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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth