Safety Committee

Cleveland City Council
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Wednesday, April 3, 2024
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. EDT

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601 Lakeside Ave Cleveland, OH 44114 (Directions)

Cleveland City Hall, Mercedes Cotner Room 217 (or watch on YouTube)

The Safety Committee of Cleveland City Council is responsible for the oversight of the Cleveland Police and Fire Divisions and the Emergency Medical Service. It reviews legislation proposed by The Department of Public Safety, and it also oversees the enforcement of Cleveland’s traffic code, off-street parking issues, and building inspections and other matters related to the department and Community Relations Board.

Note: In addition to discussion of legislation, there will be updates on the city’s preparations for the April 8th Eclipse and on the new police cadet class.

Committee members:

  • Michael Polensek, chair
  • Joe Jones, vice chair
  • Stephanie Howse-Jones
  • Deborah Gray
  • Charles Slife
  • Danny Kelly
  • Richard Starr

Watching remotely?

Find live streams of this meeting:

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClevelandCityCouncil/streams

You can also catch livestreams on TV2O’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandTV20/live_videos

On TV20 website: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

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Find Documenters coverage of past City Council meetings here: https://cleveland.documenters.org/reporting/?agency=181

For more information go to Cleveland City Council’s website: https://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team

Live reporting by Stesia Swain

Cleveland safety officials outline plan for solar eclipse

IG: @stevelilsister 🤍
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 2/52
To view the live stream of this meeting, click here! u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…
u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 3/52
1/2 The Safety Committee of Cleveland City Council is responsible for the oversight of the Cleveland Police and Fire Divisions and the Emergency Medical Service. It reviews legislation proposed by The Department of Public Safety,
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 4/52
2/2 and it also oversees the enforcement of Cleveland’s traffic code, off-street parking issues, and building inspections and other matters related to the department and Community Relations Board.
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 5/52
Live streams can also be caught on TV20’s facebook page u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…
u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 6/52
Click here to visit TV20’s website u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…
u26043067.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u…
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 7/52
Committee Members: •Michael Polensek, chair •Joe Jones, vice chair •Stephanie Howse-Jones •Deborah Gray •Charles Slife •Danny Kelly •Richard Starr
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 8/52
Here is a copy of the agenda for this meeting. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 9/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The roll is being called. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 10/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland First being discussed is ordinance 262-2024 AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE Authorizing and directing the Director of Finance to establish a fund for use by the Division of Police to reimburse officers for certain expenditures.
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 11/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chair Polensek explains that this fund is for events and other responsibilities of the 5 districts.
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 12/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek explains that there have been moments where these districts have had to gather funds by holding fundraisers or asking for donations, and various other strenuous ways to gather money and resources. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 13/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek explains that this money must be accounted for. Purchased will be overseen and must have receipts to keep track of what the money is being spent on. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 14/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland After Polensek shares that the amount of money to be set aside for this fund is $50,000, Councilperson Starr asks if this would mean $50,000 to be split between the five districts, or $50,000 for each district. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 15/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek explains that the full amount of $50,000 will be split evenly among the five districts. So, each district will receive $10,000. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 16/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Without objection, as amended, ordinance 262-2024 is approved as read. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 17/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Council Member Charles Slife brings to attention, various moments during public comment that occurrence of hate speech and/or hate crimes have been mentioned. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 18/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Slife shares the concern of the members of council not being aware of the metrics of these issues and/or the severity of them. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 19/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Slife asks if it is possible that the members of council be given some forms of helpful figures to look into the severity of this situation. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 20/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Council Member Polensek details hearing the suspicion that certain Anti-Christian hate crimes have been taking place, and that some believe the recent church fire to be an arson. Polensek shares that with not being contacted or briefed on this event, there’s no way to prove this.
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 21/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek doubles down on Slife’s line of questioning in support of this case. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 22/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Due to my seating, clear photos of the representatives is slightly restricted. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 23/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The representative shares that the Cleveland Police have not outlined any specific uptick of incidents that involve hate speech or hate crimes, but these numbers can be reviewed and shared with the council members. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 24/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Slife shares that with all different kinds of people existing in the community, it is important to make sure that everyone existing can be safe. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 25/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Slife asks for a future moment of discussion into Marsy’s law. Attached is more on Marsy’s law. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 26/52
