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Se~tembem I0, 1968
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<br /> The regulations and ordinances on the books were studied and we believe they are adequate to prevent
<br />blight if properly enforced. The problem in the past has been inadequate coordination of the various insoecti~
<br />departments with unnecessary repetition of inspecti'ons, so that owners might think they had corrections made
<br />and then a second department would notify them of other deficiencies. We have now set up a system thst will
<br />insure coordinated inspections.
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<br /> We will continue the systematic housing inspection system that has been going on for several years, but
<br />with improved procedures. Whe~-a new area is chosen fqr a systematic inspection, maps of the area will be
<br />made with all the blocks numbered consecutively. Tax maps of the area will be provided from the Building
<br />Inspector's ~ffice. A list of property o~mers' names relevant to the tax maps will be provided by the Data
<br />P~cessing Deeartment. ~%us, when the inspectors enter an area they will have all the information they need
<br />to deal with any problems they may find.
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<br /> The minimum housing inspection forms are 5elng revised, whereby each city department involved in this
<br />code enforcement, will be constantly advised as to the status of each parcel in violation. If the property
<br />o~¢ner does not improve the property to the satisfaction 6f the housing inspector in the time allotted, it will
<br />be turned over to the City Attorney's office to proceed with the necessary prosecution.
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<br /> The new procedure will allow adeouate time for repairs to be made, avoid unnecessary insnections and
<br />possible harr~ssment, maintain adequate conununi~ation and coordination between the respective departments of
<br />the City. If the building inspectors find a problem when they make visits other than in their area of com-
<br />petence, they will notify the Health Denartment who will start a f~ll investigation.
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<br /> This technique will allow the housing inspectors in the Health Department time to~ork the area under
<br />systematic inspection and at the same time answer complaints. In addition, they will have time to inspect area~
<br />picked at random from the tax maps that have been inspected under the systematic code at a ~revious time and
<br />also to inspect areas that have not been inspect6d~
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<br /> We are further developing a system, whereby we can inspect vacant property and require it to meet the
<br />minimum standards before it can be rented. If there are obvious violations of an empy residence by external
<br />examinaZi~n, it will be placarded as unfit for human habitation until the necessary repairs are made.
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<br /> ~ith the random inspection system and preventing the rental of property until it meets the minimum
<br />standards, I believe we will improve our program because in the past the owners have waited until they were
<br />inspected under the systematic program before making improvements. Under the new program the owners will not
<br />know where or when they will be inspected."
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<br /> Motion of Mr. Johnson to receive as information and that the City ~anager present to the Council, on
<br />April 1st, 1969, a review of what has Dean done, was adopted, without dissenting vote.
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<br /> 68-291 - "On ~hursday, August 8, 1968, I met with a group of citizens concerned with alleged problems be-
<br />tween the police and the black community. Saturday, August 10, a paper was presented to me stipulating the
<br />~roblems and suggesting recommendations for improvements.
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<br /> These recommendations have been reviewed and studied by my office, the Police Department and the City
<br />Attorney's office. Since some of the recommendations involve policy of the City, I am submitting my report
<br />herewith to the City Conncil.
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<br />The problems as listed are as follows:
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<br />1. Abuse and harrassment by police in Negro communities.
<br />2. Different standards used by police in black and white neighborhoods.
<br />$. Arrests without jUstifiable reason and sometime wal~rants or probable cause.
<br />4. Police have been visible face of power structure, and are often the only contacts of blacks with
<br /> power structure.
<br />5. Blacks resen~ being lumped together as a group and being accused of encouraging illegal behavior.
<br />6. Disrespect for Net. re people in general.
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<br /> In response to these listed~problems, it would appear that number 1 includes problems 2 through 6, because
<br />if these problems were true, which they are not, they would all be classified as abuse and harrassment. The
<br />word abuse is so broad in scope that it can be applied to almost any given situation. It is equally as hard
<br />to prove as it is to disprove. Harrassment falls in the same category as abuse, as far as proving or dis-
<br />proving is concerned. It is ironic how someone can interpret the performance of duty by a police officer as
<br />abuse.aR~ harrassment. For example, the mere fact that a patrol car may slowly cruise through a section of the
<br />community, be it colored or white, and that the police officer may appear to stare at a person or a group of
<br />~ersons, should not be interpreted as abuse and harrassment. The officer could be looking for a wanted person,
<br />or a person fitting a certain description. It is that officer's duty to protect life and property m~d to
<br />insure peace and tranquility to every law-abiding citizen. The person who has not violated the law or is not
<br />about to, should welcome the presence of a police officer in his neighborhood.
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<br /> Since receiving this proposal, I have thoroughly reviewed the operation of the Portsmouth Police Department
<br />and I do not believe that this department ]has a set of standards for white neighborhoods and a set of standards
<br />for colored neighborhoods. The Federal, State and local governments have enacted laws governing society. ~ae
<br />DooDle of this nation are charged with upholding these laws or facing ~unishment regardless of race, religion,
<br />color or creed. Members of law enforcement agencies are sworn to uphold and enforce these laws. The objectives
<br />of the law enforcement officer are to prevent crime, enforce the laws, protect life and property, preserve the
<br />peace, and apprehend the criminals. A% no time is there a distinction made as to a white person, a colored
<br />person, a man or a woman being exempt from or charged with disobeying the law. The City of Portsmouth is di~
<br />vided into zones, which are patrolled by the police. These zones are divided by physical rather than color
<br />boundaries. All officers are given the same trainin~ and instructions, regardless of the zone to which they are
<br />assigned, and furthermore, these assignments are rotated. The Portsmouth Police Department has one set of
<br />standards which apply to all. All are arrested in the same manner, transnorted in the same manner, and housed
<br />in the same manner.
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