Safe Community Advisory Committee_CreationMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Safe Community Advisory Committee
DATE: September 22, 2010
Dubuque
All Amerlcacity
1
2007
Consistent with the recommendations of the Safe Community Task Force as stated,
"The SCTF further recommends that the City Council consider creation of a Safe
Community Commission." City Clerk Jeanne Schneider and Assistant City Attorney
Crenna Brumwell are recommending the creation of a Safe Community Advisory
Committee.
The mission of the committee would be to monitor the implementation and progress of
the Safe Community Task Force recommendations.
The committee would consist of nine residents appointed by the City Council. The term
of office shall coincide with the existence of the committee from January 1, 2011
through December 31, 2011.
The powers of the Safe Community Advisory Committee include:
1. Monitor the implementation and progress of the Safe Community Task Force
recommendations;
2. Serve as a conduit for information to the City Manager;
3. Provide reports to the City Council as needed; and
4. Research and tasks as assigned by the City Council.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM:jh
Michael C. Van Milligen
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
MEMORANDUM
CRENNA M. BRUMWELL, Q.
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
To: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
FROM: Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
DATE: September 22, 2010
RE: Safe Community Advisory Committee
The City Council made creating a crime strategy a high priority in August 2009 and a
community forum was held September 2009 to gather input from the citizens of
Dubuque to address crime. Following the forum, the City Manager recommended the
creation of the Safe Community Task Force (SCTF) to analyze the City's crime issues
and possible solutions. The SCTF was tasked with:
• Collecting facts about the scope of the problems
• Identifying already existing efforts working to improve and prevent problems
• Looking at models and initiatives in other communities
• Establishing goals and objectives
• Creating committees and work groups to involve additional community members
• Making recommendations to the City Council
The SCTF provided a first set of nine recommendations to the City Council in January
2010 and a second set of twenty -eight recommendations to the City Council in July
2010. One of the July recommendations was continued existence of the Task Force to
monitor the implementation and progress of its recommendations through quarterly
progress reports from City staff and special meetings as necessary, as well as a
recommendation that the City Council consider the creation of a "Safe Community
Commission."
The SCTF will continue to meet this Fall to receive and review updates from City staff
and the crime study results provided by Northern Illinois University and make further
recommendations to the City Council, with the goal of turning over the
recommendations to a newly created committee as of January 1, 2011.
Attached is an ordinance for consideration of the City Council creating a Safe
Community Advisory Committee to begin work as of January 1, 2011. Please let us
know if you need any additional information or have questions.
Thank you.
cc: Phyllis Russell, Management Fellow
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY DUBUQUE, IOWA
SUITE 330, HARBOR VIEW PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, IA 52001 -6944
TELEPHONE (563) 589 -4381 / FAx (563) 583 -1040 / EMAIL cbrumwel @cityofdubuque.org
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589 -4381
ORDINANCE NO. 55-10
AN ORDINANCE CREATING A SAFE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Whereas, the City of Dubuque City Council made creating a crime strategy a high
priority in August 2009;
Whereas, a community forum was held September 2009 to gather input from the
citizens of Dubuque to address crime;
Whereas, the City Manager recommended the creation of the Safe Community Task
Force (SCTF) to analyze the City's crime issues and possible solutions;
Whereas, the SCTF was created consisting of two City Council members, the City
Manager, the Police Chief, and twenty -one citizens, appointed October 2009;
Whereas, the SCTF was tasked with:
• Collecting facts about the scope of the problems
• Identifying already existing efforts working to improve and prevent problems
• Looking at models and initiatives in other communities
• Establishing goals and objectives
• Creating committees and work groups to involved additional community
members
• Making recommendations to the City Council;
Whereas, the SCTF provided a first set of nine recommendations to the City Council in
January 2010 and a second set of twenty -eight recommendations to the City Council in
July 2010;
Whereas, one of the recommendations was continued existence of the Task Force to
monitor the implementation and progress of its recommendations through quarterly
progress reports from City staff and special meetings as necessary, as well as a
recommendation that the City Council consider the creation of a "Safe Community
Commission" and;
Whereas, the SCTF shall continue to meet during the Fall of 2010 to receive and review
updates from City staff and the crime study results and provided by Northern Illinois
University and make further recommendations to the City Council, and turn over the
recommendations to a newly created committee as of January 1, 2011;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The City of Dubuque City Council hereby creates a committee and
encourages members of the Safe Community Task Force and subcommittees of the
Task Force to apply.
