Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 September 2000 — Page 1
Preparing a co
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****************CAR-RT SORT**C-045 58 00-00-0000 INDIANA STATE LIBRARY 140 N SENATE AVE INDIANAPOLIS IN 46204-2207
day and beyond
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Mack Saaday Drag Race Round-up
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105th YEAR ■ NUMBER 38 ■ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2000 ■ PHONE 317/924-5143 ■ www.lndlanapollsrocorder.com ■ 75c
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inwf ■ ’ * ■ Avery Brooks, star of Deep Space Nine, will make a special guest appearance at Jazz on the Avenue to benefit Youth In Arts this Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Madame Walker Theatre Center. Brooks stars in the one-man show, Paul Robeaon also featured at the Walker Theatre on Saturday at 8
p.m.
Staff and Wire reports Judge to consider Indianapolis’ video game ordinance - Can a city decide which video gaipes are appropriate for minors? Are violent video games protected under the First Amendment? These are just a sample of the questions U.S. District Judge David Haroftoa wA$.£Xpected to consider in a hearing to determine die constitutionality of Indianapolis’ violent video game ordinance. The City-Gpdnty Council passed the ordinance; requiring arcade owners to restrict the access minors have to the most violent games. Groups representing the coinoperated video game industry, including manufacturers, distributors and arcade owners, filed a lawsuit Aug. 21, claiming the ordinance is unconstitutional and seeking a preliminary injunction to stop it
from taking effect.
Ameritech adds 81 technicians in Indiana to help improve service Ameritech is adding S62 technicians, including 81 in Indiana, to help its workforce of 26,000 service its five-state region, the telecommunications company said. Ameritech will add the 81 temporary employees in Indiana by week’s ^ end through shifting of technicians from other jobs to installation and repair work and temporary transfers
from other states.
The workers join Ameritech Indiana’s workforce amid growing consumer complaints about long delays in phone line repairs and new
line installations.
Ameritech Indiana is in the midst-, of hiring 87 new workers for permanent service positions, and the company may hire even more permanent workers once it reaches
that goal.
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flulman Memorial Way beautification complete in time for 11.$' Grand Prix Mayor Bart Peterson and India- - 8m BRIEFS, Paga A2
A cry for help
When domestic violence strikes our children
By RONNETTA S. SLAUGHTER StafTW riter Despite her young age, Michelle admits that violence has always been a part of her life. “(My father) broke the ‘no contact’ order and did something to my mom,” said the 13 year-old, recalling one of the many incidents involving her mother seeking shelter away from abuse. The violent episodes between her par-
ents frequently included arguments, often resulting in her father being taken to jail. The effects of witnessing abuse are evident as Michelle’s voice quickly softens when she talks about her father, resembling a fearful whisper. “We never did anything like play basketball or go places,” she says. “(My mom and I) are moving into a new house, and my dad cannot have contact with us for at least one year. I think it’s good if they separate,” Michelle added. For now, she
prefers discussions about decorating her new bedroom, clothes and shopping. Perhaps a fresh beginning without violence, and a safe place to call home. Although the physical scan eventually heal, experts admit that permanent scars resulting from domestic violence aggressively invade the lives of women, men and children long after the incident has gone away. “Whenever there are more than five women in a room, I know that at least one
Dr. Beverly Cotemon Miller
of those women has been subjected to some form of domestic violence. It’s going to change their lives and make them less than what they could be,” says Dr. Beverly Coleman Miller, a leading auSee CRY, Page A9
Strength and Perseverance
RECORDER EXCLUSIVE
Jerry Barker
The Inapiring story of the legendary 1950a Crl thanks to local filmmakers Betsy Blankenbaker Ray Crowe, Stanford Patton, John Gipson, Sam Milton,
see page C-1.
Community places SWAT
team under fire
By FREDERICK L. MERKERSON m
Staff Writer
mm*
Students have mixed reactions to arming IPS officers By FREDERICK L. MERKERSON III
Staff Writer
elderly woman sat under her tree apparently enjoying the
serenity of her neighborhood.
She and others residing on the 7600 block of Ruakin Place aren’t at peace with local law enforcement, who, they say, waged war on their doorsteps earlier this month. “I thought it was Fort Harrison (a former military complex) out here,” said the woman, who chooses to remain anonymous. “I thought it was a military maneuver or something. I was just wondering how the soldiers got
lost in our neighborhood.
with I PD Chief
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Barker says he wants to break down racial barriers By CAROLENE MAYS Recorder President and General Manager
First of three parts
There are many issues of police brutality and concerns of racial discrimination emanating throughout the nation. None is more open and treacherous than between the police and Blacks. Given this concern, I had the opportunity to interview new anapolis PoliceDeparUnent f>) Chief of Police Jerry . The hope is that some of the questions you may have will be answered and that issues are put on the forefront-—addressed
head on.
This first part of the series will introduce Chief Barker
from tfw Ml am: Coach and his goals.
Robertson. To rand mors, Chief Barker’s background. Indianapolis native Chief Barker has a diverse and extensive background. Barker served the United States Army in Vietnam and returned a hero. After a short stint
in the private sector, he joined IPD in 1969.
He moved through the ranks and gained a variety of experience supervising the Vice Branch and the Juvenile Branch as a child abuse detective. Barker also worked in Public Information, Hostage Negotiations and SWAT. While on the force, he received a criminal justice degree from IUPUI and graduated from the FBI’s.National
Academy.
In 1994 Barker was appointed deputy chief of the West District. His success and community leadership on the Westside has been recognized as a nation model for community policing. In February Mayor Bart Peterson appointed Barker as chief of police. Recorder: Describe who you are as a person and how your background might help drive your direction for
IPD?
Barker: I was glad to make it out of Vietnam alive. It changed my life. I became an officer for adventure, not
€
public service. Then I went to West District as deputy
What started as the serving of a search warrant of a chief. It was most challenging. I realized the unofficial
spspect drug dealer, escalated into the Marion County
See SWAT, Png* A7 Sm BARKER, Page A6
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With all of the many school administrators, legislators rad parent* expected to express their opinion in the debate to arm IndianapolisPublic School polkie dfRpefs with handguns, the body most affected will likely go unheard - the students. > “It’s a good idea in case somebody breaks into the school,” said Desmond Breaziel, 12, a sixth grader at School 110. On the other hand, guns remain tools for destruction not safety for Willie Rhodes, 8, a third grader at School 102, who added “Guns won ’ t help us. Someone might get
shot.”
Larry Smith, chairman of Elementary Education at Ball State University, said guns have no place in elementary schools, and Doug Davis, coordinator of children’s services at BehaviorCorps added that a lot of the younger children have already been exposed to violence elsewhere. Both said the difficult issue of armed or unarmed officers centers around student perception of law en-
Program helps families obtain homes
By RONNETTA S. SLAUGHTER Staff Writer
forcement or personal behavior.
“Each child is different and will be affected djj^erently,” said Davis. “Some will be OK and others wootbe _ „
comfortable based on past violent experiences, f just Hes are initially placed in temporary housing. While
See IPS, Page A12 See HOMES, Paga A9
Ladietra Little, age 21, vividly remembers the day she refused her Section 8 housing voucher and entered the Families in Transition Program (FTTs) three months ago. She was pregnant with her second child, and only had two days to find a house before the voucher
expired.
After attending her mother’s graduation ceremony. Little met Lori Casson, program manager for FTTs, a two year program designed to rebuild self-sufficiency. Casson has previous experience as a social worker, and organizes various activities within FTTs to address each person’s individual needs. “Whatever their struggles,” she says, the program incorporates a holistic approach through services such as emotional support, parenting skills and rehabilitation for substance abuse. The program has approximately 11 houses in Hkughvllk and Hawthorne neighborhoods, and femi-
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Ladietra Little (standing) and her mother, Debbie Flemming, both have hopes of someday owning a home through services offered at the FITs program. Also pictured are Little’s children, Danietra and Daniel. (Photo/Rod Ross)