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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AUGUST 31, 2009
The August 31, 2009 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 6:00
p.m. in the Informal Meeting Room, 4t" Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South
Bend, Indiana
Persons in attendance included:
Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Henry Davis; Tim Rouse;
Valerie Schey, Citizen Member
Other Council Members Present: Tom LaFountain; David Varner;
Oliver Davis
Others Present: Mayor Steve Luecke; Chief Walters; Catherine Toppel; Mikki Dobski
Agenda: Discussion regarding:
• School Crossing Guards
• Graffiti
• Cell Phone Ban in School Zones
Councilmember White stated that today's discussion was to cover two main areas. The first
revolves around school crossing guards and signage around schools alerting motorists of the cell
phone ban in school zones, a recently adopted measure of the City Council. The other issue to
be discussed was graffiti. Councilmember White explained both issues were part of a continuing
discussion concerning "quality of life" issues begun last year by her Health and Public Safety
Committee.
Regarding crossing guards, Superintendent Kapsa informed the Council that six schools lost
crossing guards this year. Councilmember's White and LaFountain wondered if cell-phone ban
signs were posted and what efforts were made to inform the public of the ban. Councilmember
Puzzello said Mikki Dobski had been helping to get the word out. Councilmember Oliver Davis
asked whether signage would apply to private as well as public schools. Councilmember
Puzzello interjected that letters were sent to Catholic School regarding cell-phone ban signage
but the city had, to date, received no response. She suggested no signs be placed unless
requested. Councilmember White had a series of questions. Namely, number of signs posted,
number available, results of traffic counts both vehicle and pedestrian around schools, number of
crossing guards, rookies vs. veterans, training for guards and which schools have guards now,
which had but no longer have, and which schools may have fewer. Chief Walters (SBPD) said
Jefferson, Perley, St. Anthony's, and Edison had guards in the past; but not this year. Lincoln,
Marquette, Miner, and Navarre, have fewer guards. He went on to say 25 guards were budgeted,
20 full-time and 5 subs. Councilmember Puzzello wondered by Perley was cut. Chief Walters
said beat patrols had been advised to watch school areas closely. He added of the 20 full-time
guards only 6 were veterans. He said guards were only to observe possible offenses; but not to
take action simply alert police. While Councilmember Oliver Davis wondered if the perception
was that school zones are now more dangerous. Chief Walters countered that the zones were
actually safer. Clerk Voorde asked Walters if patrol boys and girls still existed. He responded to
that to his knowledge only Darden had them.
Mikki Dobski asked if the Council approved the safety brochure produced by Council Attorney
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand? Councilmember White said the revised brochure had been e-mailed
for Council approval. Once approved, Superintendent Kapsa has agreed to distribute in schools.
Who would pay to print the brochures has yet to be determined. Estimated cost is $1,000.00.
Citizen Member Valerie Schey suggested a "twitter" campaign or a Verizon posting to cut costs
and raise awareness. Valerie also mentioned that the St. Joseph Medical Center produced "Kids
Dart-Drive Smart" yard signs for free distribution. While their supply was exhausted she
wondered if more could be requested. Councilmember LaFountain volunteered to ask the med
center.
Councilmember White then shifted the focus to graffiti problems. This issue of graffiti, she noted,
was widespread and persistent. In that Councilmember Oliver Davis had recently declared "war
on graffiti" she allowed Oliver to lead the discussion. Oliver briefly described the problem
certainly not confined to; but prevalent on the west side of town. While noting current efforts
relied on neighbors observing and reporting incidents of graffiti, he had asked attorney Farrand to
craft an ordinance trying to restrict paint spray-cans sales somehow. Oliver also said volunteers
were being solicited to help with a graffiti abatement program. He was also working with a judge
on graffiti restitution issues.
Valerie Schey reported that the NNE, the Robinson Center, and Notre Dame were partnering to
try to redirect kid's energy to creating art.
Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Catherine Toppel, director of Code Enforcement, to report on
her department's activity. Code's emphasis, she reported, was to draft a new letter sent to
owners of property that had been vandalized asking removal of the graffiti as well as resources
available to comply. Oliver said the problem was the acquisition and storage of supplies used to
cover the graffiti. He went on to commend Mark Dollinger, Jeff Young and St. Mary's Polish
Catholic Church for their "cover-up" efforts. He again indicated their need for supplies and
volunteers. Oliver wondered if perhaps a "crime watchers" approach would encourage residents
to report graffiti activity.
Councilmember Rouse asked Chief Walters if the graffiti was the result of gang activity or simply
vandals.
Walters said both.
Chairperson White said the Council and the administration needed to stay on top of this
suggesting afollow-up meeting in 30 days.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chairperson White adjourned the
meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Respectf Ily submitted,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee