03-23-11 Health & Public Safety Committee

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•,•.i , �� '�� iK.. Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of March 23, 2011 Page 2 • Enforces both their city nuisance ordinance and the Indiana state law • Elkhart has a "Hot Line" to report graffiti • Elkhart has "On-line" reporting of graffiti • Reporting graffiti triggers the Elkhart Police Department t to photograph the graffiti, gang track it, create a property damage police report, and "immediate abatement" if the graffiti is located on City-owned property She added that Elkhart has media coverage on suspects charged with violations involving graffiti and an educational campaign. She concluded her remarks that in her discussions with Mayor Luecke on Monday, that he was to have a representative from the City Administration to provide a graffiti update today. Council�Member White stated that it was her understanding that Police Chief Boykins and Council Member Oliver Davis have had discussions with possibly using VIPS. She stressed that a comprehensive approach that is ongoing and sustainable is what the City � needs. She does not believe that a one-time approach would be sufficient, that the approach must be ongoing. Council Member White stated that "we owe it to the community to address graffiti and look at all mechanism to deter it and to clean it up". Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel stated that Code Inspectors sent pictures of graffiti to Crime Prevention to see if it is gang related. Council Member Puzzello suggested that an update be given by the Police Department on gang symbols, as part of a public awareness campaign. Council President Dieter stated that he is unaware if Crime Prevention keeps a data base on gang graffiti. He believes that Chief Boykins needs to dedicate people to this and to have a cumulative data base. He offered to take Council Member Puzzello around the city to see the gang graffiti. Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. stated that he is looking for results. He is dismayed that "all we have is graffiti" which has not been removed for months. He stated that he does not believe that it matters who did it, but that it should be cleaned up. He asked what city department is in charge of handling graffiti? Council Member Oliver Davis stated that it was his understanding that young people would be working in a Summer Program this year beginning the first week of June. It was also his understanding that the Parks and Recreation is supposed to take care of graffiti and that monies were set aside for them. Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel stated that using Parks and Recreation was a one-time item where they painted over graffiti which was located on park property only.