Section 2. There is hereby created a Safe Community Advisory Committee.
2 -9 -1: Commission Created: There is hereby created the Safe Community Advisory
Committee to have such powers and responsibilities as hereinafter provided.
2 -9 -2: Mission: The mission of the Committee shall be to monitor the implementation
and progress of the Safe Community Task Force recommendations.
2 -9 -3: Internal Organization and Rules: The Committee may adopt rules and regulations
to govern its organizational procedures as may be necessary and which are not in
conflict with City or State Code.
2 -9 -4: Procedures for Operation: All administrative, personnel, accounting, budgetary,
and procurement policies of the City shall govern the Committee in all its operations.
2 -9 -5: Membership: The Safe Community Advisory Committee shall consist of nine (9)
residents of the City of Dubuque, appointed by the City Council.
2 -9 -6: Terms: The term of office for members of the Safe Community Advisory
Committee shall begin January 1, 2011 and end on December 31, 2011.
2 -9 -7: Vacancies: Vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be
promptly filled by the City Council for the unexpired term of office.
2 -9 -8: Officers /Organization: The Committee shall choose annually, from its own
membership, a chairperson and vice chairperson. The chairperson shall appoint a
secretary, who need not be a member of the Committee. The Committee shall fill
vacancies among its officers for the remainder of the unexpired term.
2 -9 -9: Meetings:
1. Regular Meetings. The Safe Community Advisory Committee shall meet
quarterly.
2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or
at the written request of three (3) members.
3. Open Meetings. All meetings shall be called and held in conformance with
the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
4. Attendance.
a. In the event a member of the Safe Community Advisory Committee,
created by this Chapter, has been absent for two (2) or more consecutive
meetings of the Committee, without being excused by the chairperson, it
shall be grounds for the Committee to recommend to the City Council that
the position be declared vacant and a replacement appointed.
b. Attendance shall be entered upon the minutes of all meetings.
5. Minutes. A copy of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the
Committee shall be filed with the City Council within ten (10) working days after
each meeting.
6. Quorum. Five (5) members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of at least five (5) members shall
be necessary for the adoption of any resolution.
2 -9 -10: Compensation: The members of the Safe Community Advisory Committee
created by this Chapter shall serve without compensation, provided that they may
receive reimbursement for necessary travel and other expenses while on official
Committee business and such shall be within the limits established in the City budget.
2 -9 -11: Removal: The City Council may remove any member of any board or committee
which it has established.
2 -9 -12: Powers: The Safe Community Advisory Committee shall have the following
powers, duties, and responsibilities:
1. Monitor the implementation and progress of the Safe Community Task
Force recommendations.
2. Serve as conduit for information to the City Manager.
3. Provide reports to the City Council as needed.
4. Research and tasks as assigned by the City Council.
2 -9 -13: Sunset of Safe Community Advisory Committee: The Safe Community Advisory
Committee shall cease to exist on December 31, 2011.
Attest:
Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted this 4 th day of October, 2010.
eanne F. Schneider, CMC
City Clerk
aria A. Braig, Mayor ro -Tem
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Safe Community Task Force Recommendations to City Council
DATE: July 15, 2010
Management Fellow Phyllis Russell is transmitting the second set of recommendations
from the Safe Community Task Force.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Phyllis E. Russell, Management Fellow
Michael C. Van Milligen
Dubuque
bitd
AllAmedca
2007
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Phyllis E. Russell, Management Fellow
SUBJECT: Safe Community Task Force Recommendations to City Council
DATE: July 15, 2010
Dubuque
rur
2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to forward to you the second set of
recommendations from the Safe Community Task Force to present to the City Council.
Along with this current series of recommendations I am also including the first set of
recommendations that were adopted by the Council February 2010 and an update on
the Crime Study being conducted by Northern Illinois University.
BACKGROUND
On September 17, 2009, Mayor Roy Buol and the City Council hosted a community
forum that was attended by more than 130 residents. The purpose of this forum was to
initiate an open dialogue on crime issues in our community and how, as a community,
we could address them. After such a high response to the open dialogue, the Mayor
and City Council appointed 25 citizen volunteers to a "Safe Community Task Force" in
October.
