Chapter 2-15 — CRIME PREVENTION COMMISSION

A crime prevention commission consisting of seven members is established. The seven members are appointed by the city council.

(Ord. 500 § 1, 1998: Ord. 216 § 2, 1979: Ord. 184 § 1 (part), 1977: Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

At least five members of the crime prevention commission shall be residents of the city. The other two members shall be either residents of the city, or in business in downtown Lafayette. All members shall have a sincere interest in, and concern for, reducing the incidence and severity of thefts, burglaries and other crimes.

(Ord. 500 § 2, 1998: Ord. 238 § 1, 1980: Ord. 216 § 3, 1979: Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

The city council shall classify the members it appoints so that four members serve until December 31, 1998, and three members serve until December 31, 2000. Thereafter, the term of office of each member is three years. Each member serves until a successor is appointed.

(Ord. 500 § 3, 1998: Ord. 184 § 1 (part), 1977: Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

A member of the commission may be removed by a majority vote of the council. A vacancy is filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A person appointed to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

If a member of the commission is absent without cause from three successive regular meetings of the commission, the office becomes vacant automatically. The commission shall immediately notify the city council of the vacancy. A member is not absent without cause if his absence is (a) due to illness; or (b) unavoidable and the member gives the secretary of the commission written notice before the day of the meeting that he will be absent and giving the reason for the absence.

(Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

No member of the commission shall receive compensation for his services on the commission.

(Ord. 216 § 4, 1979: Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

(a)

The commission shall provide by resolution for the time and place for holding regular meetings, the appointment of its officers and their duties, and such rules as it considers necessary for the conduct of its business and the performance of its powers and duties.

(b)

All meetings of the commission are open to the public, and the commission shall give notice of its meetings as is required by law.

(Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

Four members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(Ord. 500 § 4, 1998: Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)

The commission shall:

(a)

Plan, and supervise the execution of, a program to educate Lafayette citizens in the protection of their personal property;

(b)

Encourage existing homeowners' organizations in the respective neighborhoods, and businesses in the commercial area, to support and promote property protection efforts;

(c)

Encourage, and aid in, the establishment or rejuvenation (1) of homeowners' organizations to participate in property protection programs in their respective neighborhoods; and (2) of business organizations to do the same in the commercial area;

(d)

Maintain close liaison with law enforcement authorities, especially those involved in community relations, citizen education and the investigation of thefts and burglaries;

(e)

By detailed statistical analyses, incident maps and other means, become familiar with the facts about crimes against property in Lafayette;

(f)

Become familiar with various property protection programs which have worked successfully in other communities, and determine which programs are best suited to Lafayette;

(g)

Try innovative pilot programs for property protection, even though they may not have been proven elsewhere;

(h)

Use all reasonable means, including newspapers, radio, television, the schools, civic organizations, cable television, and direct mail to keep the citizens of Lafayette informed of the property protection program in the city;

(i)

Review city ordinances pertaining to public safety and hazards, and recommend to the city council appropriate changes therein and additions thereto;

(j)

Observe the methods and results of the Lafayette police services, collect and interpret statistics regarding such services, and make recommendations to the city council regarding the provision of police services, especially as they are related to crime prevention; and

(k)

Adopt, implement and monitor programs which the commission believes will directly or indirectly have the effect of reducing or preventing crime in the city of Lafayette. Such public safety programs shall include child I.D. programs, Red Ribbon Week participation, Halloween awareness, vandalism prevention programs, and commercial/business crime prevention awareness programs.

(Ord. 362 § 1, 1988; Ord. 234 § 1, 1980: Ord. 165 § 1 (part), 1976)