Police Advisory Commission
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island, RI 02807
Thursday, May 18, 2023
4:00pm Minutes
Present: Chair Jim Hinthorn, Members John Spier, Andy Transue and Carolyn Collins. Also, in attendance Police Chief John Lynch and Laurel Payne to take minutes.
Jim Hinthorn called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm
1. Discuss and act on Minutes of March 16, 2023 Meeting- Mr. Spier made a motion to approve the March 16, 2023 minutes, Mr. Transue seconded and all were in favor.
4 Ayes (Hinthorn, Spier, Transue, Collins) 0 Nays
2. Discuss and act on items for the PAC meeting with Town Council, Chief of Police and Town Manager tentatively scheduled for June 7th. The meeting between the Town Council and The PAC has been scheduled for June 13th at 12 noon. Ms. Payne will send out an agenda to the committee. Mr. Hinthorn reminded the committee that the 2 items previously discussed were:
· Support with the budget
· Assistance with any future employment searches for Police Chiefs
Ms. Collins commented that the PAC needs a Mission Statement and to understand how the commission can be useful and helpful to the Police. Mr. Transue mentioned that on the original board they were a liaison to the community and provided recommendations to the council.
3. Status of Police Log in BI Times as communication vehicle to the community (or discuss and act on a recommendation to the Chief that police department activities be put on the town’s website under Police Department on a weekly basis during the summer months and monthly basis during the fall, winter, and spring months). Mr. Hinthorn reported that the community would like to see some statistics, perhaps on the website. Mr. Spier mentioned that raw data and facts are always helpful. It would be beneficial to show the efforts of the police force, false narratives can be harmful. Conversation ensued regarding the pros and cons of a police blog.
4. Discuss and act on the status of the PAC vacancy. Ms. Payne reported that the Council will not be appointing anyone new to the committee until after they meet on June 13th. Mr. Hinthorn mentioned that he would like to have a full board.
5. Discussion with the Chief regarding his plans for the summer season. Chief Lynch has met with all open shop owners and he has been working very closely with Ballard’s. They have instituted stricter policies and employed mature security.
The Chief reported that he is not planning on any extra seasonal officers. The State Police, however, will be sending out 2 officers again for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Certification has been a very lengthy and complicated process. Currently he is hoping to get all 5 CSO’s which applied. They have 5 full time police on staff for the summer and typically there would be 2 officers per shift. He would like more but does feel confident with the experienced officers.
Mr. Transue asked about the use of police cameras. The Chief reported that they will eventually be mandatory to protect all parties, but it will take years until we are where we need to be.
Ms. Collins brought up “text a tip”, the chief is aware and will investigate this, but he is a strong supporter of all calls going through dispatch.
Chief Lynch commented that It will be helpful to have a meeting in the fall regarding the summer to see what did and did not work.
6. PAC meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month in months in which meetings are held.
Next regular meeting will be held on July 20th.
Mr. Spier made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:51, Ms. Collins seconded, and all were in favor.
4 Ayes (Hinthorn, Spier, Transue, Collins) 0 Nays
Respectfully submitted, Approved: 7/20/2023
Laurel Payne