Police Advisory Commission
Town Hall
16 Old Town Road
Block Island, RI 02807
Thursday, March 3, 2022
MINUTES
Present: Chair Jim Hinthorn, Members John Spier, Carolyn Collins and Andy Transue. Police Chief Matthew Moynihan and Town Councilor Andre Boudrea were also present. Absent: Molly O’Neill
Jill Seppa was present to take minutes.
Jim Hinthorn called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM
1. Discuss and act on Minutes of January 6, 2022 Meeting
Mr. Transue made a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Collins seconded the motion. Mr. Hinthorn discussed the nature of the minutes per a concern raised via email by Ms. O’Neill. The board agreed that the minutes were sufficient as produced. The motion carried.
(Yay: Spier, Collins, Hinthorn & Transue Nay: 0)
2. Discuss and act on Community Needs Survey- Flyers, Survey Format, and Distribution
The board had a discussion about creating flyers to promote the survey. Ms. Collins volunteered to create a poster and Mr. Hinthorn directed Ms. Seppa to send out the survey to the Bulletin weekly for the next six weeks.
3. Chief’s report to Town Council on 2021 activities- discussion and questions
Mr. Hinthorn asked the board if they have any questions for the Chief regarding the report. Mr. Spier commented on the mechanism of use of the report is to notice trends. The board acknowledged that the report revealed a double increase of calls with the same number of dispatch staff. Mr. Hinthorn suggested in some areas more detail available to the Commission is helpful.
4. Police Department Budget-talking points for budget hearings
The board had a discussion with the Chief about how to best support the Police Department Budget request. The Chief advised that simply attending the meetings and supporting the budget request in its entirety based on what the commission has learned since its inception about the police work would be most supportive.
5. Public event with the Chief- Saturday, May 21st at BIMI sponsored by BI Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Hinthorn reported that BIMI and the Chamber of Commerce would be co-hosting a breakfast at BIMI to introduce the Chief to the Community and create a forum where community members can ask questions regarding public safety concerns.
6. Town’s website- needs update re Chief and Commission
Ms. Seppa reported that the Towns website is being redesigned and should be published within a month.
7. Receive and Act on Correspondence
The Board received and filed a correspondence from Respect BI.
The Board received and filed a correspondence from Kim Greenberg.
8. Adjourn, next meeting May 5, 2022
Mr. Hinthorn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 p.m.
(Yay: Spier, Collins, Hinthorn & Transue Nay: 0)
Respectfully,
Jill Seppa
Town Clerks Office