Pubdate: Tue, 27 Aug 2002
Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)
Copyright: 2002 South Bend Tribune
Contact:  http://www.southbendtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/621
Author: Terrence Bland

COUNCIL PASSES ANTI-LOITERING LAW AIMED AT GANGS, DRUGS

SOUTH BEND -- The Common Council adopted an anti-loitering ordinance Monday 
aimed at restricting gang and drug activities in neighborhoods.

The ordinance, crafted after a similar law in Chicago, seeks to regulate 
those activities when they threaten or intimidate neighbors or cause harm 
to property.

Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer, D-2nd, co-sponsor of the measure, said 
the ordinance was drafted after she received several complaints from 
elderly neighbors about intimidating behavior.

It was those complaints that led Pfeifer to initiate a series of workshops 
and neighborhood meetings to address gang and drug behavior in neighborhoods.

Like Chicago, problem neighborhoods will be designated "hot spots," which 
will allow police to enforce the ordinance.

Input from neighbors and council representatives along with a compilation 
of a neighborhood's crime statistics all are presented to the chief of 
police for consideration. The chief then reviews and approves the request 
for "hot spot" designation.

"This is not meant to be a panacea," Pfeifer said. Instead, it is aimed at 
improving the quality of life in neighborhoods.

Council Member Karen White, D-at large, said she supported the ordinance, 
but is concerned that it be "fairly and consistently applied."

"If it doesn't do anything but keep those people moving so they can't 
congregate in one particular area, I think it will be a success," said 
David Varner, R-5th.

Not everyone supported the measure.

"Any elderly person who thinks this ordinance is going to make their life 
better is just not thinking clearly," said James Cierzniak.

Pfeifer said there will be extensive training of police before the 
ordinance goes into full effect by the summer of 2003.
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MAP posted-by: Beth