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Home My WebLink About03/20/2008 SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS and COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, March 20, 2008 ATTENDANCE LIST Name Organization Contact: Phone/ E-mail n/ v �N I Y �✓ n --� v r 33(� -�'qy7 �► t ;� L�� X26 --�721 2-(, 3`7 2 l �-- 3 2& -39 S 1-�a� ►��, ( WWs 233- 1111 EIE B A K E R S ' F I E L D Staff: City Council members: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager Irma Carson, Chair Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst Zack Scrivner Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant 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 20, 2008 11:45 a.m. City Manager's Conference 9 Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA I. ROLL CALL 2. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement ent Police Chief Rector B. Discussion regarding Laws Governing the Location of Sex Offenders Following Release — City Attorney Gennaro C. Update regarding ransitional 9 Housing Project- Economic Development Director Kunz 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 7 . ADJOUR NMENT SACouncil Committees\2008\08 safe Neighborhoods\March 20\March 20 Agenda.doc DRAFT B A K E R S F I E L D —Q21ed�ra�' City Council members: Staff: John W. Sti on Irma Carson, Chair Assistant City Manager 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, February 21, 2008 11:45 a.m. City Council Chambers 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 11:53:12 AM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members Present: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan and Zack Scrivner Advisory members present: Ann Batchelder, Employers Training Resource Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Group DeVon Johnson, OGPC/Prodigy City staff present: Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager/PIO 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 William Rector, Chief of Police Bryan Lynn, Assistant Police Chief Capt. Lyle Martin, Bakersfield Police Department Lt. Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department Lt. Joe Bianco, Bakersfield Police Department Karen Bennett, Crime Prevention Supervisor— Police Department Tony Martinez, Community Relations Specialist—Police Dept Allen Abe, Asst. Recreation and Parks Director Vince Zaragoza, Principal Planner— Economic Development Others present: Karen Goh, Garden Pathways, Inc. Marque R. Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center John Roberts, Susan Lerude and Beth Gong, K.C. Probation Tyrone Wallace, Team Prodigy Pastor Jordan, Stop the Violence David Reese, Principal — Bakersfield High School Pat Birdina, Community Action Partnership Various members of the media S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\February 21\February 21 ASR-Admin.doc JWS:al Page 1 2. ADOPTION OF JANUARY 17, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT DRAFT Adopted as submitted 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Devon Johnson expressed concern for both the officer and family of the deceased who were involved in the recent shooting. He asked about the status of the Friendship House. Committee Chair Carson said she would ask for an update from the Community Action Partnership. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Rector Captain Martin gave an overview of a recent graffiti sting operation. He also reported that the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) has been restructured to become a program that includes gang suppression (Gang Unit) consisting of 23 officers, 16 school resource officers, a direct policing team consisting of 7 officers, and the graffiti unit (GHOST) consisting of 3 officers. At any given time, any combination of SEU members can converge and target an immediate need. Sergeant Joseph Bianco coordinates operations. The Kern High School District has its own police force, although there is collaboration with the SEU for enforcement. Captain Martin said that high school law enforcement personnel are trained in emergency situations alongside Bakersfield Police officers. Should there be an actual emergency, parents would be notified via an emergency broadcast system. Bakersfield High School Principal David Reese stated that there are semi-yearly training exercise sessions involving emergency situations. He encouraged parents to provide their personal and business electronic mail address to the school so that they could be notified by the school directly. Tony Martinez, Community Relations Specialist with the Bakersfield Police Department, reported on graffiti prevention and eradication efforts. Staff researched the efforts in San Jose, California where graffiti has been reduced by 99.8%. A recent effort to eradicate graffiti on mailboxes in the Berkshire area was successful due to the assistance of Senator Costa and the cooperation of the Postal Service. There is a graffiti task force consisting of Councilmember Scrivner - Chair, staff from the City Manager's and City Attorney's offices, City Recreation and Parks staff, City graffiti unit staff, Caltrans, Kern County Probation, and District Attorney's office who are focused on the problem. Collaboration is taking place with the Arts Council of Kern on the issue of painting murals on block walls. Police Chief Rector reported on the status of the shooting investigation. B. Update regarding Anti-Gana Legislation Gennaro The City Attorney distributed a memorandum summarizing the status of pending legislation. A status report will be provided quarterly. S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\February 21\February 21 ASR-Admin.doc JWS:aI Page 2 C. Update re ardin Transitional Housing mN �rolect - Kunz ® AFT Vince Zaragoza, Principal Planner with the Economic Development Department, gave an update regarding a transitional housing project in the Southeast Redevelopment Area. It is known as Restoration Community Project, Inc. (RCPI). The plan is for the facility is to benefit women with children dealing with issues such as substance abuse. RCPI will be assigning their interest in the project over to another non-profit and the Bakersfield Homeless Center is interested. