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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2021 Staff: Committee Members: Christian Clegg, City Manager Councilmember, Eric Arias - Chair Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales Councilmember, Chris Parlier SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Wednesday, April 14, 2021 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 SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Public Safety Update – Chief Terry B. Police Staffing Update – Chief Terry/Human Resources Manager Tenter C. Committee Discussion and Recommendation Regarding Adoption of the 2021 Committee Meeting Schedule – Clegg 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 6. ADJOURNMENT SPECIAL NOTICE Public Participation and Accessibility April 14, 2021 Safe Neighborhood and Community Relations Committee Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Special Meeting April 14, 2021 Agenda Page 2 On March 18, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which includes a waiver of Brown Act provisions requiring physical presence of the Committee members or the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance from the California Governor’s Office and Department of Public Health, as well as the County Health Officer, in order to minimize the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, the City of Bakersfield hereby provides notice that as a result of the declared federal, state, and local health emergencies, and in light of the Governor’s order, the following adjustments have been made: 1. The meeting scheduled for April 14, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. will have limited public access. 2. Consistent with the Executive Order, Committee members may elect to attend the meeting telephonically and to participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they were physically present. 3. The public may participate in each meeting and address the Committee as follows:  If you wish to comment on a specific agenda item, submit your comment via email to the City Clerk at City_Clerk@bakersfieldcity.us no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, the day before the Committee meeting. Please clearly indicate which agenda item number your comment pertains to.  If you wish to make a general public comment not related to a specific agenda item, submit your comment via email to the City Clerk at City_Clerk@bakersfieldcity.us no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, the day before the Committee meeting.  Alternatively, you may comment by calling (661) 326-3100 and leaving a voicemail of no more than 3 minutes no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, the day before the Committee meeting. Your message must clearly indicate whether your comment relates to a particular agenda item, or is a general public comment. If your comment meets the foregoing criteria, it will be transcribed as accurately as possible.  If you wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item as it is being heard, please email your written comment to the City Clerk at City_Clerk@bakersfieldcity.us. All comments received during the meeting may not be read, but will be provided to the Committee and included as part of the permanent public record of the meeting. Safe Neighborhood & Community Relations Committee September 17 Agenda Summary Report Page 1 Committee Members Staff: Jacqui Kitchen Councilmember, Willie Rivera Chair Assistant City Manager Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales Councilmember, Chris Parlier SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, September 17, 2020 9:00 a.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The meeting was convened at 9:00 a.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember, Willie Rivera, Chair Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales Councilmember, Chris Parlier City staff: Christian Clegg, City Manager Jacqui Kitchen, Assistant City Manager Anthony Valdez, Administrative Analyst III Ginny Gennaro, City Attorney Viridiana Gallardo-King, Christina Oleson, Deputy City Attorneys Greg Terry, Interim Chief of Police Robert Pair, Police Sergeant Daniel McAfee, Jeff Burdick, Police Lieutenants Additional Attendees: Members of the Public 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS No public comments. 3. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY 13, 2020 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT The Report was adopted as submitted. