03-26-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 1973 IICOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) the public safety appropriation was only about 12 of the revenue sharing budget, and he felt the $405,000.00 was justifiable. He indicated that, as a Councilman, he felt it his duty to evaluate and set priorities to his best judgment. He asked if, in the total terms of the revenue sharing package, anyone knew what the on -going costs would be. Mr. Gallagher indicated that next year, it was his plan to increase the money allotted for the Police Department. Councilman Miller indicated that, considering the state tax package, there would be at least $1,502,000.00 of on -going costs out of $1,675,000.00 and this did not take into consideration wages. He indicated that the Council was given a figure for on -going costs when it met in caucus. He indicated that next year, Mr. Gallagher would come in at $400,000.00, and he indicated he wanted some figures on that. He felt he could not justify the addition of 20 men at this time. He felt time was needed to evaluate the many fine changes that have been made recently in the department to determine how effectively they have worked and what must be done further to improve the efficiency of the department. He indicate he would rather stress the preventive nature of the crime situation rather than the reaction to crime. He sympathized with Mrs. Green. He indicated that he had previously suggested that the Police Department look for additional black appointments, and at that time, 15 out of 240 were black. He mentioned that selection is made on the basis of qualification, education and experience and that this was a policy decision which he felt could be argued. He felt that a black patrolman in a black neighborhood might be better qualified for that area than a white person who has had more training and experience. He felt that the percentage of black patrolmen should equal the pop- ulation. He indicated that he was in favor of the programs dealing with juveniles and drugs. He suggested that perhaps a drug treatment center for juveniles, as well as adults, should be set up on a county -wide basis. He indicated that he could not favor a system of hiring more policemen to simply react to the crime picture; he stressed the preventive nature. He also supported the budget on the Safety Department, and he indicated that the Council, in passing the cabinet bill, had many comments on the equipment that would be needed for that position; however, he indicated that he could not support the appropriation of $10,000.00 for this. He indicated that in Programs FA18 and FA19, the budgets were for a period of 12 months, and he felt these budgets should be decreased to a 9 -month period. He questioned the number of patrolmen in Program FA21. Mr. Gallagher indicated that many of these programs are predicated upon additional men and to decrease men at this time would only hamper the department. He mentioned that the department is ready to start team policing; secondly, there is a criminal justice fund available; and thirdly, there are cities that have experimented with black officers in black neighborhoods and the study shows that they are not completely satisfied. He suggested one black officer working with one white officer. He mentioned that Mr. O. C. Foster from the National Crime Prevention Bureau was going to be in South Bend for a few days this week starting Tuesday to speak at the Police Academy. He indicated that Mr. Foster's area was crime prevention, and he mentioned that the city will have money for a Crime Prevention Bureau. He felt that this budget was put to the minimum, and he was asking for money to start his office. He indicated that equipment must also be supplied to the police recruits. Councilman Parent, Chairman of the Council Public Safety Committee, briefly outlined further the recommendations of that committee and the reasons for the committee's actions. He indicated that the committee recommended the deletion of Program FA14 and Program FA20 because the interest which the city received from the revenue sharing funds practically offsets the cost of the money borrowe to purchase the fire trucks, and in FA20, the monies are requested to meet an anticipated deficit in Account P -12 and not for new educational incentive programs. He spoke briefly on each of the programs within the budget. He felt the Council could not expect a department to operate efficiently without money, and he expressed satisfaction with the impact that the Public Safety Department has already had on the community. Councilman Taylor indicated that, on the passage of the ordinance, by law the appropriation must come through the Mayor's Office. He mentioned that the Mayor did agree with some of the committee' recommendations, and he wondered if the Council could amend the ordinance at this meeting on the floor and if it would pass. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, indicated that.the Council could not increase the amount of the ordinance but cutting certain items would be proper in his opinion. He felt that, if the ordinance was increased, the Council would have to come back with a new ordinance Councilman Taylor indicated that a great deal of discussion centered around the additional police- men. He indicated that he has always stated that crime is a large problem and is not all a matter of police, courts, drugs, etc. He felt it was a combination of many things and he felt the picture of crime in South Bend was very clear. He mentioned that the city has approximately 1.9 policemen per thousand and that the city averages somewhat on the low side. He stressed the fact that he was not talking about a policeman on every corner. He mentioned the fact that the city has gone through five Police Chiefs in the last six years, and he hoped this would not continue. He felt the city was undermanned as far as the police force was concerned. The population of the people in the metropolitan area totalled 250,000 and this had an effect on the crime rate even though there was a sheriff's department and Mishawaka had a police force. He felt higher visibility was needed in the inter -city area, and he talked about the drug problem and burglaries possibly being related to this. He indicated that he had done, to the best of his ability, all he could. He stressed his support of the ordinance as amended because he felt the citizens deserved the best. Councilman Kopczynski asked Mr. Gallagher who owned the typewriter that was being used in his offic and Mr. Gallagher indicated it belonged to the Criminal Justice Unit. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that, when the office of Safety Director was established, there were statments made to the effect that there would be no money needed to keep the office going. Hr also briefly questione the travel expenditure, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that he hoped the city would reimburse him for his travel expenses. Councilman Kopczynski asked if the actual picture was required in relation to the picture taking of the substandard buildings, and Mr. Gallagher indicated that the picture is needed with the file. Councilman Kopczynski suggested that Mr. Gallagher look into the possibility of purchasing a 35 milimeter camera. He also mentioned, as far as the meeting being conducted at the Police Academy, by Mr. Foster, that the city did not want to copy the national programs because they might not work in South Bend. He indicated that most of these appropriations are investigating crime after it happens. He asked about the possibility of establishing a.center to keep the kids off the street before the crime happens. He felt consideration should be given to th whole appropriation for these various programs because some day, they would wind up on the city tax rate and the citizens would be taxed for it. Councilman Horvath indicated that he had attended four meetings that had been held on the revenue 'sharing distribution and crime was the important factors stressed again and again. He felt the money should be spent if it would help to reduce the crime. He.felt the Administration and the Safety Director had -come up with a fine presentation of the ordinance and programs involved. He !indicated that he only had one question in regards to the extra and overtime in Program FA17, and