The Observation Deck

To avoid thread drift, I thought I would put this into a separate thread. Some points for discussion about the mayor being the ex-oficio public safety director:

1. Besides making the job more appealing, does anyone know other reasoning behind making the mayor the ex-oficio public safety director (perhaps Stan Austin could answer this, he seems to have a wealth of knowledge about Lakewood history and politics)?

2. Does being mayor automatically make one qualified to be a public safety director? What qualifications should one have to be a public safety director?

3. If Lakewood has a police chief and a fire chief, can it function without a public safety director or does it need one as additional oversight for the police and fire departments?

Some food for thought.

Lori Allen _ wrote:
3. If Lakewood has a police chief and a fire chief, can it function without a public safety director or does it need one as additional oversight for the police and fire departments?

Everyone needs a boss.

It is established by City Charter:

ARTICLE VI.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

SECTION 1. DIVISIONS ESTABLISHED.
The Department of Public Safety shall be organized under at least three divisions, which shall include:
(a) Division of Police.
(b) Division of Fire.
(c) Division of Housing and Building.
Council may establish other divisions within the Department.

SECTION 2. DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.
Unless Council creates the office of Director of Public Safety and establishes the salary of such officer, the Mayor shall be ex officio the Director of Public Safety. The Director shall make all necessary rules and regulations for the government of the Department and the divisions thereof. The Director shall enforce all police, fire, health, safety, and sanitary regulations that may be prescribed by ordinances or rules of the City or by general law.

Lori Allen _ wrote:3. If Lakewood has a police chief and a fire chief, can it function without a public safety director or does it need one as additional oversight for the police and fire departments?

As America has learned over the past 14 months, civilian oversight of police is very important. If anything it needs to be strengthened, not weakened.

Thank you Jen.

I still think that Summer's is a poor candidate for this position. Since the Warren Road rapist was caught ,there have been 10 confirmed rapes and 2 unconfirmed, one being a two year old boy that was sexually molested. These numbers were prior to Summer's apparent requiring our Police Department to label the majority of its calls Departmental Information. How about the dismissal of a felony 4, (procuring prostitution with children under the age of 16)? How about the possible homicide last month on Edgewater? I feel it is done to keep the truth from the citizens of Lakewood. Summer's can hide behind his "departmental information" line, but those of us paying attention know what is happening in our city. We are in the top three cities with the highest heroin overdose deaths.

Wow! Now the police scanner is buzzing!

Having the mayor serve also as the city's safety director is not an ideal situation. If my memory is correct, I believe that the dual role was created in order to provide the mayor with a reasonable salary for his or her efforts. When it was codified, I cannot testify to.

However, the dual role is not the most ideal because situations arise within the ranks of both fire and police divisions that may need an independent understanding of what is actually happening. A city the size of Lakewood really needs a safety director, independent of the mayor's duties. Civilian control of police and fire activities has always been a critical component of a city's investment in public service and response to its citizens.

The Mayor sets the tone and policy for those two divisions and therefore he or she should not be the arbitrator at the same time when major problems or disputes arise.

However, this matter would have to be evaluated and considered by our city charter review commission to decide.

Regardless, I believe that Summers not only has failed as a mayor, but also as a safety director. It is time for new leadership in Lakewood. A leader who is trustworthy, transparent and accountable. Vote for Mike Skindell, or we might lose what is left of Lakewood!