04-05-06 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006 3:00 - 4:30 P.M. TOPIC: Bill No. 1.7'-06 -Appropriation from U. S. Department of Justice for Ceasefire Program Attendance: See Attached Sign-In Sheet Karen White, Chair of the Health & Public Safety Committee, promptly began the meeting at 3:00 p.m. explaining the purpose of the meeting was to allow full discussion of the $98, 664 appropriation of a Department of Justice Grant for use by Ceasefire of South Bend Inc. She noted the committee would not take action today. Pam Meyer, Director of Community Development was introduced as the presenter of Bill Na. 17-06 scheduled for public hearing before the Common Council on April 10, 2006. Pam explained that Community Development worked with the Mayor and Lynn Coleman through the local congressional office to secure the grant intended for "gang intervention." The two fold purpose was to react to the incidence of violent crime and on an ongoing basis discourage gang activity by promoting realistic alternatives for young people. Roland Ke11y enthusiastically endorsed the intent of the program. Lynn Coleman then explained the genesis of the grant which began in '04, was submitted in early 'OS and awarded to South Bend in the fall af'O5. Answering a question from Tim Rouse, Coleman explained it was he and the Mayor who decided to direct the money to "Ceasefire". He explained "Ceasefire" was seen as the best mechanism to address the need in the community. He went onto describe "Ceasefire" as modeling a successful Chicago approach to gang violence. Tim Rouse asked SBPD Chief Fautz about "Ceasefire" in Chicago. I~ autz spoke of the programs "astonishing" success in Chicago and the already promising results in South Bend with just one outreach worker, Ray Newbill. (It should be noted the majority of the $98,664 grant would be to fund two additional outreach workers.) Trina Robinson, Ceasefire board member and local NAACP representative, spoke of successful "Ceasefire" models in New Jersey, Boston, and California. At this point Karen White introduced Carrie Erlin from St. Mary's College and Bill Hinkle from Ivy Tech who collaborated on a preliminary report statistically, portraying arrest data in South Bend. The report detailed arrests by race, zip code, crime seriousness, and officer discretion. Through preliminary in nature, the report implies racial discrimination. The discussion that followed indicated a need for more research before firm conclusions could be drawn.