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11-03-80SpMtg NOVEMBER ,3, 1.980 A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, was held in the Council Chambers at 5:00 P.M., Mon- day, November 3, 1980, with Mayor Leon M. Weekes presiding, City Manager J. Eldon Mariott, City Attorney Roger Saberson and Council Members Malcolm T. Bird, Charlotte G. Durante, James H. Scheifley and Willard V. Young present. Mayor Weekes called the meeting to order and announced that same had been called at the request of Mr. Bird to discuss the prob- lems in the Police Department and the community. Mr. BirR.stated ~hat for as long as he has been in the City there has been concern visavis the Department and its interface, with the citizens. It concerned him when we suddenly started having sig- nificantly sized groups of people on the west side out of control and an apparently reduced community concern for the welfare of the police. There was an article in the newspaper recently that suggested that perhaps the City Council was not taking the interest that it should. Mr. Bird advised that, speaking for himself, he thought Council did not attend some of the meetings of a group of concerned citizens in the black community principally in the hope that in no way would Coun- cil interfere with the free interchange of ideas, and with the hope that given the opportunity something would come from it which could be brought to Council by way of being a positive recommendation'. Mr. Bird advised that he believes the police are concerned, not only about their effectiveness, but about their safety, and this too is a legitimate concern for all ~ us. Mr. Bird stated his intent in asking for this meeting was to get some input from the citizens, black and white, from the police and any other group who could provide some 'way by which we can take the nex~ step forward in reducing tensions and increasing the public safety.of our citizens. Mr. Young stated he is very much concerned with the problems that have been occurring, particularly around the Publix Market where several citizens have been mugged within the past week and have had jewelry and purses stolen. He is concerned about the safety of the populas of Delray Beach, both in the black and white sections, and the safety of the police themselves. Mrs. Durante advised that she has been attending community/ Police Department meetings since mid-summer regarding this very prob- lem. She stated that she does not know the answer, but feels that with community, police and City officials working together perhaps some things can be tried to help cure the problem. Preston Wriqht, 324 N. W. 3rd Avenue, owner of the 5th Avenue Supermarket, stated he feels that the problems they are having in the black community are due to the Administration within the Police Depart- ment itself. Mr. Wright stated he feels that the City has a dictator type operation in the department, otherwise known as a machine. He felt that signs in the Chief's office such as "Be reasonable, do it my way" and "To forgive is not our policy" has turned citizens against the police. Mr. Wright advised that he has attended the community meetings and he, along with other residents in the black community, have rescued the police many times when there have been incidents in that sector. With regard to alleged police brutality, Mr. Wright stated that not all these cases have been police brutality but alot of them have been. He made reference to the case where a young man had been handcuffed and fell down an elevator shaft. Mr. Wright stated he also believes there is a buddy-buddy system in the department and more qualified officers have been overlooked for promotions. Mr. Wright made the statement that. on Friday night, October 24, 1980, at 8:25 P.M. he witnessed and has a witness to the effect,that one of the top officials in the City picked up a prostitute. He stated he got the license number of the City's car and gave all this infor- mation to three different attorneys. Alfred Straqhn.~ 26 S. W. 5th Avenue, advised that he was glad that someone saw fit to call this emergency meeting due to the fact that we have been talking for the longest time and most of the City officials do realize that we have a problem in certain areas of Delray Beach. The problem is spilling all over town. Mr. Straghn stated he doesn't want to see anyone hurt, citizens as well as the police, and there is a prob- lem with both. Mr. Straghn advised that he feels strongly that we should have some sensitivity training for our Police Department on how to approach another human being in certain situations. He took it upon himself to talk with some of the young people who have been accused of throwing rocks and bottles at police cars. Mr. Straghn stated he has witnessed arrests which have been effected easily; on the other hand, there have been incidents where citizens have been choked or where the handcuffed man had been shoved down the elevator shaft. He felt they should clean house in the Police Department as things are getting worse and worse. Perhaps Council should be interested enough to ride with the police officers and witness some of these complaints. Jake Pull,m, manager of the Gulf Station at 442 West Atlantic Avenue, stated that these problems are spreading all over town and ad- vised that he felt the problems between the black community and the police are due to lack of respect. He felt there is a lot of frustra- tion with the policemen, many of whom are leaving the department. Mr. Pullum advised he is losing a lot of business because many of the peo- ple from areas such as Kings Point, High Point, etc., are now afraid to come down Atlantic Avenue. Mr. Pullum reiterated that there is definitely a lack of communi- cation and perhaps there should be some kind of incentive program in the Police Department. He cited the case of officer Scadlock who has been kicked and harrassed and who told Mr. Pullum he is getting tired of being victimized by the blacks in his own territory who he is trying to help. Reverend Phillips, Mount Olive Baptist Church, stated he has spoken to his parishioners about the rock throwing at police cars and has encouraged them to respect the police officers. He also emphasized the lack of respect between police officer and citizen. Rev. Phillips advised he has witnessed incidences where he felt the police officer failed to expedite his duties perhaps due to being afraid, and believed Council should have a closer relationship with the Police Department and find out what they are thinking. Kelly Brown, Carver Middle School, stated he believed that no citizen of Delray Beach who has accumulated whatever level of wealth that they have, and it varies from one to another, is willing to see that dissipated by unlawful persons either through vandalism, theft, or even by the devaluation of their home because it is in a "bad area" He felt that the proper enforcement of the law is the desire of the citizens of this town and that the citizens need to make a commitment - 2 - 11/3/80 to this enforcement. The Miranda Decision and some decisions of the Supreme Court over the past 15 years have put the police in a rather difficult position for granting rights; meanwhile the liberalism of both the juvenile and the courts and the overloading of these courts have caused the citizens to be caught in between. Mr. Brown emphasized that the rights of individuals must be protected and whether Delray Beach has either the manpower or the money to get the qualified per- sonnel to handle it, is the critical issue. If members of the troubled community are willing to face the vilification that they are going to receive from tough elements if they stand up for the law when it is right, we may be taking a step in the right direction. If we are able to find funds to properly train the officers in an appreciation of in- dividual differences; if we are able to find the expertise to rid in- dividuals in the Department of any ingrown prejudices which might be affected in the performances of their duty in certain sections; if we can provide proper leadership from the Council and from the community for the citizens to interact in the law enforcement function; and if we can mobilize these citizens to the point where each one will decide that they will serve the law, perhaps we can resolve the problem. This requires money and the commitment of time and energy on the part of the citizenry and the Council. Steven Kinq, Delray Beach, stated he was a victim of police brutality when he was arrested and brought to the station. He stated he had not been told why he had been arrested and not read his rights. He advised that he had always been brought up to respect the law; how- ever, now is very mixed up and doesn't know who to trust. David Randolph, 105 N. W. llth Avenue, manager of Hagwood's Market on West Atlantic Avenue, s~ated he sees and tries to discourage many potentially hot situations. Recently he witnessed an incident involving sOme young people and police officers across the street from his business and he went over to see if he could assist in any way. The arrest was made uneventfully~ however, his concern was because all the struggling and the like was attracting more and more youngsters to the scene. Mr. Randolph advised that the businessmen in the western sector of town do try to do their share to make sure our town is a good one in which to live and work. Mr. Randolph stated that one of the basic problems, as it now stands, is that young blacks of the submedium income bracket are going to hang on the corners. The Police Chief has announced that they are ~going to push these people off the streets, but this is not the place to start; we must start somewhere softer. He stated we must make an appeal to the parents, parents who do not care what their youngsters are doing and where they are at night. Mr. Randolph added that if there is anything he could do he would be willing to do it. Robert Druien, former Delray Beach police officer, advised that he has been in the middle of the rock and bottle throwing, stating that the officers are afraid because half the time they don't know who is throwing the bottles and are restricted by law to arresting only the one who is causing the p~blem. Mr. Druien stated the Police Department needs a lot of community help and suggested that some these concerned businessmen might ride with the unit from 8:00 P.M. to midnight and step out with the officer at these problem areas in the western section; perhaps even the Council members would be interested. There are not many senior men on the shift anymore and it takes anywhere from four to eight or nine years to learn how to handle people. Mrs. Durante suggested that perhaps the Young Men's Progressive Club might get involved in this project. - 3 - 11/3/80 Kenneth Gary, 128 N. W. 9th Avenue, stated he believed if one black and one white officer were sent out it woul.~ make a big difference; when two white officers come out to that section ~here is resentment. Sam Scadlock, Delray Beach police officer, stated he felt the problem the City is having should be total involvement with all citi- zens, not just one segment. He stated he served 20 years in the mili- tary, three years in Vietnam, and advised that he had an easier time in Vietnam than he has had here. Mr. Scheifley advised that it was interesting to hear the frus- trations which have been expressed here by both the citizenry and the police force. Unt~ we deal with the root of the problem we are only dealing with the symptoms. Mr. Scheifley stated he believed the real causes are in the schools which have failed, the churches which have lost their influence, parents' permissiveness and also our system of justice in the courts which is not swift enough nor consistent. B. J. Swilley~ 205 Palm Court, advised she has listened to every- one and stated that the west side does not have a corner on the crime market. For the first time in her life her home was broken into last week and fortunately no one was hurt; however, many personal items were taken. Mrs. Swilley stated she felt that the youngsters don't seem to have as much to do as she did when she was growing up in Delray Beach. She wondered why there were no large recreational centers for the young people, such as the ones on the west coast of Florida, where youngsters can go. She also suggested that all citizens get involved and try to encourage respect for one another. Mr. Bird stated he wished-~ caution that there is no such thing as a sufficient amount of police to enforce law and order; law and order comesabout because we want it to happen. If we want to live in a society where our rights are respected we must first respect the rights of each and everyone in that society. C~ncil will take all suggestions under advisement; it will take everyone in the community working together to bring about a solution to this problem. Mayor Weekes thanked all who had attended and those who had spoken for their input. Mayor Weekes declared the meeting adjourned at 6:25 P.M. ~ity Clerk ATTEST~~ MAYOR The undersigned is the City Clerk of the City of Delray Beach and the information provided herein is the minutes of the meeting of said City Council of November 3, 1980, which minutes were formally ap- proved and adopted by the City Council on ~7~. ~/ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ City Clerk NOTE TO READER: If the minutes that you have received are not completed as indicated above, then this means that these are not the official minutes of City Council. They will become the official minutes only after they have been reviewed and approved which may involve some amendments, additions, or deletions to the minutes as set for~hl above. - - ll? /8o