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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/06� B A K E R S F I E L D Irma Carson, Cr Mike Maggard Jacquie Sullivar Staff: John W. ; SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield March 23, 2006 11:45 a. m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL 2. ADOPTION OF JANUARY 24, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT OF TH COMMITTEE ON CRIME, WEAPONS, GANG VIOLENCE AND COMMUNITY RE 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS a. Discussion and update on gang enforcement activities by the Police (Assistant Police Bryan Lynn) b. Discussion and update regarding analysis of SB 155 — Gang AbatemE Attorney Gennaro) c. Continued discussion and recommendations regarding Advisory appointments 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion regarding graffiti enforcement activities by the Police (Assistant Police Chief Bryan Lynn) Alan Tandy, City Manager Staff: John W. Stinson � B A K E R S F I E L D AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Irma Carson, Chair Mike Maggard Jacquie Sullivan SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON CRIME, WEAPONS, GANG VIOLENCE, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS Tuesday, January 24, 2006 12:00 p. m. Bakersfield City Council Chambers 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California 93301 The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m. 1. 2. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Irma Carson, Chair; Mike Maggard, Vice Mayor; and Jacquie Sullivan Advisory members present: Bob Malouf, Employer's Training Resource; Stephanie Campbell; Wesley Crawford, SCLC; Walter Williams, GBLA; Yusuf Islam; and Terry McClanahan, Ebony Counseling Center ADOPTION OF DECEMBER 20, 2005 and DECEMBER 31, 2005 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORTS Adopted as submitted. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Marvin Dean provided a memorandum regarding recommendations for the Committee. The request is for the Committee to either set up, or outsource to a service provider, a community action plan to stop gang violence that includes an education component to target all gangs. This would involve working with school districts to reach students, going door-to-door to meet with parents, and working with the public access channels. Secondly, removal of all safe houses is recommended, making parents responsible for those individuals who live in the home. A directory of resources would be provided that would include contact numbers for law enforcement, and Church and community groups. The third recommendation is to provide referral assistance to those persons returning from prison who may want to update their skills and gain employment. . Ad Hoc Committee on Crime, Weapons, Gang Violence and Community Relations January 24, 2006 Agenda Summary Report Page 2 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS a. Discussion and update on enforcement activities by the Police Department and other agencies (Police Chief Rector) Police Chief Rector reminded the Committee that the Police Department's approach consists of enforcement, suppression and intervention. The 2005 year-end statistics are: total number of gang-related arrests - 1,316; parole or probation searches - 1,881. To date in 2006, there have been 121 arrests, 9 guns seized and 269 parole or probation searches. Three teams work 20+ hours per day, 7 days a week. They work with other agencies, such as probation and parole. All guns seized are processed by District Attorney's crime lab to check if they have been involved in other crimes. Serial numbers are also checked. It is unknown how many of the parole and probation searches resulted in re-incarceration; however, Chief Rector stated that all law enforcement takes a hard stance. b. Discussion and recommendations regarding analysis of SB 155 — Gang Abatement Act (City Attorney Gennaro) At the December 31, 2005 meeting, City Attorney Gennaro was asked to provide information regarding SB 155. Her analysis was provided by memorandum to the Committee. Highlights include: 1) Penalties would increase for those convicted of gang related crimes. The penalty for recruitment of a minor has a potential of imprisonment of up to 10 years. 2) It will be easier for minor to be tried and convicted as an adult in federal court system. 3) The Attorney General will be provided an opportunity to designate an area that is "a high intensity interstate gang activity area," and if City or State qualifies the area, $100 million would be available from the Federal Government to �the combat the problem. The Bill also reinstates several gang-resistant and educational programs that lost funding in previous years. Most significantly, the Bill redefines a criminal street gang as any group of 3 or more individuals who either individually or jointly have committed at least 2 gang related crimes in last 10 years. It may give cities and states an opportunity to craft legislation to prevent gang members from associating in public places. Sarah Moffatt from Senator Diane Feinstein's office was recognized. She indicated that funds would be provided to those agencies that substantiate their existing gang problems. Ms. Gennaro will draft a resolution in support of the Bill for City Council approval. Advisory member Stephanie Campbell recommended attaching letters of support from the Advisory Committee. Committee member Maggard directed staff to invite other San Joaquin Valley cities and counties to join in the effort. It was moved and seconded to direct staff to draft resolution for Council approval. Committee member Maggard requested that a copy of the bill and analysis be provided prior to the Council meeting. Ms. Moffatt requested notification of the community's efforts to gain funding for the Weec' and Seed program. The Senator and her staff are willing to assist with a letter of support. 