06/29/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

0 (\ the problem and considering all the ramifications, the Youth Commission . was. looking forward to trying to refurbish and keep the downtown area as an economically healthy place. The Youth Commission was requesting Council acti on to adopt the report and recommendati ons. Assistant Manager said description of objectives were agreed upon in encouraging activity for youth on the Mall, noting the Mall Manager was present to help stimulate such activity. However, the inferred substance of the report was of concern to staff. Examples given were the recommendation for an educational program on appropriate search and seizure techniques, implying the Police Department did not know proper search and seizure procedures. Assistant Manager said there were three legal agencies providing input to the Police Department in thi s regard. Another example regarding the educational program for the Eugene Police Department concerning compulsory school attendance laws was cited, with Assistant Manager noting the young people often do not understand what compulsory school laws are. In regard to the Council endorsing an idea of a youth center, Assistant Manager cautioned Council that staff had had experience establishing centers for somewhat comparable purposes. He said the dilemma created by such centers was one wherein youths who were not concerned about rights of others would congregate in the center, creating rowdyism, with police and adminis- trative problems. However, if the center were used by youths who were interested in having a good time, then those who were alienated would be further alienated from using that facility. However, Assistant Manager said staff would still look at the problem, given the community interest. e The idea of a youth diversion program should be explored further. He also noted an ordinance which mandated by City code that the mall be a business facil ity. Police Chief Pierce Brooks felt it was a fair report, noting the Youth Commission had talked to all parties concerned. However, he viewed the report with mixed emotions. He said one concern of his was the inference that there would have to be a behaviorial and attitude change by many people, except those who had been creating the problems on the mall. Another concern was the reference to supposed policy harrassment of youths, even though it was only a small minority of the youth population who were being policed on the mall. In regard to the search and seizure procedures, Chief Brooks said this was a legal problem which was hard to define. He reviewed recent Supreme Court justice comments which stated search and seizures procedures could not be satisfactorily reconciled. He sai d if the Supreme Court had diffi cul ty defi ni ng the procedures, it followed that Eugene police most certainly would have also. He continued that the problems had not increased, saying he had received very encourag- ing reports during the last month that problems had subsid~d considerably. Police officers have been meeting with youth from the mall, listening to their problems, and explaining police procedures. He said the Police Department would continue working on the problem, and thought the Youth Commission should be commended for addressing a situation which could have become a real tragedy for Eugene. . .e 6/29/77 --6 511