Township Manager LEFEVRE Township Solicitor CLARKE Fire Marshal CLARK Chief of Police KELLY Traffic Safety Officer FREED

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1 The stated meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington was held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA., with Commissioner Schreiber presiding. CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners SCHREIBER, DiPLACIDO, BOWMAN, FARREN Excused: KALINOSKI Township Manager LEFEVRE Township Solicitor CLARKE Fire Marshal CLARK Chief of Police KELLY Traffic Safety Officer FREED Also Present: Commissioners LUKER, KLINE, MYERS, ZAPPONE, GILLESPIE, JONES, HECKER, SPIEGELMAN, SANCHEZ MINUTES: Commissioner Schreiber made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DiPlacido to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2015 Public Safety Committee Meeting. MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0. Police Department Report: Chief Kelly reported that at the full Board meeting next week there will be presentations for retirees and a promotion. Also, we have been working on preparations for the Pope's visit to Philadelphia at the end of this month. The Police Department does not anticipate there will be any major problems in Abington Township, but if so, we will be fully staffed that weekend. Traffic Safety Officer Freed reminded everyone that school will be in session beginning Tuesday, September gth and motorists need to be aware that school zones will be in effect and school busses will be on the road. Also, this month is the Traffic Safety Blitz, and anyone who is interested in lawn signs, please call the Traffic Safety Division. Commissioner Schreiber called on Rich Garrett of the Second Alarmers for his report. -1-

2 Rich Garrett said he ed copies of his report to the Board and Fire Marshal Clark. Statistics for the first six months of the year for Abington Township totaled 2, 776 requests for EMS; 2,357 were medical; 226 were fire; and 182 were motor vehicle crashes and out of those responses, 1,683 people were transported to the hospital. We are also staffing over night during the Pope's visit and also an additional float truck will be available that weekend. Ordinance No To Amend Chapter 156 (Vehicles and Traffic), Article II- (Traffic Regulations), Section 14 (Stop Intersections), Article III (Parking Regulations), Section 25 - Parking Prohibited At All Times; No Parking Between Signs; No Parking Here to Comer; Parking Prohibited Except Certain Hours; No Stopping Or Standing and Section 28 Special Purpose Parking Zones Commissioner Schreiber made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DiPlacido to. adopt Ordinance No amending Chapter 156 (Vehicles and Traffic), Article II (Traffic Regulations), Section 14 (Stop Intersections), Article III (Parking Regulations), Section 25 - Parking Prohibited At All Times; No Parking Between Signs; No Parking Here to Corner; Parking Prohibited Except Certain Hours; No Stopping Or Standing and Section 28 (Special Purpose Parking Zones) for adoption at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners on September IO, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Commissioner Schreiber asked for any comments from Commissioners. There were none. Commissioner Schreiber asked for any public comments. There were none. MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0. Sobriety Checkpoint Grant Commissioner Schreiber made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Bowman to authorize Township officials to accept a grant award from the Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering in the amount of $45, with the Township's matching portion approximately $ Commissioner Schreiber asked for any comments from Commissioners. There were none. Commissioner Schreiber asked for any public comments. Lora Lehmann, 1431 Bryant Lane, commented that she feels that sobriety checkpoints are "unconstitutional and that people who are not drunk should not be stopped, searched and have their vehicles searched," and she asked for action to be taken on behalf of residents. -2-

3 Commissioner Kline questioned whether vehicles are searched. Chief Kelly replied absolutely not. The driver is spoken to at the window and, ifthere are no signs of intoxication, they go on their way in moments. If there is a reason to believe the person has been drinking, they are asked to step out of the vehicle and take a portable breath sobriety test that takes a few moments. It is only when there is probable cause that the person is under the influence of alcohol that they are taken into custody for more testing. There is no reason to search the vehicle unless the vehicle is being impounded and that is only a cursory search of a person's property. Traffic Safety Officer Freed added that the only time a vehicle is searched at a D.U.1. checkpoint is when a person is taken into custody and there is reason to believe there is contraband in the vehicle and then consent would be gained by the driver or owner of the car or if it were important enough a search warrant would be requested. MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0. Contract Extension - GA TSO USA, Inc. FOR INFORMATION ONLY - Commissioner Schreiber announced that a public hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the extension of the Red Light Camera agreement with GA TSO USA, Inc. for one, three-year term running through September 30, Commissioner Schreiber call.ed on Chief Kelly. Chief Kelly gave a power point presentation on the Red Light Camera program. Vehicle crashes are among the leading cause of death in the United States and are the leading cause of death for children, teens and young adults up to the age of 34. Running a red light or other traffic control is the leading cause of all urban crashes and motorists are more likely to be injured due to a red light running-related crash than any other type of crash. More than 50% killed by red light runners are not the signal violators themselves, but the innocent people who are struck by them. Also, you and your family are 300% more likely to be killed by a vehicle crash than by a firearm. It was previously questioned whether there would be enough violations to justify red light camera enforcement and, during the nine-month period from October 2014 to June 2015, there were a total of 4,545 red light violations, which are about 505 violations at those three intersections a month. 21 % of violators are residents and 79% are nonresidents. In regards to whether or not red light camera enforcement reduced the number of violators; comparing the first three months to the last three months, red light violations were down by 47%. -3-

