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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/17/2008 B A K E R S F I E L D ' 1 City Council members: W 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, January 17, 2008 11:45 a.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 12:58:45 PM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members Present: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan and Zack Scrivner Advisory members present: Ann Batchelder, Employers Training Resource Walter Williams, GBLA Robert Murillo City staff present: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst— City Manager's Office Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant—City Manager's Office Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Michael Richards, Deputy City Attorney Bryan Lynn, Assistant Police Chief Capt. Lyle Martin, Bakersfield Police Department Lt. Joe Bianco, Bakersfield Police Department Allen Abe, Asst. Recreation and Parks Director Others present: Karen Goh, Garden Pathways, Inc. Ryan D'Amarto and Gil Garcia, Tabitha House Ministries Jonathon Webster, Kern Family Living Center Elizabeth Gong, Kern County Probation Ray Pruitt and Dan Leper, Kern County Sheriff's Department Various members of the media SACouncil Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\January 17\January 17 ASR.doc JWS:al Page 1 2. ADOPTION OF OCTOBER 18, 2007 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement— Rector Assistant Chief Lynn reported on the final totals for 2007. Special Enforcement Unit- Gangs: Total felony arrests: 1,055 Total misdemeanor arrests: 676 Total gang-related shootings: 61 Guns seized: 160 Probation/Parole searches: 5,300 +/- Gang-related murders: 6 GHOST—Graffiti Habitual Offender Suppression Team: GHOST arrest numbers are down from 2006; however, patrol arrest numbers are up from 34 in 2006 to 61 in 2007. The total number of offenses cleared was 422. Captain Martin stated that due to the constant pressure by the Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff's Department, and Probation and Parole agents, it is difficult for gang members to obtain weapons in Bakersfield. The City of Delano is to conduct a gun buy-back day, after which Captain Martin will learn whether or not it was successful. This information will help determine if such a program could work in the City of Bakersfield. Committee member Scrivner indicated concern regarding the reduction in arrest numbers for GHOST, and asked for a comparison with the amount of graffiti that is being clearing. Captain Martin responded that the actual arrest numbers will not correlate with the number of tags because one person who is arrested may be responsible for multiple tags. Advisory member Murillo suggested a monetary reward as a means to get the community involved in reporting graffiti. He also suggested requiring the offender to clear graffiti as part of their restitution. Captain Martin stated that the Secret Witness program is designed to receive reports on crimes more violent than graffiti tagging. All of the money is donated and earmarked for specific crimes. There are currently no City funds designated for graffiti; however, some non-profit and/or private agencies may have programs available to them. SACouncil Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\January 17\January 17 ASR.doc JWS:al Page 2 Committee member Scrivner directed Mr. Teglia of the City Manager's office to provide information from the monthly graffiti task force meeting and bring it back to this Committee. Mr. Webster of Kern Family Living Center stated that it is more important to inform residents that everyone is responsible for the community and there are ways to work together with law enforcement to rid the city of graffiti. Graffiti abatement staff will provide residents with paint and rollers so that residents or business owners can remove graffiti themselves. He promoted the idea of Neighborhood Watch captains getting creative with those in their area and utilizing all resources available to them. Advisory member Murillo recommends more Neighborhood Watch activities. Committee Chair Carson directed that a Community Relations Specialist attend the next Committee meeting. Committee member Sullivan directed that staff expand the graffiti website so that it can be better utilized. Elizabeth Gong with Kern County Probation, reported that in 2007, Probation staff met with various agencies and provided information that better educated the community. This effort has been very successful at reducing graffiti in the areas in which these meetings were held. B. Status Report on the CalGrip Program - Roberts Ms. Gong gave the report. CalGrip stands for California Gang Reduction Intervention Program. More than 40 cities and 98 community-based organizations applied for $9.5 million offered by the Office of Emergency Services. An announcement of those selected will be made in January. Forty five grant applications were received for $2.8 million in CalGrip job training funds. Those selected for job funding will be notified by the Labor Workforce Development Agency in the beginning of February. Paul Seave, Director of Gang and Youth Violence Policy in the Office of the Governor hired a Secretary, Chief Deputy and two additional employees. Committee member Scrivner asked what agency would coordinate the programs. Karen Goh, of Garden Pathways, responded that their application includes a coordinator. Advisory member Williams stated that one of the biggest problems is getting the funds distributed to agencies to help gang members. No one agency handles all of the necessary components. Committee member Sullivan introduced Gilbert Garcia from Tabitha House Ministries. Mr. Garcia said that their organization targets schools with a non-violent approach to change. During the month of January, the youth are being asked to sign a 40-day agreement that promises they will come to school everyday and not commit an act of violence. In addition, they are launching a Drug Prevention and Education Conference in Bakersfield in April. S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\January 17\January 17 ASR.doc JWS:al Page 3 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Committee Recommendation regarding Amending and Adopting the 2008 Committee Meeting Schedule — Stinson Adopted as submitted. Committee member Scrivner asked about future meetings of the Joint City/County Standing Committee on Gang Violence. There is a meeting scheduled for February 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. Future meeting dates will be decided at that meeting. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee Chair Carson continues to desire the participation of the Bakersfield City School District at these meetings. The City attorney will give an update on anti-gang legislation at the next meeting. Committee member Sullivan thanked the representatives of the Police Department for being dedicated, making progress, and bringing good material to the Committee. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:58:49 p.m. S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\January 17\January 17 ASR.doc JWS:al Page 4