019-1993 DM
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CITY OF
MIAMI
BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
TELEPHONE: (305) 673.7010
FAX: (305) 673.7782
DEPARTIIEN'1' lfEMORANDUM NO.
19-1993
May 20, ~993
TO:
ALL DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
FROM:
ROGER M. CARLTON f} ..,-rA. _~ ,-I. .
CITY MANAGER 77?1Itt,J'0"JC>' ~,...f.a-
SUBJECT :
DOCUIIEN'1' RE'l'RIEVAL SYSTEM
===================================================================
The Command Staff Research Group has offered the City, on a
complimentary temporary basis, the Fax-On-Demand document retrieval
system. This database system can be accessed via the city's fax
machine. It contains copies of ordinance proposals, policy papers,
news releases and similar documents relating to public safety
issues. Periodically this company faxes a listing of new articles
which are available for our information.
Attached is a copy of the latest listing forwarded by the research
group. Three articles of interest are community Police Team Up
Against crime, the National Guard Helping To Seal Drug Houses, and
Chamber Of Commerce Helps Equip Police.
Any article of interest on this list can be accessed by dialing
904-422-3321 and then entering access code 7228. The instructions
are on page 3. Anyone wishing to obtain these articles can do so
for the next three (3) weeks. If, after using this retrieval
system, the city decides that it is worthwhile to continue its use,
the yearly cost would be $288.00.
Should anyone have any questions, please contact Mayra Diaz-
Buttacavoli or The Research Group.
RHC:MDB:ah
Attachment
,,-
cc: Ed cox, Senior Assistant City Manager
Dean R. Mielke, Assistant City Manager
Mayra Diaz-Buttacavoli, Assistant city Manager
Joe pinon, Executive Assistant to the city Manager
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;;;-rmatted for
u ansmission
VIA FAX
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Public Safety
Policy & Ordinance
Alert
a document and information service for city/county administrators and policymakers
Ordinances & legislation Page
Picketing at AIDS funerals leads to ban ................. 2
Village holds landlords accountable ........................2
Landlord ordinance enforcement delayed ..............3
Lawmaker: Let landlords evict drug dealers ........ 4
Residents would have say on 'nuisance' bars.......... 4
Youths need parental okay to carry guns ...............5
Urban 'camping' ban passes legal test .................... 5
Bill would extend fine collection deadlines ............6
Policy & operations
Community, police team up against crime ............ 7
NAACP advocates community policing.................. 7
Milwaukee aims to cut gang recruitment............... 8
County to immobilize cars of repeat OWls ........... 9
National Guard to help seal drug houses ...............9
Phoenix tests youth curfew....................................... 9
Support offered juvenile abuse victims ................ 10
Public safety administration
NYPD tests automated telephone answering ..... 10
Chamber of Commerce helps equip police ......... II
Plan to rehire 10,000 officers fails ......................... 12
Planning & research
Study: Juvenile facilities overcrowded .................. 12
LSD numbers trip up news media ......................... 12
Issues & trends
Feds develop chip for phone security.................... 14
<9199] Comrnand Staff Research Group Inc.
Please report transmission problems to 1-800-841-2494
April 26, 1993
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I Public Safety
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Page 2 of 14
April 26, 1993
ordinances & legislation
Ordinance bans funeral picketing
In response to picketing at the funerals of AIDS victims, the Kansas
City, Mo., City Council hurriedly adopted an ordinance banning such
protests for a period 90 minutes before and 90 minutes after funerals,
funeral processions and memorial services.
The ordinance, proposed by City Councilwoman Katheryn Shields,
came after a news release, attributed to an out-of-state religious group,
announced a planned protest against homosexuality at a memorial ser-
vice for a local composer who had died from AIDS-related causes.
The news release said that "as an exercise of religious duty and
public service," the group would "conduct peaceful informational pick-
ets in protest of illegal and immoral sodomite activity and in protest of
the pervasive media glorification of sodomy coupled with media's near-
total blackout of Bible truth about sodomy."
The Kansas City ordinance was patterned after a similar ordinance
banning protests at funerals in Topeka, Kan., and state statutes in Ohio
and Kansas. A Kansas City legal analysis, prepared as the ordinance
was considered, cited as case law authority for such restrictions the
1988 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Frisby v. Schultz, which addressed
protests in a residential area.
"The interests of families in privately and peacefully mourning the
loss of deceased relatives are violated when funerals are targeted for
picketing and other public demonstrations," the Kansas City ordinance
preamble states.
Adopted on March 24, the ordinance adds: "Full opportunity exists
under the terms and provisions of this section for the exercise of free-
dom of speech and other constitutional rights at times other than before,
during and after funerals."
A Kansas City gay rights group said the protesting organization had
previously sponsored picketing at AIDS victims' funerals in Topeka and
Wichita.
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#31505 .. Kansas City ordinance with
amendment. Three pages. See page 3 for instructions. (Of.
fice of the City Council: 816'274-1321)
Communities target tenant criminality
The Chicago suburb of Lombard has adopted a two-step ordinance
that could lead to the jailing of landlords who continue to "knowingly"
allow certain criminal activities in multi-family housing they own.
Although the ordinance applies village-wide, the village board took
its action April 5 in response to alleged continuing criminality at six
apartment buildings.
The ordinance provides that it is unlawful for an individual or firm
with ownership or management control over a multi-family dwelling "to
knowingly allow or to have knowledge of and make no attempt to pro-
hibit" the commission on the premises of a laundry list of crimes. Cited
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April 26, 1993
crimes include violations of ordinances regarding dangerous weapons,
firearms, explosives, obscenity and possession of marijuana.
Conviction of a violation of this manager-owner "responsibilities"
section leads to a fine of no less than $50 up to $500.
In the ordinance's second step, three convictions of a manager/
owner of violation of the responsibilities section or any of certain other
violations can lead him or her to be adjudged "a criminal housing man-
ager." The penalties can include a fine of up to $500 and/or jailing for up
to six months.
The other triggering violations for designation as a criminal housing
manager include such provisions of the village code as nuisance abate-
ment, inoperable vehicles and garbage disposal.
Deputy Police Chief Steve Williams said the ordinance was devel-
oped over nine months and came in response to complaints from neigh-
borhood residents.
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#3160 I n Copy of ordinance. Three
page.. (Lombard Police Department: 708.620..5962)
. Officials ofthe Borough of Collingswood, a community in South New
Jersey near Philadelphia, have temporarily put on hold enforcement of
an ordinance that could lead to a fine of up to $500 and/or jail for up to 30
days for a landlord if certain violations recur on his or her property after
notice of a first violation is given.
FAX-ON-DEMAND INSTRUCTIONS
Reports carrying a FAX-aN-DEMAND designation have original ref-
erence documents available by fax to recipients of Public Safety
Policy & Planning Alert. There is no additional fee for this service.
Your only cost is that of a relatively brief telephone call to Tallahas-
see, Florida. To retrieve a document:
1 Using the phone on your fax machine, dial 904-422-3321.
(This is not a "900" number; this is the regular area code
for Tallahassee, Florida.)
2 When prompted, enter the access code provided below.
3 When requested, enter the five-digit number assigned to
the document you are seeking.
4 When prompted, push the "start" or "receive" button on
your fax machine after the beep. Hang up the handset.
The document will be immediately faxed to you on the
same connection.
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday (except for occasional brief down periods for main-
tenance). Individual documents will be kept in the database for 90
days.
We recommend that you consult your manual or vendor on
exactly what button or buttons to push to "receive on current con-
nection." If you experience any technical problems, please call us
at 1-800-841-2494.
The access code for this transmission Is: 7228
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April 26, 1993
The enforcement moratorium was declared after the local branch of
the ACLU threatened litigation challenging the ordinance and a group
representing real estate owners raised concerns about it. Proponents
say they will review the ordinance to determine if any changes should be
made to it.
The ordinance, adopted last month, declares a landlord's responsi-
bilities to include such activities or conduct on the premises as disor-
derly conduct, nuisance or any other violation of state or local law. Upon
the occurrence of such violations, the landlord is to receive written
notice, including a warning that a subsequent violation could lead to
action againstthe owner.
