COMMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(JOINT WITH BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
AND COMMITTEE ON FAMILIES)
MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Ryan (Chair), L. Bronz, M. Kaplowitz, S. Swanson, R. Wishnie
LEGISLATORS: J. Alvarado, U. Lamotte, A. Stewart-Cousins
BOARD STAFF: B. Boland, Director Fiscal Affairs
R. Vega, S. Schecter, C. Chang, Program Specialists
S. Vanderberg, T. Seckerson, Secretaries
OTHERS: N. Jacknis, Commissioner, IT
John Elliot, E911 Coordinator
Mary Ellen Martorano, Dept of Public
Safety
W. Randolph, CE’s office
This joint meeting of Public Safety, Budget & Appropriations, and Families was called to order at 9:29 a.m.
E911 Surcharge Funds
The members considered an ACT authorizing the expenditure of $2.6 million in E911 surcharge funds for FY 2002. Commissioner Dr. Norm Jacknis, Information Technology, explained that since 1991, a monthly surcharge of $.35 per telephone line has been collected to fund the operation and maintenance of Westchester County’s E911 system. Expenditures are in accordance with the budget
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Minutes
Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice
Joint with Budget & Appropriations and Families
May 13, 2002
accompanying the ACT. Included in expenditures is the cost to have Verizon handle the switching of public calls to the more than 50
County primary answering points and support for the Trailway emergency call box system. The $426,000 “community services” category includes the laptop computer program for local police departments.
The members of the Public Safety Committee reported the item by a 4-0 vote.
Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT)
The members considered and ACT to amend IMA’s between the County and the cities of New Rochelle and Yonkers for CAIT, a multidisciplinary task force – including law enforcement officers, DSS and CPS personnel – to coordinate investigation of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse.
According to Mary Ellen Martorano, Department of Public Safety, these are two-year IMA’s covering the period 10-01-01 to 09-30-03. This initial seven month trial period has been successful, during which the County has been able to reevaluate the operating needs of CAIT.
The IMA amount with New Rochelle is increased from $157,269 to $216,953 to cover additional overtime and training. The amendment also authorizes police officers to use County-owned vehicles.
The IMA amount with Yonkers is increased from $380,000 to $797,962 to cover base salary, benefits and overtime for additional police detective and additional fringe benefits, overtime and training
for two existing police officers. The amendment also authorizes
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Minutes
Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice
Joint with Budget & Appropriations and Families
May 13, 2002
police officers to use County-owned vehicles.
The members of the Public Safety Committee reported the item by a 4-0 vote.
With no further business to discuss, the Public Safety meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.