HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-99 Health & Public Safety and Committe & Residential Neighborhoodsr
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Health and Public Safety Committee&Residential Neighborhoods Committee
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The February 24, 1999 Joint Committee Meeting of the Health and Public Safety
Committee and the Residential Neighborhoods Committee was called to order at 4:05 p.m.
by Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly and Pfeifer,Police Chief Darrell G.
Gunn, Sgt. William Bernhardt-South Bend Community School Corporation Safety &
Security Coordinator/SRO Coordinator, Captain Wanda Shock-Training Bureau,Corporal
Ed Hanley-SBPD Bicycle Patrol, Corporal John Kronetter-SBPD Bicycle Patrol, Carl
Littrell, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Pfeifer then provided copies of the handout prepared by the Council
Attorney on the upcoming proposed conference on loitering (copy attached) which were
reviewed by those present.
Council Member Pfeifer noted that she was interested in hearing comments from the
younger officers on the South Bend Police Department because often times they have the
most contact with the average citizens. She was interested in them identifying issues
related to loitering.
Council Member Kelly noted that the topic in and of itself raises a difficult balancing act.
Captain Wanda Shock stated that the main problem is one of perception. She noted that
loitering typically is of three(3)basic types:
Panhandling No criminal intent
Gathering Just there"hanging out"
Drug dealing Criminal intent
Ground work questioning is done by the police officers, who need community support.
Officers also need the support of the neighborhoods and not harassment.
Chief Gunn noted that a flurry of lawsuits have been filed against the department by the
same local law firm in the past several months. Officers are questioning "what is the use".
He noted that burn out of officers is also a reality. He stressed that "community policing"
is a culture--a philosophy which has an evolutionary process. He agreed with Captain
Shock that there should be support of the police officers who are legitimately doing their
jobs.
Captain Shock noted that following a recent shooting she prepared a serious of handouts
and sent several letters through the Leadership Council for residents to attend a meeting on
February 18, 1999---one resident showed.
Council Member Kelly noted that unfortunately people don't get involved unless "their ox
is getting gored". Council Member Pfeifer questioned what was the perception of the public
officials in this area.
Health and Public Safety Committee&Residential Neighborhoods Committee
February 24, 1999
Page 2
Corporal Kronetter suggested that the conference also focus on the media since many
things are not reported.
Chief Gunn noted that often times the Courts and police administration do not support the
officer on the street which compounds the problem. Chief Gunn also noted that 50 police
officers have left the department in the past three(3)years. With the retirement age being
lowered to 52 years of age, he is concerned about what could happen in the department.
The SBPD is very old and very new.
Corporal Hanley stated that persons are much friendlier when they are on bike patrol then
when they are in the squad cars---again a matter of perception.
Following discussion it was suggested that the following elements be added to the
proposed conference:
Media bias
Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police
Indiana Association of Correction
Fraternal Orders of Police-lodges
School corporations
Housing authorities
Homeless Shelter,Hope Rescue, Salvation Army
Fire Department personnel
Public libraries&hospitals
Probation,Judges,Beacon Hts, La Salle Park area residents, general public
Captain Shock noted that a county ordinance is being proposed which seeks better
accountability of judges--patterned after a measure in Porter County by the Community
Correction Committee.
Chief Gunn stated that he would put up a sign-up sheet for overtime for SBPD members to
sign up for the upcoming conference and he would assure that there is a good cross-section
of the department represented. Council Member Pfeifer and Kelly voiced their support if
extra funds were necessary down the road.
It was suggested that the following joint meetings be called:
Tuesday,March 9, 1999 4 p.m. Loitering
Wednesday,March 17, 1999 4 p.m. Traffic calming
There being no further business to come before the joint committees, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlotte Pfeifer
Member of the Health&Public Safety Committee
Attachments