Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/27/07 Health and Public Safety MinutesHealth and Public Safety Committee 2007 South Bend Common Council The November 28, 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 3:03 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, Puzzello, Kuspa, Kirsits and White, Citizen Member Dr. Deb Fleming, Citizen Member Pam Brunette, Police Chief Thomas Fautz, City Attorney Charles Leone, Gary Horvath Carrie S. Erlin, Juanita Dempsey, Danile Martens, Darrly Boykins, Patricia Frazier, Phil Badger, Lynn Coleman, Rick Bishop, Rev. Michael Cobbler, Jesuza Rodriguez, Arnold Sallie, Veidere Thomas, Ramon F. Fodriguez, Dana Murry, Shirley Graton, Eva S. Patterson, Hilary Scarrella, Ms. Barnhill, Patrick Cottrell, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney, and member s of the news media. Transforming Action through Power (TAP): Council Member White noted that the purpose of the meeting was to receive a presentation from Carrie S. Erlin on arrest and ticketing trends. It was also called to receive information from TAP which has four (4) sub-committees, one which focuses on information regarding racial profiling. At this point Council Member White asked everyone who was associated with TAP to stand. Carrie S. Erlin then addressed the Committee. She noted that she is a visiting Assistant Professor at IU South Bend. -She has been making ongoing analysis of arrest rates and ticketing trends through the Fall of 2006. She then presented a power point presentation and provided a 12-page handout of her presentation. It focused on her data in the following areas: • South Bend Arrests by Race 1990-2005 • Violent Crime (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) Arrests by Race 1990-2005 • South Bend Population Changes 1990-2006 • 2006 South Bend Populations Distribution • Changes in Violent Crime Arrests and Population in South Bend 1990-2005 • Property Crime (burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft & arson) Arrests by Race 1990-2005 • Changes in Property Crime Arrests and Population in South Bend 1990-2005 • Other Criminal Arrests by Race 1990-2005 Health and Public Safety Committee November 28, 2007 Page 2 • Other Criminal Arrests by Year and Race 1990-2005 • Traffic Citations 1990-2005 • Changes in Ticketing Patterns and Population in South Bend 1990-2005 • Non-Discretionary Citations (DUI & hit /run only) 1990-2006 • Discretionary Citations (moving violations in one chart and equipment/document violations in a second chart) 1990-2006 • Summary: that the city's "...arrest & citation pattern do not math the general population distribution...these trends have persisted over time...discretionary tickets & arrests show larger departures from the population distribution...." Council Member White noted that some preliminary information was shared in 2006. Dr. Varner suggested that age and sex should also have been part of the study, and that that information should be made available. Dr. Fleming suggested that income levels should also be part of the study. Division Chief Boykins noted that police officers are required to respond when they are called. He noted that the study did not address the race of the officers who issued the tickets and suggested that be considered. Chief Boykins noted that certain parts of the city have more calls for service which are initiated by the residents. He gave as an example the area near Washington High School. He noted that there are many factors which are not reflected in the study as presented. Police Chief Thomas Fautz noted that the data does not include information of police officers walking in neighborhoods. He noted that there are funds for HUD Patrols, SEED, etc where additional beat officers are assigned to areas along Lincolnway West. Many warning tickets are issued and he inquired whether that data was studied. Council Member Kirstis noted that he is an "old SPEA grad" and that studies should include information from cities with similar populations as South Bend such as Rockford, IL, Roanoke, VA, Peoria, IL which have around 100,000 in population. He questioned how the study compares to the vacant housing map and calls for service. He suggested that the overall goals should be more defined and that more data needs to be included. Ms. Erlin noted that "South Bend is slightly worse" when you compare patterns across the nation. She noted that she is trained as an advocate and that the "T-Test of means" was utilized. Council Member Kirsits stated that he does not believe that any one can say that "South Bend is out of whack" until additional information is included in the study and that proper comparisons are made. He stated that "you really need comparative data". Health and Public Safety Committee November 28, 2007 Page 3 . Police Chief Fautz stated that the police department follows FBI guidelines. When "he first heard from Carrie he did not turn a blind eye. If there is a problem, he will look at how it should be addressed" He noted that they met at Ivy Tech and that "they do not know what all this means". Investigative Division Chief Rick Bishop stated that most criminal arrests are non- discretionary. He questioned by so many police officers are killed in the city but not in Indianapolis or Gary. Community Relations Division Chief Gary Horvath stated that he has reviewed Department. of Justice studies and that socio-economic data such as income, age and sex are included in their studies. Census track information is available. He questioned whether the study looked at whether the person was passing through South Bend or whether they were residents? Were higher density populations areas taken into consideration? He questioned how this information was incorporated into Ms. Erlin's study. Uniform Division Chief Boykins stated that South Bend Police Officer "take great pride in their community and in being a police officer" Many like himself work closely with youth. In light of where people live there would be disproportionate trends. The department has been making progress in many areas. Similar problems are taking place in the South Bend Community School Corporation. Chief Boykins stated that "you cannot say that this is just a police department problem, but rather a social problem". Council Member White stated that the goal is to "make our community better". She then thanked Ms. Erlin for sharing her information. She stated that she hopes that there would be more discussions and that concerns should be sent to her and the Office of the City Clerk. Eva Patterson and other TAP members then presented two (2) handouts to the Committee; one entitled TAP and the other entitled "The Civil Rights and Immigration Committee of TAP" (copies attached). Ms. Patterson stated that she moved her from Tennessee in 1980 and is the co-leader of the Civil Rights and Immigration Committee. Roman Rodriguez and Patricia Frazier then addressed the Committee. They noted that TAP is a faith-based organization who have shared spiritual values and include a diverse group of individuals. The are "addressing problems which they are passionate about". They are inter-denominational and wish to work with "power leaders and position leaders". Their four (4) issue committees include: Youth and Violence, Education, Civil Rights and Immigration and Community Revitalization. Mr. Rodriquez stated that he has lived here for 57 years; and that many are afraid to report a crime because they might be questioned about their status. Ms Frazier stated that she has lived at 25575 Kern Road for 28 years and is a member of the Kern Road Mennonite Church. Health and Public Safety Committee November 28, 2007 Page 4 She noted that on October 7th a "founding convention" was held which had 1,749 participants. Persons stated that they "have a stake in the community"; that they are hopeful that they are represented by "fair-minded people"; that progress has been made but that there is a lot of work to be done; that there should not be different consequences for the same violations; and that there should be "clear policies". TAP is "visible evidence that people can come together and call for change". She asked for the support of the Common Council, the City Administration and the boards. Andrew Brown of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church (no address given) stated that he has been in South Bend for about five (5) years. He voiced concerns about parking in front of this church. He stated that there is "good and bad in everyone". Council Member White thanked everyone for coming to the committee meeting. She stated that the committee will identify "the next steps" and that additional meetings are anticipated. She noted that public safety is the committee's focus. Council Member White thanked Division Chief Boykins for his involvement in many civic programs, especially those dealing with youth. Dr. Varner suggested that more analytical research should be done before the committee meets on these topics to assure that relevant information is provided. He hoped that there are not "pre-conceived notions" and that fairness would prevail. Council Member White stated that issues would be looked at openly. Council Member Kirsits stated that "statistics are very important". Labels like "Drop Out Factory" because of a low graduation rate also have impacts on the community. Council Member White again thanked everyone present and then adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m. Resp ctfully s~ fitted, -~~ uncil Member Karen L. hite, Chairperson Health and Public Safety Committee Attachments