HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Forum QuestionsPre-Recorded Questions for Public Forum/Panel
July 14, 2019
1. How can the police department hire professionals if they are singled out for racism and
micromanaged? Given the atmosphere of the recent climate, who would apply, no matter
their background? Why not treat all city employees with the same standards?
2. Do we really believe white people have the only bias?
3. There are a lot of structural and systemic problems in St. Joseph County right now. One
of the major things I think is under addressed but needs to be considered is the complete
lack of public infrastructure for better public transportation. Mayor Pete was happy to
spend the money to put in roundabouts and bike lanes, but the city has done nothing to
address the lack of access for so many of us to just have reliable, time efficient ways to get
somewhere without a car?
4. We’ve all heard about the percentages on total minorities (approx. 26%) in South Bend,
and the percentage of minorities on the SBPD (approx. 5%). How many minorities actually
apply to become an officer on the SBPD?
5. While Mayor Pete seems unwilling to address the issues of racism in the South Bend
Police Department forcefully (firing the Chief for example), what steps will the city
government take to make South Bend safer for Black people more encouraging of ending
racism?
6. Will there be a push for a bill that requires SBPD to activate all cameras on every call?
7. Will city programs be put in place to keep black youths productively occupied and will
they offer an incentive to attract the youth ....e.g summer job programs, internships,
summer league sports for young adults......etc
8. What can be done to get the Hispanic community more involved in the political process?
9. How to increase voting numbers?
10. What can be done to get the Hispanic community more involved in the political
process?
11. How to increase voting numbers?
12. Ability to get individuals involved in running for office?
13. How can we increase all faith based communities to encourage voting?
14. Can we reach students in the South Bend Community School's with information and
perhaps civic classes that focus on local government?
15. Is there a direction to steam line the City budget process to simplify the flow of
information with each City fund?
16. How do we encourage equal development across the City?
17. Are there ways to encourage the community to look at first responders as a career
option?
18. How can we improve Code to be an effective process that is able to quickly move
problem properties forward toward a fair and equable solution?
19. When will the City of South Bend return to a serious focus on the basic services for
neighborhoods.. ... .streets, curbs, sidewalks, lighting, trash, Code?
20. When will the results of the disparity study be accessible to the public?
21. Will the policy be amended to include contract goals for MBE/WBE's?
22. What steps can minority contractors and consultants take now to ensure they are
qualified and certified to compete on local government contracts through the city?
23. Does the MBE/WBE need to be certified through the state of Indiana to be able to be a
prime or subcontractor for city contracts?
24. Will MBE/WBE percentage goals be added to the policy to ensure these are carried out
at the contractual level for the city?
25. How many certified MBE/WBE consultants and contractors did the city identify as a
result of the disparity study? In addition, does the city know among those who is actually
ready and who is not?
26. Are there any requirements of companies that get city state road contracts to hire a
work crew that reflects the city’s racial mix? (minorities)
27. What specific actions can we take to address racism in our community?
28. Why not institute a serious fine for an officer who does not turn on his/her camera?
($500-$1000)
29. One concern that African American veterans have is accessing benefits. Who should
they talk with when the challenges and biases show up?
30. Unequal by the nature of individuality, men are justly measured equally according to
the law yet not that law established by man, but that law commanded of men by God. Isaiah
33:15.
Why is there yet an expectation of equality? Not just for minorities but for any man.
31. In the early to mid 2000’s, Scott Ruszkowski was president of the FOP, during that time
there was racially motivated use of excessive force. Also there was ridicule of the Local
NAACP President Trina Robinson by the FOP as well as the police. Things that went on then
are going on now. How can the black community trust the police and the Chief, when these
things are continuing under the Chief?
32. What intentional actions will be done after this public forum to make an impact in the
black community?
33. What is being done in South Bend to keep recidivism rates lower and SB safer? Why do
you think recidivism rates are above 50% in 3 years?
34. How can Due Process Guidelines and Requirements reach the uninformed (District 2)?
Quality Programs, Services correlated to property is noted. How are the underserved being
sustained outside of Federal dollars- resources? Third world countries learn: How?
35. There are many systemic issues plaguing over community… can we reverse these issues
with raising minimum wages as well as expungements and more job readiness training for
felonies as re-entry programs? Mandating safe places for them so they’re not susceptible to
re-offend? If they are the products of their environment why send them back to the same
environment?
36. If Notre Dame is the largest money generator in this community, what specifically are
they doing to engage with and lift up communities of color?
37. If a settlement arises from the police found to be liable for brutality, excessive force, etc.
Can the settlement be paid from the police pension fund?
