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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/2016 B A K E R S F I E L D Committee Members Staff: Steven Teglia Councilmember, Chris Parlier, Chair Assistant City Manager Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan Councilmember, Willie Rivera REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, October 13, 2016 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 Sullivan was absent. Committee members: Councilmember, Chris Parlier, Chair Councilmember, Willie Rivera City staff: Steve Teglia, 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 Viridiana Gallardo-King, Associate City Attorney Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Lyle Martin, Assistant Chief of Police Captain Rene Chow, Police Department Captain Brian Clayton, Police Department Captain Joe Bianco, Police Department Lieutenant Joe Mullins, Police Department Additional Attendees: Joe Granados, Gay and Lesbian Center of Bakersfield /s/ Steven Teglia Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 13, 2016 Page 2 __________________________________________________________ 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS There were no public statements. 3. ADOPTION OF OCTOBER 15, 2015 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The Report was unanimously adopted as submitted. 4. REPORTS A. Gang Activity Update Lieutenant Joe Mullins provided a brief summary of the gang activity information provided in the meeting packet. Year-to-date, gang-related shootings have increased by approximately 59% in comparison to 2015. They continue to be concentrated in certain areas, generally south of State Route 178 to Brundage Lane and east of State Route 99. Gang activity, in general, continues to be concentrated in the economically disadvantaged areas of Bakersfield. Year-to-date, gun seizures have also increased by approximately 75% in comparison to 2015, with over 168 guns seized by the Special Enforcement Unit from gang members. The Bakersfield Police Department (Department) continues to make 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. In addition, two public safety cameras are being installed in the following areas: one at the 500 block of Martin Luther King (MLK) Boulevard and another at Lowell Park. B. Bakersfield Safe Streets Partnership Update Lieutenant Mullins reported that the Bakersfield Safe Streets Partnership held four community outreach meetings in the past year in areas which have experienced gun and gang violence. Gang “call-ins”, also known as Project Ceasefire, continue to be held. They provide gang members the opportunity to reduce violence. In partnership with several local churches, efforts to increase the community capacity to care for at-risk individuals have continued. Members of the Department and the community have also trained together in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Additional training in other areas like procedural justice and police legitimacy is scheduled to be held in the beginning of 2017. Committee member Rivera asked if multiple cameras would be installed in the areas near Lowell Park. Lieutenant Mullins indicated the two cameras being installed near Lowell Park will have the capabilities of being monitored from several locations, controlling capabilities to move, turn, tilt, zoom and readjust the cameras as well. No additional cameras will be installed at this time. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 13, 2016 Page 3 __________________________________________________________ Committee Chair Parlier thanked the Department for all the work they have done. He asked whether the City Council could provide any additional tools to assist the Department be more successful. Police Chief Williamson stated Council support regarding the addition of School Resource Officer positions and technology enhancements are important but limited to due budgetary constraints. Assistant Chief Martin stated expanding partnerships with different community groups will assist in reaching youth. In doing so, it may help break the generational cycle of drugs and gangs. Committee Chair Parlier requested staff provide the Committee with a list of positions that could contribute to decreasing gang violence with an indication of those which could be filled with the assistance of grant contributions. He inquired if technology advances like Shot Spotter would help decrease gang violence in small areas. Lieutenant Mullins stated technology programs like Shot Spotter are designed to assist locating where shots are fired from in small areas. Unfortunately, the programs are very expensive and require ongoing annual payments. Committee Chris Parlier requested staff research and provide the Committee information regarding the Shot Spotter program including the cost of additional equipment to work in conjunction with the program or one similar to it. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Southside Police Substation Update Police Chief Williamson stated the Southside Police Substation opened in 2008 and was closed during the economic downturn. It was reopened in May of 2015 and is utilized by Officers assigned to the Valley Zone for conducting briefings, drafting reports, and amenities. It has added a police presence in the area which has also seen an improvement in response times. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Rivera took the opportunity to thank Police Chief Williamson for all his efforts and contributions over the past few years as it would be his final Committee meeting prior to his retirement. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:36 p.m.