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#31602 .- Copy of ordinance. Two
pages. (Borough Administrator's Office: 609-854.0720)
. Property owners, working in conjunction with law enforcement au-
thorities, would be empowered to evict drug-dealing tenants after giving
five days notice under legislation before the Wisconsin Legislature.
The proposal, which has the endorsement of Milwaukee Police Chief
Philip Arreola and others, would allow a landlord to act if he receives
notice from a law enforcement officer that a drug-related nuisance exists
in the tenant's rental unit.
The landlord would have to give the tenant written notice stating the
accusation and notifying the tenant of the right to contest the eviction
action. The municipality involved in the matter would be held harmless
for errors in providing notices.
"This bill offers communities a way to quickly rid themselves of
destructive, dangerous people, without depriving anyone of due pro-
cess, and without forcing taxpayers to foot expensive prison bills," said
the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Gwendolynne Moore, D-Milwaukee.
Senator Moore said she developed the legislation after consulting
with law enforcement, tenants rights advocates, civil liberties groups,
apartment owners and state residents, particularly those in the central
city.
The senator said she supports a broad-based approach to crime
prevention, centering on education, jobs and expanded opportunities for
city residents. "However, I also want to address immediate safety needs,"
she said.
Current Wisconsin law allows property owners to evict tenants within
five days for non-payment of rent but not for suspected drug activity -- an
inconsistency cited by Senator Moore in advocating passage of her bill.
"Otherwise law-abiding tenants, whose only crime may be poverty,
can be put on the streets while drug dealers remain in their apartments,
terrorizing a neighborhood," she said.
1:r.:':4!.I~I!!I.l:1i;H.'~I.l #31603 ... News release and bill. Five
pages. (Senator's Office: 608-266.5810)
Residents would have say on 'nuisance' bars
A group of Pennsylvania legislators has proposed a change in the
state's alcoholic beverage laws to make it easier for residents to stop
unwanted bars from becoming a neighborhood nuisance.
The legislation would give neighborhood residents and organiza-
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April 26, 1993
tions a greater voice in objecting to the issuance or transfer of an
alcoholic beverage license, and would give them a greater opportunity to
appeal decisions by the state Liquor Control Board.
The measure would establish a "points" system for violations, as-
sessing higher penalty points for more serious infractions, such as
selling alcohol to a minor. A bar could have its license suspended if it
receives a certain number of points.
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Andrew Carn, D-Philadelphia, said
the proposal is intended to give neighborhood residents a better chance
against the spread of nuisance bars.
"They might think they're getting a quiet neighborhood-type bar with
sandwiches and pizza, only to find that they've ended up with a night-
club with bands, loud music and dancing," Representative Carn said.
"The people have a right to know, and a right to say, 'Hey, wait a
minute,'"
The legislative proposal would require that in reviewing license ap-
plications, the Liquor Control Board must give substantial weight to
consider the appropriateness ofthe establishment in the neighborhood,
including its possible impact on real estate values and employment.
#31606 .. Fact sheet on bill. Four
pages. (Representative's Office: 717.787-7895)
FAX-ON-DEMAND
Youths need parental permission for guns
An ordinance in Glendale, Ariz., prohibiting youths under 18 from
carrying guns without written parental permission led to the seizure of
nine weapons in its first six months of enforcement. In all nine cases,
parents said they were unaware their children were armed.
Investigators said three of the weapons were tied to gang activity. In
some cases, the youths said they carried the weapons for protection.
Lt. Harold Brady, legal adviser to the Glendale Police Department,
said the ordinance was patterned after one in Phoenix. The Glendale
ordinance requires an individual under 18 to carry a notarized permis-
sion slip signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to possess a
firearm in public.
The department issued warnings during the first month the ordi-
nance was in effect.
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#31507 .. Copy of ordinance. Two
pages. (Glendale Police Department legal Office: 602-930.
3055)
'Camping' ordinance passes legal test
Having passed its first legal test on the issue, the City of Santa Ana,
Calif., is continuing enforcement of a "camping" ordinance intended to
ban tent cities from public places.
