08-26-02 Joint Meeting Health & Public Safety and Residential Neighborhoods

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Joint Meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee&the Residential Neighborhoods Committee August 26,2002 Page 2 summarized the meeting which took place at the new Chicago Police Headquarters located at 3510 South Michigan with members of the City of Chicago General Counsel's Office and the Chicago Police Department on August 13, 2002. Some of the Chicago officials included Karen A. Rowan, General Counsel to the Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard She noted that in addition to Council Member Pfeifer and herself meeting with these Chicago officials that South Bend Police Chief Larry Bennett, Uniform Division Chief Joel Wolvos, Captain Jim Hassig of the Northeast Region, Captain Terry Young of the Southeast Region, Captain Darryl Boykins of the Northwest Region, Captain Garcia of the Southwest Region, and Neighborhood Planner Tonya Zozula, Board of Public Safety Attorney Thomas Bodnar. She noted that good discussions took place and that the City of Chicago provided information such as a palm card used when directing individuals to disperse. She added that Chief Bennett requested additional information which they stated they would send to him. She concluded her remarks by noting that many many ordinances were reviewed and that the best of each was considered. Perfecting the regulations from Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Madison, Wisconsin and Seattle are just some of those studied. The Chicago Police Department provided a training tape to the City of South Bend which has been reviewed by Chief Bennett and which he now has at the Department so that other South Bend Police officers may review it. She also provided a copy of the July 16th memorandum to the City Attorney addressing the proposed community service component which lists 26 Indiana communities that have similar provisions in effect. Council Member Pfeifer noted that for the past three (3) years she and Council Member King with the Council Attorney have been methodically working on the proposed regulations. There have been three (3) Loitering Conference co-sponsored by the City of South Bend and IUSB SPEA Department. All of these conferences were well attended with neighbors, public officials, police officers from not only our community, but also from Mishawaka, Goshen, Elkhart and many Michigan communities in attendance. There were balanced panel discussions with the ACLU being represented at each. She further noted that neighbors and residents came to her and asked her to try and help them take back their neighborhoods. She has not rammed this legislation through, but rather opened it to every public forum possible,including the Prosecutor's Office. Council Member King noted that a key concern revolves around enforcement. He noted that enforcement must be done fairly and properly. He is encouraged that it will be done right in light of the meeting and sharing of information which took place in Chicago and also Chief Bennett's commitment as evidenced by his letter (copy attached). He stated that the worst thing that could happen is that the ordinance would be passed and then would just sit on a shelf. A total commitment by the City Administration, Police Department and Council must be made for this ordinance to be successful. City Attorney Charles Leone thanked Council Member Pfeifer and King for the opportunity to be involved in the process. He noted that although his department had concerns with regard to the community service component, however the severability clause would separate any concerns in that area. Mr. Leone stated that the City Attorney's Office would work with the Police Department to make sure that proper training would take place with regard to enforcement. He noted that it is important for each officer charged with enforcement to know what can and cannot be done under the ordinance. He noted that he suggested the language addressing injunctive relief and believes that this language will provide an important component with regard to enforcement. Mr. Leone concluded his remarks by stating that all in all the proposed ordinance is a good ordinance which will provide an effective tool for law enforcement.