HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/1995 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time:
Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, July 11, 1995
50 South Emerson Street 7:30 P.M.
i. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF JUNE 27, 1995
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
IV. AGE AND GANG RELATED OFFENSES ORDINANCE
During the fall of 1994, Trustee Irvana Wilks proposed that the Village consider the
adoption of a comprehensive Age and Gang Related Offenses Ordinance that would
assist the Police Department in checking the spread of juvenile and gang related
criminal activity and their respective negative influences 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 was 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) has reviewed
the proposed Ordinance. Their specific recommendations are attached. A copy has
also been forwarded to Attorney General James Ryan's office for his review and
comment. Feedback, in general, has been very positive.
The Village Board undertook an initial review of the draft Ordinance at its May 23
Committee of the Whole meeting. Follow-up consideration was delayed pending
input from TAP-Mount Prospect. It is anticipated that Tuesday evening's discussion
will provide staff with sufficient direction to undertake a "final" drafting of the
Ordinance. 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 Deputy Police Chief Thomas Daley will also be in
attendance to facilitate discussion and answer questions.
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. Elementary School District 26 also
expressed a very strong desire to enter into a partnership with the Village for the
implementation of a pilot SRO Program. The idea of a pilot program was endorsed
by the other Mount Prospect Elementary School Districts.
At the May 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Village Board considered
entering into a pilot program with School District 26. After extensive discussion --
including dialogue with District 26 representatives at the meeting -- Village staff was
directed to prepare appropriate documents that would lead to the implementation of
a SRO Program in time for the 1995/1996 school year.
The attached information package provides extensive detailed information regarding
the financial and operational characteristics of the Program. Deputy Police Chief
Thomas Daley will be present, along with members of the District 26 School Board
and Superintendent Dr. Shirley Smalley, to answer any specific questions you may
have.
VI. MANAGER'S REPORT
VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Viii. ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION
Personnel