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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/2015 B A K E R S F I E L D /s/ Chris Gerry Committee Members Staff: Chris Gerry Councilmember, Chris Parlier, Chair Administrative Analyst Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan Councilmember, Willie Rivera REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, October 15, 2015 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 Councilmember Rivera was absent. Committee members: Councilmember, Chris Parlier, Chair Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan City staff: Steve Teglia, Assistant City Manager Chris Huot, Assistant City Manager Chris Gerry, Administrative Analyst – City Manager’s Office Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant – City Manager’s Office Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Richard Iger, Deputy City Attorney Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Captain Hajir Nuriddin, Police Department Lieutenant Joe Mullins, Police Department Lieutenant Jeremy Grimes, Police Department Sergeant Clayton Madden, Police Department Cindy London, Crime Prevention Supervisor – Police Department Kelsey Taylor, Community Relations Specialist – Police Department Additional Attendees: Bhavna Sharma, Global Family Care Network Paulina Vivanco and Frank Franco Velez, Jr. - Students Members of the media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 15, 2015 Page 2 __________________________________________________________ 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS There were no public statements. 3. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY 19, 2015 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The Report was unanimously adopted as submitted. 4. REPORTS A. Update regarding Gang/Graffiti Enforcement Police Chief Williamson introduced Lieutenant Mullins, who provided a brief summary of the information that had been included in the meeting packet. Year-to-date, gang-related shootings are down by approximately 25% in comparison to 2014. They continue to be concentrated in certain areas, generally south of State Route 178 to Brundage Lane and east of State Route 99. However, the three gang-related homicides that occurred this year happened west of State Route 99. Gang activity in general continues to be concentrated in the economically disadvantaged areas of Bakersfield. Year-to-date, 100 guns have been seized. Those gang members convicted of crimes with guns typically receive lengthy sentences. The Department is making a concerted effort to address problems that have been occurring in the same locations over a long period of time through various methods, such as community outreach and intervention. There are a number of things citizens can do to make their neighborhood less attractive to gangs, and they were listed in the handout. B. Update regarding Safe Streets Partnership Efforts Lieutenant Mullins reported that the partnership involves service providers, clergy, law enforcement and members of the community. A 501(C)3, non-profit status was recently established. Partners include Stay Focused Ministries, Garden Pathways and the National Brotherhood Association. There is a gang call-in scheduled in November, and it will involve a specific gang that has exhibited am increase in activity. Approximately 12 public safety cameras deployed in the Downtown area and extending eastward have been successful in gathering evidence after a crime has occurred. The Watch Commander and staff in the Communications Center are able to adjust the angle, zoom in and out, and otherwise view crime scenes. As funding becomes available, the project will be expanded. Committee Chair Parlier asked staff to look at a shot spotter type of technology to assist with efforts. He also asked that staff survey comparably sized cities that also have clusters of gang activity to learn what their results have been. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 15, 2015 Page 3 __________________________________________________________ 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion regarding Efforts to Address Human Trafficking Police Chief Williamson introduced Lieutenant Grimes, who is in charge of the Vice Narcotics Unit. Also in attendance was Kelsey Taylor, Community Relations Specialist from the Department, who completed her masters’ thesis at California State University Bakersfield on human trafficking. Ms. Taylor has also developed an educational program for prevention and awareness, which can be provided to any interested group. Lieutenant Grimes gave a PowerPoint presentation and provided a brief overview. Human Trafficking The definition of human trafficking varies from prostitution. As a result of the enactment of Proposition 35 in November, 2012, prison terms and other consequences faced by those convicted of human trafficking are greater. Most of the juveniles rescued from traffickers are reported runaways. If there is no responsible adult to release the juveniles to, they are taken to the Jamison Center. Investigations are conducted by patrol officers, and Detectives from the Special Victims Crime Unit and the City/County Joint Vice Task Force. The Joint Task Force is comprised of a Sergeant and two Detectives from the Police Department, and one Senior Deputy from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. The Police Department’s Vice Unit is comprised of eight Detectives and one Sergeant. Prostitution Undercover officers pose as both Johns and prostitutes in their sting operations. Detectives use an “out-call” method to encourage alleged prostitutes to visit their location. A large number of arrests have been made. Some prostitution operations take place in massage establishments. It was noted that some trafficking has been discovered during undercover prostitution operations in massage establishments. In response to questions from Committee member Sullivan, Lieutenant Grimes said that in the past citations were issued in prostitution cases, but the Department changed its strategy in 2014, and began arresting more individuals. The result is fewer incidents of recidivism. Occurrences of human trafficking are more readily recognized than before. More stringent laws allow cases that were typically considered as pimping to be classified as human trafficking, which enables law enforcement to move forward and prosecute for stiffer penalties. In response to a question from Committee Chair Parlier, Lieutenant Grimes said that the Department received full grants from the State Alcohol Beverage Control Department the past three years for prostitution enforcement. This year, the Sheriff’s Office received such a grant and the Police Department received a mini grant for tobacco enforcement. Committee Chair Parlier thanked the Police Department for being proactive and for conducting good investigations. He added that the item is informational. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 15, 2015 Page 4 __________________________________________________________ There were no public speakers on this item. Police Chief Williamson noted that all of the Community Partners are listed in the PowerPoint, and he thanked them for their efforts. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS There were no comments. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:34 p.m.