MINUTES

Present: Jack Morlan

Via ICN: Robert Smith, Jr., Blanca Flores and Flora Lee

Staff. Diann Wilder-Tomlinson, Ron Pothast, Karl Schilling and Linda Haack

Public: In Muscatine

Items:

1. The meeting was CALLED to ORDER at 9:11 a.m.

2. The ROLL was CALLED, Jack Morlan, Robert Smith, Jr., Bernard Bidne and Blanca Flores were present. Flora Lee arrived later.

3. Bernard Bidne moved to approve the MINUTES, Robert Smith, Jr. seconded, the motion was passed.

4. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS

a. Jack Morlan has nothing to report.

b. Robert Smith, Jr. has nothing to report.

C. Bernard Bidne - reported on the Friend's Board has been making contacts for funds

d. Blanca Flores has nothing to report.

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

a. FINANCIAL REPORT

Ron Pothast stated that he will be doing an update later this month.

b. COMPLIANCE REPORT

Diann Wilder-Tomlinson stated the cases are being handled faster than the docketing of cases, so we will be able to keep up. The current number of cases waiting to be assigned is 15 to 20 which is manageable.

C. EDUCATION

Seven presentations with 248 in audience. Diann WilderTomlinson and George Peters went to Kansas City to the HUD conference. They will be sending more money to be used this fiscal year, $40,000.00 for an update of the computer system and education.

OLD BUSINESS

"LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS"

1. Frank Tribble from ICRC stated that the definition of community policing is "It is an organization-wide philosophy and management approach that provides or that promotes community, government and police partnerships. Proactive problem solving and community engagement to address the causes of crime, fear of crime and other community issues." The core components are providing a partnership and problem solving. He recommends to develop a sixth program for law enforcement and community relations.

2. David Goodson, speaker from Waterloo believes that there are problems
with the attitudes of police officers in relation to the black community. Some possible
solutions are:

a. More training
b. Strict enforcement of current civil rights laws
c. Partnering officers
d. Encouragement (external review committees for officers)
e. Video cameras in police cars

3. Chris Clark, speaker from Muscatine sited examples of the difficulties in relations between the Muscatine Police Department and the Hispanic students. There is a lack of education concerning the law on the part of immigrants, however, the police seem to take advantage of that lack by harassing and poor treatment of the Hispanic community in general. She reports that much of this goes unreported for fear of retaliation from the workplace or outside sources.

4. Karl Schilling, Polk County Victim Services Board, recounts the difficulty that organization had in making a partnership with the Des Moines Police Department. The current relationship is the result of 20 years effort. This partnership works because they were able to show law enforcement services that would ease their load and once the trust was built, they were able to do educational training. You will have to show law enforcement the benefit to them, such as fewer law suits and less violence.

6. NEW BUSINESS

None

7. Date and Time of NEXT MEETING

April 23, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. in Des Moines.

8. The meeting was ADJOURNED.