4 Angle crashes went from eight in 2013 to six in 2014 down to four in 2015 and, although the numbers are small, the goal is being accomplished. Angle crashes have the highest injury rate of any type of accidents and the second highest fatality rate. The number of injuries reduced by the Red Light Camera program in 2013 was two and in 2014 there was one fatality, and in 2015, there was one. According to Traffic Safety Officer Posey's analysis there were no accidents attributable to the red light cameras. The amount of revenue that has come from this program does not cover all of the Township's costs or GATSO's costs and there are no additional costs to the Township. It has been 100% revenue-neutral meaning there has been zero revenue and zero dollars going out. Every out-of-pocket expense from this program has been recouped. Commissioner Schreiber asked for the number of tickets that were appealed. Traffic Safety Officer Posey replied from January 2015 until June 2015, there were 133 hearings; 75 were found liable and 58 were found not liable. Commissioner Schreiber asked for any comments from Commissioners. Commissioner Spiegelman commented that GAI'SO reimburses the police officers' time for reviewing camera footage and what has been the impact on personnel scheduling within the department in terms of being short-staffed for patrol. Chief Kelly replied outside of the Traffic Safety Unit, there has been no impact on personnel. Commissioner Bowman commented that this sounds like a winner and he is in favor of renewal. Commissioner DiPlacido asked does the Township have the ability to remove some of the cameras because due to the recent purchase of the property at Susquehanna and Old York Roads, if that building is leveled, there may be the ability to better enforce in that area. Chief Kelly replied he will look into that. Manager LeFevre added that the Township is in the early stages of trying to obtain grant funding for the property at the intersection of Susquehanna and Old York Roads and we will not receive a definitive answer on our application until November. He is not certain improvements proposed for that intersection would provide the police the opportunity to do enforcement there. -4-

5 It appears that the red light camera at that intersection has effectively reduced the number of violations at that intersection, and if that continues to progress, we will have to consider whether the red light camera is warranted in this location and we will monitor it if this program continues and see how that progresses in the future. Commissioner Jones asked what thresholds would be in place, if any, that would justify a removal of a camera? Chief Kelly replied we have not discussed that yet, but the contract provides that if it gets to a point where it is mutually beneficial to remove it, it will be done at no cost to the Township. Commissioner Jones continued that if the red light camera has been successful acting as deterrent would it make sense to post larger signs, etc. Chief Kelly replied he does not know at this time, but will research it. Commissioner Jones asked has there been a pattern of repeat violators? Chief Kelly replied there have been 6% of repeat violators. Commissioner Gillespie noted there is language in Section 3 of the agreement about relocation of cameras. Commissioner Zappone asked was there any cost to the Township when the contractor installed the cameras? Chief Kelly replied there has been zero cost to the Township. Commissioner Zappone asked will there be any cost to the Township if this contract is renewed for another three years. Chief Kelly replied it will continue to be 100% cost-neutral. Fines cover monthly Township costs and any money leftover is paid to GA TSO for their service. If fines exceed Township and GATSO's costs, then that money goes to the State. Commissioner Hecker asked ifthe number of violations is reduced and the revenue from that covers GATSO's costs, what is their incentive for them to continue if the numbers continue to decrease, and is there anything in the contract to allow them to get out of this three year contract due to lack ofrevenue? Chief Kelly replied GATSO and other companies build that into their costs. Commissioner Myers asked Chief Kelly if he or anyone else is exempt from being fined. -5-