This group of diverse volunteers was asked to holistically look at both the causes of,
and solutions to, crime in Dubuque. The group was tasked with gathering facts about
the scope of the crime problems, focus on identifying efforts that are already underway
to improve and prevent future problems, review and analyze how other communities
have addressed this issue and recommend goals and objectives for the leadership of
Dubuque. Beyond the 25 appointed members, the Safe Community Task Force utilized
sub - committees and work groups to get all interested parties involved, and submit
recommendations to the City Council for further action.
The sub - committees were:
• Neighborhood engagement/social capital,
• Enforcement,
• Management of physical environment, and
• Research and facts.
In February 2010, Urban Strategies from St. Louis, MO was hired to facilitate the Safe
Community Task Force meetings and aid in guiding the appointed group through the
recommendation process.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Each of the sub - committees produced several recommendations for the Task Force to
consider and come to consensus on. The following are the recommendations (identified
by category) the Task Force is submitting to Council:
Enforcement
1. Develop and implement a juvenile curfew ordinance to use as a tool to help
reduce crime. Research utility, efficacy and enforcement issues, taking the
following suggestions into consideration:
• The police department would not conduct curfew sweeps of the
community.
• There would be a designated and staffed location to hold juveniles who
violate the curfew. Contact with parents or a responsible adult would not
be handled by police. (It is critical to keep the officers on the street and not
deploy them as babysitters). Penalties for curfew violations could include
fines, community service requirements and parenting classes.
2. Provide additional resources for the Community Policing Program
3. Direct Police Department to enforce noise ordinances more aggressively.
4. Direct Police Department to enforce traffic ordinances more aggressively.
5. Give the Safe Community Task Force and Police Department the opportunity to
respond to the Northern Illinois University crime study report and
recommendations due at the end of September, which may result in additional
recommendations.
6. The Safe Community Task Force recommends its continued existence to monitor
the implementation and progress of its recommendations through quarterly
progress reports from city staff, and special meetings as necessary. The SCTF
further recommends that the City Council consider creation of a Safe Community
Commission.
Housing Code Enforcement
7. Support landlords in evicting problem tenants for cause.
8. Mandate that landlords conduct renter background checks, using the city's free
service.
9. Establish threshold number of complaint calls that will place a problem property
in priority category. Establish policies and processes for immediate response and
resolution of problems involving those properties,
10. Tie frequency of property inspections to landlord's history of cooperation with
code compliance. Establish a threshold number of problem complaints that will
trigger a meeting among the landlord, the tenant, and representatives of the
Housing and Police Departments.
11. Intensify exterior code enforcement efforts. Encourage city employees across
departments to identify and report property code enforcement problems and
establish ways to reward employees.
12. Create a data clearing house limited to verifiable and factual information that
landlords and tenants can share and reference when making their rental
decisions.
13. Develop and offer frequently a training program on code enforcement and
property management for all landlords. Require all landlords to attend the
program; issue only temporary occupancy permits /licenses until training has
been completed
Section 8 Program
The City Council has addressed community concerns about the real or perceived
impact of the Section 8 program on the community by:
1. Decreasing the desired number of Section 8 vouchers in the program to 900
2. Limiting voucher eligibility to Dubuque residents
3. Increasing the staff capacity of the Family Self Sufficiency Program
Additional recommendations include supporting and providing resources to:
• Increase public understanding of the Section 8 Program
• Increase participation of Section 8 residents in effective self - sufficiency programs
• Provide training to housing commissioners to increase their leadership, public
relations and community building skills
• Implement an Exception Rent Program to avoid concentrated pockets of poverty
• Develop a stronger role for the Resident Advisory Board to encourage residents
of subsidized housing to give feedback on proposed new policies and procedures
and to cultivate leadership within the low income residential community.
• Provide community service credits for participation in effective programs that
foster self sufficiency
• Continue to provide resources to FSS program based upon evidence of success
Neighborhood Engagement and Social Capital
1. Human Relations (A Task Force Priority) - The SCTF believes that in order to
achieve its goals there will need to be a major citywide human relations effort
.The human relations effort will have these objectives:
a) Increase tolerance and mutual understanding among the diverse
segments of the population. The adoption of educational initiatives
that foster community solidarity and global citizenship should be among
the first practical steps taken by our City.
b) Implement appropriate measures that safeguard the rights and opportunities of
all.
