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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.08.20 12-20 Public InputCompletion time 6/14/2020 10:41:00 AM 6/14/2020 4:08:26 PM 6/14/2020 9:32:05 PM 6/15/2020 7:59:36 AM 6/15/2020 8:27:38 AM 6/15/2020 9:10:20 AM 6/15/2020 10:12:51 AM 6/15/2020 10:22:46 AM 6/15/2020 11:04:02 AM 6/15/2020 11:22:28 AM 6/15/2020 3:54:55 PM 6/15/2020 4:26:26 PM 6/16/2020 8:40:44 AM 6/16/2020 9:37:28 AM 6/16/2020 10:19:32 AM 6/16/2020 1:20:25 PM 6/16/2020 1:37:30 PM 6/16/2020 2:10:07 PM 6/16/2020 3:42:02 PM 6/16/2020 5:09:30 PM 6/16/2020 5:21:00 PM 6/16/2020 7:01:49 PM 6/16/2020 7:59:00 PM 6/17/2020 10:40:11 AM 6/17/2020 11:21:28 AM 6/17/2020 11:51:25 AM 6/17/2020 11:53:42 AM 6/17/2020 12:20:36 PM 6/17/2020 3:08:52 PM 6/17/2020 3:18:21 PM 6/17/2020 3:29:16 PM 6/17/2020 3:48:03 PM 6/17/2020 4:32:29 PM 6/17/2020 7:39:26 PM 6/18/2020 9:04:33 AM 6/18/2020 4:29:32 PM 6/22/2020 5:41:59 PM 6/22/2020 5:55:36 PM 6/22/2020 6:22:46 PM 6/22/2020 6:35:46 PM 6/22/2020 6:41:55 PM 6/22/2020 6:51:12 PM 6/22/2020 7:11:23 PM 6/22/2020 7:13:13 PM 6/22/2020 7:13:35 PM 6/22/2020 7:20:41 PM 6/22/2020 7:28:18 PM 6/22/2020 8:15:02 PM 6/22/2020 10:06:52 PM 6/23/2020 10:57:17 AM 6/23/2020 11:03:50 AM 6/24/2020 4:14:44 PM 6/24/2020 4:25:12 PM 6/24/2020 5:10:26 PM 6/24/2020 5:12:04 PM 6/25/2020 1:28:16 AM 6/25/2020 11:43:47 AM 6/25/2020 7:23:39 PM 7/5/2020 3:16:35 PM First and Last Name Justin Bock Paul Tipps Tracey Malesa-Wheaton Jill Vargo Rachel Cheeseman Jill Boughton Lisa Oglesbee Tiffany Mark Molly B. Moon Attila Valentiny Barbara Carmichael Lynn Wichlacz Michelle Marosz Theresa Yuan Timothy Bayer Chloe Woggon Grace Lazarz Emily Wang Kevin Barry Margaret Dippell Bailey Ritsema Ava Tomasula y Garcia Emily Wang Ethan Reed Kelly Hehn Amanda Govaert Konrath Jesse Ault Edward Jurkovic Chris VandenBossche Carl Hetler Carolyn McDonald Valerie Vanden Bossche Mary Stephens Coy Brown Deborah Riley Emma Hussey Sadie Borkowski Anita Westhues Jill Vargo Jill Vargo Nick Klemm Frances Jacobus-Parker Kristen Carlson Kristen Carlson Karissa Ryan Ethan Marosz Elizabeth Berruecos Kathryn Majewski Abigail Holmes Kristin Brinley Madeline Higgins Police Officer T T Laura O’Sullivan Bridget Gibley Stephanie Northcutt Persephone Kilker Dawn Turpin Stephen McKenry Address, City, STATE 403 S Frances st, unit 2, South Bend, IN 1930 Ribourde Drive, South Bend IN 46628 South Bend, Indiana 12322 Settlers Cove Court, Granger, IN 54701 Northern Ave, South Bend, IN 1649 Portage South Bend IN 46616 215 Devonshire Dr., South Bend, IN 1214 so 31st street So Bend Indiana 46615 424 Manitou Place, South Bend, Indiana 2903 Kelsey Avenue, Elkhart, IN 1738 W. North Shore Dr., South Bend, IN South bend indiana 20196 Jackson Rd 5829 Sterling Drive, Granger, Indiana 912 Thomas St South Bend, IN 46601 627 W. Washington St. Apt 7. South Bend, IN 46601 928 Emerson Avenue, South Bend, IN 1343 East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, IN 1400 Farrell Ln, South Bend, IN 431 N. Wenger Ave. Mishawaka 938 S 23rd Street, South Bend, IN 46615 326 W Navarre St, South Bend, IN 1343 East LaSalle Avenue South Bend IN 46617 718 S Bend Ave, South Bend IN 1726 Cedar St, South Bend, IN 46617 1015 College Street South Bend IN 548 River Ave, South Bend, IN 824 South Bend Ave, South Bend, IN 1735 W. North Shore Dr 210 S. Hawthorne Dr, South Bend, IN 1740 W North Shore Dr., South Bend, IN 46617 1710 W North Shore Drive 2721 Southridge Dr, South Bend IN 46614 53409 juniper rd, south bend, Indiana 430 West Angela Blvd., South Bend, IN 1824 Amberwood Dr, Goshen, IN 910 East Donald Street South Bend, IN 46613 216 W. Madison St., South Bend, IN 12322 Settlers Cove Court, Granger, IN 12322 Settlers Cove Court, IN 46530 2504 Ash Ln, South Bend, Indiana 928 Riverside Drive, South Bend IN 46616 330 West Colfax Ave, Apt 120, South Bend, IN 46601 330 West Colfax Ave, Apt 120, South Bend, IN 46601 3110 Voll LN, South Bend, IN, 46615 20196 Jackson Road, South Bend, IN 1304 Ebeling Dr. South Bend, IN 5021 Blackford Dr W, South Bend, IN 1108 s 32nd st South Bend, In 719 California Avenue, South Bend, IN 1009 E Jefferson Blvd, Apt B4, South Bend, IN 46617 701 W. Sample Street South Bend In South bend, IN 1840 Riverside Dr, South Bend, IN 1541 Vernerlee Lane South Bend IN 46635 701 W Sample St. South Bend, IN 1221 Sunnymede Ave 1009 E Jefferson Blvd, Apt B3, South Bend, IN 209 E Farneman St, South Bend, IN Are you in favor of or in opposition to this legislation? In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor No stance In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Favor In Opposition In Opposition In Favor In Favor In Opposition No stance In Favor In Favor Remarks: First, I think the proposed name of the board, although succinct, carries too negative of a conotation. I propose something like Citizens' Oversight of Police Board ("COP" Board). Second, since 