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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 12 1973
<br />CITIZEN REQUESTS - MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS (CONTINUED)
<br />statement because every black person would now carry that mark and be stereotyped. She could not
<br />see how Chief Seals could say that one certain group is responsible for the crime, and she felt
<br />the statistics were being lumped together. She felt a study should be conducted and she mentione�
<br />the Safety Director and Human Relations Commission. She suggested hiring more black policemen
<br />and initiating a merit basis plan for the policemen. She concluded that the problem has been
<br />magnified, and she felt the Safety Director and Crime Commission should work together on this
<br />matter. Councilman Parent indicated that he had not been aware of the statement made by Chief
<br />Seals in attributing the crime problem to the black people, and he asked Mrs. Green to furnish
<br />him with a copy of the article.
<br />Mr. Kenneth Kwieran, 730 South Lombardy, indicated that he has recently moved to the North end of
<br />the city and has been harassed quite regularily by cars driving around on his front yard. He said
<br />he had called the police to report the incident and apparently nothing had been done. About two
<br />weeks later, he spotted the same car on the lawn again, and he mentioned that it was not only his
<br />lawn but a couple of his neighbors, as well. Another time, he discovered tire tracks on his lawn.
<br />Sometime after that incident, the bushes on his property were destroyed. He indicated that he has
<br />called the police every day of the week regarding this matter. Finally, a police car had been sent
<br />out, and he indicated that the officer informed him that nothing could be done. At still another
<br />time, he was fortunate enough to catch the driver in the act and got the name, address, license
<br />number, etc. He turned all this information over to the police. He also stated that the other
<br />evening, a car was driving down the street weaving in and out between trees and hit a utility pole
<br />and cracked the pole. Since that incident, the car has been sitting there and no one seemed to
<br />know anything about the accident. Shortly after this accident, two more cars were driving reck-
<br />lessly down the street and came up on his lawn. He, at that time, was also able to take down the
<br />license number and informed the police. He mentioned that he has received no cooperation from the
<br />Police Department. He requested an appointment with Chief Seals and was unable to see him; how-
<br />ever, he was able to talk to another officer. He had been told that the police force was under-
<br />manned in that area. He indicated that at, still another time, he took off work to see the Mayor
<br />about this problem and was told the Mayor was on vacation. He stated that he had been shuffled
<br />from one office to another. He asked if he could place a large rock on his property to prevent
<br />more damage to his yard, and he had been told he could not do this because he would be liable for
<br />any damages or injuries someone might sustain. He also indicated that his insurance company would
<br />not cover anything because of the dangerous road. Councilman Newburn sympathized with Mr. Kwiera .
<br />He indicated that he had been listening to the requests for additional policemen on the force
<br />because some people say the force is undermanned, and yet, he informed the Council that some of
<br />these policemen simply take it easy when they are supposed to be out on calls. He felt something
<br />should be done now in this regard and the department should be straightened out before additional
<br />policemen are added to the force. Mr. Kwieran also indicated that he had applied for a job on
<br />the police force some time ago in the hopes of helping to reduce the crime rate because he felt
<br />so strongly about it, and he mentioned that he had never heard a word about his application. He
<br />cited incidents when he had'passed a small restaurant in town and seen up to 10 squad cars parked
<br />outside with the policemen inside leaving their cars and radios unattended. Councilman Kopczynsk'
<br />felt that intimidation by the Police Department should be stopped. He mentioned that he had been
<br />assured by Chief Seals that this would be taken care of. He felt the Council should refer this
<br />matter to the Council's committee on Public Safety, with Councilman Parent as chairman, to come
<br />up with a written report. Councilman Newburn agreed with this. Councilman Miller felt this was
<br />a very serious matter and should be taken care of by the City Attorney and the Police Department.
<br />Councilman Kopczynski made a motion to refer this matter to the City Attorney, the Chief of Police
<br />and the Safety Director and report back to the Council on February 26, 1973, seconded by
<br />Councilman Newburn. The motion carried. Councilman Szymkowiak asked Mr. Kwieran how many weeks
<br />all this had been going on, and Mr. Kwieran stated it had all started about two and one -half
<br />months ago. Councilman Szymkowiak then asked if Mr. Kwieran had been given the opportunity to
<br />speak with the Chief of Police in person, and Mr. Kwieran answered that he had gone to the Police
<br />Department to speak with him and was unable to see him; however, he was able to at least talk to
<br />another officer, and he thought this gentleman was the head of the Traffic Division. He also
<br />indicated that, at one time, some kids had been breaking the windows at the school and one of
<br />the neighbors knew who the kids were and called the police. By the time the police arrived on th
<br />scene, it was too late and the kids had left the school and were standing on the corner laughing
<br />at the police cars parked all over the lawn at the school. City Attorney Roemer indicated that
<br />he would be happy to work with Mr. Kwieran on this matter and take him to the prosecutor's office
<br />so that a determination could be made whether or not criminal charges should be filed. Council
<br />President Nemeth indicated that the primary concern of the Council was with the Police Department
<br />looking into the calls. He said he had heard stories about calls not being answered, and he felt
<br />it should be looked into. City Attorney Roemer informed the Council that he would be pleased to
<br />check into that also.
<br />Councilman Horvath spoke briefly on a Youth Junior Achievement Group desiring to hold a trade
<br />fair soon. He indicated that the group was in need of a building in which to have the trade fair
<br />and he appealed to the public for help for the kids. He felt it was a worthwhile cause.
<br />PETITION TO AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE (744 WEST WASHINGTON STREET)
<br />I, the undersigned, do hereby respectfully make application and petition
<br />the South Bend Common Council to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of
<br />South Bend as hereinafter requested, and in support of this application, the
<br />following facts are shown:
<br />1. The property sought to be rezoned is located at the Southeast corner
<br />of Chapin Street and West Washington Street in the City of South Bend, Indiana,
<br />and is commonly known as 744 West Washington Street.
<br />2. The property is owned by Nemeth Memorial Funeral Home, Peter F. Nemeth
<br />and Margaret K. Nemeth.
<br />3. A legal description of the property is as follows:
<br />A part of Bank Out Lot Number 39 as shown on the 1st Plat of
<br />Out Lots of the Town; now City of South Bend, platted by the
<br />State Bank of Indiana. Beginning at a point, which is the
<br />North West corner of said Bank Out Lot No. 39; thence in an
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