Slife shares that in the past, they would receive daily reports of incidents with locations and the names of individuals involved. As this has been taken away by the policy decision by City hall, it takes away a very useful part of insight into certain situations. #CLEDocumenters
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 27/52
I have recorded video but the audio of this meeting is not the best due to the low volume of the microphones. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 28/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek shares that with information of individuals being redacted from reports, no identifications can be made by the leaders of the community. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 29/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The representative replis by stating that Marsy’s law protects victims. Any information that is redacted is done to protect the individuals involved in these incidents. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 30/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Before moving on to the presentation of the eclipse, Polensek asks for an update on the 155th Cleveland Division of Police class. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 31/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The representative shares that recruits were at 52, with 3 resignations, the recruits are now at 49. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 32/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek shares that the budget was gone over and called to hire 181 police officers. Polensek asks how many potential officers could be put into a class. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 33/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The representative shares that a meeting was held yesterday, the figure stands at nearly 600 individuals that show some level of interest and they are doing their best to push enough of these individuals to the next phase(s) of the process. #CLEDocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 34/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek shares that the amount of officers that have left since the first of this year is 32. The representative shares that the majority of these have been due to retirement. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 35/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Polensek shares the concern that the amount of officers already on the force is nowhere near what the goal has been set to and what the budget was exceeded to cover. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 36/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Council members Starr and Jones overall share the same views. Starr and Jones request that new systems be put in place as they feel as though the current systems to recruit and retain officers is not as effective as the community needs them to be. #CLEDocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 37/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland There is a bit of back and forth between the representatives and the council members, but overall the communication and points are the same from both sides throughout the conversation. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 38/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The second representative overall explains that although nearly 600 people show interest, that does not correlate to 600 people becoming officers. This representative also says that they are doing everything that they can to meet the needs and expectations of their division.
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 39/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next being discussed is the April 8th solar eclipse. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 40/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland It is explained that certain safety measures have been into place for the eclipse event that is being held. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 41/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached are the hours of the solar eclipse. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 42/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached are the changes in the City of Cleveland for this day. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 43/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached are eclipse events. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 44/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached are safety tips such as preparation and viewing. I will attached more information for safely viewing this solar eclipse. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 45/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached are reunification centers should anyone get lost during the event. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 46/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Attached is more information on the eclipse. (it just so happens to be on my birthday, woot woot)
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 47/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland As promised, attached is a more in depth description of how to stay safe during the eclipse. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 48/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The discussion as of now is road closure. The road closures will last throughout the weekend, through Monday. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 49/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland It is said for viewers and others in the community that there is no need for overwhelming panick. For those who are concerned about their animals, it is said that animals should be fine as they do not usually look directly at the sun anyway.
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 50/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The meeting adjourned. #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 51/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com
IG: @stevelilsister 🤍 @stesiaarie_ 52/52
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland As always, thank you for tuning in! See you next time and have a safe solar eclipse! #CLEDocumenters @cledocumenters @signalcleveland
View thread
Note-taking by Barbara Phipps

Council members question police officials about low staffing levels

View notes

Agency Information

Cleveland City Council

See meeting notes for details

www.clevelandcitycouncil.org

(216) 664-2840

@CleCityCouncil

Facebook page

See Documenters reporting

Cleveland City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Cleveland in Ohio. There are 17 elected Cleveland City Council members representing the 17 wards of the City of Cleveland. Each ward has approximately 25,000 residents. Council Members are elected to serve a four-year term. Council members serve two roles in their duties: to draft and enact legislation for the city of Cleveland and act as ombudsmen for their constituents.

Find meetings streamed at: *online on TV20 at: http://www.tv20cleveland.com/watch-now/

*The meetings are also streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ClevelandCityCouncil/

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