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to hear the matter in March. In April, the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency will consider a contract with Bakersfield Homeless Center to use tax increment financing to assist with acquisition and rehabilitation costs. Kern County may offer CDBG funds next fiscal year to help rehabilitate the property and bring it up to Code. The plan is for this facility to be operational by this summer. Committee Chair Carson asked to attend the next meeting between City staff and the Homeless Center's Board of Directors. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion regarding Reese a Safe Schools Grant — Bakersfield High School Principal Bakersfield High School Principal David Reese reported that he became interested in this Committee and the Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence in 2006. As a principal, student safety is his number one concern, and he wants to partner with the participating agencies to accomplish that goal. School staff applied for the School Community Violence Prevention Program Grant in the amount of $500,000 over a period of five years. Their approach is proactive by creating student, parent and community focus groups who meet at Bakersfield High School to discuss safety concerns and came up with a plan. Also included in the meetings are representatives from the City Council and Kern County Probation. Probation staff came forward with a partnership offer of funding a probation officer that will be working under the grant. High school staff is also working with Probation on a program that will identify 8 th Grade youth who will be entering high school and get them involved in an intervention program as early as that summer. On February 7, 2008, Mr. Reese attended the meeting of the Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence to get approval from that body to oversee collaboration with other agencies. Reports would be made to that group, as well as this one. He also stated that he is aware of the graffiti problem and takes it very seriously; however, there is very little on campus. Mr. Reese asked for the endorsement of this Committee towards the efforts to be awarded the grant. Committee Chair Carson stated that the full City Council will be asked to support a Resolution in support. A motion was made by Councilmember Scrivner and seconded by Committee Chair Carson to support the Grant. S:\Council Committees\2008108 Safe Neighborhoods\February 21\February 21 ASR-Admin.doc JWS:aI Page 3 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS DRAFT Probation Chief Roberts gave an update on Probation efforts. ■ No announcement has yet been made as to which agencies have been awarded CalGrip grants. ■ The department developed evidence-based programs, such as aggression replacement training and a repeat offender prevention program. To date, these programs have resulted in more than a 50% reduction in recidivism. • The mentoring services provided by Garden Pathways and Stay Focused Ministries are going well. • Approximately one-half of the County-approved positions have been filled. Staff is currently waiting for clarity on the budget before moving forward with further hiring. A lot of programs have been consolidated so can implementation can begin, although at a lesser level. • The California Youth Authority is now known as the Division of Juvenile Justice, and will now only handle youth who have committed serious violent felonies. All other offenders will be handled locally, with funding provided by the State. • Another court school is being developed which may be located at the Westchester facility, operated by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and supported by Probation. There will be educational and vocational components, substance abuse treatment and mental health services, and referrals to Employers Training Resources. • Vocational construction programs have begun at the Crossroads facility that is funded by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. A construction program will be starting at Camp Owen which will be funded by Probation. Camp Owen and Minter Field also have auto shop training that is certificated by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. • The department continues to provide probation compliance checks and searches on a regular basis as part of the suppression effort. • Regional programs will be starting in Arvin and Lamont which will include an early intervention program, and there is a repeat offender prevention program starting in East Kern and Taft. ■ Staff just completed the selection process to start a validated risk needs assessment which will allow them to determine the level of risk that probationers present to the community, as well as the type of treatment or therapies required to assist them in rehabilitation. Committee Chair Carson suggested collaborating with Probation on a safe house. Marque Stansberry from Ebony Counseling Center reported on their gang violence prevention program. Meetings were held with administrators from various middle schools S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\February 21\February 21 ASR-Admin.doc JWS:aI Page 4 in the Southeast area to introduce a new after-school program. Staff will be trained on a research-based curriculum. There is a desire to assemble a community advisory group and