In a case watched by numerous other jurisdictions, a Superior Court
judge on April 8 upheld the essence of the ordinance, rejecting com-
plaints that it unconstitutionally violated the right to travel and amounted
to cruel and unusual punishment of the homeless. The ordinance had
been challenged in a suit filed by the local Legal Aid Society on behalf of
three individuals described as a homeless person, a transient and a
taxpayer.
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The court determined that the ordinance represented a constitutional
exercise of police power.
City Attorney Edward J. Cooper said the ruling meant enforcement of
the ordinance could continue unimpaired. More than three dozen indi-
viduals have been cited under the law.
Adopted in August, the ordinance declares it "unlawful for any
person to camp, occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia" on
public streets, public parking lots or any public area. A parallel provision
bars "storage of (certain) personal property in public places."
"The use of these areas for camping purposes or storage of personal
property interferes with the rights of others to use the areas for which
they were intended," the ordinance states.
The ordinance was adopted primarily in response to a shantytown
and tent city that had developed near the Santa Ana Civic Center. More
than 250 people were believed to be living at the site.
In his ruling, the judge did strike a minor clause in the ordinance that
included in the definition of camping "to live temporarily in a camp
facility or outdoors."
FAX-aN-DEMAND
#3' 607 " Copy of ordinance. Two
pages. (City Attorney's Office: 714-647.5201)
Lawmaker: Give city time to collect fines
A Pennsylvania legislator is advocating a plan to lengthen the period
for the City of Philadelphia to collect unpaid traffic fines, a change he
said could help bring an additional $75 million into the city and state
treasuries.
Rep. Matt Wright said his bill would give the city more time to crack
down on traffic scofflaws and put some teeth into law enforcement
efforts. As many as 87 percent of ticketed motorists now avoid fines
simply by refusing to payor failing to show up in traffic court, he said,
and law enforcement officials have stopped writing as many tickets.
"It's common knowledge in Philadelphia that traffic tickets have little
meaning unless you actually choose to pay the fine," Wright said. ".f
(offenders) avoid what amount to feeble collection efforts for two years,
the statute of limitations kicks in and the violation is wiped off the
books."
He proposes extending the statute of limitations for the city in such
cases from two to at least three years.
The legislator estimated that as many as 400,000 Philadelphians
have refused to pay a total of $75 million in fines. If the fines were paid,
the state would reap some $43.5 million while the city would receive
$31.5 million .- almost as much money as the city's entire recreation
program costs.
"There are some who have amassed more than $50,000 in fines
simply by thumbing their nose at the law," Wright said. "It's absolutely
ridiculous. The frustration for Philadelphia's law enforcement authori-
ties has reached a point where fewer tickets are being issued. Without a
sound collections system to back them up, why should officers waste
their time writing tickets?"
FAX-ON.DEMAND
#31511 .. News release. One page.
(Representative's Office: 717.787.8581)
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April 26, 1993
policy & operations
Community, police team up to fight crime
Representatives of business, labor, neighborhoods, civil rights groups
and law enforcement have banded together in Detroit to create a citywide
alliance to make the city safer -- neighborhood by neighborhood.
The Alliance for a Safer, Greater Detroit recently held a day-long
conference featuring workshops on a broad range of public safety top-
ics, including conflict resolution, gun safety and "uniting our neighbor-
hoods." Law enforcement representatives outlined some of their initia-
tives at one of the workshops.
The Alliance, formed a year ago, has set a series of specific goals,
including the removal of 300 dangerous felons and major offenders from
the city streets during 1993. Other anti-crime goals include:
. Strengthening laws relating to drug-free zones around
schools and increasing the use of metal detectors to
reduce the presence of weapons in schools.
. Promoting gun awareness to decrease the number of
accidental shootings in the metropolitan area;
. Enhancing identification of neighborhood crack houses
by residents and law enforcement agencies;
Boarding up 2,500 run-down houses over a three-year
period to eliminate the dangers they present;
Complete area overpass protection measures by enclos-
ing 80 freeway overpasses to prevent injury to passing
motorists;
Implementing a "Road Angels" motorist assistance pro-
gram to help stranded highway drivers 24 hours a day;
Alliance members said additional law enforcement resources are
needed to improve safety in the city but added that law enforcement
alone cannot solve the crime problem without significant support from
neighborhoods and the business community.
