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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2014 B A K E R S F I E L D Staff: City Council members: Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Russell Johnson, Chair Chris Huot, Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan Willie Rivera REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Thursday, March 20, 2014 12:00 p.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 A G E N D A 1. ROLL CALL 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 3. ADOPTION OF JANUARY 16, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 4. REPORTS A. Update regarding Internet Cafés - Gennaro B. Update regarding Gang/Graffiti Enforcement and Safe Streets Partnership Efforts - Williamson C. Report regarding Union Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Enforcement Efforts - Williamson D. Update regarding Police Staffing – Williamson 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 6. ADJOURNMENT B A K E R S F I E L D /s/ Steven Teglia Committee Members Staff: Steven Teglia Russell Johnson, Chair Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan Willie Rivera SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, January 16, 2014 12:00 p.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The meeting was convened at 12:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember, Russell Johnson, Chair Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan Councilmember, Willie Rivera City staff: Steve Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Chris Huot, Assistant to the City Manager Caleb Blaschke Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Richard Iger, Associate City Attorney Tom Geddes, Associate City Attorney Lyle Martin, Assistant Chief of Police Captain Scott McDonald, Bakersfield Police Department Captain Hajir Nuriddin, Bakersfield Police Department Lieutenant Greg Terry, Bakersfield Police Department Lieutenant Rene Chow, Bakersfield Police Department Sergeant Dave Boyd, Bakersfield Police Department Additional Attendees: DeVon Johnson, Believers Recovery Allen Rodgers, Delta-One Security Group William Haywood, Ebony Counseling Center Members of the media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 16, 2014 Page 2 __________________________________________________________ 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS DeVon Johnson asked that the Committee discuss the continuing problem of prostitution and loitering on Union Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard at a future meeting. Assistant Chief Martin reported that in 2013, over 400 arrests were made, many of which involved the same individuals. Sergeant Boyd stated that they are very aggressive in their efforts to combat these crimes, not only on Union Avenue, but in the Baker Street corridor as well. Committee member Rivera stated that he also sees these problems, and requested that the Police Department provide an update at the next meeting regarding enforcement efforts. Committee member Sullivan asked that the report include details about what the process is after the individual has been arrested. 3. ADOPTION OF NOVEMBER 21, 2013 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The Report was unanimously adopted as submitted. 4. REPORTS A. Update regarding Internet Cafés Assistant Chief Martin referred to the memorandum that had been included in the packet. He said that the Department is waiting for the Court to reach a decision on the pending cases; however, they continue to monitor and provide enforcement for the criminal activities happening outside of the café’s that continue to operate. They are very optimistic about AB-1439 (Salas), and the work that Committee Chair Johnson has done in addressing the sweepstakes issue. Committee Chair Johnson noted that there is one more café on the list than there was before. While the number is increasing, he believes staff is still taking the right actions. He thanked Assembly member Salas for sponsoring AB-1439. He asked for an update on SB-678. City Attorney Gennaro said that members of her staff are monitoring the bill, and there has been no activity. A report will be provided at the next meeting. Allen Rodgers, owner-operator of Delta One Security Group spoke to the Committee about his background and years of experience as a security consultant. He provides security for the Lucky Lady and believes that there are no problems there. The efforts being made to close these establishments are damaging to his reputation and business. Committee Chair Johnson stated that the activity taking place within these businesses is illegal, and the problems that exist damage other businesses. He also Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 16, 2014 Page 3 __________________________________________________________ mentioned that one internet café patron did not get paid their winnings, and this patron had no recourse to recover the money. B. Update regarding Gang/Graffiti Enforcement and Safe Streets Partnership Efforts Assistant Chief Martin referred to the memorandum that was included in the packet. He noted that the decrease in homicides and gang-related shootings are not only due to the efforts of the Police Department, but as a result of community involvement, also. The next meeting of the Safe Streets Partnership is scheduled for Monday, February 10th. Committee Chair Johnson said that is it encouraging to see the numbers decrease in 2013 from 2012, although it appears that there was a spike in 2012. The efforts are starting to pay off. