HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/2022
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 Monday, April 25, 2022 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 AUGUST 24, 2021 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Park Ranger Program – R. Anthony
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 6. ADJOURNMENT
Committee Members
Staff: Christian Clegg Councilmember, Eric Arias Chair
City Manager Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales
Councilmember, Chris Parlier
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North – Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
The meeting was convened at 12:03 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Committee members: Councilmember, Eric Arias, Chair
Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales
Councilmember, Chris Parlier, participated via telephone
City staff: Christian Clegg, City Manager
Chris Huot, Assistant City Manager
Kevin Truelson, Anthony Valdez, and Brianna Carrier, Assistants
to the City Manager
Joe Conroy, Public Information Officer
Nathan Gutierrez and Michelle Cruz, Management Assistants
Ashley Zambrano, Deputy City Attorney
Brent Stratton, Assistant Police Chief
Bobby Woolard, Damon Youngblood, and Theodore King
Police Lieutenants
Paul Bender, Police Sergeant
Additional Attendees: Members of the Public and Media
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
There were no public comments.
3. ADOPTION OF APRIL 14, 2021 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
The Report was adopted as submitted.
/S/ Christian Clegg
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4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Public Safety Update – Terry
City Manager Clegg stated Chief of Police Terry was participating in a Community Policing
in Southern California Roundtable; therefore, Assistant Chief of Police Stratton provided a
summary of crime statistics for the first seven months of 2021 including ongoing efforts to
address crimes by way of PowerPoint presentation. Key points are:
Year-to-date, crimes have increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Overall, property
crimes were lower in 2021 than in 2020.
Year-to-date, auto thefts, homicides and aggravated assaults increased in 2021, as
did larceny theft.
The City launched the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP)
Program. CalVIP aims to reduce gang and gun violence while minimizing
incarceration and promoting opportunities for young people at the highest risk of
violence while strengthening community-police relations. Ongoing community
engagement with community-based organizations and coordinated efforts
Committee member Gonzales inquired about the current surge in crimes and what is being
done to prevent violent crimes in the highest propensity areas in the city including community
building efforts, redevelopment and revitalization efforts, economic development, etc.
Assistant Chief Stratton responded that the recent surge was due to gang related violence.
City Manager Clegg stated a combination of direct intervention with high propensity
individuals, prevention to reduce violent crimes, and community transformation are all
components to improve and reduce the crimes within the city. Ongoing efforts to synergize
the collective contribution and efforts of local partners to improve neighborhoods continues.
Committee member Parlier thanked the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) for all their hard
work and efforts as they continue to be impacted by several state initiatives. He also
complimented Committee member Gonzales on his creativity to find alternative solutions
and programs to improve and aide communities in higher need.
Committee Chair Arias inquired about how BPD is responding to the increase in crime and
what impact, if any, it is having on public safety. Assistant Police Chief Stratton stated that
the increase in crime corresponds with the growth of the City. The hiring of additional officers
has contributed to reducing crimes while increasing their response to calls for service (patrol,
homicide, gang violence, etc.) and work on preventive measures. BPD continues to
collaborate with local partners and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to increase
prevention and intervention measures.
Committee Chair Arias inquired about the status of CalVIP program. City Manager Clegg
responded that CalVIP had launched earlier in the year. BPD has improved their data
informed approach to enforcement, training of CBOs, site visits of other organizations who
have implemented a CalVIP program, and ongoing coordination meetings with the CBOs to
strategize intervention and deterrence strategies to reduce violence. Assistant Police Chief
Stratton added that several units of BPD continue to collaborate and work in unison. This
allows for targeted strategic approaches to prevent and reduce crime. The coordination
meetings with the CBOs have contributed to these efforts as well. Committee Chair Arias
commended BPD for their contributions and dedication to the community.
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B. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program – Terry
Assistant Chief of Police Stratton introduced Police Lieutenant Youngblood and Sergeant
Bender who provided a summary of the UAS program by way of PowerPoint presentation.
Key points are:
A 14-member Team comprised of 10 sworn officers, a dispatcher, two sergeants and
one lieutenant, was formed in 2019.
Development and implementation based on consultations with numerous other law
enforcements agencies including Ventura and Tulare County Sheriff’s Offices,
Sacramento, Atlanta (GA), Costa Mesa, Chula Vista Police Departments, and the
Bakersfield Fire Department.
Airspace restrictions vary by jurisdictions which impacts UAS missions. Department
granted a blanket certificate of authorization by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Requires formal and ongoing flight and safety training for pilots.
Current uses include vehicle accident investigations, missing persons investigations
SWAT/BOB Squad incidents, fires, and search and rescue operations.
Four current aircrafts in use: DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise, DJI Phantom 4, Autel EVO, and DJI
Mavic Mini 2
Privacy concerns and considerations incorporated into UAS policy and manual.
Random surveillance activities are not conducted.
Committee Parlier stated UAS technology has improved in recent years and would like to see
how BPD can use it as a force multiplier. He requested staff review possible funding
opportunities to fund implementation of a program that would include the most advance
equipment available as well as designated staffing assigned to operate UAS.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Committee Chair Arias suggested staff communicate details of the transformative programs and
initiatives discussed during the meeting that are being implemented with the community, so they
remain informed of the efforts and response to the increase of crimes and violence.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m. DRAFT