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Committee Discussion Regarding Violence Prevention Strategy – Terry Police Chief Terry provided a verbal presentation summarizing the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) Violence Prevention Strategy. There was an increase in violent crimes and a decrease in property crimes in 2020 when compared to 2019. Several community /S/ Jacqui Kitchen DRAFT S:\Council Committees\2020\Safe Neighborhood and Community Relations Committee\09_September Page 2 JK:pa:mc prevention and intervention programs were developed by BPD including the Police Activities League (PAL) Program, a Junior Police Academy, and the Bakersfield Safe Street Partnership. City Manager Clegg added that the City could provide support of prevention and intervention programs, partner with local agencies to improve neighborhood revitalization efforts. He stated that BPD was recently awarded a grant for $1.5 million dollars from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (CalVIP) to further improve and increase direct services to community-based organizations to support evidence-based violence reduction initiatives. Committee member Gonzales stated that the Bakersfield Safe Street Partnership is a good model and inquired about existing needs to strategize and improve community partnerships and local nonprofit partnerships. He also shared feedback from community members who had expressed concerns regarding the rise of crime near illegal gaming casino locations. Chief Terry responded that managing and coordinating outreach efforts to high-risk areas and individuals with community partners and local nonprofits was needed and that CalVIP will address those needs. Lieutenant McAfee stated cooperation from the property owners was necessary to address illegal gambling casinos in neighborhoods which was sometimes challenging. City Attorney Gennaro added that the City Attorney Office’s and BPD have addressed illegal casinos on a case by case basis. Committee member Gonzales requested staff implement an administrative citation process for illegal gambling casinos. Committee member Parlier requested staff contact the California Department of Justice’s Gambling Control Division to explore resources they may have available to assist in addressing illegal gambling casinos. Furthermore, he requested staff research the possibility of expanding the Shot Spotter program as well as additional equipment and technology resources to assist in the investigations of crimes. Committee Chair Rivera commented about re-establishing the Joint City-County Task Force to Combat Gun Violence to assist all the local partnerships in discussing and address ongoing violence issues. 5. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Street Racing Enforcement Update – Terry Police Chief Terry provided a verbal presentation summarizing the Street Racing Enforcement memorandum provided in the packet. He stated enforcement operations had been conducted and would continue to address this serious public safety issue. Committee member Parlier thanked Police Chief Terry and staff along with the Kern County Raceway for all the efforts to address illegal street racing. He requested staff research if an administrative citation process would be a beneficial tool and report the findings to the Committee at a future meeting. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee Member Parlier requested staff to provide an update on motorcycle police. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m. DRAFT BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: Safe Neighborhoods Committee Council Member Chris Parlier Council Member Andrae Gonzales Council Member Eric Arias FROM: Greg Terry, Chief of Police DATE: April 14, 2021 SUBJECT: Public Safety Update This report will provide details on Part 1 crime statistics for 2020 as well as an update on violent crime in 2021. Information will also be provided on efforts the Police Department is making to address violent crime, street racing, and catalytic converter thefts. A staffing update will be provided by the Police Department and Human Resources at the meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. 2020 Part 1 Crimes Statistics Overall Part 1 Crimes were lower in 2020 compared to 2019. In addition, overall property crimes were lower in 2020 than 2019. However, it is notable that auto thefts increased in 2020, as did homicides and aggravated assaults as analyzed in further detail below. Homicides and Non-fatal shootings In 2020 the City of Bakersfield experienced a significant increase in crimes of violence; particularly homicides and non-fatal shootings. Unfortunately, the trend as continued into 2021 as the below table details. However, to put this information into context, the vast majority of large cities in the United States reported an increase in violent crime of an average of 30% during 2020. Below graph compares local violent crime over the last three years with some comparable cities. California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) grant On September 3, 2020 the City of Bakersfield was awarded a multi-year $1,500,000 grant for the purposes of reducing gang and gun violence while minimizing incarceration and promoting opportunities for young people at highest risk of violence while strengthening community-police relations. Key elements of this program include the development of community partnerships and weekly shooting reviews. The “shooting reviews” involve the review of every incidence of violence from the previous