12-04-72 Council Meeting Minutes

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11 REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 4, 1972 UNFINISHED BUSINESS (CONTINUED) Mr. Joseph Szalay, 19300 Wedgewood, cited differences in crime statistics for the cities of Los Angeles and Tokyo, with the crime rate in Tokyo being substantially lower. He said he feels this is because of the citizens taking the responsibility for crimes and for reporting of them. He said the citizens in Tokyo will not tolerate criminal acts and will report even friends and relatives who are guilty of committing crimes, Dr. Helen Calvin, 103 S. Eddy Street, said that in cases of drunkenness, the poor people are arrested and the professional people are excused. She said certain citizens are immune to the law. She said we are not addressing ourselves to the problems of alcoholism and said that 60% of all auto accidents are related to drinking. Mrs. Conchita Washington, 749 S. Sheridan Street, said that agitators, prostitutes, gamblers, and wife beaters are the ones who protest about the Police Department's efficiency. She said that a year ago gambling was high and open, murder was too high, prostitution was open and on corners, robbery and rape were too high, there were assaults on the aged with very few arrests, property damage was high, police brutality was high, the number of drug pushers was high. She said that the conduct of policemen in and out of uniform leaves a lot to be desired. However, she said that this year offenses are lower and charges of brutality are lower. There have been improved relationships with the South Bend Community School Corporation. Mrs. Washington said that she feels Chief Seals is doing a good job and should be given a chance to prove himself for a much longer period of time than he has had. Mr. Pat Gallagher, of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, said that ground will be broken withi the next year for a Juvenile Training and Rehabilitation Center. There is approximately $400,000 available for the building and the staff to program it. The facility is being undertaken with the cooperation of Elkhart and Marshall counties. A program has been initiated in South Bend to work with school drop -outs. Juveniel crime referrals have dropped 10% this year and have dropped every year since 1968. The recidivism rate has dropped 35/ since 1968. In the area of juvenile crime we are now experiencing justifiable results since the advent of the Youth Service Bureau. Mr. Gallagher said we would need 125,000 police or auxiliary police to eliminate crime. We must work in the area of prevention and deterrents. He stressed the need for citizen participation. He said if a citizen's responsibility stops at his front door, we will have crime in the streets. If his responsibility goes into the streets, it will be a great-help in eliminating crime. Effective street lighting can have a positive effect in lowering the crime rate. Mr. Gallagher said if justice is blind, we don't have to be. Mr. Evan Bergwall, of the Youth Service Bureau, then spoke on their efforts in eliminating juvenile crime. He said the Bureau has dealt with 300 young people and had a 13/o recividism rate out of this group. He feels by providing some personalized one-to -one attention at the first offense, we can solve problems. He said many citizens have called for holding parents responsible for the actions of the juvenile offenders, but he said some of these young people are not sure who their parents are. Mr. Bergwall commended Chief Seals and the Department for their work with juveniles and with the Youth Service Bureau. He said their prime concern is getting and saving lives of young people before they get up to 35 or 40 referrals. They need the support of all the citizens to help young people before they get.to Judge Kopinski's court. Mayor Jerry J. Miller said that his administration is working on this problem from every angle. 98% of all people who commit crimes return to the community. We have to have some form of rehabilitation and especially drug rehabilitation. There are a lot of stumbling blocks. Mayor Miller said that more efficiency from the Police Department and better reporting and record keep- ing will cause the crime rate to go up. He said he feels the Police Department is doing a fine job, one of the finest ever done. He said an oven better job will be done when the Department of Safety is implemented and they are interviewing people for this position now. Council President Peter J. Nemeth thanked everyone for coming to this meeting tonight to hear Chief Seals and to express their opinions. Mr. Nemeth then asked for a motion to direct the City Clerk to prepare a Memorandum of Adoption on Resolution No. 341 -72, in regard to property tax relief, which should be sent to the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners, Attention of Mr. Carleton Phillipi, so moved by Councilman Parent, seconded by Councilman Taylor and carried. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Taylor moved that the meeting be adjourned,'seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried and the meeting adjourne at 12 :35 a.m. ATTEST: k CITY CLERK 'PRESIDENT /1 v