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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/2007 B A K E R S F I E L D Staff: John W. Stinson Assistant City Manager City Council members: Irma Carson, Chair Zack Scrivner Jacquie Sullivan REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE and Community Advisory Committee of the City Council -City of Bakersfield Thursday, March 15, 2007 11:45 a.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 MINUTES Meeting called to order at 11:50 a.m. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Council member Irma Carson; Chair Council member Zack Scrivner Absent: Council member Jacquie Sullivan Advisory members present: Steven Perryman, BHS Devon Johnson, OGPC Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Group Wesley Crawford, SCLC/NCAACD Staff present: Assistant City Managers John W. Stinson and Christine Butterfield Management Assistant Rick Kirkwood Mayor Harvey L. Hall City Attorney Virginia Gennaro Assistant City Attorney Janice Scanlan Police Chief William Rector Capt. Tim Taylor Lt. Greg Williamson Recreation and Parks Director Dianne Hoover General Services Superintendent Steve Hollingsworth S:\Council Committees12007\07 Safe Neighborhoods\Mar 151March 15 Minutes.doc Page 1 Others present: Karen Goh, Garden Pathways Julie Salguero, Cal State Northridge Dennis Wallace, Habitat for Humanity John Roberts, Kern County Probation Miriam Krehbiel and Nick Ortiz, United Way William Andrews, Stop the Violence Various members of the media 2. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY 15, 2007 MINUTES Motion to adopt by Council member Scrivner. All ayes. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Devon Johnson spoke on behalf of Dennis Reed, who wanted to remind everyone of the upcoming Multiple Sclerosis Walk on March 30, 2007 at Yokuts Park www.msevents.com. Rafer Johnson Day will be held at 1001 10'h Street on March 18, 2007. Nick Ortiz with United Way spoke on behalf of Walter Williams who asked him to speak about the Homeless Census that took place on January 25, 2007. Mr. Ortiz distributed some statistics. There is an increase of approximately 60% in the number of homeless individuals from the last census taken in 2006, with most of the increase taking place in Ward 1. He noted that Bethany Services would like to explore working with the City to create adrop-in or safe haven shelter with the Ward. Mayor Hall indicated that his program to end homelessness in 10 years is going well, but more work is still needed. The group meets every fourth Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement -Lynn Captain Taylor gave updates on both gang and graffiti enforcement Gang Enforcement: In February, the gang unit made 181 arrests, 114 of which were felonies and 67 were misdemeanors. They responded to 27 felony and 45 misdemeanor warrants. Fifteen guns were seized. There were 465 interviews and 530 probation/parole searches. These numbers do not include statistics from regular patrol officers. Graffiti Enforcement: In February, 13 arrests were made compared to 6 in 2006. Seven of those were adults and 8 were juveniles, with 2 of those released to a parent. Sixteen offenses were cleared compared to 5 last year. Committee member Scrivner thanked the Police Department for their efforts as he is seeing a big difference. Advisory member Perryman asked if the Police Department might make periodic visits to Bakersfield High School to compare notes. Their staff recently caught three to four taggers in the last two weeks. S:\Council Committees12007107 Safe NeighborhoodslMar 151March 15 Minutes.doc Page 2 In response to a question from Mayor Hall, Captain Taylor said that the Police Department interacts regularly with the High School officers, and Kern County Probation and on issues including truancy. He believes it would be a good idea to meet with the High School in regard to their graffiti issues, also. Committee member Scrivner noted the positive affects of the City's Community Prosecution Program on the graffiti problems. B. Update regardinq Joint City/County Gang Task Force -Williamson Lt. Williamson and Karen Goh stated that the plan incorporates most suggestions. There is a need to get residents most affected by the violence to give input, which is an integral part of plan for prevention. Committee Chair Carson reported that the plan will be discussed at the Joint CityCounty meeting on March 19, 2007. She has been meeting with various groups in Bakersfield, who will make public statements during the meeting. She thanked those who worked on the plan. County Probation Chief Roberts recognized the hard work to complete the draft plan in the short time frame. Advisory member Crawford said that one component that is missing and that is the issue of employment for those who have been released from custody. Ms. Goh noted that it is addressed in general terms within the plan. Committee Chair Carson stated the plan is still in draft form and more input will be obtained. County Probation Chief Roberts stated that this issue is being addressed in the current negotiations for prison reform. Advisory member Perryman suggested perhaps the State Department of Corrections contract with local businesses to hire those who were released from custody, with the State picking up one half of the cost. Advisory member Campbell asked if there are any statistics available on repeat offenders and the reasons behind it. Police Chief Rector stated that either the State Probation or Parole offices could provide that information. County Probation Chief Roberts stated that the amount is approximately 70%, some of the reasons being technical violations such as dirty drug tests. C. Update on SB155 -Gennaro City Attorney Gennaro gave a brief update and indicated they would provide support letters for consideration at the next meeting. D. Discussion regardinq Possible Support of AB 104 (Solario) -Gennaro City Attorney Gennaro gave a brief update and indicated they would provide support letters for consideration at the next meeting. S:\Council Committees12007107 Safe NeighborhoodslMar 151March 15 Minutes.doc Page 3 E. Update regarding Park Security Program Tape back in use Police Chief Rector stated that background checks were completed for the new employees. There have been eight applicants so far, seven of which still need to pass screenings. Towards end of March, the Police Department will provide field training. The applicants were recruited from within the Department, Bakersfield College criminal justice program, and CSUB. The recruitment is still open and applications will be available at the City's Job Fair on April 6, 2007. In response to a request from Committee member Scrivner, Police Chief Rector stated that there will be teams of two riding in separate cars. They will be the "eyes and ears of the Department", but will not provide enforcement. Recreation and Parks Director Hoover stated that the collaboration with Kern Security for night patrol of the parks will continue. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Tape malfunction In response to a request for an update on the Valley Plaza issues, Police Chief Rector stated that the Police Department, Valley Plaza gang unit and school resource officers continue to patrol the area. Additionally, there is a monthly meeting with Valley Plaza staff, Crime Prevention unit and the merchants. Committee Chair Carson asked for more information regarding gang injunctions. There is a press conference regarding SB 550 (Ashburn) on March 16, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. There will be a panel discussion regarding gangs on March 29, 2007. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m. S:\Council Committees12007\07 Safe NeighborhoodslMar 151March 15 Minutes.doc Page 4