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HEALTH &PUBLIC SAFETY AUGUST 24,2015 4:35 P.M. <br /> Committee Members Present: Derek Dieter, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White,Valerie Schey <br /> Citizen Members Present: Bob Emery(AB)' <br /> Other Council Member: Tim Scott, Henry Davis (4:55), Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, <br /> Gavin Ferlic <br /> Others Present: SBPD Chief Ron Teachman, Chief Ruskowski, Chief Horvath, <br /> Becky Kaiser <br /> Agenda: Update and Continued Discussion of Concerns Related to <br /> 911 Call Center(PSAP)—Todd Geer&Commissioner <br /> Andy Kostielney <br /> Update from Chief Teachman on Increased Violence in the City <br /> Derek Dieter,Chair of the Health and Public Safety Committee,with full committee in attendance called <br /> the meeting to order at 4:35. <br /> On the agenda were two requested updates. The first was a continued discussion of concerns related to <br /> the 911 call center. Invited were Commissioner Andy Kostielney and Todd Geer who has been <br /> contracted by the County to implement the PSAP consolidation plan. The other was an update on <br /> violence in the City from SBPD Chief Ron Teachman answering a variety of Council questions. <br /> Valerie Schey led off. She expressed concerns shared by the other councilmembers about speeding in <br /> residential areas. She asked whether traffic division of the police department should be resurrected. <br /> Chief Teachman said all police officers enforce traffic laws all the time. Given the resources available, <br /> Chief Teachman said the traffic division could not be reestablished due to manpower restrictions and <br /> the need to assign officers to other required special duties. <br /> Karen White's questions focused on the problems of gang violence and of panhandling on City streets. <br /> Chief Teachman was glad to respond. His response, I feel, is best summarized in an article published the <br /> next day in the South Bend Tribune (Attached). <br /> Regarding panhandling the Chief said a difficult distinction has to be made by officers whether it is <br /> passive or aggressive panhandling. Passive soliciting,that is being in a public place nearby holding a sign <br /> is a constitutional right according to Supreme Court rulings. Aggressive or threating solicitation is a <br /> violation and can be cited if witnessed. <br /> Dr. Fred Ferlic said,given the importance of the downtown area for commerce and tourism that extra <br /> police presence was a good thing. <br /> 1 <br />