2. Develop a Neighborhood Watch program.
3. Increase resident participation using such vehicles as clean up campaigns,
neighborhood picnics, new neighbor welcome events and other strategies
developed by residents
4. Cultural Competency Training should be offered periodically to businesses and
the community at large. It should be mandatory for city board and commission
members as well as for city staff.
5. The Human Rights Department should receive continued support. In addition the
city should devote resources to a human relations initiative that could include
programs in the arts, cultural programs and other strategies that promote respect
and understanding among residents.
6. Support a welcoming program for all new renters through community based
organizations (such as GDDC provides for new families coming to Dubuque).
Management of Physical Environment
1. Install street lights in the middle of the block to brighten up the streets at night
and increase visibility for residents.
2. Improve Dubuque neighborhoods by: a) encouraging home ownership, b)
encouraging a mixed income approach to neighborhood development, c)
creating (or re- creating) a sense of place through good design. All buildings
using city, state or federal dollars should be required to meet these objectives
and all projects should be required to meet the City's sustainability goals.
3. Create an ordinance prohibiting the boarding of windows and doors facing
streets.
4. Develop and enforce policies consistent with the "preservation briefs" to
maintain historic properties.
5. Increase the number of trash receptacles on the street.
6. Increase the number of neighborhood clean- ups and educate the community
on city waste disposal policies in an effort to clarify the purpose of
neighborhood clean- up programs.
Research and Facts
The crime study previously recommended by the SCTF and approved by the City
Council is in progress and will be completed by Northern Illinois University in late
September. The study authors will analyze crime and survey data which will: 1) clarify
crime data and crime trends in Dubuque; 2) identify demographic and other
characteristics most strongly related to the sorts of crimes that have increased
significantly in the past few years, and 3) compare these data with the public's
perception of the nature of crime and criminals in Dubuque.
The study asks these questions:
• Does the perception of criminal activity and its causes in Dubuque match what is
actually happening?
• What policies or strategies are effective in decreasing crime, especially within
categories of crime with significant recent increases in arrests?
• If there are community perceptions of increased criminal activity but no evidence
to support the perception, what policies or strategies can effectively address the
concerns?
Dubuque 2010 Quantitative Research Study on Crime & Poverty
Project Status Report
As of July 9, 2010
Provided by:
Greg Kuhn, Project Director
Shannon Sohl, Project Manager
NIU Center for Governmental Studies
General Project
Info
❖ The contract and confidentiality agreement were formally executed
on May 27th when all required signatures were in place.
• On May 25 Carol Spinoso forwarded 26 documents related to the
study. The team has been reviewing the documents and CGS has
assembled a timeline that reflects our understanding of key events
that have led up to the current study in place. The timeline is
appended to this Project Status Report for your review and feedback.
• City staff and study team members have been in regular and ongoing
conversation on a variety of project elements, research questions,
logistical matters and data sharing transfers.
• The project is estimated to be completed by mid to late October but is
highly contingent upon timely turnarounds for missing data or
clarification of data issues.
• Optimally, if data scrubbing and matching can be completed within
the next two weeks, CGS plans to have a preliminary set of findings
available for Dubuque's review by mid to late September. This
projection is highly variable and is subject to change depending on
data conversion/ data scrubbing processes.
Comparative ❖ CGS researchers confirmed the list of cohort members with Dubuque
Data in May for the comparative analysis of crime rates.
• Contacted and collected all crime data necessary from Iowa's
Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the City of Dubuque to
complete the comparative analysis. Final set of Dubuque's data,
including year 2009, was received from Dubuque on June 18, 2010.
CGS currently has compiled crime incident count data for all cohort
members (as well as university data where applicable) for years 2004 -
2009.
• Received confirmation on June 25, 2010 from the lead project staff
member, Kelly Larson, to include an analysis that combines university
crimes with city crimes for Ames and Iowa City and to apply total city
population (as annually estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau). Plans
are to also present the data by separate categories of crimes.
• Began formatting charts /graphs for presenting the comparative data.
• Uploaded, reviewed and entered data into files for analysis; Excel (for
presentation purposes) & SPSS (for statistical analysis).
Page 1 of 4
❖ Awaiting suggestions from City staff for groupings /consolidation of
crimes to reduce the number of charts and to present data in a format
that the City is accustomed to reviewing when analyzing crime data.
❖ A CGS team member will schedule a time to review (with Stacey
Moore) reporting standards for the various degrees of crimes to clarify
how the City collects various incidents and applies definitions for
reporting purposes.
