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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2002 <br />specifically identify how those enforcement areas or hot spots will be chosen. However, if there are <br />significant criminal statistics that show that there is intensive drug dealing going on in a <br />neighborhood and that particular neighborhood has opted out for whatever reason, it has to be very <br />clear that the City is not being arbitrary or capricious with regard to giving a blind eye to that type <br />of activity. In those limited cases the overwhelming health and public safety of addressing that <br />problem even though the organization group may have opted out would be out weighted because of <br />the criminal activity currently going on. <br />Councilmember White stated that she believes this is an important point and that somehow there has <br />been some misconception about whether or not neighborhood associations can decide to participate <br />or not. <br />Councilmember Pfeifer stated that this is a very important point because in the neighborhood <br />deliberations some communities were concerned what would happen if some areas will not <br />participate even though they need to. <br />In conclusion, Councilmember Pfeifer thanked the neighbors, the law enforcement community as <br />well as citizens for their input, whether for or against, in order to make this a good ordinance. <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and <br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br />Ms. Rita Kopczynski, Director, Near Northwest Neighborhood organization, 1007 Portage Avenue, <br />South Bend, Indiana, noted that a recent newspaper article inferred that their organization was <br />against the ordinance. She noted that after a long discussion and debate, the organization decided <br />not to vote either way on this bill at this time. She further noted that the Near Northwest <br />Neighborhood has been very active in crime prevention activity and has a safety committee that has <br />worked very closely with the police and has in fact identified areas or hot spots and has gotten rid <br />of drug houses. They are in favor of anything that makes their neighborhood safer. She noted that <br />they were concerned about ambiguity and profiling if the board makes decisions that could be <br />contrary to the wishes of the neighborhood as a whole. Ms. Kopczynski noted that they are not <br />against an ordinance that makes their neighborhood safer and allows citizens to participate in <br />determining how safe their neighborhoods can be. <br />Ms. Rhonda Redman, 518 North Scott Street, Apt. A, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she has <br />lived at this address for the last nine (9) years and there have been many times when there has been <br />such a strong gang presence on their streets that it has not been safe for her children to go out into <br />the neighborhood. She noted that she realizes that South Bend is a diverse city and there may be <br />areas where this type of ordinance is not needed on a daily basis. A lot of people do not have groups <br />of gang members hanging out in front of their house but there are many that do have this problem. <br />Ms. Redman stated that she appreciates the fact that the Council is looking into this ordinance for <br />the benefit of those who live with this problem. She stated that she realizes that there is not any one <br />thing that can solve the problem but perhaps this ordinance will give the police one more tool to fight <br />back. She asked that the Council vote in favor of the ordinance. <br />Ms. Lucille Spaulding, President, LaSalle Area Neighborhood Association, 1124 North Meade <br />Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that on March 16th the Association decided to <br />have this ordinance enforced in LANA's boundaries. Adoption of this ordinance will help protect <br />the residents from intimidation, vandalism, drug dealing, gang activity and other illegal activity that <br />goes on in the neighborhood. This ordinance will help neighbors take back their streets. Most <br />neighbors know who belongs in their neighborhoods and who does not. This ordinance will be <br />aimed at the drug and gang activity and not individuals walking or standing around legally. In <br />conclusion, Ms. Spaulding advised that this is the best opportunity the neighborhood has to fight <br />back against the gang and drug problems before it gets any worse that it already is. <br />-7- <br />