MINUTES
Public Safety Committee
Swarthmore Borough Council
September 20, 2005

In attendance were council Members Bech, Jacobs, and Huestis, Council President Aaron, Mayor Gerner, Police Chief Craig, Fire Chief Hansen, and Deputy Fire Chief Mudrick. The meeting commenced at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall, Council Meeting Room.
I. Public Comment.
Members of the public were given an opportunity to speak on particular agenda items during the discussion of those items. An opportunity was given to speak about items not on the agenda was also afforded, but no one wanted to speak on such items.
II. Minutes.
The Committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on August 19, 2005.
III. Safety in General.
The Committee acknowledged the recent correspondence from Dr. Frederic Pryor of Swarthmore regarding planning for emergencies on the Borough level. Dr. Pryor read a statement which articulated his concerns in greater detail. Dr. Pryor urged the Committee and the Council to consider the formation of a joint task force which would include Borough officials (both elected and appointed), representatives of the Police Department and the Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association, and others. The purpose of the joint task force would be to consider the nature, extent, probability, and severity of possible emergencies and the ways in which the Borough can prepare to deal with such emergencies. Dr. Pryor also suggested that the Borough web site include information regarding emergencies. Further, he suggested that the Borough emergency plan be updated to address in more detail the substantive responses which could be required in the event of an emergency, in addition to the procedures which are in place.
The Committee thanked Dr. Pryor for his suggestions and discussed them at length. The Committee decided to hold a public meeting to address the subject of the Borough’s response to emergencies in the future.
IV. Police.
A. SRS Traffic Issues.
The Committee next heard comments from Emi House and Maria Tracy of Chestnut Avenue regarding their concerns about traffic on College Avenue near the Swarthmore-Rutledge School. Ms. House and Ms. Tracy advocated for more signage and the addition of a crossing guard.
The Committee explained that, contrary to a rumor being passed around town, the Borough had not even been asked to remove the crosswalk on College Avenue near Chestnut, let alone agreed to remove it. The Committee also noted that the School had not requested that the Borough place an additional crossing guard at College and Chestnut, and that the School’s preference was to have children cross over College Avenue only at the corner of Princeton Avenue, where there are stop signs and a crossing guard. Ms. House stated that the School should be encouraging children to enter the building at the main entrance facing College Avenue. She also commented that the facility gets use during evening and weekend hours.
The Committee agreed to write to the Principal of the School to obtain the School’s position on traffic, signage, and crossing issues. Also, the Committee agreed that additional yellow street markings would be placed on College Avenue to better delineate the ‘no parking’ zones near the corner of Chestnut and College.
B. Tasers.
Mr. Bech requested that Chief Craig provide additional information regarding this subject, and also noted that there is no pending request by the Police Department to use tasers.
C. Overnight Parking on Princeton Between Park and Lafayette.
The Committee discussed a request for a ban on overnight parking on this block. It was decided that Mr. Bech would get in touch with the party who requested this ban for more information.
D. Update on Sergeant’s Exam.
The written and oral examinations will be held, respectively, on October 29 and December 2, 2005.
E. Budget Request for 2006.
The budget request for 2006 was received and discussed.
F. Other Issues.
The Police Chief had no other issues to address.
V. Fire.
A. Driver Update.
The daytime driver has already started, on a part-time basis.
B. Budget request for 2006.
The budget request for 2006 was received and discussed.

C. Other Issues and Updates from the Chief.
Chief Hansen has recently provided fire safety training to several hundred staff members of the Cerebral Palsy school.
VI. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.