11/27/07 Health and Public Safety Minutes

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Health and Public Safety Committee November 28, 2007 Page 2 • Other Criminal Arrests by Year and Race 1990-2005 • Traffic Citations 1990-2005 • Changes in Ticketing Patterns and Population in South Bend 1990-2005 • Non-Discretionary Citations (DUI & hit /run only) 1990-2006 • Discretionary Citations (moving violations in one chart and equipment/document violations in a second chart) 1990-2006 • Summary: that the city's "...arrest & citation pattern do not math the general population distribution...these trends have persisted over time...discretionary tickets & arrests show larger departures from the population distribution...." Council Member White noted that some preliminary information was shared in 2006. Dr. Varner suggested that age and sex should also have been part of the study, and that that information should be made available. Dr. Fleming suggested that income levels should also be part of the study. Division Chief Boykins noted that police officers are required to respond when they are called. He noted that the study did not address the race of the officers who issued the tickets and suggested that be considered. Chief Boykins noted that certain parts of the city have more calls for service which are initiated by the residents. He gave as an example the area near Washington High School. He noted that there are many factors which are not reflected in the study as presented. Police Chief Thomas Fautz noted that the data does not include information of police officers walking in neighborhoods. He noted that there are funds for HUD Patrols, SEED, etc where additional beat officers are assigned to areas along Lincolnway West. Many warning tickets are issued and he inquired whether that data was studied. Council Member Kirstis noted that he is an "old SPEA grad" and that studies should include information from cities with similar populations as South Bend such as Rockford, IL, Roanoke, VA, Peoria, IL which have around 100,000 in population. He questioned how the study compares to the vacant housing map and calls for service. He suggested that the overall goals should be more defined and that more data needs to be included. Ms. Erlin noted that "South Bend is slightly worse" when you compare patterns across the nation. She noted that she is trained as an advocate and that the "T-Test of means" was utilized. Council Member Kirsits stated that he does not believe that any one can say that "South Bend is out of whack" until additional information is included in the study and that proper comparisons are made. He stated that "you really need comparative data".