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House Committee reviews bill to lift residency restriction for St. Louis Police.

March 9, 2004
By: Paul C. Matadeen
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 1482 / HB 1479

The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee faced messages of outrage from fellow lawmakers Tuesday.

Paul Matadeen tells why three St. Louis representatives voiced opposition to bills that would lift residency restrictions for St. Louis Police.

Story: UPDATE 1
RunTime: APPROX. :40
OutCue: SOC

Two bills on the table.

One would allow St. Louis police to live outside the city after four years.

The other after seven years.

But St. Louis Democrat Yaphett El-Amin says she's offended representatives from outside the city proposed the bills she's against.

Actuality: El-Amini1.wav
RunTime: :09
OutCue:
Contents: "THIS IS A LOCAL ISSUE AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE EVERY YEAR HERE BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF OUR LOCAL POLICE FORCE."

El-Amin says many -- including St. Louis's mayor -- oppose lifting the restriction.

Bill supporters say officers should have freedom to live wherever they want.

Whatever the case, the bill will have to make it past a committee vote before it goes to the House floor for debate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.

-=UPDATE 2=-

St. Louis police say it's their right, but area representatives say it's an offensive move.

Paul Matadeen has more about two bills to lift residency restrictions for St. Louis officers from the state Capitol.

Story: UPDATE 2
RunTime: APPROX :40
OutCue: SOC

The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee heard testimony about bills that would give St. Louis police the chance to live inside or outside city limits.

Charles Portwood, one of the bill's sponsors, says the bill gives police freedom they deserve.

Actuality: PORTWOOD2.WAV
RunTime: :14
OutCue: SEE FILL
Contents: YOU LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU JUST ARRESTED A GUY. AND THE GUY'S VIOLENT AND HE'S MAD INSTEAD OF THINKING OF YOUR JOB, YOU'RE THINKING OF YOUR FAMILY AT HOME AND IF THEYRE GOING TO BE TERRORIZED OF IF THEIR PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE VANDALIZED.

Those who oppose the bill say it's a local issue and point out the mayor opposes the legislation.

Both bills must pass in committee before it can go to the House floor for debate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.

-=UPDATE 3=-

Two bills that would allow St. Louis police to live outside city limits caused debate in the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

Paul Matadeen has both sides to the issue.

Story: UPDATE 3
RunTime: APPROX :40
OutCue: SOC

One bill would lift the residency requirement in four years, the other in seven.

Rep. Charles Portwood, a sponsor, says it ensures safety for officers and their families.

Actuality: PORTWOOD2.WAV
RunTime: :14
OutCue: SEE FILL
Contents: YOU LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU JUST ARRESTED A GUY. AND THE GUY'S VIOLENT AND HE'S MAD INSTEAD OF THINKING OF YOUR JOB, YOU'RE THINKING OF YOUR FAMILY AT HOME AND IF THEYRE GOING TO BE TERRORIZED OF IF THEIR PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE VANDALIZED.

Rep. Yaphett El-Amin of St. Louis says it's a local issue.

She pointed out that the mayor was against the bill.

Actuality: El-Amini1.wav
RunTime: :09
OutCue:
Contents: "THIS IS A LOCAL ISSUE AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE EVERY YEAR HERE BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF OUR LOCAL POLICE FORCE."

The bill must pass in committee before it can go to the house floor for debate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.