#31513 .- Alliance's statement of goals.
Two pages. (Spokesman: 313.662.5544)
FAX-ON-DEMAND
NAACP advocates community policing
Some local and regional chapters of the NAACP have been calling
news conferences around the country to elaborate on a highly publicized
study of "police conduct and community relations" released by its na-
tional organization in Baltimore on March 31.
The study was conducted by the Criminal Justice Institute at Harvard
Law School and the William Monroe Trotter Institute at the University of
Massachusetts based on testimony collected at six NAACP-sponsored
hearings. The hearings were held in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, St.
Louis, Indianapolis and Norfolk, Va.
Some of the study's conclusions received widespread national pub-
licity, including assertions that the Rodney King incident "is not an
aberration" and that "a wall of mistrust (exists) between the African-
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April 26, /993
American communities and law enforcement departments." Also publi-
cized was the group's call for civilian-controlled complaint review.
Other findings, however -- including those reflecting substantive
community relations initiatives by law enforcement -- received scant
news media attention.
"The role of the police is difficult. dangerous. demanding and often
misunderstood...." the NAACP report noted. "The police officer is the
buffer between disadvantaged groups and the 'establishment.'"
The study noted that many departments have updated use-of-force
policies, require recruit and in-service cultural diversity training, and
have increased minority representation in their ranks.
Among the study's recommendations were:
"Police officers must be reconceptualized as social ser-
vices providers;"
"Multicultural sensitivity and understanding should be
interwoven into every aspect of training;"
"A community-oriented policing approach should be
adopted by all police departments."
Concerning the "reconceptualization" recommendation, the study
said: "Police officers have always been urban 'helpers.' providing infor-
mation, directing other municipal services to areas of need and serving
as an essential neighborhood resource. While crime fighting will always
be an important part of police work. it is not the only police function....
Police officers must. at the same time, be reconceptualized as important,
valuable members ofthe community, essential to a free society.
"Police should be seen as the keepers of the calm. the keepers of
safety."
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#31508 ., Excerpts from the study's
Executive Summary containing recommendations. Six pages.
(NAACP: 30\.358.8900)
Milwaukee aims to cut gang recruitment
The Milwaukee Police Department has launched a pilot program at
two middle schools designed to "educate young people about the conse-
quences of gang involvement and. therefore. reduce violence and gang
activity in their community."
Chief Philip Arreola said the program -- Gang Resistance Education
and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) -- involves a partnership between the Police
Department and the Milwaukee Public School System.
The program consists of weekly one-hour classes over an eight-week
periOd during the school year. Graduates will then be eligible to partici-
pate in an eight-week summer component.
"The summer program will continue to build on the G.R.E.A.T. school
curriculum and provide opportunities for field trips and community ser-
vice projects." the department said. "The goal of the summer program
is to provide at.risk youths with opportunities and social skills to en-
hance their lives and make them aware of the alternatives to gang
involvement."
1::r'.~4I!!..J~I!i'I:lwr:'1~1.1 #J I S 15 ... News advisory concerning
program. One page. (Police Community Services Division:
414.935.7884)
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April 26, 1993
County to immobilize cars of repeat DWls
A pilot project will begin next week in Ohio's Franklin County to
establish enforcement in a large, urban setting of the state's recently
toughened statute allowing the immobilization of repeat drunken drivers
who continue to drive with invalid licenses.
The immobilization law, initially passed in 1991, was expanded by
the Ohio Legislature this year.
Pilot programs were begun in four small cities in 1991, partially
funded by the insurance industry, and subsequently expanded to about
two dozen similar municipalities. No state funds were appropriated for
enforcement, however. A $50,000 federal grant, provided through the
Ohio Department of Highway Safety, will fund the Franklin County pro-
gram.
The statute authorizes judges to order vehicle immobilizations through
steering wheel lockups or boots. The federal grant will allow for the
hiring of a temporary project coordinator as well as for the acquisition of
equipment.
