2003 Annual Report - Health & Public Safety

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ANNUAL REPORT—HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE The Common Council's Health and Public Safety Committee held 21 meetings during 2003. Major items considered included the anti-loitering ordinance, the ordinance pertaining to crowds at large downtown eating and drinking establishments and planning for our new police and fire facilities. Council member Pfeifer and Council Attorney Cekanski-Farrand were the driving forces behind the anti-loitering ordinance. The effort was made in response to neighborhood complaints about large gatherings of youth that appeared threatening to many neighborhood residents. With the ordinance now in place we are planning to meet with police representatives in early 2004 to determine how it is working and whether changes in its implementation might be necessary. Council member Aranowski was the sponsor of the ordinance to control large crowds which spill out from the downtown bars when they close in the early morning hours. Many times fights would ensue requiring massive police response. This would take officers from their normal assignments thus creating public safety problems in other areas of the city. Again,we will be reviewing the implementation of this ordinance with police officials and bar owners to make sure it is working properly. Several meetings were held with representatives of DLZ and police and fire officials to study plans and costs of the new Central Fire Station on South Michigan Street and the refurbishing and addition to the new Central Police Station on Sample Street. The plans were approved,the funding established and the work is underway. Among committee considerations for 2004 are the planning and site selection for a new Fire Station 9. It is currently located on Mishawaka Avenue and several sites are under review. The new station would be located in the same general area. Also to be reviewed is the mortgage subsidization program for police officers who purchase homes in high crime areas. Possible expansion of this program will be considered. Respectfully submitted, Roland Kelly Committee Chairman Filed in Clerk's Office DEC 0 8 2003 LORETTA J. DUDA CITY CLERK,III.BEND,IN.