Res 54-78 RESOLUTION NO. 54-78
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE. CITY OF DELRAY
BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING THE RESOLUTION OF THE KIWANIS
CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH ADOPTED APRIL 28, 1978, ON THE SUB-
JECT OF "SAFEGUARD AGAINST CRIME" AND INDICATING DELRAY
BEACH'S INTENT TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD
ITSELF AGAINST CRIME AND, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE AND APPRO-
PRIATE, IMPLEMENT THE IDEAS STATED IN SAID RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, on April 28, 1978, the Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach,
Florida, adopted a resolution as part of the Kiwanis' International Program
"Safeguard Against Crime", and in an effort to awaken and unite this commu-
nity to safeguard itself against crime; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City of Delray Beach to endorse
said Resolution of the Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach and to support a commu-
nity effort to safeguard itself against crime and, to the extent possible
and appropriate, implement the idea stated in said resolution,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Delray Beach endorses the Resolution of the
Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach, Florida, adopted April 28, 1978, a copy of
which is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Section 2. That Delray Beach indicates its intent to support a
community effort to safeguard itself against crime and to the extent possible
and appropriate for the City of Delray Beach to implement all ideas stated
in said resolution.
Section 3. That copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to
the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Chief
Judge of the 4th District Court of Appeals, Chief Justice of the Florida
Supreme Court, Attorney General, and States Attorney of Palm Beach County.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at regular session on this the day
of , 1978.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
RESOLUTION OF THE KIWA~NiS CLb~
OF
DELRAY BEACt{~ FLORIDA
Preamble
~iEREAS, THE KIWANIS CLUB OF DEL?~kY BEACH,' FLORIDA, has extreme
concern regarding the crime in our city, state, and country, and
~tEREAS, since crime causes decay in the quality of ~erican life
and threatens our entire society, ~{E KIWANIS CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH
recognizes that programs such as "Safeguard Against Crime", which is a
program of Kiwanis International, must stir personal involvement in
larger numbers of our citizens in order to stop the fact and fears of
crime.
WHEREAS, in order to awaken people to the fact that one of the
greatest crimes is our tolerance of crime, THE KIWANIS CLUB OF DELP~kY
BEACH adopts the following resolutions with the hope and the prayer that
by voicing our concerns about crime, it will cause others to speak,
which in turn will result in prompt, solid and ~determined actTon.
BE IT RESOLVED,this ~P~ ~ day of /,~ , 1978, that ~HE
KIWAxNIS CLUB O~ DELRAY BEACH hereby states the following views of its
members in an effort to voice the frustration of law abiding citizens
and to awaken and unite our community and nation to safeguard itself
against crime:
1. The strengthening and education of our local police de-
partments and law enforcement agencies has been greatly im-
proved, but greater cooperation, understanding and concern
must be shared by all people as well as our police department.
2. The first offender should be viewed with more tolerance
and understanding than the chronic offender. The greatest
efforts should be made toward rehabilitation of the first ~
offender and re-establishment in the co~.~nunity. Since many
first offenders are youthful, efforts should be made to teach
them the benefits of ~ork and proper utilization of idle time.
Policies which fail to recognize that some youthful offenders
are dangerous criminals must be re-examined; a dangerous
criminal who is young and "streetwise" should not be able to
use his age as a defense.
3. Our State Attorney's office must vigorously prosecute, if
evidence ~¢arrants, and insist on punishment commensurate winh
the crime. Society must allocate the necessary resources so
that plea bargaining, on s~rious crimes, will be less prevalent.
4. The probation and parole system should be critically
analyzed as part of a revaluation of sentencing procedures, in
order to achieve more success. It must be recognized that ~
often the recidivist cannot be helped and the first offender
is not being'heiped.
5. We have a critical need for additional maximum security
prisons to assure proper confinement for convicted violators.
The early release, back into society, of a dangerous felon to
make room for another is unthinkable and must be discontinued.
The thought of releasing '?risoners, because there is no room
for them in prison, makes a farse of ~he entire criminal
justice system.
6. Legislation providing lengthy mandatory sentences must
be encouraged for those convicted of violent crimes and migh~
also include other crimes such as burglary and theft as well
as repeat offender violations.
7. Programs must be instituted which show at least the same
concern for the victim as is now shown for the criminal.
8. The criminal knows that the trial and appeal process is
slow and may be further delayed to his advantage. We believe
swift justice is fair justice. The threat of prompt account-
ability would serve to deter all crimes, including "white
collar" crimes, crimes of public servants who breach the
public trust, etc.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE KIWANIS CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH and
its members, shall direct their best efforts toward the local city
council, as well as county, state and national officials to cause them
to endorse these resolutions but more importantly to take steps to have
the government implement the ideas stated herein, and
BE IT FURTHER P. ESOLVED, that ~{E KIWANIS CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH shall
disseminate these resolutions to other Kiwanians at all levels, who in
turn shall use their best efforts to have other governmental bodies, as
well as civic clubs, fraternities and organizations, in each locality,
to endorse these resolutions.
It is hoped that by rallying people we can make a start to take
affirmative action ~Cnich will substantially r~duce the serious dilemma
which is crippling our nation.
THE FOREGOING was approved and executed in behalf of THE KIWANIS
CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH, by its President this ~ day of
1978.
THE KIWA~NIS CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH
Carl ~ar.t~, Presi~n'~