01-28-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 28, 1974 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $5,991.27 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF LAW. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, introduced Mr. Robert Urban, Police Chief, who made the presentation for the ordinance. Mr. Urban indicated that the position of Deputy Attorney for matters of criminal and civil law was vacant at the present ti because of a loss suffered in 1973 through a Criminal Justice Grant. He felt an attorney was need to advise the officers on improper and illegal arrests in order to protect South Bend from being liable in many arrest cases. Mr. Roemer indicated that the grant last year had paid $15,000 for a full -time deputy attorney. He indicated that, from the city's point of view, the proper advice should be given to the police officer in order that the city would not be held liable. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, asked if this positi was in addition to the present staff, and Mr. Roemer indicated that it was. He also indicated tha last year, was the first time that the city had available one attorney designated to the legal counsel regarding criminal law. He felt it was needed. He suggested that it might be possible fo the individual hired to spend one or two hours a week with the officers discussing these problems. He felt some legal background is needed by the officers. Miss Guthrie wondered about the problems caused because of the lack of the deputy. Mr. Maurice Cohen, 725 East Eckman, felt the program wa a good one because the police officers could acquaint themselves with the problems they are faced with. Councilman Taylor also felt the program was needed. He was concerned about the prevention aspects of the program. He wondered if a good program could be set up with a part -time attorney. Mr. Roemer felt that a part -time attorney could not handle the problem. Council President Nemeth asked if any types of brochures or pamphlets were used at the present time to advise the police officers, and Mr. Roemer indicated that, on a yearly basis, a booklet is issued and has been order for the officers. The booklet was a small book which could be kept in the officer's pocket. Coun President Nemeth wondered if that would not be more beneficial to the officer than the attorney. Mr. Roemer felt the attorney was needed. Council President Nemeth asked if Mr. Roemer felt that that area was more under the jurisdiction of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Mr. Roemer indica that the Prosecuting Attorney's Office had elected not to continue their program. Councilman Serg wondered about the figure used, and Mr. Roemer indicated that the figure was the same that was pai to other deputy attorneys. Councilman Newburn indicated that a great deal of money was spent on educating the police officers. He wondered why an on -going program was not used for the officers in order to train them on the changing laws. Chief Urban stated that the city does have an in- service program; however, a legal representative was needed to advise the officers on the changing laws. He stated that the city did not have the legal school at this time. Councilman Parent felt the request was reasonable. He was hopeful that, in 1975, this could be put into the regular city budget. Councilman Parent made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council'as favorable, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $13,116.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Walter Lantz, Deputy City Controller, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that a person who was qualified to fill the position had decided not to accept the job; however, Mr. Larry Low, Director of the Computer Center, had indicated that he had a qualified individual that could fill the position at the Police Computer Center. Mr. Lantz requested that the Council make the following amendments to the ordinance: Amend Account 110.0, Services Personal, to Account 262.0, Services Contractual, and amend the amount of $12,000 to $13,116, with the total Services Contractual and total FA40 to be $13,116. He indicated that the amount for Current Obligations should be reduced to zero. Councilman Taylor made a motion to so amend the ordinance, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried. Council President Nemeth then made a motion that the amended ordinance be continu to the February 11, 1974, regular meeting of the Council, seconded by Councilman Szymkowiak. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE.APPROPRIATING $116,490.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Robert Urban, Police Chief, made the presen- tation for the ordinance. He indicated that the overtime foot patrol program had been a great success in 1973 as a preventive and deterrent measure. He indicated that the program had started out during three evenings in a week. It was then expanded to five evenings with approximately 20 men each night. Most of the patrols were on foot, although some have been motorized. He referred to a memo regarding the 1973 crime statistics which had been furnished to the Council members. He felt that the overtime foot patrol was needed in order to help prevent crime. He again referred t the crime statistics and indicated that, in October, November and December, the crime rate was reduced to 40. He referred to a report submitted by Chief Foy concerning the high crime census tract area. Captain Edward Friend, head of the foot patrol, explained the program. He stated tha during the times that the foot patrol was working, there was practically no crime.in December and the first two weeks in January. He indicated that the officers only responded to Part I calls and 1 0