❖ The findings of this analysis will be included in the preliminary
feedback report (projected to be ready mid to late September).
Incident Data
Housing Data
An updated incident data file for the period under study was
forwarded by Dubuque to the secure ftp site on July 7th
❖ Data interpretation, cleaning and conversion to an analytical format
that removes confidential information is underway.
❖ Analysts are working to create a "Master" file with the Incident file
serving as the base set of data and consolidating Housing data &
Arrest data into this file by running matching routines.
❖ The key issues surrounding the Incident data that CGS is currently
working on include the following items:
D Within the Incident file, there are approximately 200,000
records of which not all data is necessary for the scope of this
project (e.g., witness information). Thus, CGS is working to
identify the variables that could be eliminated to make the file
more manageable from an analytical standpoint.
> Within this new "Master" file, data must be manually
scrubbed in a confidential environment for inconsistencies in
identifier fields (e.g., SSN and NameNo fields). Early reviews
indicate some of this data is missing, invalid or inconsistently
reported within the file. CGS will pursue obtaining the
necessary data, if available, from Stacey Moore.
Housing data was received (via the secure ftp site) from Dubuque's
database vendor on June 18 but a significant level of follow -up
clarification was needed. Janet Walker assisted with the clarification
and confirmed various classifications of fields. This clarification was
completed on June 28
❖ The housing data received is not in as "readily useable" format as
expected (e.g., the data includes several fields /categories that require
clarification, sorting and interpretation). CGS staff has been in
conversation with City staff on this issue and clarification is ongoing at
this writing.
❖ Data interpretation, cleaning and conversion to an analytical format
that removes confidential information is now underway using the
clarified file.
❖ CGS is also working to consolidate /cross compare the Housing data
with Arrest and Incident data to create a "Master" data file for use in
the analytical operations to be undertaken.
•
Page 2 of 4
Arrest Data
• Arrest data was received directly from the City via the secure ftp site
the on June 7th
• Data interpretation, cleaning and conversion of the arrest data to an
analytical format that removes confidential information is underway.
• As referenced above, CGS is matching up the Arrest data with Incident
and Housing data to create the "Master" data file.
• CGS has begun geo- coding the arrest data. Thus far, "EventLocations"
is approximately 75% complete in the geo- coding process. Once this
field is geo- coded, CGS will geo -code "ArresteeAddress" data.
Literature
Review
Additional Site
Visit
• CGS has undertaken a broad literature search as identified in the
project tasks and scope of services.
• Researchers have identified over 900 articles /books /writings covering
the eight topics specified in our proposal.
• Researchers have identified and obtained the bulk of the sources
necessary for the literature review and have begun the
reading /annotation /review process.
• The majority of the literature review is expected to be completed by
late July and made available to the entire CGS team for their review
and comments prior to submitting it to Dubuque for their feedback.
• The literature review summary should be available for inclusion in the
preliminary report projected to be ready mid to late September.
Perception ❖ NIU's POL is carrying out the community survey component of the
Survey project.
• POL worked with staff to develop a set of recommended questions for
the survey. The survey used to interview community members was
reviewed by Dubuque and returned by City staff with some
recommendation for changes on June 7th
• The final set of questions was approved by the second week of June.
• The Public Opinion Lab (POL) has conducted 385 phone interviews as
of July 8.
• Their plan is to complete a total of 500 interviews and provide a final
tabulated report to the CGS team by mid July.
• A contingent of the research team anticipate another visit in the next
few weeks from members who were not able to attend the first set of
meetings and to gain additional insights from the preliminary analysis
of the data.
• Members expected to visit include (tentative) Greg Kuhn, George
Graves, Charles Cappell, David Mitchell, Roger Dahlstrom and Rima
Roy.
Page 3 of 4
Every Child, Every Promise founded 1
Washington Neighborhood: Revitalize Initiative
Multicultural Family Center Opened
Pregnant teen Fatally Stabbed
Intercultural Competency Initiative
Washington Neighborhood Association Began to Curtail Participation
Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation Formed
Man Fatally Stabbed Outside of Downtown Bar on Central Avenue
Photo of Lynching Posted On Website
Problem Property Task Force Organized
Man Fatally Stabbed on North -end Street
Man Fatally Stabbed on Downtown Street
Alta Vista Research Study
Officer and Suspect Shot During Armed Robbery
Man Shot At Pawn Shop
Safe Community Task Force Formed
Urban Strategies Retained as Facilitator For the Safe Community Task Force
NIU's CGS hired to conduct a Crime & Poverty Study
"Circles" Program formed
I Founded in 2004, "Every Child, Every Promise" grew out of the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in 1997. At that gathering, Presidents Clinton, Bush,
Carter and Ford, with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan, challenged America to make children and youth a national priority. America's Promise
uses the Five Promises framework to shape their efforts and improve the odds for youth: 1) Caring Adults, 2) Safe Places, 3) Healthy Start, 4) Effective
Education, and 5) Opportunities to Help Others. Every Child, Every Promise is introducing the concept of "Building a Culture of Promise."
