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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/14/07 Committee Meeting Minutes`Wm~W~ i -' ~ v° Health and Public Safety Committee 2007 South Bead Common Council The March 14, 2007 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 3:30 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Raam. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kuspa, White, Kelly, Pfeffer and Kirsits; Citizen Member Pam Brunette, Building Commissioner Don I=azo, Assistant Zoning Administrator Charles Bulot, Director of Community Corrections Susan R. Hancock, Elizabeth Maradik, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White noted that the Committee Members include Council Members Puzzello, Kelly, Dieter and herself. Presentation b Susan R. Hancock Director of Communit Corrections: Counci[ Member White introduced the committee's new citizen member, Pam Brunette, and then had all persons present to introduce themselves. Council Member White then welcomed Susan R. Hancock, Director of Community Corrections to present information on programs with the Indiana Department of Corrections addressing housing, counseling and monitoring programs of sex offenders on parole. Ms. Hancock noted that "Project Roots" involves counseling, monitoring and housing and is aimed to provide less opportunities far recidivism. The program involves persons from parole, probation, the Sheriff's Department, and County Corrections as well treatment providers. They meet regularly as a containment team. Their goals are to reduce criminal and technical violations. The program also includes polygraph monitoring. Housing includes space for ten (10) offenders and ends at the end of the grant period which is April 30, 2007. 12 participants in the program have had violations; 9 were technical violations where they did not report to counseling and 3 were new offenses of theft or robbery. She noted that there may be an increase in violations due to increased monitoring. 71 offenders were referred in 2006. 54 offenders were in counseling; and 39 had polygraphs. There are currently 77 participants in Project Roots. March 14, 2pp7 Health and Public Safety Committee Meetir€g Minutes Page 2 In response to a question from Council Member White, Ms. Hancock noted that offenders are placed throughout the county, but primarily in South Bend and Mishawaka. [n response to a question from Council Member Kelly, Ms. Hancock stated that community safety is a goal of Project Roots. She noted that often individuals released by the Department of Corrections became homeless. Council Member Pfeifer stated that she has read that there is na cure far sex offenders and asked Ms. Hancock to comment on this. Council Member Pfeifer also noted that when individuals are on parole there are stipulations such as no Internet access, no contact with children, no videos, etc. Council Member Pfeifer noted that at the county level far those on parole someone lives in the facility and parolees are under GPS monitoring. Ms. Hancock stated that in light of there being no cure for sex offenders, that containment is so vitally important as a result. In Indiana the program is not required. She noted that there are nine (9} persons living at 705 Lincoln Way West and that there is currently a cease and desist order which has been issued. In last 2006 neighbors voiced concern about this location and since then they have been working with the Building Department, the Mayor's Office, and the Department of Community Development. They have visited other apartment buildings and not that they cannot be located within 1,000 feet of a park, school or day care. On Friday, Ms. Hancock will meet in Indianapolis on the Indiana Criminal Justice Initiative. They have requested continued funding of Project Roots and requested $234,0(30 in federal funding. If funding is received they will be able to move to three (3) new locations; and if funding is not received the offenders may became homeless. Council Member Kuspa noted that such individuals have a right to work, a right to worship and a right to live in the community and asked Ms. Hancock to elaborate on this. Ms. Hancock stated that there is a real problem in St. Joseph County, but there is a worse problem in Elkhart County. She stated that "life-changing practices" need to be provided to avoid opportunities for recidivism and more community safety. In response to a question from Council Member White, Ms. Hancock stated that they would continue to Zook for housing if the grant is not approved, noting that they have paid on the Tease until May 1, 2007. Building Commissioner Don Fozo stated that they did not give a specific date under their cease and desist order since Community Corrections was working with the Building Department and other City offices. He Hated that the 1,000 foot restriction March 14, 2007 Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 noted earlier is a state statute. Maps have been provided to Community Corrections showing where schools and parks are located throughout St. Joseph County. Council Member Pfeifer stated that neighbors also have rights. Rules are to be fnllnwed, and persons must work together. Neighbors have concerns and that she is not willing to have °everyone placed in the 2"d District". Council Member White inquired about the notification process; how neighbors are notified and accountability. Ms. Hancock stated that Community Corrections looks at whether locations being considered are on a bus line, noting that transportation is no currently in their plan. She stated that twenty-two {22) new offenders coming to St. Joseph County in the next 7-9 months; and often then have less than one week to find housing, They are trying to "move with due diligence". The grant decision will be made on Friday at 4 p,m. Council Member White asked that she be updated on the decision and provided a number for Ms. Hancock to call. in response to questions from the Council Attorney, Ms. Hancock stated that Project Roots is governed by a Community Corrections Advisory Board which oversees the grant. The Board meets on the 4~" Thursday at noon in the conference room on the 7t~' Floor of the County-City Building. The Executive Committee meets monthly on the 3~d Tuesday of each month. Ms. Hancock stated that the GPS Pilot Project is for sex offenders on parole; and that there are currently ten {10) individuals in the program. Council Member Pfeifer suggested that neighborhood associations and partnership centers be contacted when considering locations #or housing. She also suggested working with Elizabeth Maradik of the Division of Community Development, noting that she could provide locations of such associations and partnerships. Council Member Kirsits stated that he understands that locations are visually inspected, and suggested that perhaps areas in industrial areas be considered, citing the "not in my backyard" argument. Building Commissioner Fozo stated that a special exception would be needed for manufacturing areas. In response to questions from Council Member White, Ms. Hancock stated that the majority of the offenders live in the 2~'~ District to which Council Member White stated that she agrees with Council Member Pfeifer that this is unacceptable. March 'i4, 2007 Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 Ms. Hancock noted that many services are needed far support such as Work One, parole, probation, substance abuse services, soup kitchens, Goodwill, clinics, etc Counci[ Member Pfeifer stated that a "total program which is responsive must include transportation". She noted that the intentions of Project Roots are honorable, however the program is lacking. She suggested that Ms. Hancock take the concerns addressed today back to her Board, since safety is a community issue. Ms, Hancock added that there is a systematic problem that persons are not order to pay as part of the program. Building Commissioner 1=ozo stated that no services can be provided at the house, and that he was unsure how this would be classified if transportation would be furnished. Council Member White requested the number of sex offenders currently living in each of South Bend Councilmanic Districts. Ms. Hancock stated that the only location under Project Roots is 705 Lincoln Way West, and that others can be found on-line, It was suggested that Sonny Oakley of the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office be contacted. Citizen Member Pam Brunette suggested that an on-site person be considered. Ms. Hancock stated that if new state laws are enacted that there would be a six (6) month transition period. In response to a question from Council Member Kelly, Ms. Hancock stated that there were 54 persons who received counseling in 2006 and 60 were given polygraphs. She added that they are trying to be a good neighborhood as evidence of working closely with the Building Department and other city agencies. Council Member White stated that this entire area is a public safety issue. She believes that there should be a continuation of these discussions and that updates on the pending state legislation be given. Ms. Hancock stated that the program has saved at least one child and thanked the committee for the opportunity to share information. Council Member White thanked Ms. Hancock for coming and hoped that the program would abide by the laws. March 14, 2007 Health and Public Safety Corr~mittee Meeting Minutes Page 5 There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member White adjourned the Committee meeting at 4:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Counci! Member Karen L. White, Chairperson Health and Public Safety Committee