08-26-02 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 26. 2002 that neighbors will also be included in this training to make sure that they are respectful of citizens and to make sure that people understand their rights. Councilmember Pfeifer thanked the City of Chicago and their Police Department and Prosecutor's office. She thanked the people who assisted with the conferences, as well as the South Bend Police Department, the Mayor's office, the City administration and Councilmembers for their assistance and input. She thanked the neighborhood associations and partnership centers and the citizens for being so patient. In conclusion, Councilmember Pfeifer reiterated that this ordinance was initiated by older citizens who expect the Council to do their duty. It was not her creation or the Mayor's creation, it was citizens wanting to enjoy their senior years. Councilmember Pfeifer asked the Council to pass this ordinance. She noted that Councilmember Aranowski, who is out of town this evening, assured her that he would vote in favor of this bill if he were present. Councilmember Pfeifer read Police Chief Bennett's letter into the record as follows: August 26, 2002 Attention: Council Woman, Charlotte Pfeifer Councilman Karl King Honorable Council Members, I am sending this letter in support of Substitute Bill No. 42 -02, Gang Loitering. Myself, along with five other Commanders recently accompanied Council Person Charlotte Pfeifer to Chicago, Illinois to discuss their loitering ordinance. Although the Chicago Ordinance is much stronger with the ability to arrest a violator, our Ordinance will still be of value. The ordinance would become another discretionary tool for an officer to use in dealing with the problems within his /her respective area of assignment. There is some concern by the membership of the department in reference to its enforcement. The department will have the responsibility of training and implementing the proper administrative paperwork flow in order to enforce the ordinance. There are many misconceptions by some of the officers simply because they are not familiar with the total ordinance and how it can be enforced. For the officers who are familiar with their assigned areas and know who the problem people are within their assigned areas, the ordinance gives them an additional tool to help stop certain illegal activities. Sincerely, s /Larry E. Bennett Chief of Police Councilmember Pfeifer noted that this ordinance was never meant to be a silver bullet. It was never meant to be an end all do all. It is another ordinance to help citizens reclaim the streets and continue to fight to make sure that there is quality of life in the City of South Bend. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Ms. Lucille Spaulding, President, LaSalle Area Neighborhood Association, no address given, noted that she was present the last time this ordinance was up for Public Hearing and advised that the neighborhood still supports this ordinance. She informed the Council that people should feel safe driving through their neighborhoods and they should feel safe getting in or out of their vehicles to go to or from their residence or while shopping in the neighborhoods. Citizens don't need gangs or drug dealers hanging around or standing or blocking traffic in the neighborhoods. They don't need to be intimidated by verbal language or body language. Gang and drug dealers do not have a place