02-20-14 Joint Meeting Residential Neighborhoods & Health and Public Safety

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Councilman Scott asked if the main problem is a concentration of problem people in a complex such as Courtyard, Miami Hills, etc. Officer Keenan said yes that it is a problem, but not always the main one. He explained when they take a call on a crime it doesn't always mean it happened at the complex. For example a traffic chase or maybe a person shot at, may have been called in from the complex street address but the actually occurrence could have been anywhere in the City. But the statistic goes to the address where it ended or was called in from. Officer Lane finished with the report that the owner of Miami Hills was a little rebellious at the beginning of the ordinance but has since put in thousands of dollars at the complex to become in compliance and make the area safer. The management calls quite often to stay in contact with the police department. Uniform Division Chief Scott Ruszkowski then spoke about the improvements at Miami Hills such as lighting comparing it to a "Field of Dreams" type of lighting and the fence improvements. He says there are 3 additional officers on the 10pm to 3am shift that have totaled 73.5 hours for 2 weeks. He also spoke to the idea of a guard shack being too much of an expense and also maybe being a violation of civil public access. He explained the security cameras are motion sensitive and only turn on with activity. The cameras are monitored in an office but the actual recordings are in Chicago. They are trying to set up with an IP address if the owner agrees. No set time for this to happen. Private property laws could apply. He feels they have done a good job with the cameras. Councilman Oliver Davis talked about a ongoing problem with the security people hired and South Bend officers. Chief Ruszkowski said the issue had been addressed and taken care of with the help of Councilman Tim Scott who had taken time to read the 468 pages of the SB officer's duty manual. Chief Ruszkowski also spoke to the calls that come in not reflecting necessarily where incidences occur. He said to look at calls the most dangerous places would be the police station and Memorial Hospital. As to Miami Hills calls since October 15 when the ordinance went into effect. 36 reports, 30 preliminary reports, 6 arrests, 30 evictions . Councilmember Dr. Ferlic wanted to know how many open cases are there from the Miami Hills cases? Chief Ruszkowski replied that would be a question for the Prosecutor's office. Councilman Scott wanted to know if they had a Chronic Nuisance list. The reply was not yet, Miami Hills have been cooperating and working within the ordinance and the ordinance has only been in effective for about 3 months so it is still early. Councilmember Karen L. White now said the council meeting would move on to Item 2 a discussion and update on the Chronic Nuisance Ordinance. Tasha Outlaw Deputy City Attorney introduced herself and said she had been working with Officer Lane on letters that are cc'd to Legal. Also helping out by cross checking with Code Enforcement on property issues. She explained the City is ready to file suits regarding this ordinance asap. Also if the property owners have federal dollars coming in she has been in contact with HUD to notify them of problem properties. Councilwoman Karen L. White said she was happy that legal was taking immediate action on legal suits.