Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council
City of Salem
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Draft Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 7, 2010
7:00 pm
Members in attendance: Jim Moskovis (Chair), Michael Coleman (V. Chair), Ana Gordan, Jim Rose, Jeff Cox, Lucy Corchado, Patricia Zaido, RoseMary O’Connor
Members not in attendance: Leslie Limon, Meg Twohey
City staff in attendance: Jason Silva, Chief Administrative Aide to the Mayor; Sergeant Dennis King, Salem Police Community Impact Unit
Public in attendance: Pat Libertie, Scott Weisberg
Introduction
NIAC members introduced themselves and which neighborhood group they represent.
Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes (December 2009)
The board reviewed draft minutes from the December 10 meeting. Minutes were approved without changes.
Public Comment Period
There was no public comment.
RoseMary O’Connor announced that the Mack Park Neighborhood Association will be hosting speaker Jim McAllister on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 at the Moose Lodge on Grove St. He will be speaking about the area’s history. RoseMary also announced that the MPNA will be receiving an award from the Salem Parks & Recreation Department on January 27 for the neighborhood’s work on improvements at Mack Park and surrounding areas.
Ana Gordan reported a recent home burglary on Federal St. She said that her neighbor reported that thieves are going door-to-door around the city, knocking to find out when residents are home. If a resident answers the door, the thieves make a bogus quick excuse such as looking for a lost pet or asking where the nearest gas station is. Sgt. Dennis King replied that criminals have been checking homes this way for a while, and that while the activity isn’t occurring in only one area, it does happen periodically. He recommends calling the Salem Police if anyone observes suspicious activity.
Haunted Happenings Survey results
Jason Silva reported on results of the 2009 Haunted Happenings survey that the City had made available on salem.com for residents and visitors. It was the third year that the City had done the survey, and results have improved each year. Jason distributed a handout that showed each question’s result, and differentiated between Haunted Happenings and Halloween day/night. The results were positive across the board, although the response to the Carnival on Derby Street was not as positive as the responses to the other Haunted Happenings events. Jason said that the Carnival does give people something positive to do during October, and that the Police endorse the event as such. The City plans to continue to Carnival next year, but it will depend how long the vacant lot where it is located will remain
available.
City-Wide Crime Statistical Analysis
Sergeant Dennis King of the Salem Police Community Impact Unit discussed city-wide crime stats from 2006-2009, as had been requested by Shirley Walker, formerly of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, at a previous meeting. Sgt. King reported that the Salem Police responds to 30,000 to 32,000 dispatched and logged incidents per year. Having served on the Salem police force for 10 years, he has seen the department’s force decrease from 96 full-time officers to only 80 today.
Using in-house crime data, Sgt. King categorized reported crime and calls to the police into two groups: property crimes (eg. burglary, theft, arson) and violent crimes (eg aggravated assault) per the Uniform Crime Reports Index, Part 1. As the economy has deteriorated, he reported that crime levels in Salem from 2008 to 2009 have increased in every category.
Sgt. King reported breakdowns in Salem crime statistics by ward and precinct in 2009. The highest calls for service occurred in W1-P2, W3-P1, and W2-P2. The lowest calls for service occurred in W7-P2, W6-P1, and W7-P1. Addressing the fact that Ward 7 includes Salem State College, Sgt. King said that Salem Police work closely with Salem State Police, and that the Salem State Police do an excellent job. The highest number of reports of violent and property crimes occurred in W1-P2, W3-P2, W2-P2 and W3-P1. The lowest number of reports for violent and property crimes occurred in W7-P1, W7-P2, W6-P1, W4-P1, W5-P1, and W1-P1. Lucy Corchado observed that there were actually more calls for service from Ward 3 than Ward 1. Sgt. King concurred that 23% of calls for service in Salem were from Ward 3, and 22% were from Ward 1. Jim
Moskovis observed that Ward 4 had the least number of car break-ins. Sgt. King agreed and said that typical car thieves are deterred from breaking into cars in Ward 4 because they aren’t familiar with the area and get lost.
911
Sgt. King discussed the enhanced 911 system at the police station. The system can immediately locate the fixed position of calls from landlines; calls from cell phones can be located, but it takes some time to triangulate the position. He explained that when a 911 call is received, police cruisers depart for the location immediately as fire and/or ambulance/EMT are dispatched. Jim Moskovis added that Massachusetts has mandated that Salem uses its 911 funding only for our 911.
