CC Minutes - 11/23/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Beth Medler, 4441 Fox Hollow Road #6, said she believed the deliberations of the External Review Advisory Committee and Council Committee on Public Safety which had developed the proposed ordinance were a good example of how public involvement can be effective. She said she supported the ordinance and believed there were many citizens who would work with the council in support of the proposed commission. She said it was her observation that establishment of a police review board had been rejected by voters because of the belief that such a body already existed. Melissa Watson, Post Office Box 37121, stated that she was a student at the University of Oregon. She said recent student interactions with Eugene Police had led her and others to support establishment of a Police Commission. She said such a commission could open lines of communication and foster a better relationship between students and police. She suggested that one position on the proposed commission be designated for a student to encourage police policies and practices to be consistent with student values, and to provide a forum for student complaints about police abuses. Tifani Jagodnik, 3402 Centennial Boulevard #16, stated that she was a student member of the University of Oregon's Campus Community Relations Task Force. She said her experience had led her to believe that the Eugene Police Department was looking for a way to create stronger lines of proactive communication with students. She suggested that establishing a Police Commission with a student member would promote the improved relationship. Jereme Grzybowski, 2766 Alder Street, submitted copies of a letter written by Ilona E. Koleszar, director of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon Student Legal Services. He read portions of the letter in which Mr. Koleszar said he was convinced that Eugene Police initiate rude, unnecessarily threatening, and verbally abusive behavior in the University area. The letter suggested that such actions "train another generation of students to detest police officers" and "that there is ample room for attitude and behavior adjustment by students and police." Elliott Dale, 812 East 14th Avenue, stated that he supported the comments of Melissa Watson and encouraged student involvement in the work of the Police Commission. Michael Olson, 2766 Alder Street, stated that he was president of the University of Oregon Student Senate. He said he supported the concept of a Police Commission and having a student representative on it. He suggested establishing the relationship could address concerns of students and lead to a democratic solution to problems which currently existed between police and the campus. He said he also supported permitting minority reports on commission recommendations. Spencer Hamlin, 445 East 19th Street, stated that he was a student at the University of Oregon and wanted to associate himself with the comments of other student speakers, supporting the establishment of a Police Commission and having a student member. He said that while students were not permanent residents, they were a part of the Eugene community, and that their voice should be heard. Catherine Kapelka, 3334 West 14th Avenue, stated that she was a student and supported formation of the Police Commission and appointment of a student member. She suggested that other groups who questioned police actions should also be represented on the commission. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 23, 1998 Page 6 7:30 p.m.