SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory Committee Meeting was held on February 13, 2004, at 3:30 p.m., with Chairman Truitt presiding. Members present were Mrs. Williams, Mr. Tolbert, and Mr. Wolfe. Mr. Salters was absent. Other members of Council present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Ruane.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mrs. Williams moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously carried.
Review/Update - Police Department Complaints/Code Enforcement Issues
During their meeting of November 12, 2003, members reviewed concerns of Mr. Eric O’Brien, 30 North New Street, regarding the quality of life surrounding his residence. He noted problems of loitering, prostitution, and criminal activity and requested the City to address these concerns. After a lengthy discussion regarding the situation, Chairman Truitt requested that members provide him with a prioritized list of the concerns discussed and that once the lists were received, members would meet to considered possible solutions.
In addition, members reviewed concerns received from Mrs. Fran Savin, 226 N. Governors Avenue, regarding parking enforcement issues in her neighborhood. Although members discussed possible solutions, since Mrs. Savin had indicated Code enforcement issues needed to be addressed and she was not able to attend the meeting, members suggested scheduling another meeting at a time convenient for Mrs. Savin to attend.
Since their meeting, additional correspondence has been received from the residents of Queen Manor regarding concerns of security, safety, and cooperation between the Dover Housing Authority, the Dover Police Department, and the tenants of Queen Manor. Members were advised of problems with drugs, alcohol, and prostitution activities occurring at Queen Manor.
Governors Avenue (Fran Savin)
Mrs. Savin reiterated her concerns and advised members that she has contacted the Police Department on several occasions; however, there seems to be no response. Responding, Chief Horvath advised members that there were 34 arrests of college students in 2003. Although the Police Department is sensitive to each complaint received, complaints are prioritized and calls received for violence, criminal offenses, property damage, and personally injury must be responded to prior to a non-violent complaint received such as loud noise complaints. The Dover Police Department has the best response times in the State of Delaware for priority number one complaints. The response times for number two priority calls depend on the number of priority one calls that are received. Chief Horvath apologized for the inconvenience and explained the process of responding to loud noise complaints. If an offense is not witnessed by a police officer, a citation cannot be issued; however, a property owner has the option of signing a warrant. He assured members that the Police Department has been far more aggressive with the Wesley College students than they have been in the past, which has resulted in several arrests for underage consumption and, according to the school’s policy, the expulsion of certain students who have violated the law three (3) times.
After much discussion, it was agreed that to resolve these issues, the landlords and Wesley College will need to become more involved with the efforts of the Police Department and residents in this area. Noting that it will be necessary for residents to become more actively involved, Mrs. Williams suggested that a special class be provided to instruct homeowners and residents in the troubled areas on how to make a report, what evidence is necessary, and what information a judge will consider.
Mr. Koenig shared some tactics used by other police departments in communities with a large college population, which involved the administration of the college. Chief Horvath indicated that since the majority of the student housing is located off-campus, officials of Wesley College do not get involved with complaints when the police department is responding. He explained that the police department is more effective with this matter than security or other personnel from the college. However, Wesley College is to take appropriate disciplinary action on a student that has been arrested.
Feeling that there is a policy decision required of Wesley College to help battle the problems caused by their students, Mrs. Williams suggested the residents appeal to the Board of Trustees to review and amend their student policy to allow the school to become involved in the actions of their students without requiring action of the police department. She reiterated her feeling that it will take the concerted efforts of the residents, college, and police department to resolve the problems.
Mr. O’Brien, 30 N. New Street, felt that the meeting was to be held to provide solutions to the problems in the community. It has been his observation that the citizens are advising the City of intolerable living conditions that have continued for several years. The City has responded by advising of actions that are taking place and providing residents other ideas to help alleviate the problems; however, no resolution has been offered. Mr. O’Brien stated that the message from the City is that the problems cannot be controlled and if they are not resolved, the City will continue to lose homeowners in these areas. It was his feeling that the City does not take the problems being encountered seriously and indicated the seriousness of these problems.
Mrs. Savin reminded members that the City has put the residents in this position by continuously issuing rental licenses for the older homes in the area that have been converted into rental properties.
Responding, Mr. Galvin explained that the City has little ability to limit the rental of property as long as all codes and conditions are met. What control the City does have is over student housing, resulting from an ordinance adopted by Council last year. Staff is currently in the process of identifying the rental properties within the entire City and are at a point to determine those that are student housing.
Mr. O’Brien stated that he is fearful of the retaliation that could occur if he is made responsible for filing warrants. He advised members that the risks could involve his handicapped mother who lives at his residence and his dogs and that he is not willing to take that risk.