2 In 2005, a partnership with the "Washington Initiative" and the "Washington Neighborhood Association." city departments, private lenders and neighborhood
businesses was introduced. This partnership addresses both physical improvements to create a better environment for economic investment, and programs
necessary to provide less- advantaged citizens with the capacity to "access the ladder of economic opportunity that leads out of poverty."
3 In July 2005, the "Multicultural Family Center" officially opened and they envision a welcoming Dubuque built on a foundation of understanding and
collaboration across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups committed to producing engaged families and community members. Serve as an inviting and safe
place for community members, stimulate connections and provide programs to foster civic engagement and social and economic success. Build unity out of
diversity.
° In September 2005, pregnant teen fatally stabbed and fetus died, too, during an altercation on Bluff Street.
6 In 2006, the City embarked on a three -year contract with One Ummah Consulting as part of its efforts to achieve diversity goals that include promoting
community understanding and education, encouraging a more diverse workforce, identifying tools residents can use to resolve conflict, and supporting a
community that values all residents.
6 In 2007, the "Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation" was formed. Their visioning effort in defining a neighborhood was one that promotes pride,
diversity, homeownership, civic responsibility and opportunity.
T In August 2007, following the fatal stabbing of man outside of a downtown bar, racial tensions stirred following the identification of an African - American
suspect.
8 In 2009, a Problem Property Task Force was organized through the Housing Department to address the chronic complaints regarding vacant and poorly -
managed properties.
5 1n November 2009, Alta Vista Research conducted a multiple component study for the City of Dubuque.
70 In February 2010, following an incident of violence which resulted in the death of a community member, the City Council held a community forum to address
public safety issues. From this meeting, a Safe Community Task Force was formed.
" In May 2010, the Human Rights Director, the Assisted Housing Specialist, and the AmeriCorps Volunteer met with the Board of Director of the Dubuque Area
Churches United (DACU) for their consideration to engage the churches In town by soliciting their members to become involved in the "Circles" program. This
program is an extension of Getting Ahead in a Just- Gettin' -By World.
Note: The violent crimes listed on the timeline in no way represent all the crimes that occurred.
Page 4 of 4
Recommendations for the
Dubuque City Council
July 19, 2010
URBAN
STRATEGIES
FACILITATORS
• Creating a participatory process that provides the
SCTF with a specific and thorough presentation of
the facts, assumptions, interests, principles and
objections associated with the issue;
• Focusing the SCTF on its charge through clear, open
communication and outreach methods that build
trust in the process;
• Focusing the SCTF sub - committees on development
of recommendations within timeframe and in format
that the SCTF would find informative and helpful in
developing final recommendations; URBAN
STRATEGIES
THE ROLE OF THE U
FACILITATORS .... Continued
• Working in good faith to offer accurate information
and education;
• Presenting and encouraging discussion of realistic
expectations of opportunities, risks and trade -offs in
the development of recommendations for the
Council;
• Ensuring meaningful opportunities for all members of
the group to be involved in all aspects of the
process; and
• Facilitating open dialogue and providing a culturally
competent, well - documented engagement process.
CITY OF DUBUQUE -
SAFE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE (SCTF)
Their mission: "This group of diverse volunteers is being
asked to holistically look at both the causes of, and
solutions to, crime in Dubuque. The group will:
• Gather facts about the scope of the crime problems,
• Focus on identifying efforts that are already
underway to improve and prevent future problems,
• Review and analyze how other communities have
addressed this issue
• Recommend foals and objectives for the leadership
of Dubuque"
CITY OF DUBUQUE -
SAFE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
(SCTF)
The SCTF determined collectively that the core
problem is:
The Perception and /or Reality that
people feel less safe and there is
increased fear and awareness of
crime. URBAN
STRATEGIES
ITY OF DUBUQUE -
FE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE (SC
Su committees
RECOMMENDATIONS
URBAN
STRATEGIES
Facilitators note:
As the SCTF members go through the presentation of
recommendations this evening, it will be noted that
the SCTF paid a great deal of attention to property
conditions and property maintenance.