5. c. Discussion and identification of involvement Ad Hoc Committee on Crime, Weapons, Gang Violence and Community Relations January 24, 2006 Agenda Summary Report Page 3 recommendations on setting priorities for the Committee, and community concerns regarding gang activity and community Committee Chair Carson directed that the Committee establish four priorities, divide into those four groups and report back. The four priorities are: 1) education and prevention, 2) empowerment for job creation, 3) enforcement and suppression, and 4) intervention with families. Advisory member Campbell recommends training for mothers. This topic could be part of the focus for groups 1 and 4. Advisory member Crawford wants a focus on young men and women who have been in prison, and want to rededicate their lives and become an asset to the community. This topic would be part of the focus for group 2. It was moved and seconded to create 4 focus groups. Committee Chair Carson will contact each member to find out who will chair each group. d. Discussion and recommendations regarding setting goals for the Committee Per Committee Chair Carson, each focus group would set their own goals. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and recommendations regarding formation of a standing City Council Committee Committee Chair Carson indicated that it had been her intent from the beginning to have a standing committee. The citizen's advisory group will continue to attend the meetings and provide input. Any recommendations would then be forwarded to the City Council for approval. Committee member Maggard stressed that only the Committee can vote, although the input provided by the citizens' advisory group will continue to be valuable. He recommended changing the name so that it sends a more positive message. Per City Attorney Gennaro, legally, the Committee cannot continue as an Ad Hoc Committee as those are meant to only exist short term. Advisory member Campbell stressed the importance of the citizens' advisory group and the need to continue providing input to the Committee. Assurances were made that this would be the case. Committee Chair Carson stated that she will ask Council to approve the request to make this a standing committee and establish a name. It was moved and seconded to change the committee from an ad hoc to a standing committee. There was one opposing vote, by Advisory member Campbell. Ad Hoc Committee on Crime, Weapons, Gang Violence and Community Relations January 24, 2006 Agenda Summary Report Page 4 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Maggard stated that the Kern County Board of Supervisors is interested in participating with the City in a long-term standing committee. Committee member Sullivan asked if the two bodies would meet together. City Attorney Gennaro indicated that this would be a topic of discussion at the Joint City/County meeting scheduled for February 27, 2006. Advisory member McClanahan reported that when she attended a meeting chaired by Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio, the Police, Sheriff, Probation and Parole Departments had representatives in attendance. She recommended having representatives from these departments on this committee, also. Committee Chair Carson agreed and further recommended including a representative from the spiritual community. Advisory member Crawford included a recommendation to have a representative from the District Attorney's office. Committee member Maggard noted that representatives from the Kern High School District and the Bakersfield City School District used to attend the meetings, and it is important that they continue to attend. Committee member Sullivan commented that with the addition of these representatives, the makeup of advisory committee would become a City/County advisory committee. It was moved and seconded to include the above mentioned agencies to the Advisory Committee. Advisory member McClanahan also reported that it is at the discretion of Los Angeles authorities to send paroled gang members and felons to Kern County. Committee member Maggard directed staff to send a letter to Sacramento indicating our preference to stop this practice. The Police Department will provide the appropriate contact information. Advisory member McClanahan suggested adding a fifth focus group that would work on applicable legislation. Committee Chair Carson agreed. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:44 p.m. Staff present: Mayor, Harvey L. Hall; Assistant City Manager, John W. Stinson; City Attorney, Virginia Gennaro; Police Chief, William Rector; and David Stricker, City Recreation and Parks. Others present: Maryann Hester; Marvin Dean; Larry McKenzie and John Philips, 29 Eyewitness News; and Anna Emhoff. A few members of the public were also in attendance. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council