12-04-72 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMM 4. 1977 RESOLUTIONS (CONTINUED) WHEREAS, the taxpayers in the City of South Bend pay for protection of life and property by supporting the Police, Fire Department, and other agencies such as courts, rehabilitation houses, etc; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA that it will seek and support ways, means and legislation at the city, state and federal level to direct some of the money used as described above and /or additional money necessary, to render just and prudent compensation to the victims of crime on the streets and in public places in the City of South Bend, Indiana. /s/ Walter T. Kopczynski Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Councilman Kopczynski made the presentation for the resolution. He read a letter which had been sent to the Council members into the record. IE November 15, 1972 " Mayor Jerry J. Miller County -City Building South Bend, Indiana In Re: Victims and Crime Dear Mayor Miller: Society has always been concerned with the rehabilitation of criminals. This has been done through various organizations, which over the years coat the donating public and the taxpaying public insurmountable amounts of dollars. With all of the effort of rehabilitation, crime is more prevalent today than ever. Perhaps this is an indication that efforts were spent in the wrong direction. I think it is high time that we reverse our direction of efforts away from rehabilitating criminals, instead we should punish them; our efforts should be directed in rewarding the victims of the crimes by compensating them for their property losses, physical and mental injuries. We, as taxpayers, pay vast amounts of money through our city taxes, as well as other types of taxes, for the Police Department and Fire Department. These depart- ments are specifically in charge of protecting life and property. Inasmuch as this money spent on police and fire protection can be likened to premiums on an insurance policy, I feel that insurance policy should pay off when failure of protection occurs. In view of the above facts, I propose that tax money and privately donated money in the City of South Bend be used to compensate the victims of crimes, rather than the criminals. To this end, I am proposing an ordinance to that effect, and I am soliciting all the help I can get from the City Legal Department, various civic organizations, the administration and citizens themselves. Sincerely, /S/ Walter T. Kopczynski Sixth District Councilman Councilman Kopczynski said that he feels the resolution has much merit. He said we have con- sidered everyone except the victim of crime. He said we pay for safety and protection and we owe it to the citizens to compensate them when we do not provide it. He said that passing this resolution is within the power of the Council, but it should not stop at the local level. Legislation at the state level should also be explored. He urged the Council to adopt the resolution. Mr. Leo Wallish, 446 LaPorte Avenue, said he congratulated Councilman Kopczynski for the state- ments that he made. He said that parents should be made responsible for juveniles. He said that this might create another bureauracy but that he is for the resolution. Mr. Joseph Szalay, 19300 Wedgewood Drive, said that the lives and property of innocent people are threatened every day. He offered his help in any way to find ways of preventing crime and said it would take all citizens becoming involved to help. Mr. Arthur Langel, 4403 Huron Street, spoke in favor of the resolution. He said that he has lost $130,000 through vandalism of his property and loss of his livlihood. He said he applied for food stamps and complained of the manner in which he was treated by an employee of that department. He feels that victims of robberies should be entitled to food stamps. Councilman Newburn said if this resolution is asking that victims be paid compensation for crimes, where do we obtain the funds? He said he is in favor of the idea behind the resolution but questions the great tax burden to provide the funds. Councilman Kopczynski said that the taxpayers have been paying a lot of money for police and fire protection and that a lot of money has been privatelw_,donated but not to compensate victims of crime. Mr. John Taylor said that what disturbed him about this discussion was uh ere it was going to end. He asked "Are we not going to have socialized crime when a person has been injured and needs medical attention ?" A man who has the responsibility of protecting his family and is entitled t< compensation might well go beyond bounds in his claims. This would eradicate what we need. Councilman Horvath said that Mr. Taylor had said what he intended to say. Councilman Parent said that feelings of outrage and sentiment are tremendous when you know anyone who has been the victim of a crime. He said that no one knows how the mind of a criminal operates. When the one commits the crime knows that the victim might be compensated, who knows what might happen. Councilman Taylor said he would want to take a long look at any ordinance on this topic. He said he would like to make several points about the proposal. 1. It would take an additional type of government program to get it in operation. 2. How much money would you set aside - one million, ten million? 3. How do you classify first degree murder, rape, felony, mental anguish? There are too many intangibles. 4. It opens the door for criminals to work in gangs taking turns at being the victims. S. The resolution would cause confusion; victims of crime in public places would be paid, victims on their own property would not.