Minutes 03/17/1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

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17. 1Q70 Keeling spoke and presented the following "Proposal": "A PROPOSAL ,The Portsmouth Council on Police -- Conununity Relations: Role: ~ne promotion of better, closer, and more effective relations between the police and the community in the interest of the welfare of all citizens. The ~ain function of the Council is to act in an advisory capacity to the Police Department. It is a voluntary, independent advisory body. It is not an cfficial arm of the Portsmouth Police Department. ~nis Council would act as a liasion between area groups and the Board of Police Commissioners or the Chief of Police. Its function shall be to advise on the general status of Police Comln. unity- Relations programs. POLICE - CO~,~]UNITY RELATIONS AREA GROUPS OBJECTIVES ARE: To create understanding and cooperation between the Police and the citizens, through better comn~mications To aquaint citizens with their responsibility in the maintenance of li~7.justice and order. To aquaint citizens with the professional operations of Police activities. To consult with the Police Department on problemm of law enforcement in, the city and all questions requiring clarification by police.' 'Committee on Law Enforcement: This committee reviews with the area chairman, the general and specific crime situation in the area, and informs citizens what they can do to prevent, reduce or eliminate crime or police abuse. This colmmittee conducts programs with these objectives. This committee conducts programs designed to reduce juvenile crime, and works with the youth of that area for a better understanding between Police and young citizens. This committee maintains a close tiasion with the area Juvenile Chairman. It is responsible for establishing a Youth Cadet Corp. Dr~.g Committee: This committe attends meetings appointed by Council on drug abuse. It holds group discussions with area teenagers on drugs and reports to above ~ouncil, problems from the meetings.'" The following letter from L. David Lindauer was read: (b) "It is my undertanding that a request will be made on behalf of the Central Civic Forum at the Council meeting on March 17, 1970, at 7:50 P.M., in regard to the establishment of a Police-Community' Relations Committee. I will not be able to be present at this meeting but I wish to express my very strong support for the creation of such a Committee. I feel that this Committee will be of mutual benefit to the Police Department and to the Community itself. Many of the areas of conflict, both local and physical, result from misuliderstanding, lack of communication and~.misinformation. It is my experience that when persons sit dc~,n and discuss matters that in many instances completely satisfactory results can be achieved and conflict is avoided. Wen if the net result is the establishment of dialogue and nothing else, this would be of great benefit. At the present time, many Police Officers in Portsmouth are experiencing physical resistance and actual assmmlts, not only by persons they are attempting to arrest, but by onlookers and persons who interfere with the arrest. If there were a sounding board such as this Committee would provide, I think there would be much greater public recognition of the very difficult job that the Police Officers have. Instead of open opposition to the arresting Officers, it may well be possible to create an atmosphere whereby the pffolic would assist and copperate"with the Officers in ~le making of arrests. I hope that you will give this request careful attention and that this request can be implemented for the good of the City of Portsmouth." The following letter from Gordon ~. Slaterbeck was read: (c) ~I would like the privilege of addressing the council when the Central Civic Forum presents its case on police-community relations. I thank you for this courtesy." Mr. Slaterbeck spoke. Motion of Mr. Holley that the Council instruct the City Attorney to set up the mechanics for the creation of a Police-Co,unity Relations Board died - there being a tie vote, as follows: Ayes: Eastes, Holley, Turner Mays: Barnes, J~nnson, King