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Nick Licata and Jay Westbrook

the breakfast table
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from: Jay Westbrook

Avoiding Another Cincinnati

Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at 11:45 AM ET

Good morning, Nick:

Wow, you were short a quorum due to a delegation in Stockholm. Now I'm beginning to see some of the contrasts between Seattle and Cleveland. Here, we consider a trip to Chicago or Kansas City a major venture. Our council has occasionally traveled to these and other cities to investigate "best practices." Our focus has been on city services, legislative operations, innovations like community policing, and service management like EMS and Fire (separate or merged operations). I think the last time members left the continental United States one of the members came back charging the council leadership with having taken a new retail investment out of her ward and given it to a more "loyal" member. The complaining councilperson is still here. The more "loyal" member is now gone. So, needless to say, council people are pretty much homebodies. You might remember the great story about former Mayor Ralph Perk and his wife, Lucy. They were invited to the White House. But they declined because it was Lucy's bowling night.

Speaking of services, our council just completed a survey of 1,050 city residents to determine attitudes toward city services. I'd probably sum it up this way: desirable place to live, needs improvement. It's interesting that a majority of people expressed discomfort about being on the streets at night. At the same time, an overwhelming number gave high approval to the police. I believe that this shows that people believe that there is much more to community safety than just police presence. Initiatives like community policing and citizen involvement are critical to improve neighborhood safety. In my ward, we have a full-time civilian safety coordinator who works with citizens and police to tackle the tough issues of street crime, drug sales, and problem households in a neighborhood. We also have a citizens' court watch where residents attend the trials and sentencing of chronic drug dealers and street thugs in the community. This is one arena where the seniors and families of the neighborhood are beginning to see the restoration of order in their neighborhoods. The toughest dealer on the street has been known to tremble and call foul because of a row of citizens in the courtroom.

As for sprawl: without strong population growth we do at least have a relatively low-cost housing market in the city. Our challenge is to create housing options for buyers currently satisfied only by housing outside the city proper. Right now three-bedroom homes being newly constructed in Cleveland neighborhoods on vacant lots are being sold at the market rates of $130,000 to $150,000.

You asked about police oversight. Here in Cleveland we instituted a Civilian Police Review Board through a voted amendment to the city's charter in August 1988. This was undertaken in the aftermath of a series of police assaults and shootings of minorities. The board has operated for over 12 years. It has five members appointed by the mayor upon the approval of the council. This board has broad investigative powers and can make findings regarding the conduct of the police. In addition, there is a Division of Police Standards within the police department. These two investigative divisions may work together or separately depending upon the circumstance. I believe that this element of civilian oversight and accountability has provided an important safety valve in police and community relations and created an effective check against unwarranted police actions.

the breakfast table
entries
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from: Jay Westbrook

Avoiding Another Cincinnati

Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at 11:45 AM ET
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Nick Licata is an at-large member of the Seattle City Council. Jay Westbrook represents Ward 18 on the Cleveland City Council.
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