8 of the 9 current members of the Common Council identify with the Democratic party, and a majority of the Council will appoint the COP Board, I suggest the make-up of the Board be constrained by the board members' political affiliations. Perhaps a majority of the Board can be members of the same party as a majority of the Council and a minority of the Board members be of a different political party or independent. This is a standard used by many other City boards and may assuage the appearance of politicization. The police have been brutalizing and oppressing black people, the citizens voices need to be heard. I believe this is a step towards being heard. I would like the advisory positions of the police members to be also nominated by non-law-enforcement citizens since that would show which officers if any the citizens of South Bend trust. I would also like those advisory roles to be voted on by the public to uphold public trust in the process and in the integrity of the Board. It's way past time for this common-sense community-based entity. Citizens are tired of waiting for "impartial" outside groups too clear bad actors of all taint of wrongdoing. This bill is logically addresses the problem of lack of police accountability, and it appears to provide the powers necessary to be effective, but I want to see equal representation built into its structure: voting members of the Citizens Police Complaint Board should be at least 50% female, at least 26% black, and at least 14% Hispanic. Accountability is the only means to prevent corruption and abuse of power. Every citizen deserves to be treated equally including our government officials. This board will help us move forward as a community. This bill is a good start toward more police accountability and improved communication among the Common Council, the local police force and community residents. I am in favor of this bill. This town needs people they can trust to talk to about a negative experience. The police do not come when we call unless it involves a shooting. Something has to change. I am encouraged that the South Bend Common Council is considering a citizens’ review board for police misconduct. However, I have concerns about the design of this board, and I believe that how it is designed will have a great effect on whether or not all of our South Bend citizens will be made safer from police violence and impunity. Will we look back in a year, then 5 years, then 10 and see that life has improved for our black and brown brothers and sisters, or will this just be an empty gesture? I am concerned that the board is made up of just one member from each district, and that the 1 person from each district is council appointed. I am concerned there will be a majority of people on this board who are not directly impacted by mass incarceration and police violence, and do not live in the same South Bend as those that are. We still live in an extremely segregated city, and life is wildly different depending on what color of skin you were born with. What version of each police officer is potentially wildly different depending on what color of skin you were born with. Are each of our districts policed in the same ways and with the same intensity? What is the population of people in each district that are black, indigenous, or people of color? What kind of study has been done into other communities that have implemented boards like this with success? How are you measuring success? How many people have been consulted that have devoted their lives to dismantling white supremacy? How many people from our community have been interviewed whose lives are directly impacted by mass incarceration and police violence? How many returning citizens will be on this board? What kind of power will members of this board have? Can they fire a police officer? Can they ensure Ken Cotter prosecutes police officers? Will police officers with a history of complaints, like Aaron Knepper be brought before this board immediately, or will we have to wait for them to harm someone else? What are the plans for accepting and implementing ongoing feedback about the efficacy of this board, and what mechanisms are you including to ensure this board is constantly improving it’s ability to hold officers accountable and ensure safety and security for all of our citizens? Finally, why are you here designing this board? Is it because you are being forced into this position, or are you listening to the cries of black citizens of South Bend and this country? Are you ok with the next Eric Logan or Kalief Browder or Sandra Bland happening on your watch? You have the power to design this board to uphold the status quo and silence the demands of this community, offering a cynical and empty political gesture. You also have the power to design this board to work for families in South Bend being ravaged by mass