The pilot project is intended to identify logistical and enforcement
problems, determine the level of cooperation from local law enforcement
and gather data to evaluate the lockup strategy's effectiveness.
1::r'~:4!I.JilIU]:lwr"ill'l #31614 ." Brief description of program.
One page. (Department of Highway Safety: 614-466-3383)
National Guard to help seal drug houses
The Pennsylvania National Guard will assist in the sealing of drug
houses in the City of Chester beginning next month, Gov. Robert P.
Casey announced. The Guard already has helped seal or raze more than
300 structures in Pennsylvania communities since its anti-drug program
began in 1990.
In the new operation, Guard members will seal houses documented
by Chester pOlice as sites of drug activity, using crews of four or five
soldiers at each site. Plywood, nails and paint will be supplied by the
city, which will also provide the use of its carpentry shop and transporta-
tion.
Lt. Col. Frank J. Sharr, counter-drug coordinator for the Guard, said
plans call for the sealing of two to four structures a week.
"Cooperation by the city has been outstanding," he said. "They've
given us ample assets to work with."
#31615 -. Governor's news release an.
nouncing program. Two pages. (Governor's Office: 717.865-
8720)
Phoenix tests juvenile curfew
An experimental curfew is underway in the Maryvale district of Phoe-
nix requiring youths up to 15 to be off the streets by 10 p.m. and those
16-17 to be in by midnight.
"We are trying it in the Maryvale district for 90 days," said Sgt. Kevin
Robinson of the Phoenix Police Department. Ultimately, the curfew could
be expanded citywide. The pilot project began in February.
Violators are transported to an intake post at a city park facility,
where an officer conducts processing and family notification.
FAX-ON-DEMAND
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"We will even transport the youth home if the family has no transpor-
tation,"Sergeant Robinson said. "The intent of using the park facility is
to keep the youth out of an environment that has bars on the windows
and a jail setting."
(Phoenix Police Department: 602.262.6747)
Support offered juvenile abuse victims
The Lucas County (Ohio) Juvenile Court System and the YWCA Rape
Crisis Center of Toledo have launched a pilot program to provide support
groups for incarcerated juveniles who are victims of abuse.
The program is being funded by a $25,390 grant from the Ohio
Department of Health.
"During this first year of the grant, 960 incarcerated juveniles are
expected to participate in support group services," the YWCA said. "The
program also expects 240 adolescents to continue with the groups fol-
lowing their release from the Child Study Institute."
If the pilot program leads to positive results, the organizers said, it
will be implemented in other juvenile court systems in Ohio.
1:r.l:":<<.J~I!I.1:li:II"'~IJl #31408 ... News release. One page.
(YWCA Program Office: 419.241.7006)
public safety administration
NYPD tests automated telephone answering
In an effort to provide reliefto the 911 system and improve citizen
communications, the New York Police Department has begun a pilot
project using automated telephone answering systems at three of its 75
precincts.
The pilot project, at precincts in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, is
scheduled to run 90 days and will determine if the system will be ex-
panded throughout the department.
"The Automated Precinct Call Answering System will allow the pub-
lic to have direct access to the precinct personnel who can best help
them," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.
It is also hoped that the system will eliminate non-emergency calls to
911 resulting from callers who get a busy signal or no answer when
calling precincts directly.
Callers are presented with the following menu:
For reporting a crime in progress or other emergency,
press 1. (The call is automatically switched to the 911
system.)
To reach the complaint room to get case numbers or
reports, press 2.
To leave a message for a beat officer, press 3.
To talk to a community affairs officer, press 4,
To talk to a detective, press 6.
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"This system should make it quicker and easier for callers to com-
plete their calls to the person or office without the assistance of the
precinct telephone switchboard operator," the department said.
The cost for installing the system is $160 per precinct. Operational
cost is $200 per precinct per month.
#31411 .. News release detailing pro-
gram. One page (legal). (NYPD Communications Office:
212.374.6700)
FAX-ON-DEMAND
Chamber of Commerce helps equip police
Members of the Annapolis (Md.) Chamber of Commerce were con-
cerned about police protection and wanted foot patrols in their business
districts, so they invited the city's new police chiefto address them.