38. Why does South Bend not have an organized method of actively recruiting minority-
owned businesses for city contracts?
39. What do we need to do to make sure the city properly invests in Charles Black Center
and the MLK center at the same level as the other centers on the east side?
40. There is clearly bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety issues in our community. Until we
find a way to address these issues there will always be a gap.
41. When are they going to release all the facts related to the recent shooting?
42. Is anyone on the panel aware of the Expungement Program? Please address.
43. With no political background, what can i do to get more involved in my community and
make a difference? Leslie Karen
44. Can the city/SBPD put in place a requirement that officers live in the city? Can
incentives be offered to current officers? To get them to move into the city?
45. For all panelists: The word minority has commonly been used to reference African
Americans, Mexican Americans, and others of non-caucasian descent. While the term is
literal meaning, we (minorities) are the lesser of the total population, the word also has a
negative connotation in referencing people of color and diverse backgrounds as “less than”.
Do you think the exchange of “person of color” for the word “minority” is necessary to
move our city forward in race relations and dismantling systemic racism?
46. How can rent changes be made without the intentional allocation of resources and
wealth to the black and minority communities? Karen
47. What can be done to increase parent engagement in education?
48. How do we link social, economic and human development?
49. How is our community working to help people re-enter society after incarceration?
How can we improve in this area? Isaac
50. What can be done in the black church organizations and institutions to influence black
people to get more involved in our community issues? Miller
51. Many of us in the room are the same who show up to these events all the time. How do
we better disseminate this information to those who are more often impacted by many of
the topics discussed here? Joseph
52. What policies can the city government develop to intentionally allocate resources to the
black and minority community to reduce the wealth divide? James Summer
53. As a police officer, I understand Maddie Taylors responsibility was to recruit minority
officers and she had a very difficult time getting minorities to apply. Lynn Coleman
54. How is it that a man's relationship with God is tossed out as being a factor that
contributes to his success and could the problem be that church leaders are not preaching
the kingdom of God and baptism and receivers of the holy spirit?
55. Is there a way to cross pollinate the county and state police with the city police?
Whereby African American county/state police can assist city police with the racial divide
(on some calls)
56. What role can city government play to increase black business ownership in black
communities?
57. The panel is all people of color. How engaged are whites who have power and influence
to address issues?
58. Does the latino community participate with or in business set asides or do they have
their own? Examples of success avail? District 2 a Tif district? Sam
59. How are police officers bromated? Could it be adapted to where promotions include
community engagement as a qualification as well? Lynn
60. You mentioned the churches in our community participating in “too much in-reach” and
not enough “outreach”. What do you believe is a good 1st step for a church seeking to do
effective outreach in their immediate communities of influence?Bishop Miller.
61. What intentional actions are in process to correct/improve the wealth divide in the
black/minority communities that can have a real impact?
62. Mr. Coleman what specific suggestions do you have to increase and diverse the police
force? And how do you think this can be achieved? Coleman
63. What is the intention behind apartments such as Ivy at Berlin Place that rent as high as
$1,815.00/Month yet sit next to the housing authority with people who may never afford
that? I agree with changing the standards of living, but can people meet these standards?
64. How are black business’ notified and/or educated of available funding in St. Joe county?
65. How can people of color from your respective generations (elders and youth) begin to
build bridges and work together towards reducing instances of victims in our communities
between law enforcement and citizens?
66. Magistrate Gammage I have had the opportunity to hear you speak and view you as
being a professional. How can the police department hire professionals if they are singled
out for racism and micromanaged. Given the atmosphere of the recent climate, who would
apply, no matter their background? Why not treat all city employees with the same
standards? Do we really believe white people have the only bias?? I would prefer to hear
from the upstanding people of the community; regular law abiding citizens. They have not
been vocal...why?
67. How will these major challenges be accomplished it Mayor is not elected President? The
need to continue to address these challenges effectively will not end with or without Pete
as mayor or president. Who and How?
68 .What non profit organizations are you willing to partner with, listen to, and collaborate
on addressing your first priority?
69. How can I be a white ally in calling out injustice and fighting for equality? What are the
most helpful ways I can be involved in change?
70.James summers , is there a list of minority businesses to support ???
71. What can we do to promote all of the good people are doing in the community that are
on the grass roots level? Instead of highlighting the 10% that are screwing up for our
community
72. Has anyone ever asked parents what is the best time to have school board meetings? As
a parent with 4 children and a full time job. I could almost never make current times
especially with the change of school ours