The Department of Public Safety manages the operations for the divisions of Fire, Police, Communications and the License and Weights and Measures sections for the City of Columbus. Its mission is to provide quality, dependable public safety service to the citizens of Columbus. The Department of Public Safety has 35 staff members in administration, which includes 12 staff members in the director's office, 16 in the License Section and seven employees in the Weights and Measures Section.
1998 Highlights
In September 1988, Judge James L. Graham of the U.S. District Court released the Department of Public Safety from the 1989 federal court order creating and maintaining an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office within the Department of Public Safety. Judge Graham said there was no longer a need for the office, which resulted in the elimination of the Department's EEO office.
The purchase of three mobile police stations for the Division of Police, which will be used in Columbus communities to help combat crime.
The creation of civilian first-line supervision in the Police Communications Bureau.
The establishment of health and physical fitness programs for sworn uniformed employees within the divisions of Police and Fire.
The establishment of mandatory drug testing in the Division of Fire and voluntary drug testing in the Division of Police.
The establishment of a crisis plan and training program for protection against weapons of mass destruction.
The development of a performance appraisal system for the Divisions of Police and Communications.
The increase in the number of block watch programs and the number of public education contacts between the community and members of police and fire divisions.
COMMUNICATION DIVISION
The main priorities for the Division of Communications continue to be services to the Department of Public Safety, Police and Fire Communication Systems. The division is responsible for the engineering, purchasing, installation, and maintenance of the radio, microwave, data, telephone, recording, and security systems throughout the City.
Additional systems include the E-9-1-1, Emergency Operation Center (EOC), and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) located at the Police and Fire Dispatching Facility. The division continues to provide radio, telephone, data and security support and services for other City agencies.
There are 39 personnel assigned to the division, with six in the Administrative section, four in the ComputerAided Dispatch section, and the remaining 29 in the Technical Support section.
1998 Highlights
In 1998, purchased and installed various communications equipment and systems at Police Sub 1/ 16 & 10, Court Liaison Unit, Juvenile Bureau, Crime Lab, and the Swat Unit. Division of Fire added equipment to the Background Unit and Fire Training Facility; 570 data drops were implemented at various police and fire offices; additionally, computer hardware, software, and digital phone systems upgrade for the Communications Division.
The purchase of three mobile police stations for the Division of Police, which will be used in Columbus communities to help combat crime.
A new Voice-Mail/Auto-Attendant System was purchased and installed at the Juvenile Bureau and 85 special anti-static and anti-glare monitors were replaced for Computer-Aided Dispatch system (CAD); additionally, communications equipment was installed in 238 Police and Fire vehicles and apparatus, and 400 additional portable 800 MHz radios were added to the Police and Fire Division.
Police Precincts received T1 Data lines for the Metro Net System, high capacity Digital DS-1 lines were added to some Fire Stations, upgrading the service quality and lowering the costs. Public Safety Web Site and Pages were implemented, and the division became active in organizing Quality of Working Life (QWL) and Safety Committees.
Westerville's Public Safety Dispatching Facility, 525 radios and 15 other Public Safety agencies were added to the City of Columbus 800 MHz Radio System which now has ninety-nine agencies from surrounding cities, townships, and counties, and 5,500 radios.
There were a total of 18,183 service requests in 1998, with 52 percent originating from Police, 16 percent from Fire, and the remaining 32 percent from other City agencies. These requests for service consisted of 69 percent radio and 31 percent telephone related. In addition, there were 1, 109 Ad Hoc Reports provided to Police and Fire from Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD).
DIVISION OF FIRE
The Division of Fire ended 1998 with 1,445 uniformed members staffing 31 fire stations, with 33 paramedic engine companies, 13 ladder companies, 5 heavy rescue companies, and 26 medic vehicles. In 1998, the Division responded to 89,515 EMS calls, 20,037 fire calls and 4,181 non-emergency service calls, for a total of 113,73 3 runs.
The Fire Alarm Office averaged 311 incidents per day in 1998; 78 percent of all incidents were EMS related. The Fire Alarm Office receives, processes and dispatches calls in an average of 42 seconds.