For most people it is evident that there is a
connection between poor property conditions and
the perception and possibly the reality that a
neighborhood is unsafe. The question is, is the
connection one of correlation or cause and effect?
Facilitators Note:
Based upon recent research, most social scientists and
and policy makers now believe that there is causation
in addition to correlation.
When people observe disorder they are themselves
likely to contribute to the disorder in similar or in
additional ways
URBAN
STRATEGIES
RESEARCH AND FACT
The Crime Study Report is being conducted by
Northern Illinois University (NIU).
THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY IS TO:
1.Clarify crime data and crime trends in the city of
Dubuque.
2. Identify demographic and other characteristics most
strongly related to crimes that have increased
significantly within the past few years.
3. Compare these data with the public's perception of
the nature of crime and criminals in Dubuque.
RESEARCH AND FACTS.... Continued
The Crime Study Report is to be conducted by Northern
Illinois University (NIU).
THE STUDYASKS THESE QUESTIONS:
1. Does the perception of criminal activity and its causes in
Dubuque match what is actually happening?
2. What policies or strategies are effective in decreasing
crime, especially within categories of crime with significant
recent increases in arrests?
3. If there are community perceptions of increased criminal
activity but no evidence to support the perception, what
policies or strategies can effectively address the concerns?
RESEARCH AND FACTS - UPDATE
Crime Study Report - Status Report
General Project Information
Preliminary Feedback Report is projected to be ready
mid to late September.
The contract and confidentiality agreement were
formally executed on May 27th when all required
signatures were in place.
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RESEARCH AND FACTS - UPDATE
Crime Study Report - Status Report
General Project Information Continued
City staff and study team members have been in regular and
ongoing conversation on a variety of project elements,
research questions, logistical matters and data sharing
transfers.
The project is estimated to be completed by mid to late
October but this date is highly contingent upon timely
turnarounds for missing data or clarification of data issues.
RESEARCH AND FACTS - UPDATE
Crime Study Report - Status Report
Literature Review
Researchers have identified and obtained the bulk of the
sources necessary for the literature review and have
begun the reading /annotation /review process. The
literature review summary should be available for
inclusion in the preliminary report projected to be ready
late September early October.
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RESEARCH AND FACTS - UPDATE
Crime Study Report - Status Report
Perception Survey
The Public Opinion Lab (POL) has conducted 385 phone
interviews as of July 8. The plan is to complete a total of
500 interviews and provide a final tabulated report by mid
July.
Data Analysis (comparative, incident data and housing data)
The findings of this analysis will be included in the
preliminary feedback report.
ENFORCEMENT - POLICING
Additional Resources
• Provide additional resources for the Community
Policing Program.
Ordinances
• Develop and implement a juvenile curfew ordinance
as a tool to help reduce crime. Research utility,
efficacy and enforcement issues, taking the following
suggestions into consideration:
continued next slide
ENFORCEMENT — POLICING...continued
- The police department would not conduct curfew
sweeps of the community.
- There would be a designated and staffed location
to hold juveniles who violate the curfew. Contact
with primary caregiver would not be handled by
police. (It is critical to keep the officers on the
street and not deploy them as babysitters).
- Penalties for curfew violations could include fines,
community service requirements and parenting
classes.
ENFORCEMENT — POLICING...continued
Ordinances
• Direct Police Department to enforce noise
ordinances more aggressively.
• Direct Police Department to enforce traffic
ordinances more aggressively.
Allow time for SCTF to respond to the Crime Study
Report
The report by NIU is scheduled to complete a
preliminary feedback report by mid to late September
and could provide additional recommendations for
the council.
Monitor and Reporting
• SCTF's continued existence to monitor the
implementation and progress of its
recommendations through:
- Quarterly reports
- Special meetings as necessary
• Consideration by the city council to create a Safe
Community Commission
• Consideration by the City Council to create a Safe
Community Commission
Establish Thresholds
ENFORCEMENT - HOUSING CODES
• Number of complaint calls that will place a problem
property in a priority category. Then, establish
policies and processes for immediate response and
resolution of the particular problems.