hold community meetings to ensure that all agencies are working together. Karen Goh, Executive Director of Garden Pathways, gave an update on their efforts. Mentoring, education and training is provided to those at risk. They received a two part grant award from Kern County for gang prevention. The first focuses on mentoring both for parents of at-risk youth as well as youth aged 14 and up. The second is an after- school arts-based program. Students from Williams School, who have been identified as high risk, are participating in the pilot effort. Pastor Jordan, Chair of Stop the Violence, reported on their efforts. They are focusing on at-risk youth who are being targeted by senior gang members. They are also trying to bridge the communication gap between law enforcement and the community by holding rallies and events. There will be a rally on March 15, 2008 at 708 Cottonwood Road. Advisory member Campbell announced a youth luncheon and safety training from 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. on March 19, 2008 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. She noted a need not only to market the programs being offered by all agencies in order to get the word out to the community; but to have one central place where all information can be made available. Karen Bennett, Community Services Supervisor with the Bakersfield Police Department reported that they have a lot of prevention programs available, specifically for children. She will coordinate distribution of brochures with Ms. Campbell. Committee Chair Carson recommended producing more Public Service Announcements and to ensure that the media is kept informed. Probation Chief Roberts reported that his department prepared a comprehensive community resource guide that will be updated yearly. These will be provided for the event on March 19, 2008. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:13:42 PM DRAFT SACouncil Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\February 21\February 21 ASR-Admin.doc JWS:aI Page 5 A U MEMORANDUM I-o CITY ATTORNEY March 11, 2008 TO: SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Irma Carson, Chair Zack Scrivner Jacquie Sullivan FROM: VIRGINIA GENNARO, CITY ATTORN t MICHAEL RICHARDS, DEPUTY CITY ORN SUBJECT: SEX OFFENDERS LODGED IN BAKERSFIELD MOTELS Recently, attention has been placed on the large number of sex offenders being concentrated in two local hotels. This memorandum addresses the several issues surrounding the placement of sex offenders upon their release from prison. Specifically, there are two motels that recently have had large groups of sex offender parolees placed in them: the El Don Motel at 800 S. Union Ave. and Bakersfield Lodge at 1219 S. Union Ave. Both of these motels are in the county. Jessica's Law: Proposition 83, also know as Jessica's Law, was overwhelming passed by the voters in 2006. Among other things, the law prohibits sex offenders living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks (Penal Code Section 3003.5). Violation of this provision is a parole violation. However, the law does not specify that violations are a criminal act that can be prosecuted. Therefore, enforcement has been exclusively thorough parole agents and probation officers. Jessica's Law also calls for the monitoring of sex offenders with GPS devices. A federal court ruled that this restriction cannot be "retroactive." Therefore, the law does not apply to sex offenders who were registered before the law went into effect (November 8, 2006). The law clearly applies to sex offenders who were convicted after November 8, 2006. However, it is an open question if the law applies to people who were convicted before November 8, 2006, but registered upon release after November 8, 2006. A popular provision of Jessica's Law is section 3003.5(c) which states, "Nothing in this section shall prohibit municipal jurisdictions from enacting local ordinances that further restrict the residency of any person for whom registration is required pursuant to Section 290." Some jurisdictions have used this to increase the distance requirements and others have added day care facilities and other types of businesses to the 2,000 foot limit. Safe Neighborhoods & Community Relations Committee March 11, 2008 Page 2 However, adding additional restrictions raises constitutional and enforcement issues. The law is unclear as to how restrictive a local jurisdiction may become. Equally unclear is the responsibility of enforcement. The Bakersfield Police Department does routinely conduct compliance checks on sex offenders. However, currently regulation of the distance provisions in Jessica's law are accomplished by state parole agents. State Parole places parolees in areas deemed to be in compliance with State law. However, there are no guidelines that clarify who is responsible for enforcing a local jurisdiction's special restrictions or, where the funding to enforce a local jurisdiction's additional restrictions originates. In addition, the report from the newly-formed California Sex Offender Management Board details several shortcomings in how the law is implemented. First, sixteen months after the law passed, many offenders were released from prison, yet they still do not have the required GPS devices. Many local jurisdictions have declined to implement this part of Jessica's law. This is presumably due to funding, as Jessica's Law does not provide any money for any of its provisions. Second, Jessica's Law also has resulted in more paroled sex offenders declaring themselves as transient. In fact, the number of sex offenders registering as transient has increased since Jessica's Law's enactment, which to some extent drives sex offenders off the grid and makes them more difficult to track. Finally, the law is producing concentrations of sex offenders because it is difficult to find locations that would not be a violation of Jessica's Law. In conclusion, local jurisdictions can make restrictions more burdensome and presumably could monitor GPS devices. However, both approaches raise legal issues as well as practical issues concerning enforcement and funding. MR/Isc cc: Chief Bill Rector Sgt. Andrew Garner SACOUNCIUCommittee\SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS\06-07\sexoffender.doc Page I of I Referral Display ID: T Requestor: F, Ward: I City Wide Referral Created: Req.Completion Date: Meeting: F-77177719 0 3N 2/2008 Initial Referral Information Short Description: REVIEW OF SEX OFFENDER REGULATIONS Long Description: '***REFERRAL TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMT.