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09/09/1996NORTH GREENWOOD COMMUNITY TASK TEAM CITY OF CLEARWATER September 9, 1996 Present: Reverend William Graham Chair MacArthur Boykins Team Member Dennis Golden Team Member Mayme Hodges Team Member Mary Samuel Team Member David Grice Team Member Bertha Kelley Team Member Joe Marshall Team Member Al Hinson Recreation Supervisor II Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager Sid Klein Police Chief Lt. Jeff Kronschnabl Special Assistant to the City Manager/Community Response Team Scott Shuford Director of Central Permitting Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Tal Rutledge Team Member Beverly Bryant Team Member Reverend Lucius Pitts, Jr. Team Member Samuel Collie Team Member The meeting was called to order by Reverend William Graham at 6:33 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center, 1201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. To provide continuity, the items listed were not necessarily discussed in that order. The minutes of August 19, 1996 and August 26, 1996 were reviewed. Ms. Hodges moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Ms. Rice reviewed the mission statement of the (NGCTT) North Greenwood Community Task Team for the benefit of residents in attendance. In response to a question, Ms. Rice said the task force was formed to gather information on issues and concerns of the community, and present recommendations to the Commission. The NGCTT does not take the place of any existing organization or committee currently in place. She introduced Police Chief Sid Klein. Chief Klein acknowledged Commissioners Johnson, Seel, and Hooper. Chief Klein stated he was present to listen to citizens’ concerns and address community policing issues. It was noted State law prohibits discussion of the August 22, 1996 incident until the investigation is concluded. Chief Klein said immediately following the incident, he visited with a number of people in the community, and asked for witnesses to the incident. He received a list of names, many of which declined to come forward to make statements under oath. He noted the community policing program began in North Greenwood in 1985 with the opening of the Police substation. The most frequent request from the community is the need for more Police presence in the area. The City is acquiring more federal grants to build manpower in the Greenwood area. Issues are dealt with promptly. If officers are right, he stands behind them; if they are wrong they are disciplined. Chief Klein stated he is proud of the Police Department’s track record as a whole. He said residents are welcome to contact him directly. He will investigate all allegations and provide results to the complainant. A situation was discussed in which Police stopped and searched someone’s vehicle. Chief Klein said a violation of a probation warrant is a felony. When making a felony arrest, vehicles are impounded. The Police Department is responsible for the vehicle and contents. Legal policy prohibits releasing the vehicle to a third party or leaving it by the road side. In response to a question, Chief Klein said even if the owner is a passenger in the vehicle, if the arresting officer determines the vehicle was involved in the commission of a crime, the vehicle must be impounded. A resident stated her car was impounded, and upholstery had been unnecessarily damaged in the search process. A resident remarked the Police do not have sensitivity training, and are not able to mediate domestic situations. Chief Klein said every Clearwater Police Officer has been through 40 hours of sensitivity training, but more training will be addressed. A comment was made that children in the area are ticketed too often. Chief Klein noted officers in the Greenwood community do not write any more tickets than in any other neighborhood. He cited Clearwater Beach as an example. A statement was made to Chief Klein at the meeting subsequent to the August 22 incident that “if you stop a car in this neighborhood, chances are drugs will be found, so why are you picking on kids?” Drugs are the most predominant reason for tickets in the Greenwood community. It was noted there is no easy way to eliminate people coming into an area to buy and sell drugs, but all residents should be concerned about this problem. Reverse sting operations and decoys are some of the methods used to deal with drug problems in the community. Chief Klein cited a confidential juvenile arrest record several pages long. He emphasized the importance of parental responsibility, and said the Police cannot solve the community’s problems alone. Small children are picked up at 3:00 a.m. and Police find parents are not home. The Police enforce the law, but need community support. A resident stated she did not have a problem with the Police, but does not want her children clumped with all the others who are presumed to be drug dealers. She said her son has been followed home and stopped because of his physique and his taste in cars. Another resident stated she was leery about moving into the neighborhood because of its reputation. She came from a city where crime is so bad, billboards say “thou shall not kill”. She stated she felt the Greenwood area is a lot better than some other neighborhoods. She noted the seats were full at this meeting and feels the community can accomplish many things if everyone participates. It was noted a very small minority of residents create problems. Slow Police response time was discussed. Incidents were cited referencing either slow Police response time, or no response at all. Chief Klein said the Police first respond to high priority