HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-10 Health & Public SafetyHEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY
The April 26, 2010 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 4:26
p.m. in the Informal Meeting Room, 4th Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South
Bend, Indiana
Persons in attendance included:
Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Henry Davis, Tim
Rouse, Karen White, Citizen Member Valerie Schey
Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, AI "Buddy" Kirsits, Tom LaFountain, David
Varner, Oliver Davis
Others Present: Mayor Luecke, Gary Gilot, Barbara Huber, Dan Herbster, Isaac Hunt,
Charles Watkins, Billy Gene Easton, Tom Bush, Rita Kopala,
Chuck Leone, Jeff Parrott, Dave Ryan SBPD, Curtis Voreis, SBPD
Agenda: Discussion -New Synthetic Marijuana
2010 Justice Assistance Grant
'Synthetic Marijuana:
Chairperson White began the discussion stating her purpose was to raise awareness of this new
"synthetic marijuana, its dangers and availability. Chairperson White yielded to President Derek
Dieter who formally thanked the Senior Men's Club of the Dr. King Recreation Center for their
efforts to bring awareness to the Council and public about this substance.
Chairperson White then turned to Charles Watkins one of the Senior Men's Club representatives
to speak on the subject. Mr. Watkins strongly stated this marijuana substitute meant to mimic its
effects was being sold under a variety of names, legally in convenience stores as an incense type
product. He felt the product was actually an entry level drug posing a threat to young people in
particular and needs to be banned. The Senior Club Vice-President echoed the concerns also
stating something needed to be done to ban such substances.
Chairperson White then called upon Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand to present her
preliminary research on the types of substances their distribution, and laws pertaining to them.
(see attached handout) There are as it turns out, over 400 known varieties. These substances
have been banned in eight (8) states to date. Council questions followed. Councilmember Henry
Davis asked if incense sale could be prohibited. The answer was no. It is the chemical
compound mimicking marijuana that can be targeted. David Varner said the awareness of the
dangers of the substance should be raised. City Attorney Chuck Leone said the product first
needs to be identified or defined chemically, then regulated state-wide.
David Ryan of the South Bend Police Department said analysis of the products are not complete,
however, the dangers are clear. Awareness is a good first step. Seeing problems with
overstepping our legal authority and the consensus that the issue be addressed at the state level,
Councilmember Henry Davis suggested we proceed cautiously. Continued research, a voluntary
ban in the interim, education in the schools and homes, and a plea for state action seemed the
way to go.
After seeing more questions than answers Karen White stated afollow-up meeting would be
scheduled soon.
*2010 Justice Assistance Grant
Shifting gears Councilmember White introduced Curtis Voreis of the South Bend Police
Department to describe the Grant application and use. Voreis said in an effort to increase the
changes of getting the grant several jurisdictions pooled requests to one grant totaling $180,000.
He aid South Bend's share would be used to update cameras in 27 police cars from analogue to
digital cameras. This superior system would cost approximately $5,000.00 per car. Thee
cameras would allow clearer pictures and easier storage.
Some discussion about digital capability followed before Chairperson White adjourned the
meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
en L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
Attachments