week; date, time, place, and people involved. This helps identify individuals who are at imminent risk of being involved in violence. Through the community partnerships a plan is developed to directly and respectfully communicate an anti-violence message to those individuals to interrupt cycles of violence. Intervention services are offered through the community partners. The Community Based Organizations (CBO) in this program are:  Compassion Christian Center  Stay Focused Ministries  Wendale Davis Foundation. Each of the CBO’s has now received their initial orientation and training is on-going to build capacity for the prevention and intervention strategies. Street Racing Enforcement The Police Department continues to focus on street racing throughout our community. Street racing creates an extremely dangerous environment and endangers everyone on and near the roadway. We continue to conduct special enforcement operations to focus on street racing complaints where they are most prominent in our community. We will continue to utilize a holistic approach to address this serious public safety issue. We will:  Engage in enforcement/prevention activities  Partner with other local enforcement agencies; SIT operations, etc.  Utilize social media and develop original content to educate and inform the community on the dangers of street racing.  Utilize technology (surveillance trailers, speed trailers, traffic signage..etc) to enhance prevention efforts.  Continue to collaborate with community partners to reduce the activity of street racing on our local roadways. Catalytic Converter Theft Our community has experienced a significant spike in Catalytic Converter thefts this year. Already in 2021 we have had more than 430 reports of these thefts. That is more than three times the number of reported incidents in all of last year. The cost of a repair/replacement can be in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. We will be releasing a Public Service Announcement in an effort to raise our community’s awareness of these incidents and to provide tips on how to reduce the chance of being victimized. We are planning an event with a community partner to allow for community members to have their VIN etched onto their catalytic converter. This will enable us to trace it back to a victim if we seize it during an investigation. It will also allow us to prove that an individual is in possession of stolen property. More information on this event will be forthcoming. Staffing Update The Police Department and Human Resources will provide an update on police officer staffing efforts and strategies. 12:00 p.m.3:30 pm Closed Session 5:15 p.m. Public Session Budget Hearing: 06/02, Budget Adoption: 6/16 12:00 p.m. SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS 12 123456 123456 3456789 78910111213 78910111213 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 28 29 30 31 31 SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS 123 1 12345 45678910 2345678 6789101112 11121314151617 9101112131415 13141516171819 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 30 31 SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS 123 1234567 1234 45678910 891011121314 567891011 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS SMTWTHFS 12 123456 1234 3456789 78910111213 567891011 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum - 2021 Date yet To Be Determined League of California Cities Annual Conference - September 22-24, 2021 APRIL MAY JUNE Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Calendar January 2021 Through December 2021 All meetings will be held at City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A DRAFT Safe Neighborhoods Committee City Council Meetings Budget Departmental Workshop Holidays - City Hall Closed JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Documents Presented At The Safe Neighborhoods Committee April 14, 2021 Meeting BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE APRIL 14, 2021 PART 1 CRIMES -UPDATE OFFENSE 2020 YTD 2019 YTD HOMICIDE 45 34 RAPE 104 116 ROBBERY 604 671 AGG. ASSAULT 1,253 915 BURGLARY 3,133 3,888 LARCENY / THEFT 8,648 9,277 AUTO THEFT 3,830 2,909 PART 1 TOTALS 17,617 17,810 OFFENSE 2020 2019 HOMICIDE 45 34 RAPE 104 116 ROBBERY 604 671 AGG. ASSAULT 1,253 915 Violent Crimes 2,006 1,736 OFFENSE 2020 2019 BURGLARY 3,133 3,888 LARCENY / THEFT 8,648 9,277 AUTO THEFT 3,830 2,909 Property Crimes 15,611 16,074 PART 1 CRIMES 2018 –2020; COMPARABLE CITIES Includes Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault HOMICIDES -COMPARABLE CITIES AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS –COMPARABLE CITIES In the first 3 months of 2021; major cities are still seeing high rates of violent crime. HOMICIDES AND NON FATAL SHOOTINGS –3 YR AVERAGE CALIFORNIA VIOLENCE INTERVENTION & PREVENTION GRANT On September 3, 2020 the City of Bakersfield was awarded a multi-year $1,500,000 grant for the purposes of reducing gang and gun violence while minimizing incarceration and promoting opportunities for young people at