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REGULAR MEETING <br />DECEMBER 14, 2015 <br />officer can hear the shots and ShotSpotter is only an aid but the ascetics are exactly the same <br />regardless. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis expressed his concern that officers may not have the manpower to <br />enforce this because it has not been enforced in the past. <br />Chief Ruszkowski responded that manpower isn't an issue and the issue is the egregious amount <br />of gunfire in our community. He stated that the first person to receive the $2500 fine will send a <br />strong message to the community that guns arbitrarily fired cannot be accepted and he again <br />applauded the Council for bringing this forward. <br />Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. stated celebratory gunshots are not the reason for the bill and <br />asked if they would change the name of the bill since it gives a false impression. <br />Councilmember Scott responded `celebratory' is not in the title of the bill but only an informal <br />title he gave it. Councilmember Scott said irresponsible gunfire is a better term than celebratory. <br />Councilmember Davis Jr. said they have his support but asked if you think raising fees will stop <br />criminal behavior. He also asked if they have any data that raising fees will stop this type of <br />negative behavior. <br />Councilmember Scott responded that research proves fines do work to stop criminal behavior. <br />He gave examples in the past where fines did stop criminal activity and people breaking City <br />ordinances. <br />Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. replied that analogy is apples and oranges. He asked if they <br />have more examples. <br />Councilmember Scott replied no. <br />Chief Ruszkowski responded that we have a large amount of gunfire and said the fine for <br />possession of a gun illegally is $250. He asked what is so egregious about increasing that to <br />$2,500 if it will save lives. <br />Councilmember Davis Jr. stated we keep raising fines and fees over the past four (4) years and <br />he doesn't think this stops crime because crime has gone up. He wanted to make sure they were <br />not starting a precedent of raising fees to stop crime because this has not stopped people from <br />being bad tenets. <br />Councilmember Dr. Varner asked if this applies in an act of self - defense. <br />Chief Ruszkowski responded no and that this is also not applicable to a starter pistol or a twenty - <br />one (21) gun salute. <br />Councilmember Dieter asked where the fines go. <br />Councilmember Scott responded that they go to the General Fund. <br />No one from the public spoke in favor of the bill. <br />Nosha Kasey, representing the Freemont Park Association, spoke in opposition to the ordinance. <br />She stated she doesn't understand how this helps the community because this will lead to more <br />crime to pay these high fines. She doesn't understand how these fines help and not hurt since <br />they are so high. <br />Councilmember Scott responded that he agreed with that and violation is at the discretion of the <br />Police Department because officers have the right not to give this violation and fine. <br />Councilmember Dieter spoke that fines have worked for loud noise issues and stated the intent is <br />not to collect fines but to stop crimes. He said the Council has passed a lot of ordinances and he <br />hopes this is enforced. Councilmember Dieter reiterated that bullets do come down and people <br />have been shot because of this. <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated this is December 14th and New Year's is a little over two (2) <br />weeks away. He stated the public needs serious awareness since this will take place New Year's <br />Day and if this is not enforced to the level it should be the seriousness of it gets washed away <br />5 <br />