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Committee recommendation regarding Adoption of the 2014 Committee meeting Schedule Committee member Rivera asked that the September 18th meeting be held in Ward 1 at 5:00 p.m. or later. Committee Chair Johnson requested that staff contact Kern County’s representatives on the Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence, with the goal of scheduling a meeting in 2014. The calendar was unanimously approved, as was the change requested by Committee member Rivera. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Sullivan asked about Mr. Rodgers. Assistant Chief Martin reported that Mr. Rodgers had made contact with staff, who will work with him. Committee member Sullivan requested that the January, 2015 meeting be held on a different day than the third Thursday. Committee Chair Johnson spoke of an item slated to be on the January 22, 2014 Council agenda, requesting approval of an agreement with a firm to study the Police Department and come back with a report on how to improve response times. He asked why it had not been referred to Committee. Assistant Chief Martin said that the study is the result of a referral made at a Council meeting by Vice Mayor Weir, which was referred to staff, not Committee. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 16, 2014 Page 4 __________________________________________________________ Committee Chair Johnson stated that, based on discussions held by the Committee, it is apparent that the difficulty is in getting the appropriate amount of individuals trained and in the lack of available officers who wish to transfer from other jurisdictions. He is skeptical that the report would generate infor mation other than what is already known, which is that additional officers are needed on the street. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia stated that the referral originated from budget discussions last year under the topic of adding sworn personnel to the Police Department. Vice Mayor Weir’s referral is strategic in nature, and the study will cover the Department as a whole. The City Manager’s Office researched reputable firms, and had discussions with the International Association of Police Chiefs (I ACP), which was found to be the most qualified. The scope of work contained within the agreement focuses on a broad range of issues, including staffing. Committee Chair Johnson said he will ask more questions at the Council meeting. Committee Chair Johnson asked why it was a sole-source agreement, and why a Request for Proposals (RFP) was not done. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia said that that question could also be addressed at the Council meeting; however, this association is well regarded and has performed these types of analyses for other jurisdictions. Staff believes that they are the right organization to do the work. Committee Chair Johnson asked that a discussion begin at the next meeting regarding proactive steps that may be taken to fill the open positions in the Police Department. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia said that filling the open positions is a component of the report that will ultimately be provided by IACP. He suggested that the proposed discussion be held in abeyance until the study is complete. Committee member Rivera stated that a great deal of time has elapsed since the referral was made, and now the information would be further delayed while the study is being conducted. He said that Chief Williamson had indicated that he already knows what can be done. Mr. Rivera also knew of an instance where an officer had to come from the east side of Bakersfield to assist a citizen in the southeast, so he is concerned about the allocation of resources. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:47 p.m. BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM Date: 3/13/2014 To: Jorge Gomez, Lieutenant Vice Detail- Investigations Division From: David Boyd, Sergeant Vice Detail- Investigations Division Subject: Safe Neighborhood Meeting Internet Café Update The Bakersfield Police Department Joint Vice Task Force (JVTF) and the Bakersfield Police Department Operations Division has continued to monitor the internet café style establishments that have been operating within the city limits. I checked calls for service for all of the internet cafes within the city limits for the past 13 days. None of the businesses had excessive calls for service. As of March 13th, 2014, there are a total of 12 internet café businesses known to have permits and open within the city limits of Bakersfield: 1. I-Sweeps Internet, 3945 Hughes Lane (Submitted to DA) 2. The Cyber Hot Spot, 714 Oak Street (Submitted to DA) 3. Lucky Lady, 1713 20th Street 4. Internet Connect, 2594 Brundage Lane 5. Webzone, 1814 Brundage Lane 6. Business Center Service “Linked-In”, 3351 Panama Lane, Suite 310 7. Express Connect, 1220 Oak Street Suites I & J 8. I-Spot Internet and Business Center, 6300 White Lane, Suite Y 9. In It to Win It, 3815 Auburn Street 10. Shockers, 3201 F Street suite 157 11. 