In response to questions regarding the status of foot patrols in these particular areas, Police Officer Waters stated that in 1993, a grant was awarded and community policing was initiated in the City of Dover. There were three (3) community policing officers assigned to Capital Green, Mayfair, and Downtown, which resulted in the officer’s presence being observed on a regular basis. He explained that the City now has four (4) officers assigned to community policing; however, they are responsible for approximately 50 neighborhoods throughout the City, which has resulted in a reduction in time spent in each neighborhood. He suggested that each participant take responsibility and a commitment be made by each individual, including the Police Department, residents, Wesley College, landlords, etc. Each participant will indicate their responsibility and they should be held accountable to carry out that responsibility.
Mr. Tolbert felt that the committee should develop some type of strategy for arriving at a solution. In order to do this, it was his feeling that some of the key players should be participating in the discussion, such as Wesley College and landlords. It was his opinion that the City owes its residents consideration in addressing their concerns and questioned how it could be done effectively. He suggested that the committee initiate a meeting with the residents, trustees of Wesley College, landlords, and the Police Department to develop solutions.
Mr. Truitt stated that although the City would like to have these community issues resolved, due to time constraints, it was necessary for members to move forward with the agenda.
Queen Manor/Dover Housing Authority (Residents of Queen Manor)
Members received a letter from the residents of Queen Manor regarding concerns with the influx of drug activity, fighting, prostitution, unauthorized visitors, as well as cleanliness of the building. On behalf of Ms. Henrietta Perry, President of the Resident Council for Queen Manor, Ms. Emily Tuthill Best (Statewide Association of Tenants - SWAT), read a letter into the record (Attachment #1).
Mr. Howard Bryan, resident of Queen Manor, explained the safety concerns of the tenants. Ms. Best further explained that the residents are fearful of submitting complaints to the Dover Housing Authority.
Ms. Marilyn Ambrose, representative of Dover Housing Authority, advised members that an extra duty police officer was hired for a certain number of hours at all of their facilities. Unfortunately, the funding for this is no longer available from HUD and there are no grants available at this time that can be applied for to allow for extra duty police officers. Without assistance, the Dover Housing Authority does not have adequate funding to provide security at their facilities. Ms. Ambrose stated that she has received numerous calls from residents and was not aware of them being fearful of contacting the Dover Housing Authority. To her knowledge, there had been no instance of a caller who had not remained anonymous.
Ms. Ambrose also advised members that residents had been identified as causing the majority of the problems and action was being taken in this regard. She explained the difficulty in evicting residents and, because the Dover Housing Authority is considered a “housing of last resort”, judges are very hesitant. She also stated that due to privacy issues, on many occasions, the residents are not aware that the Dover Housing Authority is taking corrective measures. Therefore, it may appear that the Dover Housing Authority is not taking necessary action; however, she assured members that steps were being taken to evict the problem residents.
Mrs. Williams (Chair of the Dover Housing Authority) stated that the Dover Housing Authority is working towards educating the Justice of the Peace Magistrates on the issues involved to obtain their assistance. She explained that to resolve the problems, it is the Housing Authority’s responsibility to partner with the police, the residents, residential community, and most importantly, the magistrates. They must work with the courts so that they have an understanding of the results of their decisions.
Ms. Ambrose also advised members that the Dover Housing Authority had developed a lease addendum to address action that is not permissible, such as tossing keys out of the window to allow someone access. Once these types of prohibitions are included in the lease, it is hoped that the judges will authorize the eviction of tenants. She advised members that Queen Manor now provides housing for handicapped individuals, regardless of age, as well as the elderly.
North New Street (Eric O’Brien)
Mr. Truitt noted that members had received and reviewed the correspondence submitted by Mr. Eric O’Brien, 30 N. New Street, regarding the continuous problems in his neighborhood. It was his feeling that members discussed these concerns during their review of the previous item involving the problems relayed by Mrs. Savin.
Mr. O’Brien objected to not being given the opportunity to address members directly regarding his concerns.
Responding, Mr. Truitt explained that Mr. O’Brien was previously given the opportunity to address members during their meeting of November 12, 2003 and that it was the first time members were addressed by Mrs. Savin and the residents of Queen Manor regarding their concerns.
Mr. Wolfe moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:23 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
William P. Truitt
Chairman
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S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20042-13-2004-Safety.wpd
Attachment
Attachment #1 - Letter of Ms. Henrietta Perry, President - Resident Council of Queen Manor