&CITY ATTO 11 RNEY.. COUNCILMEMBER CARSON REFERRED TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS A REVIEW OF REGULATIONS RELATED TO HOUSING OF SEX OFFENDERS. Attachment A] di Attachment B Attachment C Attachment D Assigned To: Response? Lead: 6 a R1 (1) Comm Lead: iT R2 (2) Reassigned To: Response? R3 ).jnso, Optional Citizen Contact Information Name: Name: F ----------- Address: Address: Phone: Phone: hftp://ework/escripts/eweb.dll/efolderforincontents?FolderlD=00000000000000000000000... 3/13/2008 B A K E R S F I E L D Staff: City Council members: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager Irma Carson, Chair Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst Zack Scrivner Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant 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 20, 2008 11:45 a.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL 2. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement— Police Chief Rector B. Discussion regarding Laws Governing the Location of Sex Offenders Following Release — City Attorney Gennaro C. Update regarding Transitional Housing Project— Economic Development Director Kunz 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 7. 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Righ11F. r -0 9:10 AM A S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 0 MEETING DATE: March 12, 2008 :::=AGENDA SECTION: Consent Calendar : TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council APPROVED FROM: Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Y DEPARTMENT HEAD DATE: February 29, 2008 CITY ATTORNEYXCi�--- CITY MANAGER & SUBJECT: A Resolution , Supporting . pp rtin Bakersfield 9 High School's chool s Application for a School community Violence Prevention Grant to Combat Gang Influence in and around Bakersfield High School. (Ward 2) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND: Bakersfield High School (BHS) has recently confronted an increase in expulsions for drugs and violence. BHS staff and students are also faced with concerns regarding gang violence and safety issues in the surrounding community. To deal with these issues BHS has previously formed the School Community Violence Prevention Program (SCVP). In order to assist the work of the SCVP, BHS has applied to the California Department of Education for a School Community Violence Prevention Grant. This grant would provide funding to assist BHS with numerous programs to try to steer students away from gangs and drugs. These programs include vocational training, mentoring, drug prevention educational programs and job location assistance. BHS requested that the City offer support for this grant at the Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee meeting on February 21, 2008. Therefore, staff recommends adoption o f this in support of the ran to pplication. MR:Isc February 29,2008,9:01 AM S:I000NCIUAdmins107-08 Admins\SupportBHSGrant.dot RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BAKERSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL'S APPLICATION FOR A SCHOOL COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION GRANT TO COMBAT GANG INFLUENCE IN AND AROUND BAKERFSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL. WHEREAS, over the past years, expulsions for drug use and violence has increased among Bakersfield High School students; and WHEREAS, gangs are a major contributor to violence and drug use in schools; and WHEREAS, gangs are causing an alarming trend of gang violence and safety concerns immediately surrounding the Bakersfield High School (BHS) campus; and WHEREAS, BHS pulls high school students from a wide range of diverse communities, some with extremely high gang membership; and WHEREAS, BHS currently has an effective School Community Violence Prevention Program (SCVP); and WHEREAS, BHS has applied to the California Department of Education for a School Community Violence Prevention Grant to assist the SCVP and BHS deal with the gang problem; and WHEREAS, this grant would provide money to help BHS and its SCVP to work with a variety of agencies to reduce gang membership, decrease gang violence, prevent drug use, decrease truancy and improve the overall climate in both the school and the community; and WHEREAS, this grant would assist students with the above stated goals in a myriad of ways, including but not limited to identifying at risk students, vocational training and mentoring, drug prevention educational programs, and job location; and SAC0UNCIL\Resos107-08 ResoslsupporSHSgrant.DOC --Page 1 of 3 Pages-- HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBER: CARSON,BENHAM,WEIR,COUCH,HANSON,SULLIVAN,SCRIVNER NOES: COUNCILMEMBER: ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: PAMELA A. McCARTHY, CMC CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield APPROVED: By HARVEY L. HALL Mayor APPROVED as to form: VIRGINIA GENNARO City Attorney By: MICHAEL RICHARDS Deputy City Attorney MR:Isc S:\C0UNCIL\Res0S\07-08 Res0s\supportI3HSgrant.D0C --Page 3 of 3 Pages--