When Chief Hal Robbins finished his address on that day in the
summer of 1991, the business leaders had changed their priorities -- and
getting their Police Department the equipment it needed became their
immediate goal.
The business community had no idea, Chamber members said, that
budget constraints had left the department so depleted of necessary
equipment that some officers had begun bringing portable typewriters to
work from their homes. "Shock" was a word commonly heard that day.
"With limited resources, it was clear that if our Police Department
needed goods and services to bring them up to par, there may be a
shortfall in funds to provide the additional services needed in the com-
munity," said Penny Chandler, the Chamber's executive director. "We
felt it was necessary for us to do something to help improve our Police
Department and the morale of the department staff."
The result was PACT -- "Police and Chamber Together."
It was believed to be the first such program in Maryland and has
served as a model for similar Chamber initiatives in other cities.
"The program has been a tremendous help and service to the De-
partment," Chief Robbins said. "The ground swell of support we have
received is a credit to the Chamber and the business community."
Working with the chief, the Chamber said, it established a partner-
ship similar to business/education partnerships which are thriving in
many communities. The group appointed Chamber member Francis
Roudiez, owner of a financial services firm, as liaison. With the help of
the Department, a specific inventory of police needs was taken and
circulated within the business community.
"What we have found is that most businesses have quality equip-
ment or furniture they are no longer using," Mr. Roudiez said. "They are
eager to donate these items for a good use."
Many ofthe donated items are basic to business: computers, chairs,
desks, software and filing cabinets. Butthe donations have not stopped
there. Other donations include carpeting with installation, paint, a VCR,
certain training (such as for word processing), graphic arts services, a
refrigerator, a microwave, engraving pens for crime prevention and even
toys to entertain youngsters waiting at the police station.
1:r....:4!.]~IU1:1:.'.UI.J #3130 I ... Program flyer, sample letter
to businessman and wish list of items needed. Three pages.
(Chamber of Commerce: 410-268.7676)
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Policy & Ordinance
Alert
Page 12 of 14
April 26, 1993
Plan to rehire 10,000 police fails
President Clinton has reiterated his pledge to work at putting 100,000
additional law enforcement officers on the streets over the next four
years.
The issue resurfaced as the White House vainly attempted to save its
economic stimulus package stalled in the U.S. Senate. On April 15, the
White House inserted a law enforcement element into the package, add-
ing a $200 million provision to return "as many as 10,000" laid off police
officers to the job.
"I promised in my campaign that I'd do everything I could to put
another 100,000 police officers on the street over the next four years,"
the President told a news conference. "This makes a good down pay-
ment on that."
On April 21, however, a White House-led attemptto end a filibuster on
the bill failed and the Senate passed a stripped down version containing
no aid to local government.
#31617 .- White House transcript of
President's remarks. Three pages.
FAX-ON.DEMAND
planning & research
Study finds juvenile facilities overcrowded
A study funded by the U.S. Justice Department has concluded that
overcrowding of juvenile detention and correctional facilities is a "perva-
sive and serious problem" nationally.
The researchers reported that the percentage of juveniles in
"crowded" facilities had increased from 36 to 47 percent between 1987
and 1991. "Such crowding was associated with higher rates of violence,
suicidal behavior and greater use of short-term isolation as a disciplinary
measure," the department said.
The study was described as the first national investigation of juve-
nile detention and correctional conditions.
In part as a result of the study's findings, the department said a
consortium of national organizations, including foundations and govern-
ment agencies at all levels, is being organized "to plan and promote
long-term improvements in conditions of confinement for juveniles in
custody."
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#31609 .. News release. Four pages.
Oustice Department: 202-307.0703)
LSD trips up national news media
The nation's news media continue to be all over the map in reporting
whether or not there is a resurgence of LSD use among the young.
The latest burst of publicity on the issue came with the release ofthe
University of Michigan's annual survey of students on drug usage. Work-
ing off the same set of numbers, media interpretations ranged from no
significant increase in LSD consumption to a "30 percent" increase.