Traffic
With the current police force understaffed at 80 full-time officers, down from the 96 that served several years ago, and the elimination of spare cruisers in the downsizing, Sgt. King said that ideally they would like to have a Traffic Department more than the one officer currently dedicated to traffic. While other officers do respond to reports of traffic violations, they would get re-directed if they had to respond to a crime report or emergency. Jeff asked if the reduction in the size of the police force would mean that traffic issued won’t be addressed, adding that every neighborhood group reports that traffic is its number one concern. Sgt. King replied that the PD does its best to send a cruiser to reported traffic violation hot-spots. Jason Silva said that having the neighborhood groups and the public report
locations of significant traffic violations, the Salem PD can make most efficient use of limited resources by regularly focusing its enforcement to areas where it is needed most.
Q&A
Jeff Cox asked what the City’s commitment is for restaffing the Police Dept. to full capacity. Jason replied that with every other City department, the City wants to restaff but currently doesn’t have the funding to do so. He added that the Police Department recently received a $15,000 grant to create saturation patrols, a public education & awareness campaign, and for technology (eg blinking radar speed signs) that curb speeding.
Patricia Zaido asked if there are officers assigned to foot patrol downtown, adding while Salem is a great walking city, that it can be intimidating walking in the downtown area at night. Sgt. King replied that there are typically 4 officers patrolling the downtown area by foot from May to Halloween. He added that violent muggings are very rare in Salem, and that strategic lighting can deter such crimes. He said that if someone even says something inappropriate or intimidating, to report it, and that and officer will be sent to the reported location to talk to the perpetrator. Jim Rose suggested a “buddy system”, like the one used at UMass Amherst, to avoid walking alone after dark.
Jim Moskovis asked if Salem’s proximity to Lynn, Chelsea and other cities influence Salem’s crime rate. Sgt. King said that the proximity does influence crime rates, but that there is not an influx of crime for neighboring cities. Jason asked if Salem compares its crime rates to neighborhood communities. Sgt. King replied that Salem’s crime rates are well below national averages across the board, but he didn’t have specific community comparison data with him. Scott Weisberg asked if the police have stats on hate crimes in Salem. Sgt. King replied that he doesn’t have the data with him, but that the police department does track it. Jim Rose asked if there will be a way to pinpoint exactly where crimes occur. Sgt. King replied that they do not currently have that capability; they would need a
full-time crime analyst to keep track of exact crime locations.
Jeff asked if Salem Police uses a regional SWAT team. Sgt. King replied that they use NEMLEC and NEMLEC’s dive team when the need arises; Salem has divers who respond to other towns.
Halloween
Sgt. King explained that Halloween is patrolled in 5 sectors throughout the city, with each sector having a commanding officer and supporting officer. He said that public safety has been very good and that celebrations have a family atmosphere; people understand what behaviors and activities will not be tolerated. He said that while there may be stabbings, they typically occur outside of the main celebrations, and are not the norm.
Wrap-up
Sgt. King said that no other police department that he knows of has a program like Salem Police’s Community Impact Unit. Jason said that reaching out to the community has been the most efficient use of limited resources, and that the former Police Chief created the Community Impact Unit for this reason. He added that in addition to the CIU being a good concept, it works very well in Salem because the officers do a great job to make it successful.
General Updates
Patricia Zaido announced that two coyotes were spotted on Chestnut St. Sgt. King replied that he will let Animal Control Officer Don Famico know. He added that the best way to deter a coyote is to make noise; coyotes will run away from loud noises. If someone reports a mange fox, he said that the police will typically let nature take its course.
Patricia said that Salem’s parking study was very successful. Consultants periodically observed where there is or isn’t adequate parking downtown. She announced that there will be a public meeting to discuss results and recommendations on February 1 at 120 Washington St., 3rd floor. She said that the consultants will be presenting recommendations for some drastic changes which she feels are valid.
RoseMary O’Connor announced that the Mack Park Neighborhood Association will be holding a fundraiser for the family whose house was destroyed in a fire on Buffum St. The date is yet to be determined. She also announced that Hayden Safe and Lock Company is celebrating an anniversary, and asked Jason if the Mayor could write a letter of congratulations.
Jason announced that Stan Franzeen, who has been representing the Derby Street Neighborhood Association at NIAC, has resigned. While Stan’s replacement is TBD, he said that Liz Cronin may be taking Stan’s place. Jason also announced that he is arranging for the Mayor and Police Chief Tucker to present detailed traffic plans at a NIAC meeting.
Jason said that he has spoken with the Mayor about the double utility pole issue and how to pressure Verizon into addressing the problem. He suggested a postcard campaign and letters from the neighborhood associations.
Jeff announced that the Inaugural Ceremony on January 4 had gone very well.
Jim Moskovis announced that the next NIAC meeting will be held on February 4.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm
Meeting minutes by Ana Gordan
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