COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, PLANNING & GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS JOINT MEETING WITH
COMMITTEE ON GENERATIONAL, CULTURAL & ETHNIC DIVERSITY
AND
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
MEETING MINUTES: May 8, 2007, 2:00 PM
IN ATTENDANCE:
Committee Members: Leg. Lois Bronz, HPGO Chair; Leg. Jose Alvarado, Leg. William Burton, PS Chair, Leg. Kenneth Jenkins, Leg. Vito Pinto, Leg. Bernice Spreckman, GCED Chair . Committee Staff: Barbara Dodds, Rose Vinci, Malika Vanderberg
Others: WCC: Brian Dolansky, Fred Boyar, Kevin Garvey, Patrick Hennesy;
Al Turnquest, CBAC; Franklin Thomas, WHOV; Sonja Brown, Greenburgh Central 7, Richard Hyman, Housing Opportunity Commission; Chantal Raven, United Way; William Randolph, CE’s Office.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
• Approval of resolution on universal health care
• Campus security and incident control at Westchester Community College
Guests: Brian Dolansky, WCC Dir. Of Campus Security
With quorums present, Leg. Spreckman opened the meeting of the GCED Committee and Leg. Bronz called to order the meeting of the HPGO Committee for purposes of the first item on the agenda.
Leg. Spreckman gave the background on the Universal Health Care Bill, HR 676, currently proposed for passage in congress. She stated that during the last committee meeting a resolution was discussed supporting HR676. The resolution “called upon the State of New York to send a home rule message to congress to pass this bill and begin its implementation swiftly to provide health care for all our citizens.” Discussion ensued on the draft resolution. The resolution was approved with some minor changes. Leg. Spreckman entertained a motion to approve the resolution as amended, moved by Leg. Burton, seconded by Leg. Pinto for both committees. Both committees voted to accept the resolution with the suggested changes made, none opposed. The resolution will be presented to the Board at the next meeting on May 21.
Leg. Bronz moved on to discuss the next item which related to campus security at WCC. With a quorum present, Leg. Burton called the Public Safety Committee to order. The recent events at Virginia Tech have spurred this concern at our community college. Leg. Bronz introduced and brought to the table Brian Dolansky, Head of Security, Fred Boyar, Administrative Dean, and Kevin Garvey, Director of the Physical Plant.
Mr. Dolansky said his presentation was recently given as an update to the WCC Board of Trustees in response to the Virginia Tech shooting incident. Over the past 4 years, WCC has been making improvements to the security systems on campus as opposed to the previous decentralized security system. There is an improved infrastructure installed into the system and they are in the final stages of completing a central monitoring station. Last fall, the college hired a design firm, an engineering firm and a security consulting firm.
The quality of security officers and training is by far the best that we have ever had due to better management and supervision. Training takes place on a daily basis, the control center operators have an advanced law enforcement dispatch certification, the bike patrol officers are also certified by the international police mountain bike association. We have included the best training possible into the contract in order to obtain the best quality staff. A new emergency response plan for the campus was approved last fall and a system will be included in this plan to communicate as quickly as possible. Leg. Pinto asked that if the bike patrol officers stay on their own patrol or do they sometimes double up in cars. It depends on the activity going on around certain parts of the campus; if an event is taking place then more officers will be on patrol at that time.
Leg. Bronz asked about the security education of the student population. Dolansky responded that he does give a student presentation at the beginning of the year. They publish brochures that include important security information as well as an annual security report on the college website which is accessible by the students. Leg. Alvarado asked if incident reports were given in addition to professor reporting or staff reporting that could be early signs that an unwanted event might take place. Dolansky answered that those types of reports are included in the presentation that is given to the students. We are working to communicate with faculty and staff to make sure they communicate any information with us. A big problem we face is other students who do not want to “snitch” on each other. The teachers do take notice of violent behavior or literature produced by students but action cannot be taken against every student who produces such works of literature. In that type of situation we look into it and have a student personal counselor sit down with the student and determine whether this behavior is just odd or actually dangerous. We can also require that the student get personal help and get a certification that they are okay before they return to classes.
Leg. Pinto asked if they are involved with the faculty and administration when it comes to training in regards to safety in identifying students and also in drills that should be carried out to prepare for dangerous events. Dolansky answered that they are involved in that particular aspect of training. They do provide follow up training at seminars but they are volunteer sessions. They also have a security committee that includes staff, administration and students and we meet on a regular basis to discuss issues regarding the student body.
Leg. Burton asked Dolansky to explain what exactly the escort service is. The service is used to assist anyone who feels uncomfortable going to and from their car or from building to building. The students are made aware of this service and it is available to all students.
Leg. Bronz asked about the size of the staff. Dolansky has day shift and evening shift directors. There is a weekend supervisor and also 24/7 shift supervisors employed by the guard service. Overall, there are about 50 security officers.
Leg. Bronz then asked about the master plan’s practical times and priorities. Dolansky stated that they are not going to define the priorities until they are done with the whole plan. It should be done with the initial walk-through plan by the end of this month. During the summer, we are going to sit down and prioritize each of these things that need to be done. Parking is also an issue, right now we have just enough parking for our students.
Richard Hyman asked about the ability to communicate with the fire department. If a fire alarm is triggered, they call the fire department. Hyman then asked if the security guards are employees of the college staff and Dolansky answered that they are a contract service.
Ms. Dodds stated that parents are not allowed to know what the school knows. What is the policy concerning that? Dolansky answered that it is a matter of federal legislation. Students who are over 18 are adults and personal information cannot be given out without their consent. We may communicate concerns of parents to the students but we cannot give class schedule or other information to the parent.
The next meetings of the HPGO Committee will be with B&A on May 21 and on May 22 on housing for the disabled. The GCED Committee has changed the next meeting on gang violence to May 15 at 11 am. PS Committee will meet jointly with E&E probably on May 27th.
For HPGO, Leg. Pinto moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Spreckman. For PS, Leg. Spreckman moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Pinto. For GCED, Leg. Alvarado moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Bronz.
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