HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/23/1995 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time:
Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, May 23, 1995
50 South Emerson Street 7:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF MAY 9, 1995
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
IV. GANG SUPPRESSION ORDINANCE DISCUSSION
During the fall of 1994, Trustee Irvana Wilks proposed that the Village consider the
adoption of a comprehensive Gang Suppression Ordinance that would assist the
Police Department in checking the spread of gangs and their influence within the
Village. The concept of such an Ordinance had its origin in a similar effort
undertaken by a group of Rockford area communities. Since then, the Regional
Action Planning Project (RAPP) and the Northwest Municipal Conference have
undertaken preliminary attempts to draft a model Ordinance.
The rationale for such an Ordinance are many: (1) The need to create a safe
environment for the youth of our community through the establishment of reasonable
regulations; (2) send a strong message that the Village maintains a "zero" tolerance
for gangs and their negative influences; (3) bridge any gaps or erase any
inconsistencies between existing local and State laws regarding youth; (4) bring all
relevant youth-related regulations into one omnibus Section of the Village Code and
(5) provide the Police Department, parents, educators and other public officials of
our community, with the tools necessary to protect and nurture our youth.
As part of the drafting process, input has been and continues to be sought from all
segments of the Village. The School Districts, Park Districts and Library have all
received drafts of the proposed Ordinance and have been asked to comment on
same. Additionally, Teens and Parents for a Better Mount Prospect (TAP-Mount
Prospect) is also reviewing the proposed Ordinance. A copy has also been
forwarded to Attorney General James Ryan's office for his review and comment.
While feedback is incomplete at this point, general reaction has been very positive.
It is anticipated that many of the suggestions coming out of these groups will be
incorporated into the final version of the Ordinance.
It is contemplated that the May 23 meeting will serve as an initial review session for
the Village Board. Thereafter, continuing input will be sought from interested
community groups with subsequent reviews by the Village Board of revised draft
Ordinances. A reasonable goal would be to seek adoption of a final version by mid
to late summer so that it can be in place with the start of the 1995/1996 school year.
The attached information package is designed to provide you with sufficient
background information to understand the purpose and reach of the Ordinance.
Village Attorney Everette Hill and Police Chief Ronald Pavlock will also be in
attendance to facilitate discussion and answer questions. Other interested
community groups have also been invited to attend this meeting.
NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT
BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO
PARTIClPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE
AT 100 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056,
708/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #708/392-6064.
V. STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) DISCUSSION
In early 1995, the Village Board first considered the concept of a Student Resource
Officer (SRO) Program for the Village's junior high schools and middle schools. The
SRO concept is modeled after the Village's very successful and long-standing
School Counselor Program in place with High School District 214 and Prospect High
School.
The topic was discussed at two Committee of the Whole meetings and a Saturday
meeting of an Ad Hoc group made up of various elected and administrative
representatives from the Village and Elementary School Districts operating within
the Village. Due to time constraints imposed by the Federal Crime Bill and the
Board's desire to take advantage of funding available for community policing
projects, the SRO concept was tabled in favor of implementing a community-wide
Problem-Solving Police Unit. These two Officers will operate throughout the Village
on an as-needed basis to address specific problems in various parts of our
community.
In making the decision to pursue the Problem-Solving Police Unit, the Board
expressed a strong desire to continue discussing the concept of an SRO Program
for the junior high schools and middle schools. Tuesday evening's discussion
provides for that opportunity.
Elementary School District 26 continues to express a very strong desire to enter into
a partnership with the Village for the implementation of a pilot SRO Program. This
pilot program is endorsed by the other Mount Prospect Elementary School Districts.
Discussing this matter now is timely because implementation of a Program in
conjunction with the start of the 1995/1996 school year would be critical.
The attached information package provides some material which has already been
distributed as part of previous discussions. Police Chief Ronald Pavlock will be
present to discuss how the Village and School Districts could monitor the
performance of said Program in order to judge its effectiveness.
VI. MANAGER'S REPORT
VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Viii. ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION
1. Personnel
2. Litigation