07-09-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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I It • 1 • COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) referred to the revenue sharing ordinance. Council President Nemeth suggested that a vote be takes to decide to proceed with the ordinance or allow Mr. Gallagher time to speak on the charges. He asked how much time would be needed, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that he would like five to eight minutes. Councilman Szymkowiak felt the Council should hear Mr. Gallagher, and Councilman Horvath expressed his concern over the matter and indicated that the Council and citizens have only heard one side of the issue. He felt it would be fitting that Mr. Gallagher explain his views, and he made a motion that Mr. Gallagher be allowed five minutes to make his presentation, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Mr. Gallagher distributed documents to the Council consisting of copies of all documents issued during the past few weeks. He talked about the new procedure of reports and referred to a copy of the report. He indicated that the Police Department was being buried in paper work, and he quoted from Sergeant Knepper's memo dated June 11, 1973, and he indicated that the field reports have bees cut because of the new procedure. He referred to a flow chart prepared of the system and stated that it would be foolish not to use the computer to its fullest extent. He indicated that the FBI Manual was issued in 1962 and revised in 1966, and he admitted that, only about a week ago, it was discovered that the revision had not been incorporated into the department's manual. He indicated that, during the past week, the revision has been incorporated into the present procedure. He indicated that he had outlined his reasons for incorporating certain changes in procedure in light of the recommendations of the study made at Indiana University. He indicated that the only way to increase the number of men to the force would be by reducing the typing of reports and putting those policemen out on the street. He talked about the general order issued pertaining to the utilization of the computer. Mr. Gallagher quoted a portion of the FBI manual pertaining to crime in certain areas, and the report dated June 29, 1973, regarding serious crimes and their worth. He also referred to a memo from Chirf Urban indicating that the procedure would be followed in accordance with the FBI regulations. He indicated that, if he had wanted to "fudge" on statistics he would not have done so in a general order which was public record. He stated that he categori- cally denied the charges listed in the newspaper and hoped the issue could be buried in order to proceed with a more efficient processing of reports that would enable the department to get more police officers on the streets. Mr. Gallagher then proceeded to outline his requests as incorporated in the line items of the appr priation ordinance. Regarding Program FA13, he referred to a letter written by Mr. Isaiah Steed, Director of the Substandard Building Department, regarding the status of funds available for demolition and expenditures of substandard buildings. He indicated that, if the buildings were to be demolished in order to eliminate a safety hazard, additional funds would be needed. He stated that, with the number of buildings now slated to be demolished, the department would run out of money by the lst of September. In Program FA18, he indicated that he was requesting $6,500 in the Services Personal Account for police overtime. Regarding Program FA22, he explained that the surrounding 22 acres of the Peak School were proposed to be purchased for the Police Academy and he hoped that the recruits would be making use of the property for training soon. In Program FA25 he explained that $10,000 had been deferred until a.,more accurate figure could be obtained for the Services Personal Account for educational incentive. He requested that Chief Urban explain the requests for Programs FA23 and FA24. Police Chief Urban indicated that FA23 was for the purpose o bringing in new radio equipment at a higher frequency. He indicated that $3,800 would only cover the remodeling of the radio room in order to install the new equipment. He also mentioned that th was the only way that the equipment could be installed. In Program FA24, he indicated that $12,00 was to be used for the purchase of three additional three -wheel motorcycles. He indicated that, i the past year, that equipment had not been put into the budget and, with the mall construction, additional cycles would be needed. Chief Urban indicated that $5,500 would be used for five addi- tional radio units which was not available through the Criminal Justice Planning Grant. He explained that a Street Department unit would be included on the frequency and four units would be designated for the Park Department. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked Mr. Gallagher if the amount of $25,000 for the demolition of substandard buildings had already been expended before it was appropriated. Mr. Gallagher explained that, where contracts have been awarded and considering the mechanics' liens, the department was still in the black without the $25,000. Miss Guthrie asked if the department had contracted for more than the requested appropriation. Mr. Gallagher stated that he was not aware of it. Miss Guthrie indicated that the total cost for ex- penditures was listed at $69,000. She questioned this amount. She also asked how the extra and overtime of $6,500 was working out. Mr. Gallagher indicated that there had only been three Part I offenses in the area of foot patrol recently. He indicated that this program has only been in effE for a month to a month and a half. Miss Guthrie asked if the areas for the foot patrol would chant_ periodically. Mr. Gallagher indicated that there is no set pattern and the areas are changed; however, he indicated that he would not advise comments be made on that subject. Miss Guthrie understood that and indicated that she could very easily appreciate Mr. Gallagher's point. She asked if other communities pay South Bend when their officers are trained at the South Bend Academy. Mr. Gallagher indicated that South Bend was the major beneficiary of the Criminal JusticE Planning monies for that purpose and has not been allowed to charge for the training according to federal guidelines. Miss Guthrie asked about the present cost of operating the Police Academy, ant Mr. Gallagher indicated that he did not have a figure on that amount over and above federal money. He further indicated that the city had just received an additional $40,000 for the Peak School and $10,000 for in- service training. Miss Guthrie indicated that she had been very interested on the report results made at the Indiana University that the officers are spending much time on typing reports. She wondered what had happened to the tape recorders which were supposed to be used. Mr, Gallagher indicated that the machines were mechanical and subject to malfunction, and he mentioned that the tapes were being used by patrolmen rather than in the typing of reports. He indicated thz he has been trying to free the professionals from this task. He also indicated that, since the tapes were purchased, the amount of paper work has increased considerably. Miss Guthrie felt more typists should be hired and more tapes purchased in order to free the officers from the task and gE them out on the street. She asked if the department would keep the three motorcycles in operation, and Chief Urban indicated that it would and three additional cycles were requested for a total of six cycles. Miss Guthrie asked about the radio equipment and incentive pay. Chief Urban indicate that, in Program FA24, the figure for other equipment in the amount of $6,200 was requested for the purchase of plastic shields in the squad cars and a new - shotgun rack to be installed over the head! of the officers. He explained that, at present, the rack is located under the seat of the driver and it hinders the officer greatly. He indicated that this was brought about as a result of the purchase of the smaller cars. Miss Guthrie asked why smaller cars had been purchased, and Chief Urban indicated that it was because of the specifications and bids. Miss Guthrie asked if $10,000 would carry the department through the next five and a half months for incentive pay, and Chief Urban indicated that it would.