The past year has seen the Division's computerization project continue to evolve. The Division developed a World Wide Web page (www.fire.ci.columbus.oh.us) allowing the public and Division members access to information on the Division's history, operations, organizational structure, and fire prevention/safety programs. A new high-speed communication line was installed between the Division's Office and Training Complex and the City's fiber optic MetroNet. Ibis allows real time access to the Fire Alarm Office, other City agencies and the Internet.
1998 Highlights
All Division Bureaus have had new computers installed and many of their older computers replaced. Computers are being upgraded to the Windows NT operating system with Microsoft Office 97 as the productivity platform. New printers have also been installed in many offices and a new network highspeed color laser printer is awaiting installation.
The Medical Training Center graduated 83 paramedics, bringing the number of paramedics in the Division to 569. The Training Academy graduated two classes of recruit firefighters totaling 99.
The Division added four more patient transport vehicles in 1998, allowing the Division to end the year with a total of 26, each staffed by two paramedics.
In 1998, the Division accepted delivery of 10 medic vehicles, four assistant chief vehicles, 13 Plymouth Neons and currently have five engines in production.
Due to the growth demands of the city, a seventh battalion was added, with the addition of three battalion chief positions. The authorized strength was also increased to allow us to add another EMS Officer District.
A new Safety Office, with a battalion chief as Safety- 1, and three 24-hour captain positions as Safety-2, were also added in 1998. Their first priority is to implement the NFPA 1500 standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
DIVISION OF POLICE
The Division of Police is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Columbus by preserving the peace, protecting persons and property, and controlling disorder by enforcing laws and ordinances within the city. At years end, there were 1,767 sworn and 395 civilian employees in the Division of Police. The number of police personnel decreased by 3 in 1998.
Reported crime in Columbus followed a national trend, with most violent crimes showing a slight decline in number. The homicide rate decreased (went from 83 down to 79) percent in 1998, and aggravated assaults were (went from 2,103 to 2,040) percent less frequent. There were (went from 3,104 to 2,615) percent fewer robbery investigations than in 1997. While the overall crime rate decreased 3 percent, burglaries, thefts/larcenies, and vehicle thefts showed increases from reports filed in 1997.
1998 Highlights
The Detective Bureau staff presented the first Basic Criminal Investigation class, which served as a capstone to the primary law enforcement knowledge and expertise new detectives bring with them. Students were given training in investigation documentation, interpretation/processing of crime scenes, constitutional law, bloodstain and spatter analysis, handwriting analysis, Miranda warnings, interviews and interrogations, search warrants, and introductory sessions with various sections of the Detective Bureau and the Prosecutor's Office. The course also included several scenarios in which the students processed and documented crime scenes.
The Division implemented computer training to coincide with implementation of its computer/network upgrades, windows 95NT operating system and other standardized and customized applications and programs. The computer training project included training all Division employees in the use of desktop computers, the network system, Windows 95, Outlook 97 (e-mail) and Word 97. Training was also provided in the use of identiVUE (the Division's new mugshot program) and intelliVUE (the electronic imaging of accident and offense reports).
In early 1998, Police Chief James G. Jackson approved the implementation of an organizational newsletter in an effort to improve communication within the Division. The executive staff newsletter is published with the hope of uniting written communiques in one clear voice that reinforce the Division's strategies and values. The newsletter also aims to motivate employees to seek out problems and obstacles that impede the Division's mission. Identifying ways to improve police service is encouraged and rewarded in the Division. The executive staff newsletter provides a medium in which supervisors and administrators can give employees recognition for superlative performance.
In late 1998, Leon Vieira, the information technologies manager for the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council Traffic Department in South Africa visited the Division of Police through an arrangement with the Columbus International Program, which places professionals in organizations all over the world. The program enables the exchange of successful procedures and information that promote efficiency and facilitate change in the agencies involved. Commander Vieira brought his call-logging and inventory software programs to the Division and in exchange was given a close view of the Division's computer systems, spending two months with the PC Systems Unit personnel who manage them.
