|
REGULAR MEETING MARCH 2'6 1973
<br />COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED)
<br />this $17,000.00 to a better use. The audience applauded at this statement. The Mayor indicated
<br />that this money was not to be connected with future surveys and it was not a survey for the pur-
<br />pose of cutting manpower. This firm would be able to give the city the most objective and reliabl
<br />information available in making decisions for an effective fire force. He indicated that this was
<br />being done in many areas, and he also indicated that so far, no one has been able to come forth
<br />with that type of information. The Mayor did mention that the survey was conducted in Fort Wayne,
<br />and in that particular instance, it was determined the manpower should be cut. He mentioned that
<br />manpower is based on population of the particular city involved. Mr. Gallagher indicated that, as
<br />the community grows, the city was talking about a stable number of firemen and was not concerned
<br />with reduction of manpower. Captain Zwierzynski cited articles that appeared in the local news-
<br />paper on March 22 and February 22, 1973, wherein Mayor Miller was quoted as saying that the survey
<br />may lead to a reduction in manpower.
<br />Mr. Paul Bognar, 805 West Washington Street, asked how the firm would be chosen to perform the
<br />survey in the Fire Department, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that, out of the three proposals that
<br />have been received, he could not say which firm would be chosen but that the most efficient one
<br />would be considered. Mr. Bognar indicated that there were 270 men in the firefighters that were
<br />opposed to such a survey, and he felt that if they objected to it, the survey would not work. He
<br />also indicated that most of the areas in which the survey had been conducted previously had been
<br />damaged.
<br />Mrs. Ann Wlodarski, 1869 Riverside Drive, indicated that she wanted to speak on her own behalf as
<br />citizen and taxpayer of South Bend. She asked Mr. Gallagher if he had figures on how much money
<br />the city has received through federal grants in 1972 and how much will be received in 1973. Mr.
<br />Gallagher indicated that from June 30 to December 31, 1972, the city received $453,000.00 in
<br />criminal justice money. Since then, the city has received close to an additional $200,000.00. In
<br />the early part of 1972, the city received close to $300,000.00. He indicated that the total for
<br />South Bend is more than any other city in the northwest corner of Indiana. Mrs. Wlodarski asked
<br />what this money had been used for, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that expenditures of this money
<br />were public record. He further indicated that 1% of the money was used for some type of hardware,
<br />19% used for communication and computer operation, 40% for juveniles, and 20o for upgrading and
<br />training programs. Mr. Gallagher indicated that he previously had released this information to
<br />the South Bend Tribune in January of 1973, and that it had been published almost in its entirety.
<br />Mrs. Wlodarski felt that the $17,000.00 should go for additional policemen and firemen and not for
<br />some "glorified and fancy" survey which might mean nothing after it was completed. She asked if
<br />the Safety Director position could be deleted if the crime rate did not increase in 1973, and
<br />Chairman Newburn indicated that it could not.
<br />Mrs. Constance Green, 3217 West Dunham, asked how many of the 22 policemen that would start
<br />training on April 14 would be in some kind of minority group. Mr. Gallagher indicated that the
<br />officers hired through revenue sharing are to be hired in fall and that all others hired were
<br />replacements. He indicated that, as of this date, it seemed to him that there were four members
<br />of a minority group and one Irishman. He further indicated that the department was waiting for a
<br />final check on one individual in order to continue his processing and that there might be five men
<br />in a minority group. Mrs. Green indicated that she had heard a rumor about a certain man being
<br />interrogated on an exam he had taken for the Police Department. She mentioned that this particu-
<br />lar young man had gotten a very high score on his test and was interrogated because of this. Mr.
<br />Gallagher indicated that he would question the use of the word "interrogation ", and Mrs. Green
<br />indicated that that was what she meant. Mr. Gallagher indicated that there have been no interro-
<br />gations and that every candidate must be interviewed and his background checked, along with his
<br />financial status, a check with his references and neighbors, etc. He felt that some persons might
<br />use the word "interrogation" because of the utilization of the polygraph. He indicated that every''
<br />candidate must be put through a test on the polygraph in order to test the reliability of his
<br />information given. This was standard procedure, and he indicated that it was also standard pro-
<br />cedure that, when a person scores extremely high on the test, he be requested to take the test
<br />over. He mentioned that there have been 10 persons who have been requested to do this and that
<br />there has been asked only one black person to take the test again. He indicated that this was don
<br />because the city desired to hire only the best qualified people. Mrs. Green asked if this poly-
<br />graph test usually consumed four to five hours for one person, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that
<br />each candidate generally receives the same amount of time on the polygraph. He further indicated
<br />that this test is conducted at the Police Department and must be operated from a room especially
<br />constructed for the machine. Mrs. Green asked Mr. Gallagher about certain areas in the city that
<br />would be saturated as far as the crime picture was concerned. Mr. Gallagher indicated that
<br />specific areas had not been determined as yet. He briefly touched upon the census tract method
<br />and indicated that the Impact Plan would be released in less than a week. Mrs. Green indicated
<br />that these proposed areas were all black- concentrated areas and she felt there was just as much
<br />crime in other sections of town. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he wanted Mr. Gallagher to
<br />be recognized when Chairman Newburn indicated that Mr. Gallagher's presentation had taken a great
<br />deal of time and he did not want to have him speak further. Mr. Gallagher then indicated that the
<br />high -crime areas have been identified based upon statistics. He also indicated that he had no
<br />intention of forcing police protection on a particular neighborhood. He mentioned that this would
<br />be in conjunction with the high -crime areas in neighborhoods that wanted the protection. Miss
<br />Guthrie indicated that she had understood Mr. Gallagher to say that:most of the recruits to be
<br />hired would be replacements for the balance of the year, and she wondered if this was correct.
<br />Mr. Gallagher indicated that the department was down to 224 men and would be down lower with up-
<br />coming retirements. The replacements mentioned would only bring the department up to full com-
<br />plement, and it was hoped that the city could be up to 264 policemen by November 15.
<br />Councilman Serge indicated that he was concerned about the demolition of homes and substandard
<br />buildings, and he indicated this was a big problem in the community. Mr. Gallagher indicated that
<br />extensions of time are given on the demolishment of the buildings, with the average time being
<br />between-four and six weeks. He indicated to Councilman Serge that, if he forwarded a letter to
<br />him, he would see that Mr. Serge got some action on his particular request and hopefully the
<br />matter could be expedited right away. Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he felt the public
<br />deserved the best and that the main issue was crime and drugs. He felt this was one of the reason
<br />why the citizens of South Bend had to live in fear in their own homes. He felt that, in order for
<br />the department operating and functioning properly, the Council should give them the tools and mone
<br />to work with. He mentioned that the Police Department was the army and the Fire Department was th
<br />navy and they are desperately needed. He recommended that, for the time being, the Council delete
<br />the amount of money appropriated for the survey in the Fire Department, and he requested a 10 to
<br />15 minute recess to iron the matter out. Councilman Miller agreed with him. He indicated that
<br />
|