Police Advisory Commission
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island, RI 02807
Thursday November 16, 2023
4:00pm
Present: Chair Jim Hinthorn, Members Andy Transue, John Spier. Carolyn Collins was absent. Also, in attendance Interim Police Chief Paul Deane and Laurel Payne to take minutes.
Jim Hinthorn called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
Tristan Payne joined at 4:11.
1. Discuss and act on Minutes of July 20, 2023 Meeting
John Spier made a motion to approve the minutes of July 20, Andy Transue seconded, and all were in favor. 3 Ayes (Hinthorn, Spier, Transue) 0 Nays 2 Absent (Collins, Payne)
2. Discuss and act on the status of Police Log (general statistics on police activity) in BI Times as communication vehicle to the community- email to Town Council leadership produced no action on the town’s part. Where do we go from here on this topic?
The board agrees that statistics would be helpful in the Block Island Times. Police Chief Deane stated that he was not opposed to having it in the paper and feels it is helpful to the community to have facts. Currently he is the interim police chief and has applied for the full-time position.
3. Update on Summer 2023
Chief Paul Deane reported that this was a better summer than the prior 3 years, and the first time in 27 years the police have not made an arrest over the 4th of July holiday. He attributes this to overall better attitudes of visitors. Andy Transue commented that Block Island may be too expensive for many to come out for a weekend, especially individuals in their twenties.
Andy Transue asked if the police have any jurisdiction over motorized 1 and 2 wheeled vehicles. Chief Deane replied that although they should be adhering to rules of the road they do not have any power regulate them. Tristan Payne asked if there was currently a statute in place. John Spier felt that the e- bikes are a positive addition, keeping more cars off the road.
4. Update on Police Chief Search
Jim Hinthorn made a call to the town to receive an update on the search but received no response. Andy Transue reported that he was asked to sit on the search committee. There are 13 applicants and the search committee consists of Kim Gaffett, Kim Einloth, Ken Lacoste, Andy Transue, Keith Lang and perhaps Bill McCombe, as someone with police experience.
5. Discuss and act on our role as liaison with the community, how do we elicit the communities input on policing activities? Another survey?
John Spier thought the board should be notified on a need basis and that there was no reason for the board to create work for themselves.
John Spier made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:27, Andy Transue seconded and all were in favor.
4 Ayes (Hinthorn, Spier, Transue, Payne) 0 Nays 1 Absent (Collins)
Respectfully submitted,
Laurel Payne Approved: February 1st, 2024