Updates from the previous Public Safety meeting of March 9th
** Reply Requested When Convenient **
Please feel free to post your comments and concerns either at the end ofthis blog or email me at cwood@lansingmi.gov At the Public Safety Meeting of March 9th the following items were
discussed: ● Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act--The Public Safety Committee
received a report from Prosecutor Dunnings concerning the recently
enacted Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act. Attached is the PowerPoint
presented to the Committee. Based on the questions asked and the
varying ordinances in other communities the City Attorney was asked to
compile information about all current legislation dealing with the Act. This will be review at a later date in Public Safety. ● Update on Court Security--We had a report from District Court
concerning security issues based on the report generated by the Michigan
State Court Administrative Office. Recommendations for improvements Signage – Ms. Brewer took a visual look around the building and there
is signage stating that no weapons are allowed and all persons and
packages are subject to search. She suggested that the signage is made
bolder, and clearer, less wordy. Magnetometers – we do have the walkthrough devices at the door; it is
recommended that we obtain a magnetometer machine but they are
expensive, so it might be an option to lease. Run from $10 to $30
thousand to buy outright. Ms Brewer stated we have a good contract with
the security company, but are concerned with how well parcels are
reviewed. An x-ray machine could be set to detect the smallest items. CIP – Redesign Benches – they were asked to put together a 6-year
plan, one area she targeted were the courtrooms because of some
potential dangers. Would like to redesign the bench layout, protect with
bulletproof materials to provide judges a place where they are protected
in the courtroom. Items already addressed
Civil Office Redesign – the office was redesigned this summer, was an
open window, cash coming in and out. They now have bulletproof glass and
are equipped with panic buttons. Key Card Access – A 12-selection panel allows the main clerks,
judicial, and probation officers to have key card access. Court Officer Training – Law Clerks are now included in this training
to ensure the safety of the clerks and the prisoners. ● Update on the Police Radio Expenses—The Committee reviewed the
information and the recommendations from the City Attorney’s office
and decided to generate a letter to the County to instill their help in
trying to recoup the cost of a system that. The issues with the system were related to service and the
functionality of the equipment and/or software program which had a
direct bearing on the safety of Lansing police and fire officers. In
Resolution #045, City Council stated their dissatisfaction with the
supplier, M/A-COM, and expressed their concerns with the resulting harm
and risk caused to our public safety officers and members of the public.
The City forwarded Resolution #045 to the County and requested that the
City Attorney work to recoup from M/A-COM the expenses incurred from the
defective equipment and interrupted service for the 911 Radio System.
The amount quoted in Resolution #045 was $255,735.90, as of February of
2008. In a memorandum dated September 22, 2009, Captain Teresa Szymanski
reported that between February and September 2008, the expense to the
City because of malfunctioning equipment and poor service equaled
$161,070.30 in additional staff hours.
