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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/06� B A K E R S F I E L D AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT W C� Staff: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager Councilmember, Irma Car: Councilmember, Mike Magg Councilmember, Jacquie S� REGULAR MEETING SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS and COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE and Community Advisory Committee of the City of Bakersfield Thursday, September 14, 2006 11:30 a.m. City Manager's Conference Room The meeting was called to order at 11:35 a.m. 1. 2. 3. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember, Irma Carson - Chair Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan Councilmember, Mike Maggard Absent: None Advisory members present: Beverly Beasley Johnson, Kern County Departmenl Services; David Strong, Corp 4 Better Housir Crawford; SCLC; Walter Williams, GBLA. ADOPTION OF THE AUGUST 10, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None DEFERRED BUSINESS Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee September 14, 2006 Agenda Summary Report Page 2 Police Officer Bowersox gave a report on graffiti. There were a total of 137 arrests, 99 of which were juvenile arrests. Over 70 arrests were made last year. There were 466 offenses that were cleared in August. Three juveniles were arrested and prosecuted for tagging on public property. Copies of some of the graffiti the juveniles were connected to were distributed. In addition, he mentioned that the juveniles were connected to over 260 offenses. Councilmember Maggard spoke regarding a memo he had received from the City Attorney's office that involved taking away driver's licenses from graffiti offenders and asked if that was an idea that could take place. Elizabeth Gong with the Kern County Probation Juvenile Department said this program is already in place, if the offender comes to Juvenile Court and the Judge finds him or her guilty, they will lose their privilege to drive for 1 year. If they do not already have a driver's license, then they would not have the privilege to drive until they turned 18. Advisory member Williams spoke regarding the hardship low-income parents would have if they were held accountable. He also mentioned starting a program that could be held once a year for juveniles where they would be able to compete and show their artistic skills, and the winner would be rewarded for it. Kim Salas with Supervisor Rubio's office gave information on upcoming projects to inform parents and juveniles of graffiti violations, such as bill boards campaigning against graffiti and the consequences of it. Kirk Foster with the Sheriff's Department also informed the Committee that he will be meeting with Karen Bennett of the Police Department to discuss the Prevention Program. The Program will be run by the Community Relations Specialist, once the position has been filled, along with a Crime Prevention Specialist. A plan will be developed and will be consistent so that it can be offered County-wide. Committee Chair Carson suggested Kirk Foster return to the next meeting with information of how the plan would work along with ways to educate and involve the community. b. Update on State of Emergency Action Plan (Greg Williamson & Beverly Johnson) Beverly Johnson with Kern County Department of Human Services and Greg Williamson from the Police Department gave an update on the State of Emergency Action Plan. Irma Carson, Bill Andrews, Karen Goh, Mark Stansberry, Kevin Stokes, Greg Williamson, and Beverly Johnson all met on September 1, 2006, which was the first meeting, to discuss the issues of youth and gang violence. What was discussed was the first step in looking at what resources and strategies are currently available in the community in the areas of Prevention, Intervention and Suppression. The group made a decision to conduct a gap analysis utilizing a roundtable discussion inviting identified Community agencies such as Crime Prevention from the Sheriff and Police Dept.; Tom Gorsom with Network for Children; MASK, Stop the Violence, Mental Health; Human Services Department; and the Kern County Probation Department to speak on the issues. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee September 14, 2006 Agenda Summary Report Page 3 A tentative schedule for the meetings is as follows: 1) Prevention on September 22, 2006 at the Public Health Department from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 2) Intervention on October 13, 2006 at the Public Health Department from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 3) Suppression on October 27, 2006 and November 10, 2006 both dates located at PAL from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. She also mentioned the final report and recommendations are due in December when they will be reviewing previous strategies that were developed in 2003, along with strategies that were developed from other communities. Kirk Foster with the Kern County Sheriff's Department gave information on an approved early intervention program that will target Southeast Bakersfield, 34'" Street and the Oildale areas. The program will focus on elementary/Junior High students before they start developing delinquent behaviors. He mentioned they will be using an office in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to help determine what evidence-based practices can be used within the program. The program will provide enrichment activities and case management services. They are also partnering with several agencies, such as Mental Health, the High Schools and Faith-based organizations. c. Discussion regarding Park Watch Program (Dianne Hoover) Recreation and Parks Director, Dianne Hoover, gave a report outlining the various programs already in place that could be considered part of a comprehensive Park Watch program. The four areas outlined included: 1) The Neighborhood/Park Watch program as set up by the Police Department. Neighbors come to a general meeting and are given information on how they can be the eyes and ears in and around their neighborhood parks. 2) Adopt — A— Park program is the same as adopting a portion of a highway, street or trail. Terms of the agreement could be such that the group agrees to certain projects within a given year. Volunteer groups would need to provide their own liability insurance. 3) Park Ambassador program is in a proposal stage and has developed into two different scenarios. a. Have volunteers stationed at a kiosk area and be available for answers to questions, assistance with reservation assignments, and have information available on park rules and regulations. Volunteers would be designated by a nametag, shirts, hat or vest indicating their status with the City of Bakersfield and would be assigned to the booth for a specific time. b. Volunteers would be trained by the Police Department as citizen ambassadors to walk around the park and assist park users in friendly, non-confrontational manner. They could possibly help with explaining park rules, offer assistance to and from their cars, point out various features of Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee September 14, 2006 Agenda Summary Report Page 4 the park, and deter illegal activity. The Park Ambassador Program is sti11 in its initial planning phase with many details to work through before implementation is possible. 4) Park Patrol is offered by the Police Department for regular patrols through neighborhoods and park areas. A bike patrol program is also available instead of cars to patrol areas. 5) In addition, the Recreation and Parks Department has contracted with Kern Security to visit several of the parks between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., seven days a week. In some parks, Kern Security is closing restrooms and gates which has reduced graffiti and vandalism. Some of the programs are being offered at Silver Creek, Yokuts and Beach Parks, and The Park at River Walk. Committee Chair Carson gave information on how she met with a group of Ministers, as well as other groups, resulting in creating a task force of Church members to make a difference in the community. She mentioned how there will be a rally to Stop Gang Violence that will take place at Lowell Park on Sunday, September 24, 2006, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Karen Goh mentioned the goal of the rally is to involve and unite the community. There will be a lot of information, along with food and beverages targeting gang violence. Committee Chair Carson made a motion that the Committee approve the sponsorship and forward the contract to the Council. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. 5. NEW BUSINESS No Items 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m. Staff present: Assistant City Manager, John W. Stinson; Assistant City Attorney, Janice Scanlan; Recreation and Parks Director, Dianne Hoover; Police Chief, William Rector; Assistant Police Chief, Bryan Lynn; Capt. Archie Scott; Robert Allen, Chris Bowers, and David Pence with the Bakersfield Police Department; Lt. Greg Williamson; Capt. Archie Scott; and Capt. Tim Taylor. Others present: Karen Goh, Garden Pathways; Mark Standsberry, Ebony Counseling Center; Kirk Foster, Kern County Sheriff Department; John Roberts and Elizabeth Gong, Kern County Probation Department; Mickey Sturdivant, M.A.S.K.; Kim Salas, Supervisor Rubio's Office; Charlotte Daniel; Kelly Chamberlain; Jim Parks; and several members of the media. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council