incarceration, police brutality, poverty, violence, and white supremacy. I urge you to courageously choose the latter! I’d also like to know how one would become a member of the complaint board. This legislation is a necessary first step to improving public safety Perhaps have 4 or 5 of the initial group of voting members serve an 18-month first term. This would allow the board to maintain about 1/2 of the voting membership with some experience at all times after the initial year and eliminate the possibility of a completely new board after the first terms are completed. There needs to be checks and balances for police brutality and negligence. I think this legislation is important because we need accountability for police officers in our community. Our local government and the police department have proven incapable of doing this. I believe the best idea is to appoint citizens from our community to a board that will decide how to handle these allegations without political bias in order to attain true justice. Creating a Police Complaint Board Bill in South Bend is a small first and very much needed step in creating a community centered on justice. HOWEVER: This NEEDS to be a CITIZEN review board. I do not understand why police sit in an advisory role on this board, if this board is meant to serve citizens. I believe that individuals will feel intimidated by the presence of police and not make complaints if they are on the board. We need more tools and spaces for the people of South Bend, without their voices being overshadowed by policing structures. 1. There is not enough trust between the community and the police (and especially the current Chief of Police) to have police on the board. It would be better to require that at least one board member, or a consultant, have a law degree instead. 2. At the very least, no person not currently a resident of South Bend should be able to serve on the Board. 3. The board MUST have subpoena power. 4. Board members must serve full-time and receive training. There should not be police on the citizens review board, but perhaps a nonvoting legal advisor would make more sense. These are necessary first steps to begin to rebuild trust between local police and the community. I fully support this bill and I hope it is just the beginning in changing the culture of supporting Black lives in our city. To be effective, please keep this board non-political. Members should be appointed by their council rep and have a general knowledge of police policy and procedure. Perhaps an application/interview process with the full council for approval? Also, the term of service should not be more than 2 years. The Board needs to have their own subpoena power. I have no issue with non-voting members from PD, but please ensure they come to meetings unarmed and out of uniform. Also, they should have a clean record with the PD, no complaints of excessive force and the voting members of the board should be able to veto a PD member once chosen. I believe this legislation in imperfect. I urge the council to maintain the non-voting status of the police representatives, and to remove the representation of the FOP. It is of crucial importance that a review board be independent and civilian led. We need the police to help protect our community, and I appreciate all they do to serve us. However, the department cannot serve us effectively if the community cannot trust it. If the Police Departments wants the community to trust the police, then the police should trust the citizens of our community. We have learned over and over that some police officers misbehave and that police departments cannot be depended upon to police themselves. At the very least, a review board will provide transparency that has been sorely lacking whenever there have been questions about police conduct. We have a good model in the Indianapolis review board, and our excellent community organizations have been working hard with all concerned to establish such a board. I urge the Common Council to move carefully but expeditiously to enact this measure. This will help build trust and accountability. We need a mechanism to check and balance the power of the police in South Bend. The police should not be free to detain, harm and kill our citizens with impunity. Black lives matter. Justice matters. The future of our city depends on equity for all. It's sad that it has taken so much tragedy and suffering to finally get to a proposed ordinance, but I am very pleased and relieved to see this at last. I hope it will be speedily enacted and put into effect. Thanks to our Council and Community. I believe due to the current climate of repeatedly misguided, unintentional, and half hearted justice the bill proposed is a solid idea! There has to come a time where the prayers stop and the right action is in place and executed to bring justice to those who