calls. The Police Department deals with people with respect and empathy, but sometimes in the process feelings are hurt. Year after year, the Police Department has asked adults in the community for support. Chief Klein said he would like an adult presence from the community walking the streets at night with officers. It was noted anger toward the person walking with the officers could surface, and others will just move to another location. The anger must be eliminated before the community and Police can work together. It was suggested stricter laws be implemented to prevent kids from going back on the streets so quickly. A remark was made that a mediator should be placed between Police and residents because of various differences. Member Grice said when he first moved into his home in Plaza Park, the Police pulled over everyone, especially white people. After residents got involved and the Neighborhood Watch Program was formed, Police began to recognize those who lived in the community. Mr. Grice commended the Police Department for running drug dealers out of Plaza Park. He said now children can play in the park safely. It was remarked that low-income and poor neighborhoods are scarred. Children are not taught by parents that good, steady jobs are the key to a better life, nor do they have the necessities to allow them to obtain good jobs. A comment was made that although the community needs Police Officers, some of them intentionally harass innocent people who are merely socializing. Member Boykins said it is a perception issue. Agencies’ procedures should be reviewed in order to protect the good, as well as deal with the bad. He said there appears to be distrust amongst black citizens in the community toward the white organization in the City for fair representation. No one has the answer, but somehow the gap must be closed. It was suggested the Police Department meet with a group of young people in the Greenwood community to get their viewpoint on existing problems. The suggestion was added to the NGCTT’s list of issues to address. Ms. Rice thanked Chief Klein and he departed the meeting at 8:09 p.m. Irritation was expressed for the bad press North Greenwood has always received. People pointing fingers need to ask themselves what they are doing for the community. Ms. Lois Martin asked residents to stop complaining and do something, by getting involved, talking to elected officials, teaching children respect, and reading the Bible. Some residents indicated interest in participating in various organizations. Member Hodges noted there are several active, positive organizations in the community. She asked everyone to sign up for one of the organizations, such as the North Greenwood Association, the NAACP, and the Sergeant Allen Moore Partnership. She also suggested residents attend the public Commission meetings twice a month. It was noted Saturday, September 28, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., the South Greenwood Progressive Action Committee is having an anti-drug walk, and everyone is invited. It is an annual event, and community support is needed. Ms. Rice summarized issues as follows: - Respect for everyone in the community - Enhancement of Police mediation skills - Possibility of a 24-hour substation - Positive press - Psychological effects of slavery - City to review procedures regarding impounding cars, and other procedures which may inflame or cause problems between residents and Police - Put drug dollars back into a community fund - Provide a “hotline” for complaints - Place decoy vehicles in the area - Put Police on the beat - Report on Officer from August 22, 1996 incident after investigation is concluded - Liners for metal landscaping containers - Time line on accomplishment of issues - what/when will they be done - Leisure services for the area - Commitments to tourism - Status of traffic plan for Drew Street, Alternate 19, Gulf-to-Bay A curfew was discussed. Some residents felt it would be beneficial because there is no reason for children to be out at 2:00 a.m., and others remarked curfews are difficult to enforce without parental support. Member Grice asked the topic of a teen curfew be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. A resident asked about the status of the Marshall Street AWT Facility. Ms. Rice said improvements have been made and were discussed in detail at the previous meeting. A resident said the odor is better, but has not been entirely eliminated. Member Grice remarked he was not present at the last meeting, but noticed no one had mentioned the City had disrupted the flow of Stevenson’s Creek in the past. He said dredging may take care of the problem temporarily, but to solve future problems, the water flow should be restored. Mr. Babalola offered a challenge to all residents in the community for 20 committed African-American males to work with him to clean up the streets in Greenwood. He said residents must take charge of their community. In response to a question, Mr. Babalola said white people are also welcome, but he hopes African-American males will get involved. A resident offered information on educational programs, for both children and adults, which have been successful in inner cities. She will provide information for distribution at the next meeting. Member Grice noted the City is offering residents live oaks and crepe myrtles, and trees can be obtained by filling out the forms he supplied. Reverend Graham asked task team members to meet at 6:00 p.m. on September 16, 1996. An action plan will be developed for recommendation to the Commission. The public is invited to attend at 6:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.