08-31-09 Health and Public Safety Committee

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Regarding crossing guards, Superintendent Kapsa informed the Council that six schools lost crossing guards this year. Councilmember's White and LaFountain wondered if cell-phone ban signs were posted and what efforts were made to inform the public of the ban. Councilmember Puzzello said Mikki Dobski had been helping to get the word out. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked whether signage would apply to private as well as public schools. Councilmember Puzzello interjected that letters were sent to Catholic School regarding cell-phone ban signage but the city had, to date, received no response. She suggested no signs be placed unless requested. Councilmember White had a series of questions. Namely, number of signs posted, number available, results of traffic counts both vehicle and pedestrian around schools, number of crossing guards, rookies vs. veterans, training for guards and which schools have guards now, which had but no longer have, and which schools may have fewer. Chief Walters (SBPD) said Jefferson, Perley, St. Anthony's, and Edison had guards in the past; but not this year. Lincoln, Marquette, Miner, and Navarre, have fewer guards. He went on to say 25 guards were budgeted, 20 full-time and 5 subs. Councilmember Puzzello wondered by Perley was cut. Chief Walters said beat patrols had been advised to watch school areas closely. He added of the 20 full-time guards only 6 were veterans. He said guards were only to observe possible offenses; but not to take action simply alert police. While Councilmember Oliver Davis wondered if the perception was that school zones are now more dangerous. Chief Walters countered that the zones were actually safer. Clerk Voorde asked Walters if patrol boys and girls still existed. He responded to that to his knowledge only Darden had them. Mikki Dobski asked if the Council approved the safety brochure produced by Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand? Councilmember White said the revised brochure had been e-mailed for Council approval. Once approved, Superintendent Kapsa has agreed to distribute in schools. Who would pay to print the brochures has yet to be determined. Estimated cost is $1,000.00. Citizen Member Valerie Schey suggested a "twitter" campaign or a Verizon posting to cut costs and raise awareness. Valerie also mentioned that the St. Joseph Medical Center produced "Kids Dart-Drive Smart" yard signs for free distribution. While their supply was exhausted she wondered if more could be requested. Councilmember LaFountain volunteered to ask the med center. Councilmember White then shifted the focus to graffiti problems. This issue of graffiti, she noted, was widespread and persistent. In that Councilmember Oliver Davis had recently declared "war on graffiti" she allowed Oliver to lead the discussion. Oliver briefly described the problem certainly not confined to; but prevalent on the west side of town. While noting current efforts relied on neighbors observing and reporting incidents of graffiti, he had asked attorney Farrand to craft an ordinance trying to restrict paint spray-cans sales somehow. Oliver also said volunteers were being solicited to help with a graffiti abatement program. He was also working with a judge on graffiti restitution issues. Valerie Schey reported that the NNE, the Robinson Center, and Notre Dame were partnering to try to redirect kid's energy to creating art. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Catherine Toppel, director of Code Enforcement, to report on her department's activity. Code's emphasis, she reported, was to draft a new letter sent to owners of property that had been vandalized asking removal of the graffiti as well as resources available to comply. Oliver said the problem was the acquisition and storage of supplies used to cover the graffiti. He went on to commend Mark Dollinger, Jeff Young and St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church for their "cover-up" efforts. He again indicated their need for supplies and volunteers. Oliver wondered if perhaps a "crime watchers" approach would encourage residents to report graffiti activity. Councilmember Rouse asked Chief Walters if the graffiti was the result of gang activity or simply vandals.