Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/2007 B A K E R S F I E L D City Council members: ~ ~'~ ~. ~~ Irma Carson, Chair Staff:John W. Stinson Zack Scrivner Assistant City Manager Jacquie Sullivan REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE and Community Advisory Committee of the City Council -City of Bakersfield Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:45 a.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 11:51:35 AM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members Present: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmember Zack Scrivner Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan Advisory members present: Steven Perryman, Bakersfield High School Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Group David Strong, Corporation for Better Housing City staff present: Mayor Harvey L. Mayor Hall Assistant City Manager John W. Stinson Management Assistant Rick Kirkwood Associate Attorney Michael Richards Police Chief, William Rector Capt. Lyle Martin, Bakersfield Police Department Lt. Joe Bianco, Bakersfield Police Department Lt. Hajir Nurridin, Bakersfield Police Department Recreation and Parks Director Dianne Hoover Others present: Karen Goh, Garden Pathways, Inc. Susan Lerude, Kern County Probation Eugene Lothridge, Kern County Grand Jury Marque R. Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center Linda Sargent, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Alan Paradise and Mark Wyatt, Kern High School District Various members of the media 2. ADOPTION OF JULY 19, 2007 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement -Rector Gangs: Chief Rector reported that through August, there were 48 shootings compared to 42 in 2006. Arrests are on the rise and total almost 1,700. Over 3,700 probation/parole contacts were made. Gang units seized 115 guns. Patrol officers also focus on this issue. The Police Department continues to participate with a variety of other agencies, including the FBI, and other Kern County cities on long-term investigations. Lieutenant Bianco and Captain Martin were in Fresno last week to learn about their gang initiative. Captain Martin noted that the 325-GANG number is listed in the most recent Recreation and Parks brochure. This publication is mailed to 100,000 homes three times per year. Graffiti: Captain Martin reported on three significant cases that resulted in the arrest of six people and identification of three others. The demographics of the individuals range from 16 - 22 years of age, male and female, and every different ethnic background. Those arrested admitted to using violence, intimidation and other traditional gang tactics, so they should now be looked at as gang members as opposed to tagging crews. These people were responsible for over 100 offenses within the City. Authorities are currently in the process of recovering over $15,000 in restitution. Tagger crews draw elaborately whereas gang members draw more freehand and mark territory. Citizens should always be concerned for their safety; however, these groups more commonly target each other with intimidation and violence. Chief Rector recommended that the public use the Police Department as a resource. Committee Chair Carson said that in Sacramento artwork on the sidewalk has reduced some graffiti near Capitol as part of an Adopt-a-Block program. She asked Chief Rector to research this program. Lieutenant Nurridin reported that year-to-date there have been 12 homicides, 10 of which have been closed. Five resulted in direct arrests, three were referred to the District Attorney, two were determined to be justifiable homicide, and two still have issues that require follow-up. These numbers are lower than those in 2006 and are the result of enforcement efforts and citizens who are using the secret witness program. B. Update of State and Federal Anti-Gang Legislation - Gennaro Associate Attorney Richards reported. SB 456 (Fenstein) was approved on June 14, 2007. Senator Feinstein is working to get floor time so that the Senate can get a full vote. S:\Council Committees\2007\07 Safe Neighborhoods\September 20\Sept 20 ASR.doc Page 2 SB 550 (Ashburn), which provides for an extra year in prison if gang activity occurs near a park or school, was shelved due to prison overcrowding issues. AB 802 (Salas), which provides for increased funding, will not be acted on this year. AB 104 (Solorio) was signed by Governor. Three million dollars will be made available for cities with heavy gang concentrations, including those in the Central Valley. There is $6.5 million in competitive grants available to cities and community-based organizations for prevention, intervention, and job training. Committee Chair Carson directed Recreation and Parks Director Hoover to apply for the $500,000 maximum available per city. Included in AB 104 is funding in the amount of $446,000 for a Statewide anti-gang coordinator. Committee member Scrivner said that Paul Seave was hired in this position and he will coordinate the CalGrip Program. Mr. Scrivner reminded the Committee of Assemblymember Fuller's Gang Summit scheduled for Friday, September 21, 2007, which will be a forum to cover State programs, legislation, and any questions attendees may have. He encouraged everyone to attend. Linda Sargent, representing the County Superintendent of Schools office, coordinates the School Law Enforcement Partnership with the State. A five-year grant in the amount of $500,000 will be available in October to schools who partner with law enforcement and community-based organizations. Only one application can be made and it is not renewable. A requirement is that 20% must go towards programs with a gang prevention and intervention emphasis. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of Ways Schools can Coordinate with the City and other Governmental Agencies in Anti-Gang Efforts This item was placed on the agenda at the direction of Committee member Scrivner, who asked staff to invite representatives from the Bakersfield City School and the Kern High School Districts to this meeting and to become regular participants in discussions. Bakersfield Recreation and Parks' employees David Stricker, Dianne Hoover and Allen Abe met on several occasions with representatives of the High School District. The County Superintendent of Schools office collaborates with school districts, and is willing to work with the Committee. Two coordinators will soon be hired, one to work with Kern County and one in Metropolitan Bakersfield, with the focus on prevention and intervention services in after-school programs. There is also a mentoring program for students identified as at-risk, even if they are not involved in after-school programs. Additionally, there is a parenting project. Susan Lerude with Kern County Probation reported on available funding, upcoming employment opportunities, and programs. Marque Stansberry of Ebony Counseling Center gave a brief update on the Center's collaboration with some of the high schools. They are the recipients of a grant that will provide for six full-time positions, three of which will be specialists working directly in the S:\Council Committees\2007\07 Safe Neighborhoods\September 20\Sept 20 ASR.doc Page 3 schools and providing curriculum on gang violence, prevention, anger management and life skills. There will also be a program that will identify young high school students who are interested in community service, and provide skills necessary for them to then teach middle school aged youth, with a focus on gang prevention. This program will be a direct partnership with Garden Pathways. David Strong of the Corporation for Better Housing stated they are ready, willing and able to facilitate readings and after-school programs at their facilities. The organization would like to partner with the school districts, Probation and the Police Department. Advisory member Perryman reported a severe problem with graffiti and violence at Bakersfield High School. More students are getting involved at a younger age. Bakersfield High School employs a Community Resources Specialists who work with young people who need direction and guidance to try to get them on track. Advisory member Campbell recommended parenting programs to teach young mothers how to effectively recognize signs of gang involvement and provide necessary discipline. Committee Chair Carson reported that programs currently exist, such as Parent University. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee Chair Carson reported on a legislative bill that would require the parents of gang members to attend community-based meetings to improve the relationship. At the request of Advisory member Campbell, an item will be placed on the next agenda regarding intervention and prevention programs offered by other cities. Committee Chair Carson noted that some Community Development Block Grant funds have been set aside to contribute towards the cost of events that are held in City facilities, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. The Good Neighbor Festival is scheduled for October 20, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Committee Chair Carson thanked everyone for coming and offering input 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:00:33 PM S:\Council Committees\2007\07 Safe Neighborhoods\September 20\Sept 20 ASR.doc Page 4