[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Westbury 6-4-1981
by L.L. No. 7-1981 (Ch. 31A of the 1964 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
The Board of Trustees has determined that certain problems involving
the public safety and welfare, including, without limitation by specification,
the incidence of crimes against persons and property, vandalism and loitering,
breaches of the peace and public disorder, as well as loss of life and personal
injuries caused by fire, motor vehicle and other accidents within the Village
of Westbury necessitates an ongoing review of the causes and effects of such
matters. The Board believes that the good administration and governance of
the village and sound law enforcement requires that the Board have at its
disposal accurate information upon which to consider legislation in the area
of public safety. The Board finds that a citizen advisory commission is an
effective means for gathering pertinent data and making recommendations to
the Board for improved public safety and welfare.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, the following words, for the purpose
of this chapter, shall have the meanings herein indicated:
The Code of the Village of Westbury.
The commission created by this chapter.
The Board hereby creates a commission which shall be known as the "Westbury
Public Safety Commission."
A.Â
The Board shall, by resolution, fix the number of members
of the Commission at a number not less than three nor more than five. Members
shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Board. The term of
office shall be three official years or until the member's successor
is appointed and qualifies, except that the members first appointed shall
be appointed for the official years expiring not more than one, two and three
years, respectively, subsequent to their appointments, and the term of one
member shall expire annually thereafter.
B.Â
Persons residing in the County of Nassau who are over
the age of 18 years and who are interested in the purposes of the Commission
shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission.
C.Â
Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other
than by expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term.
D.Â
The trustee then serving as the Commissioner of Police
and Public Safety, the Coordinator of Auxiliary Police of the village, and
such other person or persons as the Board from time to time may designate,
shall serve as ex officio members of the Commission.
The Mayor, with the approval of the Village Board, shall appoint one member of the Commission as Chairman at the annual organizational meeting of the Board each year for the ensuing year. At the first meeting of the Commission following each official year of the village, the Chairman of the Commission shall appoint a Vice Chairman and a Recording Secretary. The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its meetings and business. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 51-7 of this chapter. The Chairman of the Commission shall appoint committees thereof as deemed necessary.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be:
A.Â
To study and review the operation of the laws, ordinances,
rules and regulations of the village and the administration thereof involving
public safety with a view toward making recommendations thereon to the Code
Review Commission and the Board of Trustees.
B.Â
To study particular problems in the area of public safety,
to gather data and to make recommendations to the Board of Trustees with respect
thereto.
C.Â
To hold public hearings and meetings for the purpose
of gathering and disseminating information in keeping with the purposes of
the Commission and this chapter.
E.Â
To seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of
public and private entities and individuals, in accord with the purposes of
the Commission and this chapter.
F.Â
To maintain liaison and to cooperate with the Nassau
County Police Department, other law enforcement agencies and other public
and private agencies, institutions and individuals of local, state or national
scope whose activities have an impact upon the protection of personal property
within and upon the peace and security of the village.
G.Â
To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from
time to time by the Board of Trustees.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees,
not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the activities
and work of the Commission and from time to time shall submit such other reports
and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
Members of the Commission shall be paid, as compensation for their services
as members, such sums as the Board of Trustees from time to time may fix and
establish by resolution.
The Commission shall submit annually to the Board a proposed budget
for official approval and ratification, and all expenses of the Commission
shall be paid from funds so appropriated.
