04-02-03 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Health and Public Safety Committee April 2, 2003 Page 3 The Council Attorney stated that her April 2nd legal memorandum (copy attached) summarizes her discussions with the Indiana State Excise Police Officer who is teaching two(2) "Server Training" courses today in South Bend, noting that these courses are free. She noted that this officer will be in South Bend on May 14th and will be teaching two(2) courses that day. Excise Officer Bewley teaches these courses each month in South Bend at no cost to the attendee. She has offered to work with the city in tailoring courses for training security personnel, which also would be at not cost to the attendee. She noted that based on her research, the Council is on sound legal footing to pass reasonable public safety regulations in this area. She stated that she would be providing copies of additional information in the City Clerk's Office, and noted that she would be happy to provide this information to any or all of the establishment representatives in attendance. She then provided a one-page check list of safety programs in effect in three (3) cities in Australia (copy attached) and noted that she would be providing copies from studies and programs from Los Angeles to Canada,Australia,Monterey, California, Illinois, etc. (Copies attached). Police Chief Thomas Fautz then reviewed the "Calls for Service" report which he provided to Council Member Aranowski (copy attached). He noted that it does not contain all of the calls because when a police officer logs onto his or her computer in his or her squad car, that officer is then out of service. The report sets forth the minimum numbers. He then noted that from January 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003 the majority calls were in the late evening hours and early morning hours. The number of police officers responding ranges from 1 officer to 30 officers,with at least 16 times where 10 or more officers responded. There are a total of 370 calls for service involving 849 officers for this time period in the 200 block of South Michigan and the 100 block of Wayne. Chief Fautz noted that such calls have a direct impact on the police budget and puts an added demand on police resources. The injuries which result from such calls results in a loss of production, as well as complaints and lawsuits. He also noted that there is a direct impact on the morale of the police department. Some police officers refer to such calls as "babysitting". They want people to behave themselves. Chief Fautz stated that there are a lot of good things in the proposed ordinance and it would give additional tools to the city. He stated that everyone is interested in having a good night in the downtown for people who do not want to worry about safety. Chief Fautz then introduced Division Chief Jim Hassig, who served as the Regional Commander for the Midnight Shift. Division Chief Hassig noted that service calls to the downtown establishments are taxing on the department, especially for the midnight officers. He stated that he does not have the manpower to deal with all of the problems on the sidewalks when patrons become defiant. He noted that this pulls from the manpower who should be patrolling in other parts of the city. He stressed the need for better behavior of the clientele which patron the downtown establishments so that his officers could be freed up to do other things throughout the city. Captain Wanda Shock stated that she supports the proposed ordinance. She noted that training at any time when it is offered is good. Captain Shock stressed that the lack of training is a formula for disaster. She noted that she used to have meetings with the owners/operators of the various downtown establishments to talk over problems so that they could take steps to protect the public from aggressive behavior. She would be glad to support the program so that training which addresses signage, overcrowding, excessive drinking, etc. Can be discussed. Captain Shock noted that recent lawsuits for injuries should also be a concern to everyone. She stated that she will help in any way she can.