highest risk of violence while strengthening community-police relations. Key elements of this program include: “Weekly Shooting Reviews” -The “shooting reviews” involve the review of every incidence of violence from the previous week; date, time, place, and people involved. Communication and Intervention strategies –This involves the alignment of Law enforcement and Community Based Organization (CBO) resources to identify individuals who are at imminent risk of being involved in violence and the development of a plan to directly and respectfully communicate an anti- violence message to those individuals to interrupt cycles of violence. CBO’s will use credible messengers with small caseloads to focus on those most at risk. The Community Based Organizations (CBO) in this program are: •Compassion Christian Center •Stay Focused Ministries •Wendale Davis Foundation. Each of the CBO’s has now received their initial orientation and training is on-going to build capacity for the prevention and intervention strategies. MOTORCYCLE UNIT RESTORATION Current Fleet –4 Patrol Bikes and 4 Training Bikes We are requesting 4 additional bikes in FY21/22. Motorcycles have many functions including traffic enforcement, patrol duties, escorts, community engagement events and parades. They are highly maneuverable and can access areas that a standard patrol SUV cannot. This is very helpful in congested traffic and can enhance response times to collisions. They are more effective in speed enforcement in residential areas and can accelerate more quickly to catch up to a speeding vehicle than a patrol SUV. Officer Safety is a priority. •Certification Training -3 weeks •Annual Certification –10 hour course •Enhanced protective gear STREET RACING ENFORCEMENT We continue to conduct special enforcement operations to focus on street racing complaints where they are most prominent in our community. 2020 2021 Reckless Driving Calls for Service 6,266 1,567 Reckless Driving Arrests 161 49 Speed Contest Arrests 41 12 We will continue to utilize a holistic approach to address this serious public safety issue. We will: •Engage in enforcement/prevention activities •Partner with other local enforcement agencies; SIT operations, etc. •Utilize social media and develop original content to educate and inform the community on the dangers of street racing. •Utilize technology (surveillance trailers, speed trailers, traffic signage..etc.) to enhance prevention efforts. •Seek collaboration with community partners to reduce the activity of street racing on our local roadways. CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS Our community has experienced a significant spike in Catalytic Converter thefts this year. Already in 2021 we have had more than 430 reports of these thefts. That is more than three times the number of reported incidents in all of last year. We will be releasing a Public Service Announcement in an effort to raise our community’s awareness of these incidents and to provide tips on how to reduce the chance of being victimized. Prevention Tips: •Park in well lit areas •Park in garage if possible •Engrave your VIN number onto your catalytic converter •Install anti-theft device, i.e. after market shield, cables, etc. Community Event –Saturday, May 1, 2021 @ MotorCity Questions? POLICE STAFFING UPDATE –SWORN HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT Council Goal #1 –Quality Public Safety Services ◦PSVS hiring goal for police sworn staffing was to hire 100 officers over a 3-year period. ◦Starting sworn complement as of July 2019 was 387 sworn personnel. ◦Completed 3 BPD Police Academies; 1 in progress. ◦Filled complement has been increased by 43 positions, for a total compliment of 430 (as of 4/2/21). ◦Authorized sworn complement 479. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ◦Adoption of Pellet-B exam ◦Modification of agility to enhance female applicant success rate ◦Reduce Repetitive Steps in Lateral Exam ◦Expanded Recruitment Postings Sources (e.g., banners, websites, etc.) ◦Police Trainee Recruitment Bonus $3,000 -effective 2019 ◦Candidate Text Messaging ◦Candidate Self-Scheduling Options ◦Recruitment Outreach & Social Media ◦Increase Academy Class Size and Sessions; Opening of BPD Training Facility ◦Exit Interviews and Employee Surveys INITIATIVES -PAST PSVS -Phase II allocated $500,000 in support of sworn recruitment and retention efforts. INITIATIVES -PRESENT Phase I - ◦Cornerstone Communications – Behind the Badge ◦Dedicated BPD Recruitment Website ◦Lateral Recruitments –May 2021 ◦Next Academy -July 2021 INITIATIVES -FUTURE Phase II – o Continuous Recruitment Exam Schedule o Increase Hiring Incentive and Add Lateral/Academy Graduate o Employee Referral Program o Dispatcher Hiring Incentive o “Sponsor” Trainees for Academy Equipment o Staffing –Retired Annuitants and Human Resources Phase III – o Early Engagement Efforts / Mentorship o Physical Fitness Preparedness & Sustainability o Revise Trainee and Police Officer Job Specifications o Assess Relocation and temporary Housing Questions?