replaced. The control panel project is 75% complete and slated to be finished by January or February 2014.
Staffing – There are currently 25 vacancies with the approval of 14 Correction Officers starting in November.
Everbridge System – The warden discussed a sector broadcast drill covering an area surrounding the facility that are based on protocols in the event of an escape. Out of the 367 residents signed up for CT Alert DOC, they received 193 confirmations. Activating the Everbridge System is done through the 911 capability broadcast. Those with access to 911 would be notified as well. Chief Kehoe said along with Everbridge and 911 notification systems, the police would also send out Code Red notifications. Mr. Clark asked if they have done drills to review the landscape. Chief Kehoe discussed a training event where DOC, CT Safe Place partners and the Newtown Police performed various drills. Mr. Kelley asked if they would call on the CT National Guard Canine Team. Chief
Kehoe said there are several canine units within and surrounding Newtown and that the State Police and DOC have their own canine units. He felt for various reasons, the dogs at the training center may not be suitable.
Transports – The warden said that the Police Chief has been notified of all high security transfers and that they transport directly from the facility to I-84 using State Police escorts with special operations officers.
Mr. Kelley motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 pm which was seconded by Atty. Sedensky . All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted by Tammy Hazen, Clerk
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