Mayor Olga G. Velazquez’s Public Safety Summit 
September 21st - Portage High School
Mayor Velazquez is a huge supporter of maintaining your public safety, it is a never ending battle and as resources begin to dry up, it becomes more and more difficult to address the threats that we all face. Regardless of where it is that we call home or where we work, we all face a never ending list of threats to our family. At the Mayor’s direction, we assembled many fine speakers who touched on an array of public safety issues this past September 18th at the Portage High School and the Mayor is planning to host an additional presentation in early 2011.
I thank the Mayor for her commitment to public safety and certainly I am very grateful to those who took the time from their busy schedules to make presentations that evening. We invited the public to pass along any questions that we were un able to answer that evening and I have set forth the answers to those questions below.
Responses from Mr. Brian Gensel Porter County Prosecutor Responses
Question: Since drugs are so prevalent in our county, why are there only a few dedicated officers to buy drugs from these dealers? How do the citizen’s get involved to help in the fight against K2, Spice, etc?
Response: The Porter County Drug Task Force currently has 7 full-time undercover officers, the most it has ever had. Considering all the financial constraints in this economy, I am very thankful that the Porter County Council continues to provide $250,000 per year to support the task force. While we could do more with more manpower, I am confident that we are using what resources we have to their fullest potential and are seeing successes in identifying and arresting drug dealers.
Question: Is there a better way for an apartment office to get better and more reliable information on potential tenants? How can we obtain better information as to the criminal history of potential tenants?
Response: Short of running criminal histories on every potential tenant, which would probably be too costly, asking for and checking references will go a long way in “weeding out” bad tenants. Also, having clear language in the lease agreements about who can live there, prohibition of “friends” loitering, what is deemed trespass by invitees, etc., will enable landlords to more easily evict bad tenants.
Responses from Dr. Michael Berta Superintendent, Portage Schools
Question: Are students provided presentations in school about the dangers of the internet?
Response: School Board policy #7540.03 details in depth the expectations for students, staff and parents regarding the use and safety of the internet. Board policy is on our PTS website and can be reviewed by anyone interested. In addition, internet safety is reviewed with students by staff as part of the school start activities in the student handbook. Some staff emphasize internet use and safety more than others, but the topic is taught across the curriculum to Portage students.
Responses from Chief Tom Fieffer Portage Fire Department
Question: Does Porter County have any emergency preparedness teams or community training in that area? (for crisis management, etc.,)
Response: Porter County EMA has a class called “CERT”. It is for citizen’s who want to help during a disaster or in natural emergencies.
Fuerst 
It is with profound sadness that I have learned of the recent death of Fuerst, a 3 ½ year old Comfort and Service K- 9 that Chaplain Tim Engel had used to soften the heartache and ease the burdens of so many who have gone through crisis situations. There will be a Memorial Service for Fuerst at 3pm on Sunday, October 24th at the Holy Cross Church.
I have been fortunate to have had several dogs in my life and I know first hand the sadness that Chaplain Engel and his family feel. Fuerst was a regular visitor to the police department, he brought joy to so many sad situations in the community and will be so very much missed. To Chaplain Engel and his family, thank you for all of your hard work in this community and please know that many of us share in your sadness.
Cops For A Cure
I do not want to end on a sad note, so I bring today’s message to a close with an update on our efforts to join with Officer Flora Ryan in her battle against breast cancer. The sales of those pink magnetic breast cancer ribbons were just unbelievable and I again thank all of the law enforcement agencies in the 3 counties, the Portage Fire Department and all of you who supported that effort. Seemingly not a day goes by when I do not see a ribbon on someone’s car in the area- saw one the other day in Illinois!
Many thanks to all who participated and helped make our 5K event at the Portage YMCA such a huge success. On September 18th we had hundreds of runners and walkers take part in the event and this week I will be sending off another check to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization that will then total over $18,000 in donations.
A United Community is a Strong Community!
That is it for now, enjoy the Fall weather--- ‘cause the bad stuff is not far behind. As always, if it does not feel right, it probably isn’t. Call the police and let them figure it out, that is what we get paid to do!
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