Page 13 of 14
April 26, 199]
The university research team issued its report on April 9 based on an
anonymous national survey of three grade levels. Among the survey
results, 2.1 percent of eighth graders claimed to have used LSD within
the past year, compared to 1.7 percent for the previous year -. an
increase of 0.4 percentage points. Claimed use by 12th graders climbed
to 5.6 percent from 5.2 percent during the same period. From this, the
news media reported:
Associated Press -- LSD use by seniors is at "the highest
level in seven years."
Washington Post -- LSD "showed no signs of any in-
crease" with the latest figures "virtually unchanged from
the year before."
New York Times -- LSD use by eighth graders repre-
sented "an increase of30 percent." (The actual percent-
age increase was about 24 percent. The Times errone-
ously attributed figures to LSD that instead covered all
hallucinogens. The error was repeated in a graph.)
Some of the media interpretations gained vigor with age. When
national news media devoted substantial attention last week to the so-
called 50th "birthday" of LSD, the Los Angeles Times reported that
LSD's "popularity with a new generation of young people continues to
rise" and the Associated Press stated, "Street use (of LSD) is making a
comeback."
The American Journalism Review in March chastised the media for
painting a picture of an LSD epidemic in the face of key federal statistics
suggesting no significant change in the drug's usage. In its next issue,
the Review continued its campaign, taking the Associated Press to task
for a report that began: "The LSD trip has returned."
As for the university researchers themselves, they noted that while
the increase of 0.4 percentage points for eighth graders was significant,
the increase in claimed LSD usage by all three classes surveyed --
eighth, 10th and 12th grades -- "did notreach statistical significance."
What concerned the researchers most was not LSD alone but the
small increases found in nearly all drug categories for the eighth grade
group, including inhalants. They viewed these trends as "troublesome
warning signals."
"The nation may have been taking progress in the war against drugs
too much for granted over the past two years," the university said.
The principal investigator, Dr. Lloyd Johnston, explained: "The drug
abuse issue has pretty much 'fallen off the screen' in this country, both
figuratively and literally. Ever since the buildup to the Gulf War, political
leaders and the press talk about it less, television networks have backed
off on their prime time placement of anti-drug ads and in general, na-
tional attention has moved away from the issue.
"In the past, these sources of influence have been instrumental in
bringing about the kind of attitudinal and normative changes necessary
to reduce drug use, so their letting up on the issue may well lead to some
reversals. We may be seeing the first of those here."
1::r.:':4I!!I.]~IU]:ai:.r'UI"] #31604 .. News release. Six pages.
#31605 .. Tables and charts. Seven
pages. (University: 313.747.4416)
FAX.ON.DEMAND
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Policy & Ordinance
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issues & trends
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Feds develop chip for telephone security
Federal engineers have developed a computer chip designed to allow
government agencies, corporations and others to encrypt voice, data
and image telephonic communications and foil computer hackers from
penetrating the encryption yet allow authorized law enforcement the
ability to intercept the communications.
The device -- called a "Clipper Chip" -- has been developed by
engineers at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
in a multi-agency project that had been a classified secret. A leak to the
New York Times made the existence of the project public this month.
The White House then hurriedly confirmed it.
The White House said the U.S. Department of Justice will shortly
purchase "several thousands" of the chips for installation on certain
federal communications networks. The Times said the Administration
does not now plan to impose the chip's technology as the sole lawful
manner of telephonic encryption but rather hopes it will become the
nation's "de facto standard."
Each chip has two distinct "keys" - or codes -- that allow for the
encryption to be unscrambled. Under the federal plan, the U.S. Attorney
General will establish separate databases to store the keys "in escrow."
"Access to these keys will be limited to government officials with legal
authorization to conduct a wiretap," the White House said.
"While encryption technology can help Americans protect business
secrets and the unauthorized release of personal information, it also can
be used by terrorists, drug dealers and other criminals," said George
Stephanopoulos, the President's press secretary.
Clipper Chips are expected to be made available for sale to the public
in a ma\ter of months.
FAX-ON-DEMAND
#31613 .- White House statement.
Three pages. (NIST: 301.975.2758)
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