have been victims of polices brutality. I feel that this might help foster a more cohesive relationship between the Police Department and the community. Citizens need to feel that their voices are being heard. I, myself, have great respect for the South Bend Police Department and the job it’s doing. I understand, that not everyone feels that way. This might be a way for those who feel disenfranchised, to feel that they have a seat at the table. FOP should not appointment people to sit on the board, nor should police officers be allowed on the board. I am in favor of the bill, but only if the following changes are met: 1) Eliminate the non-voting police officers from the board; 2) the terms be lengthened to 2 terms instead of 1; 3) the members get adequate pre-screening and subsequent training for conflict resolution and diversity/inclusion issues; 4) a 1/3 majority would be needed to initiate an action (rather than 2/3); 5) the director provide quarterly reports to the council; and 6) the investigation period be shorter than 60 days (suggested 30 days). The police are public servants, serving and protecting the public. The police need to be listening to the people they are serving. Police need to be held accountable for their actions, this cannot happen when the do not have to listen to community members. A citizens complaint board is the bare minimum. There needs to be NO, as in zero police officers on the complaint board to ensure that complaints be addressed by people outside of the police force. Officers will and have supported other police officers to a point where it affects the community. When you complain/reach out about a coworker or colleague in hopes to get help, you wouldn’t want the aggressor involved, why is this any different? Cops don’t need to be involved in the conversation, they need reprimanded and properly trained so the community feels safe and heard. Cops can't be trusted to investigate themselves. It is essential that ALL people in South Bend have access to proper Healthcare. I am an educator and many of my student's families do not have access to proper healthcare and it has negative impacts in my students and their families literally on a daily basis. This MUST change. We MUST pass this Medicare For All This is a great proposal that provides a formalized way for the community to have their concerns reviewed by a separate party. It also has the potential to strengthen the police department’s credibility and reputation within the community if the findings from an independent investigation support the findings from the police department. I support the formation of the board, and I oppose the inclusion of law enforcement officers on the board. Law enforcement works at the pleasure of the community, and so the community alone should have oversight. This needs to be addressed immediately. Continuing to push it back is not showing us that anything is going to happen. This is an incredibly important bill that needs to be put into action now. What can I do to help make this happen? Please address this prior to July 13th. Thank you. We need more police accountability by the community. This is one small step forward to creating this accountability. Dear Council, As noted above, I am in strong opposition to a civilian review/complainant board. As the events in Minneapolis unfolded, I like everyone else was disturbed by what took place and understood the calls for immediate justice. However, as a Police Officer, I am also aware that what took place in Minneapolis (as horrible as it was) is not evenly remotely close to a representation of what policing in America is today. In this country, we have gotten to a point where policy is being dictated based off feelings and emotions. A viral video hits the internet followed by calls for justice and "reform." In theory, a citizen review board sounds like a great idea and a useful tool to promote transparency in policing. In practice, a citizen review board is an avenue for "activists" with an axe to grind to make an officer's job even more difficult than it already is. While that opinion would likely get me labeled as a racist or a "bad cop" it is not an uncommon or irrational way thinking. For example, If you sat down a group of doctors and told them their every move was going to be critiqued and second guessed by a group of people who aren't doctors they would probably be pretty frustrated or skeptical. To put it bluntly, if you aren't an expert in a particular field then you probably aren't qualified to sit on a board dictating how another professional should or should not do their job. However, while the thought of a civilian with no policing experience critiquing how I do my job is scary it isn't even close to my biggest worry. My biggest worry is that a large portion of the people calling for this civilian review board have an agenda rooted in dismantling