02-20-17 Health and Public Safety

Home Browse Search

Kyle Dombrowski, 701 W. Sample, stated, I am a Sergeant and the Group Violence Intervention Manager of the Strategic Focus Unit. Call-in is the most direct communication with group members. There has been a lot of discussion between `group' or `gang.' It is actually not illegal to just be in a gang. The criminal activity they perform is what makes that gang to be illegal. We follow Indiana State Statutes and Municipal Code when it comes to identifying individuals. We are reaching out and communicating with people on probation or parole, and this is the main focus for the call-in and how we deliver that message. Once on probation or parole, individuals have certain things they must do like attend meetings or calling in if they see something illegal. We deliver notices through probation and parole. We start heavy with Law Enforcement, and turn the negative attitude into positive action through parole and the Social Services aspect of the situation. We want to emphasize that committing a crime is not only illegal, it is wrong and is hurting the community and the individual's own family. After the call-in meeting, we break bread with these individuals and invite them to stay to have more discussion. Community leaders, business owners, elected officials and law enforcement are all there discussing these issues. Communication is key. We want to know the `Why,' and that leads to prevention instead of reaction. The second component to the strategy is custom notification. This is an individualized contact with an individual and their family. This helps us refer to Social Services by giving them information. This gains trust in the community by revamping community policing. We change lives by helping them. Danielle Fulmer, 1084 Woodward Ave., stated, I hope by now after hearing from the folks working very hard on these issues that this is really focusing in on those that are most likely to cause gun violence in the community. Transparency through communication in law enforcement is at the forefront. How is this working with regard to the data?Nationally, the strategy being implemented here is being implemented in thirty-one (3 1) cities right now and has been recognized as an effective strategy by the Department of Justice. At the same time we understand the national murder rate has increased the past two (2) years. In 2015 the murder rate in the nation's one hundred (100) largest cities increased twenty-five percent (25%). In 2016 the US murder rate rose by fourteen percent(14%) and over half of that was attributed to Chicago. How are we doing in South Bend? There are a couple ways to measure this. The most obvious way to measure the progress is to measure the number of shootings in South Bend. There are seasonal trends and outliers. Last year there were eleven(11) fatal shootings and eighty-one (8 1) criminally assaulted shootings. We have been holding steady the past couple years. Another way to measure it is to address those directly affected by these issues. Goodwill's social service partnerships served ninety-eight (98) clients and has twenty (20) clients receiving outside mentorship. Fifty-four (54) clients were employed in the community and in 2016 there was a sixty-nine percent (69%) retention rate. Thirteen(13) clients interned with the City of South Bend and one (1)was hired full-time. Some younger clients were also assisted through the JJC. It helps clients regain their driving privileges, with their child support cases, and also signs clients up for the excel center. That costs approximately eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800)per client which is a bargain considering the lives that were saved and changed in that program. With no other presenters, Committee Chair Broden opened the floor to questions and comments by the committee and council members. 4