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Council
of Meeting Minutes 1)
Introductions 2)
Minutes:
Minutes of the 3)
Guest Speakers and
Presentations: Police
Chief James Tuffey Focus
on the quality of life in The
Department has increased the visibility officers in uniform; eight officers are
back on old-style beats and move on a minute’s notice from one hot spot to
another as needed. As crimes are
mapped and trouble spots identified, the assignments of these officers are
concentrated into those spots. Beginning
about 12 weeks ago, the locations of crimes in the city have been tracked and
mapped. Police resources are
assigned and visibility increased as troublesome locations are identified.
As each officer reports for work, s/he is able to view a city map that
indicates the neighborhoods in which crimes have been committed since his or her
last shift. Lieutenants strategize
about the best resources to assign to each of those geographic areas. Overall,
the number of rapes, robberies and assaults has decreased. The crime rate in
Park South is the same—neither up nor down. Crime
is down in the South End and progress is being made in the West Hill and Arbor
Hill neighborhoods. The
addresses of parolees have been monitored and the crime rate in the
neighborhoods where they live has increased.
Patrol cars are a constant presence in those neighborhoods. The
department knows which individuals and groups are involved in gun violence.
Overall the number of instances of gun violence is down. Police
officers are visiting businesses located in the city and checking on properties
routinely. They are spending less
time in cars and more time on the street increasing communication with residents
and business owners. Officers
may work more flexible shifts and have a stronger presence at special events as
well. Technology
is a tremendous asset and has given the department the means to communicate and
produce reports more rapidly. Shortly
officers will be able to enter reports into computers from the scenes of crimes. The
chief personally takes telephone calls. Residents
and business owners who feel that officers are not responding appropriately are
encouraged to contact him. The
department’s priorities for the future include:
Chief
Tuffey responded to questions and comments on the following issues:
School
Superintendent Eva Joseph The
recent school budget was defeated by only 71 votes. Since
the margin of defeat was so small, the district will campaign to have more
residents vote. It is felt that the
relocation of polling places affected turn out.
Posters will be placed on polling places and entrances will be clearly
marked. The district is offering a
modest reduction for a June 20 re-vote because a contingency budget would cut
valuable resources. A modest
reduction rather than a contingency will also keep morale higher.
The old budget was for $7.09 million; the reduced budget is for $7.01
million. The property tax rate and
charter schools contributions will be the same.
It was pointed out that the polling place at TOAST school is not actually
within the ward of the residents who vote there.
4.)
Announcements
and New Business ·
Library
Facilities Plan: Plans
for three new libraries and renovation of others are moving forward.
Feedback from the community about programs and ideas for space are being
considered. Concept drawings for the
Howe Library were presented. Relocation
of the ·
Central
Avenue Reconstruction: Joe
Cuniff presented the benefits, drawbacks and challenges of burying utility lines
during road construction and requested a motion by 5.)
Committee
Reports:
The
meeting adjourned at
Submitted by Deanna Colfels
.CANA Meeting Attendees
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