HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/10/1979COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 6, 1979
TO: Human Relations Cannission (See Distribution List Below)
FROM: Mary Ann Kennaugh, Administrative Aide
RE: Notes from the May 10, 1979 Regular Meeting
With no quorum present, following are notes from an informal session:
Members Present Staff Present
Don Shoemaker John McGraw, Community Services Director
Dan Keating Rosita Bachmann, Hunan Rights Officer
Jim Long Mary Ann Kennaugh, Administrative Aide
• Members Absent Guests
Kelsey Smith Ralph Smith, Police Chief
Paul Thayer Mary Ness, Police Lieutenant
Bob Zimdahl Terri Cotten, Coloradoan reporter
A. Following were tents on the meetings held between Human Relations Com-
mission members and 1) Police Chief Smith, and 2) Bob Lauffer, Managing
Editor of the Coloradoan, regarding police/cammunity relations:
There is recognition of the need for seeking channels of cc mmnication.
Both the Police Department and the Coloradoan are canmitted to a policy
of non-discrimination and neither feel that there are major problems in
the conunity in this area.
Regarding specific issues raised by Ernie Miranda and victor Bueno at the
April meeting of the Human Relations Caunission:
1. The term "Chicano" is rarely used in Coloradcan newspaper articles and
is used only when necessary. Coloradoan representatives asked for assist-
ance from citizens to alleviate any unintentional use of discriminatory
terms in articles by calling the Coloradoan when they see then used.
2. The north side of the community probably gets more services than the
rest of the community because of its proximity to the Police building.
0
Human Relations Campion •
Notes from the May 10, 1979 Regular Meeting
Page Two
(It was noted that some members of the north side may view the increased
presence of patrol cars as a type of harassment rather than increased
service.) Police representatives indicated there are special efforts made
by officers to improve relations with the Chicano community (e.g. spending
time at the Northside Canminity Center, Police Athletic League programs,
etc.). Police representatives indicate they need specifics to alleviate
any incidents of "poor service" and indicate that if they hear of such
incidents, they will be investigated immediately.
Police Chief Smith indicated that there is no specific comunity relations
officer in the Department, but that all officers are community relations
officers.
3) Police Chief Smith indicated that gaining information from people is
part of police work and is not used any more with Chicanos than with others,
or with youth any more than with adults. It was noted that there is always
a parent or guardian present while an interview is being conducted with a
juvenile.
4) Police records show that 1 out of 10 juvenile detentions/arrests involve
a Chicano youth --- there is no evidence to show that they are being dis-
• criminated against.
Those Human Relations Commission members present did not feel there was a
Problem which needed further exploration by the Human Relations Commission.
It was suggested that the problem may be a human relations problem in terms
of needs rather than a problem with the Police Department itself.
Commission Member Dan Keating noted that the Coloradoan does use the Associated
Press rules/policy of non-discrimination and that they make a conscious
effort not to use "Chicano" unnecessarily. The Colcradoan also requests that
people let than know when they make a mistake. Keating further expressed
his feeling that all caamuuties should try to look for the positive aspects of
the community — "even if good news is buried in the back pages of a news-
peper, it's better than not being there at all".
Those present agreed that the Human Relations Commission would explore the
appropriateness of a City commission either actively "looking for the good"
in the comunity or spearheading a group to do so. It is felt that a more
Positive approach (e.g. developing new programs, supporting the PAL (Police
Athletic League) programs, etc.) is necessary.
Also discussed were other areas which may be of concern to the Human Relations
Commission (e.g. juvenile crime). It was noted by Mary Ness that the people
who are really being abused and overlooked are the victims of crime.
Himn Relations Cmrdssion
Notes from the May 10, 1979 Reuglar Meeting
40 Page Three
B. Vacancies on the Cenmissjon
By consensus of those present, a meeting will be held for all members on
June 5th at 7:00 a.m. at the Ccmmuiity Services building (1715 West
Mountain Avenue) to reveiw the applications for membership and to make
reccmnesdations for appointment.
C. There was brief discussion regarding the need to change the Human Relations
Ca[mission by-laws to address the quorum problem (i.e., currently, a
quoran is defined as 5 members, which has created a problem with only six
cam fission members currently serving terms.) The problem will be discussed
further at an formal meeting.
Distribution
Don Shoemaker
Dan Keating
Jim Long
Kelsey Smith
Paul Thayer
• Bob Zimdahl
cc: John McGraw
Rosita Bachmann
City Manager/City Council
City Clerk
News Media
LI