• Number of problem complaints will also trigger a
meeting among the landlord, the tenant, and
representatives of the Housing and Police
Departments.
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CODES...continued
Background checks
• Mandate landlords conduct background checks,
Evictions
using the city's free service
• Support landlords in evicting problem tenants for
proper cause.
Data Clearing House
• Limit to verifiable and factual information that
landlords and tenants can share and reference
when making rental decisions
CODES...continued
Property Inspections and codes
• Link frequency of property inspections to landlord's
history of cooperation with code compliance
• Intensify exterior code enforcement efforts.
- Encourage city employees across departments to
identify and report property code enforcement
problems and establish ways of rewarding
employees.
ENFORCEMENT - HOUSIN
CODES...continued
Training Programs
• Develop and offer a training program in code
enforcement and property management for all
landlords.
- Require ALL landlords to attend the program;
issue only temporary occupancy permits until
training has been completed.
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NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT AND
SOCIAL CAPITAL
Human Relations is a SCTF Priority
The Task Force believes that in order to achieve its
goals there will need to be a major citywide human
relations effort.
Neighborhood Engagement and Socia
C .cont,nued
The citywide human relations effort will have
these objectives:
I. Increase tolerance and mutual understanding
among the diverse segments of the
population. The adoption of educational
initiatives that foster community
solidarity and global citizenship should be
among the first practical steps taken by
the city.
II. Implement appropriate measures that
safeguard the rights and opportunities of all.
Nei E a nd
So i
Human Retations is a SCTF Priority (Continued)
• Develop a Neighborhood Watch Program
• Support a welcome program for all new renters
through c o m m u n i ty based organizations (i.e., GDDC)
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Neighborhood Engagem
Social Cap'itol...continued
• Cultural Competency Training
- Offer it periodically to businesses and the
community at large.
- Require it for city board and commission members as
well as for city staff.
• Increase opportunities to engage with each other •
- Clean up campaigns
- Neighborhood picnics
- New neighbor welcome events
- Other strategies developed by residents
Neighborhood Engagement and
Social Cap'itoI...continued
• City needs to devote resources to cultural
resources.
- Arts
- Cultural events and programs
- Other strategies that promote respect and
understanding among residents
Management of Physics
Environment
Improve Dubuque Neighborhoods By:
• Encouraging Home Ownership
• Encouraging a mixed income approach to neighborhood
development
• Creating, and /or recreating, a sense of place through
food design.
- ALL Buildings using city, state, or federal dollars
should be required to meet these objectives and all
projects should be required to meet the city's
sustainability foals.
an ment...continued
Infrastructure and Maintenance
• Install street lights in the middle of the block to
brighten up the streets at night and to increase
visibility for residents.
• Increase the number of trash receptacles in the street
and promote neighborhood clean -ups.
• Create ordinance prohibiting the boarding of windows
and doors facing streets
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Management of Physi
Envi ron ment...continued
Policies and Education
• Educate the community on city waste disposal
policies in an effort to clarify the purpose of
neighborhood clean -up programs
• Develop and enforce policies consistent with the
"preservation briefs" to maintain historic properties.
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NG C 01C
PROGRAM (Section 8)
The Council has addressed community concerns about
the real and perceived impact of the Housing Choice
Voucher (HCV) Program on the community by:
1. Decreasing the desired number of HVC vouchers in
the program to 900
2. Limiting voucher eligibility to Dubuque residents
3. Increasing the staff capacity of the Family Self
Sufficiency (FSS) Program
HOUSING CHOICE V
P ROG RAM...continued
The SCTF recommends the council support and provide
resources to:
• Increase participation of HCV residents in effective self-
sufficiency programs
• Provide training to housing commissioners to increase their
leadership, public relations and community building skills.
• Develop a stronger role for the Resident Advisory Board to
encourage residents of subsidized housing to give feedback
on proposed new policies and procedures and to cultivate
leadership within the low income residential community.
Continued on next slide
HOUSING CHOICE VOU
P ROG RAM.. .continued
The SCTF recommends the council support and provide
resources to:
• Provide community service credits for participation in
effective programs that foster self sufficiency.
• Continue to provide resources to FSS program based
upon evidence of success.
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We have greatly appreciated the
opportunity to work with the City of
Dubuque Safe Community Task Force.
Thank you.
Susan Glassman
Carlotta Paige
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