6 Chief Kelly replied absolutely not. There were police officers caught by red light cameras driving their personal vehicles and were fined. Commissioner Gillespie clarified that the Township after three years has the option not to renew. Is that correct? Solicitor Clarke replied the initial term was for one year, and if it is renewed, it would be for a three-year term and each successive term after that will be a three-year term. Both parties can terminate by mutual agreement at any time during those three years or ifthere is a breech by either party. Commissioner Kline clarified that ifthe Township terminates the contract we pay GATSO $1,000 per camera. Is that correct? Chief Kelly replied that is only ifthe Township terminates without cause at a time when the contract is not up for renewal. Commissioner Kline asked about the public hearing being properly advertised for next week. Manager Lefevre replied a legal ad was placed in the newspaper as well as a notice was posted on Township website and blasts were sent out to remind residents to participate. Commissioner Kline asked how many hours per week does the Traffic Safety Officers spend on reviewing camera video? Traffic Safety Officer Posey replied he spends on average about five or six hours a week and Traffic Safety Officer Freed about two to three hours. Commissioner Kline asked has GA TSO ever removed cameras due to lack of violations/revenue? Traffic Safety Posey replied he does not know. Commissioner Kline asked has any violators not paid their fines and it went to collection? Traffic Safety Officer Posey said since the beginning of the red light camera program, 511 violators were sent to collection; 412 still remain unpaid; 92 were paid and seven were closed out due to various reasons. Commissioner Kline asked does GATSO pay business taxes to the Township? -6-

7 Manager Lefevre replied he does not know at this time, but will ask the Township Treasurer and report back. Commissioner Kline thanked Traffic Safety Officer Posey and Lt. Kelley Warner for their assistance with providing crash reports for the three red light camera intersections and he will verify that there were no accidents due to red light cameras being there. Commissioner Spiegelman asked do any other municipalities in the State have a red light camera program? Chief Kelly replied no, but a few have done some research and some are waiting to see how this works out for Abington. Commissioner Myers questioned whether the hours spent reviewing the cameras is overtime and is that being reimbursed at an overtime-rate? Traffic Safety Officer Posey replied any work hours related to the red light camera program is documented and reimbursed from fines. Commissioner Bowman clarified that this program is offered to First Class Townships with a certain amount of population. Is that correct? Chief Kelly replied population has to be over 20,000 and it has to be an accredited police department. Commissioner Zappone referred to the contract - Section 2, Item regarding camera relocation fee in the amount of $750; does that have to be paid to GA TSO, and if so, why because Township employees are doing the work. Manager Lefevre replied possibly because the equipment is fragile and there is risk it could be damaged in the process. He will get clarification from reps of GA TSO before next week. Commissioner Schreiber asked for any public comments. John DiPrimio, 1324 Warner Road, commented that he is opposed to this program. He feels that the number of violators is not Township residents because they found alternative routes to avoid these intersections and so traffic is being pushed into neighborhoods. He does not see this program having a direct benefit to the Township and there was nothing in the presentation that showed the Township should continue down this path. -7-

8 David Saplansky, 2967 Lincoln Avenue, thanked the Board for their service. He asked the Board of Commissioners to take away the red light cameras because whether they save lives is debatable. He read results of statistics that he took into the record, and he requested that the vote on the red light camera program be postponed. He asked for this program to be put on the ballot as a question for voters in November's local election. He feels the yellow lights have less time on them at these intersections and he travels different routes avoiding the red light camera intersections. Chief Kelly replied there is no truth that the timing of the yellow lights has been shortened in any way, shape or form. Lora Lehmann, 1431 Bryant Lane, commented that she does not want this program extended, but if it is, it should be extended at the most for two years because she feels there are no sufficient statistics. She asked if the statistics of the red light camera to be posted on Township's website. Betty Smith, 361 Tulpehocken Avenue, commented that she has an issue with the intersection of Susquehanna and Old York Roads because it is impossible to make a left tum in either direction. It was stated that after one year there was going to be a review, and she expressed concern about voting on this next week. Raymond Bell, Parkview Avenue, expressed concern that ifthe police officers do not need to be doing enforcement at the locations where the red light cameras are and, if they are removed, then they will need to be there and that needs to be thought about. Commissioner Spiegelman said the issue with those intersections is that it is difficult for police officers to sit there due to the configuration, so therefore the red light camera is the "eye" for the police officers. Commissioner Bowman commented that he is in favor of the red light cameras and they should be in more places such as in the parks, which is "Security 101." Solicitor Clarke said the question of whether or not to continue with the red light camera program cannot be put on the ballot as the legislature is clear about what is appropriate for a ballot referendum and what is not appropriate. Commissioner Schreiber asked for any general comments relating to Public Safety. Lora Lehmann, 1431 Bryant Lane, asked for a full depth of figures and discussion on any item coming up for a hearing. -8-

9 Public Safety Conunittee Meeting September 2, 2015 ADJOURNMENT: 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Lefevre, Township Manager sev -9-