police departments. Many of these individuals calling for these boards are former criminals who still hold a great deal of animosity towards the police. Some these individuals are also currently stalking officers' homes, vandalizing their take home squad cars, posting photos of officer's families online, making false accusations towards officers, rioting, looting, and even killing cops. As an Officer who takes a great deal of pride in doing the job the right way, I understand the need and desire for transparency in policing. However, I also find myself questioning the people who don't believe this transparency doesn't currently exist. South Bend officers currently video record every interaction they have with the public. Every complainant, no matter how ridiculous it is, is investigated and reviewed to ensure our officers are acting professionally. On top of all that, we have a board of public safety that by state statute has "exclusive" control over the police department when necessary. With all these parameters in place, do you ever stop and ask yourself why these "activists" never seem to be satisfied? Its because they never will be! These individuals are not interested in "fixing" the police they want to de-fund and dismantle them. Now more than ever is the time for the "silent majority" to step up and support our police. This anti police rhetoric that is being perpetuated in today's society is toxic and flat out dangerous. Nationwide police departments are struggling to find applicants and good cops are leaving in record numbers. A civilian review board would just be another step in undermining Officers and what they took an oath to do. Thank you for your time, A Police Officer questioning if its still worth it This seems redundant as we already have a civilian review board, the board of public safety. There is no good reason for yet another group of untrained people with no background in law enforcement and no knowledge of any kind about criminal law reviewing what is done in law enforcement. In favor, however I strongly believe there needs to be a huge effort to educate the Council, the board members and the public on what this board can and cannot do based on Indiana State Law. This will be incredibly important. I am strongly in favor of having some process of investigation and discussion that is not internal to the police department. However, the bill leaves some questions open: I appreciate that Sec. 2-12.2.2 sets that there must be at least one voting member from each City Councilmanic district, but given the way the districts are drawn, that doesn't ensure that neighborhoods with higher police presence are necessarily represented. Sec. 2-12.2.5 (a) says that if the complainant is being intimidated, a separate complaint shall also be filed, but that still presumes that the complainant is willing to overcome that intimidation to report one complaint, let alone two. Are there consequences set in place for an officer using intimidation tactics to impede the work of the complaint board? Sec. 2-12.2.7 (g) provides information on what happens if no disciplinary action is taken by the police. If the complaint board does not have any "teeth" and can only make recommendations to the police department, then what is the point of an external investigatory board? I know it's rare for a board to have the power to make decisions and take away policing tools, but I just don't see this as progress without that power. Unless I'm reading it wrong, this leaves open the option for paid administrative leave for police officers under investigation. This may be beyond the council's purview, but if the police department gets 60 working days for an internal investigation and then the complaint board can continue with their investigation, this topic has everything to do with what happens to those officers who have incurred complaints in the meantime. I am against paid administrative leave for cops under investigation. I'm also against police officers being on the board, even with non-voting status. If the members must accompany officers for 12 hours per year, I think the police have plenty of time to share their perspectives on the job. A citizen's police complaint board should be made of citizens. However, if they must be on the board, I agree that they should be non-voting. I also want to suggest that no new funding be provided to the police department in return for this citizen's complaint board. It should be a method to keep them accountable, not something they do in exchange for money. Thank you for pushing for more reform in our city. Police actions are already judged off of what a “reasonable” officer would do. Meaning someone who has already walked in our shoes. No different than a panel of doctors looking at what another doctor would do. Being in law enforcement, I would never feel qualified enough to tell a surgeon