Allison R. Sullivan
@allisonrsullivan.bsky.social
Correction: meeting adjourned at 11:30. There was an afternoon session that continued until 2:30.
September 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Correction: meeting adjourned at 11:30. There was an afternoon session that continued until 2:30.
Meeting concludes at 11:30. Thanks for following along!
September 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Meeting concludes at 11:30. Thanks for following along!
Chairperson Ervin asks for 3-5% reductions before October. What is the impact to the City with that reduction in OPSA? Ms Patterson says it's probably technology procurement and vacancies. Will bring details in October.
September 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Chairperson Ervin asks for 3-5% reductions before October. What is the impact to the City with that reduction in OPSA? Ms Patterson says it's probably technology procurement and vacancies. Will bring details in October.
Ald Taylor asks about filling vacancies. Ms Patterson describes challenges in finding candidates. OPSA HR Director elaborates on some limitations. Currently 44 vacancies. OPSA having community event/hiring fair on Sep 17
September 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Ald Taylor asks about filling vacancies. Ms Patterson describes challenges in finding candidates. OPSA HR Director elaborates on some limitations. Currently 44 vacancies. OPSA having community event/hiring fair on Sep 17
Ald Taylor (remote) asks about electronic timekeeping. Ms Patterson notes that start up costs for technology are high but long term gains can be substantial.
September 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Ald Taylor (remote) asks about electronic timekeeping. Ms Patterson notes that start up costs for technology are high but long term gains can be substantial.
Chairperson Ervin has questions about gun shot detectors. Ms Patterson hopes to have an update in the fall. Negotiating technical contracts takes significant time. May not see new system until 2027. Note that there's an implementation phase after contract signed. Mr Ervin is sad.
September 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Chairperson Ervin has questions about gun shot detectors. Ms Patterson hopes to have an update in the fall. Negotiating technical contracts takes significant time. May not see new system until 2027. Note that there's an implementation phase after contract signed. Mr Ervin is sad.
Ald Vasquez asks about Shotspotter alternatives. Any updates? Ms Patterson gives an update that OPSA is "toward the end of" finalizing a contract with a new vendor. Can't share specifics on process. Ald Vasquez notes concerns about privacy.
September 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Ald Vasquez asks about Shotspotter alternatives. Any updates? Ms Patterson gives an update that OPSA is "toward the end of" finalizing a contract with a new vendor. Can't share specifics on process. Ald Vasquez notes concerns about privacy.
Ald Vasquez asks about license plate readers. What is the process for getting a reader in a ward? OPSA works with CPD to prioritize.
September 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Ald Vasquez asks about license plate readers. What is the process for getting a reader in a ward? OPSA works with CPD to prioritize.
Ald. Vasquez asks about 3rd party contracts. How does OPSA decide what positions are in house and what are contracted? Specifics unclear.
September 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Ald. Vasquez asks about 3rd party contracts. How does OPSA decide what positions are in house and what are contracted? Specifics unclear.
PD officers did not have phones. Working on a record system to use phones to submit reports instead of paper reports. System will make in car laptops redundant as well, reducing vehicle installation costs by $3k.
September 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
PD officers did not have phones. Working on a record system to use phones to submit reports instead of paper reports. System will make in car laptops redundant as well, reducing vehicle installation costs by $3k.
Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth asks about tech and infrastructure savings. Did CPD not have cell phones before?
September 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth asks about tech and infrastructure savings. Did CPD not have cell phones before?
Question about how other cities do policy timekeeping, which is paper based and manual. Cook County has an electronic system.
September 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Question about how other cities do policy timekeeping, which is paper based and manual. Cook County has an electronic system.
Question about hiring freeze and OPSA open positions. OPSA had positions in the pipeline before the freeze in Aug. Freeze didn't affect in progress openings.
September 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Question about hiring freeze and OPSA open positions. OPSA had positions in the pipeline before the freeze in Aug. Freeze didn't affect in progress openings.
No significant overages on equipment as yet. Current spending is under last year at this time.
September 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
No significant overages on equipment as yet. Current spending is under last year at this time.
Discussion of two distinct Ernst & Young audits: 1. overall operations 2. standalone audit of medical division
September 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Discussion of two distinct Ernst & Young audits: 1. overall operations 2. standalone audit of medical division
Timekeeper vacancies will be filled by full time civilian staff rather than sworn police officers eventually. Cost savings are hard to calculate.
September 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Timekeeper vacancies will be filled by full time civilian staff rather than sworn police officers eventually. Cost savings are hard to calculate.
OPSA police officers are funded by CPD, not OPSA. OPSA staff has been reduced by 7%. Civilian timekeepers for police dept *are* on OPSA budget.
September 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
OPSA police officers are funded by CPD, not OPSA. OPSA staff has been reduced by 7%. Civilian timekeepers for police dept *are* on OPSA budget.
Question from Nicole Lee about what we will do without all the federal grant money. "move around existing money" for this year. Next year City will be in "bad position". Maintenance, equipment, and training are funded with this money.
September 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Question from Nicole Lee about what we will do without all the federal grant money. "move around existing money" for this year. Next year City will be in "bad position". Maintenance, equipment, and training are funded with this money.
Police gets $ from DOJ. Many grants haven't opened yet, unclear whether they will now.
September 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Police gets $ from DOJ. Many grants haven't opened yet, unclear whether they will now.
This year, Chicago will get $20 million (state, county, others get some $$) from UAS grant.
September 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
This year, Chicago will get $20 million (state, county, others get some $$) from UAS grant.
Question about UAS (Urban area security) grant from federal government. Ms Patterson noted that the City's grant amount dropped significantly. Natalie Gutierrez explained it's a Homeland Security grant. Chicago typically gets a large amount. Chicago dropped 45% from $67 million typical grant.
September 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Question about UAS (Urban area security) grant from federal government. Ms Patterson noted that the City's grant amount dropped significantly. Natalie Gutierrez explained it's a Homeland Security grant. Chicago typically gets a large amount. Chicago dropped 45% from $67 million typical grant.
Question about care teams (mental health crisis teams). Is fire being deployed with care teams? Ms Patterson defers to fire department for specifics. OPSA's role with care teams is clarified by Dan Casey: we provide technical devices (e.g., radios).
September 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Question about care teams (mental health crisis teams). Is fire being deployed with care teams? Ms Patterson defers to fire department for specifics. OPSA's role with care teams is clarified by Dan Casey: we provide technical devices (e.g., radios).
Question about ratio of managers to frontline staff. Ms Patterson will need to investigate.
September 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Question about ratio of managers to frontline staff. Ms Patterson will need to investigate.
What is recourse when vendor doesn't deliver? City hasn't paid new CAD vendor for past 2 years.
September 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
What is recourse when vendor doesn't deliver? City hasn't paid new CAD vendor for past 2 years.
CAD: 911 system. CAD connects dispatcher to the police and/or fire departments to send resource(s) to location where help is needed.
September 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
CAD: 911 system. CAD connects dispatcher to the police and/or fire departments to send resource(s) to location where help is needed.