7 Star Internet Café 2592 Brundage Lane (Relocated from 2301 Brundage ) 12. Wired Internet Café at 521 East 19th Street (Tax Permit as of 02/01/2014, however unable to confirm if operational as a sweepstakes café) BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT UNIT 9 19 5 2 5 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 2012 2013 2014 SHOOTINGS HOMICIDES* YEAR TO DATE GANG VIOLENCE INDEX 2012-2014 Graffiti Enforcement February 2014 Stats  11 Arrests  126 Cases cleared  $14,217.81 in restitution sought We are continuing our full participation in the Bakersfield Safe Streets Partnership. The next BSSP meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 14th at 5:15 pm. The meeting will take place at 2000 K St. *Please note that the homicide stats include all gang related homicides, including but not limited to shootings and stabbings. BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM Date: 3/13/2014 To: Hajir Nuriddin, Captain Criminal Investigations Division From: Jorge Gomez, Lieutenant Vice Detail Subject: Safe Neighborhood Meeting: Prostitution Enforcement Update The Bakersfield Police Department Joint Vice Task Force (JVTF) regularly conducts prostitution enforcement operations within the City of Bakersfield. Areas monitored include the Union Avenue corridor, Oak St./California Ave., Buck Owens Blvd. and the East California Ave./Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. area. Year-to-date the JVTF has conducted a total of seven (7) prostitution operations with a total of 76 arrests. January 4 Operations 41 arrests February 2 Operations 14 arrests March 1 Operation 21 arrests Totals 7 Operations 76 arrests Martin Luther King Junior Blvd. and Union Avenue Corridor Overtime Stats MLK Union Total Felony Arrests 6 1 7 Misdemeanor Arrests 10 16 26 Loitering (Prostitute) 0 23 23 GO's 11 11 Supplemental 7 0 7 Parole Searches 12 0 12 Probation searches 10 0 10 Call for Service 4 7 11 Traffic Stops 18 7 25 Impounds 5 1 6 Subject Stops 24 10 34 DUI Arrest 0 1 1 Street Checks 1 0 1 Two week deployment 1300 -2300 4 days per week 1/20/14 – 2/1/4 JVTF process for dealing with prostitution  JVTF undercover officers are aware of the areas where the greatest amount of prostitution occurs. This is for both street prostitution and internet prostitution. These are the areas where we focus the majority of our resources.  Undercover officers (UC) work in teams of two (2) or more for officer safety reasons.  Primary UC contacts suspected prostitute and solicits for a sex act while second UC acts as cover officer.  If suspected prostitute offers sex for money and makes overt act (gets in vehicle, directs UC to a motel room etc.) the violation is complete.  UC identifies himself as law enforcement and places suspect under arrest.  The primary UC checks suspect for warrants and confirms identifying information.  Two (2) options exist for misdemeanor violation; issue misdemeanor citation and release or book into jail.  Prior practice was to issue a citation unless the same suspect was arrested twice in the same operation. If the suspect was issued a citation then arrested a second time then the suspect would be booked.  As of January 1, 2014, all arrests for prostitution are resulting in the suspects being booked into jail on the misdemeanor charge. This appears to be having a positive impact due to the reduction in the amount of prostitutes observed working the streets.  Exceptions to the booking process are considered if there are extenuating circumstances such as pregnancy or medical issues requiring clearance from KMC prior to booking. In these instances the suspect is issued a citation and released. BAKERSFIELD POLICEBAKERSFIELD POLICEBAKERSFIELD POLICEBAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUMMEMORANDUMMEMORANDUMMEMORANDUM Date: February 13, 2014 To: Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Russell Johnson, Chair Jacquie Sullivan Willie Rivera From: Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Subject: Safe Neighborhoods Meeting/Police Recruitment and Staffing At the January 16, 2014 Safe Neighborhoods meeting, Councilman Russell Johnson posed numerous questions regarding the police department’s strategies to fill current and future open police officer positions. The Department currently has 36 open police officer positions. A basic police academy is scheduled to begin on March 11, 2014. The Bakersfield Police Department Basic Academy is certified for a maximum of 50 police trainees by California POST. The Department has extended 49 job offers to police trainee applicants to attend the basic academy. The other open position has been taken by the Shafter Police Department. The over hire of 13 positions accounts for academy attrition and additional expected retirements and separations from the Department. Expected retirements and separations are between 10 and 15 police officer positions during this calendar year. The Department is considering holding another basic police academy during FY 2014/2015. This will be determined as we prepare for the 2014/2015 budget. The current list contains an additional 49 eligible police trainee candidates which have not been processed. The department has the ability to process the background investigations on these individuals and continue the application process. The list of current eligible candidates expires on November 6, 2014. Thus, we must determine the number of qualified candidates from the existing list while considering the police trainee recruitment. If we do not anticipate we can fill the open police trainee positions from the existing list, the department will conduct the police trainee recruitment. The Department is also considering on-going recruitment of lateral police officers and academy graduates to assist in filling open positions as they become available in the future. We will continue to work with the Human Resources Division and Police Civil Service Commission to explore this possibility. GSW/vrf