how to operate. Every year we are required by law to continue to train & our department goes above to make sure we’re able to receive the required training, but also additional. Are those on a civilian board being trained? Have those interested even attended our civilian academy? Done a ride along? There’s been no clear explanation of how a selection process would be made, what access they would have, or what power they would have. None of us want our department information or personal information out there, I don’t trust that things wouldn’t get shared publicly. I’ve seen what happens with records that are supposed to be in house, I can’t imagine more having access. Personally, we have already moved out of the city for concerns of our home getting shot up just because of our cars sitting out front. In light of recent events including officers homes being photographed we’ve lost our sanctuary even living in the county. Giving access to our information to any random person isn’t going to help us have any relaxation. Further, since this entire thing has been brought to the table it’s been pushed & encouraged by a small, loud group of people who clearly do not like the police, do not want a quality department, have no idea what actually goes on within our department, have never been officers, and many of which whom are criminals. There is a reason these people want officers crucified for every action. What happens when a “complaint” happens because a board members family member was arrested? Will there be criteria to keep things unbiased? How many pushing for this can say they’ve been shot at? Bit? Spit on, kicked, hit, exposed to HIV, hepatitis? How many have preformed CPR, had to apply pressure on a bullet wound to the head, or told a mother she has to stay back when she knows full well her child is laying dead? Absolutely none. The talks of a civilian review board have brought morale even lower. This group of loud mouthed individuals & quite frankly the council lately, seem bent on chasing out the remaining Officers currently trying to make a difference in this community. The Police are not the enemy. Our department has strived to make positive changes in the community between additional patrols but also tons of programs such as popsicle patrol, pizza patrol, Heroes & Goblins, Shop with a Cop, Santa’s Elficers just to name a few. I can tell you countless in house stories of officers buying food, clothing, car seats, toys, etc. for people. Playing football or basketball with kids. And so much more. We don’t need a civilian review board, we need the council to back us & stop listening to those who do not care if their community is safe. In order for the board to be just, police officers and police union members should not be involved in a board meant to investigate them. Additionally, giving alleged officers access to the complaint process during the investigatory stages may create the opportunity for alleged officers to manipulate and cover up the complaint board findings before the hearing. In order for the board to be timely, The Police Department should be given less than 60 days for their internal investigation, and the alleged officers should not be given a copy of the complaint. Once again, this time period may give officers and the Department the opportunity to cover up misconduct and/or manipulate the sources in the report. Finally, the board should have subpoena power on ongoing criminal investigations. Access to ongoing criminal investigations is especially important considering each complaint must be filed within 60 days of the action giving rise to the complaint. Without this access, their ability to fairly assess the alleged misconduct is greatly hindered. Remember, It is your moral and ethical duty to ensure black people and communities are free from the harm and threats from law enforcement. I would like to see the citizen review board have all elected citizen with subpoena power this would be used to look at disciplinary records of officers involved in complaints brought to the board. Having only civilians is important because they would be able to look objectively at the complaint. Any police officers or former officers that would like to discuss complaints before the board could be submitted as a request in writing to the board and the board could allow them to be heard. Obviously any officer involved would be heard in front of the board. I believe a citizens review board is long overdue and the proposed legislation gives a fair amount of power to the board. I would like to see more transparency about the police department accountability. I acknowledge that by clicking the box below any comments accompanied by my name and address will be considered by the Common Council and included in the public record. I also acknowledge that com... I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree I agree