The Division implemented the second phase of its Mission Aligned Policing Philosophy (MAPP). Its purpose is to improve the effectiveness of the police in dealing with crime, safety, and disorder issues, and to apply information technology and strategic decis ion to making to law enforcement. This program requires police leaders to be knowledgeable about crime trends and community concerns and to develop effective strategies to remedy those problems.
Monthly MAPPSTAT Crime Strategy Sessions are held to discuss crime on a particular patrol zone of the city and develop methods to deal with specific crime problems. For the citizens of Columbus, MAPPSTAT should result in improved community life, enhanced safety, and a better working relationship between themselves and the Columbus Division of Police.
In July 1998, the FBI National Academy Associates held their annual conference in Columbus, hosting over 960 people. This four-day event, hosted by Columbus Division of Police Deputy Chief Lanata, included training for National Academy graduates, activities for family members and guests, a family night at COSI, a reception and a banquet. Many Division personnel were involved in planning for and working at the conference.
LICENSE SECTION
The License Section's function is to provide, administer, and enforce all laws, and rules and regulations relating to licensing requirements for various types of businesses and users of burglar and fire alarm systems.
1998 Highlights
In October 1998, legislation was implemented requiring permits for false fire alarm dealers. The Alarm Unit received and processed 21,970 false alarm reports; issued and tracked 16,469 alarm user permits and 317 alarm dealer and agent permits; collected $68,525 in penalties from negligent alarm users; made 91 visits to problem locations, processed 978 written appeals and conducted 186 revocation hearings. Total revenue generated by the Alarm Unit was $317,880, an increase of $124,625 over 1997.
The License Section assumed the responsibility for enforcement of the Charitable Solicitations Code in 1998. This code requires that persons who solicit for charitable purposes, professional fund raisers, and roadway solicitators obtain a permit.
The Vehicle for Hire, General Regulatory and Charitable Solicitation Units received and processed 8,300 license transactions; conducted 1,734 vehicle and pushcart inspections, conducted 11 inventory inspections for going-out-of business sales, processed 25 indigent burial requests, prepared for 11 Vehicle for Hire Board meetings and filed 102 criminal court cases. The Charitable Solicitations Board approved 143 charitable organization permits and 23 professional fund raiser permits.
Revenue from these three units was $240,229, an increase of $21,329 over the previous year.
In total, the License Section processed 26,970 license transactions and generated $558,109 in revenue, an increase of $145,954 over the previous year.
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
The Weights & Measures Section operates under and enforces Title Twenty-nine of the City Codes. Its mission is to provide "Equity in the Marketplace" Through the various inspection programs, the office helps assure a level field of competition where merchants can conduct their business. It also seeks to guarantee that there is no monetary injury to either buyer or seller in commercial transactions.
1998 Highlights
In 1998, inspection personnel examined 10,632 various devices, such as scales, gasoline pumps, aviation fuel meters and taxi cabs. Of those tested, 450 (4.2 %) were found to be operating out of prescribed tolerances. Those devices were removed from commercial use until the errors were collected. Fees generated from inspections totaled $236,485, an increase of $4,048 over the previous year.
Price verification (scanner accuracy) continued to be a problem area. Inspectors tested 3,275 items and found 252 that registered different from the price posted, an error rate of 7.7 %.
Quantity accuracy test sampling was performed on 155 inspection lots representing 13,758 total packages. Of those lots examined, 34 (21.9 %) were found "short weight" or "short measure" and were embargoed, resulting in 2,880 packages being ordered "off sale".
Thomas Maynard, of our staff, was elected Second Vice-president of the Ohio Weights & Measures Association. With normal progression, he will be President of the group in the year 2001.
Back To Top Back To COLUMBUS PUBLIC SAFETY Main Menu How To Reach Us 1997 ANNUAL REPORT COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT OUR WEB SITE? EMAIL: Webmaster@publicsafety.ci.columbus.oh.us http://www.publicsafety .ci.columbus.oh.us ======Updated 03/15/00 mld
