HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2008 B A K E R S F I E L D
City Council members:
Staff: John W. Stinson 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, March 20, 2008
11:45 a.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Meeting called to order at 11:56:05 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
DeVon Johnson, OGPC/Prodigy
Walter Williams, GBLA
City staff present: Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager/PIO
Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst—City Manager's Office
Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
Michael Richards, Deputy City Attorney
Capt. Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department
Lt. Joe Bianco, Bakersfield Police Department
Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director
Others present: John Roberts, Susan Lerude and Brian Mara, K.C. Probation
Karen Briefer, Employers' Training Resource
Karen Goh, Garden Pathways
Ken Lujan
Reyna Perez
Audrey Chavez
Deborah Gifford
Sandra Belton
Various members of the media
2. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Adopted as submitted.
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Advisory member DeVon Johnson asked for a status report on the Friendship House.
Committee Chair Carson said she would send a letter requesting the information.
Ken Lujan, a registered sex offender, described the persecution he is experiencing as a
result of his picture being posted on the internet.
4. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Rector
Police Lieutenant Bianco reported on a recent case that cleared 48 graffiti offenses. The
Police and Sheriff's Departments, and Kern High School District worked together to solve
this particular case.
Some taggers are changing their symbols and crew names, others are now resorting to
violence.
The Bakersfield Police Department is to receive a $154,000 Calgrip grant which will provide
funding for a regional data exchange for participating law enforcement agencies. This
database will contain information for both gang members and graffiti taggers, although
definite parameters are not yet set.
The grant funds will also enable the purchase of cameras citywide and GPS components.
The cameras will be placed in areas where law enforcement has seen the greatest
problems, such as multiple gang shootings and high incidences of graffiti.
The reorganized Special Enforcement Unit consisting of the Gang Unit, School Resource
Officers and GHOST Unit combined recently on a sting operation. These stings can be set
on the spur of the moment based on a phone call.
The Skate Park at Beach Park was recently tagged extensively. The facility had to be
closed for five days for cleaning.
Captain Williamson reported that the Park Patrol will soon be starting on weekends. The
Bike Patrol is also starting up again, which will provide more targeted enforcement.
B. Discussion regarding Laws Governing the Location of Sex Offenders Following
Release Gennaro
Probation Chief Roberts reported that the sex offenders living on Union Avenue are State
parolees overseen by the California Department of Corrections. Kern County does not have
anyone housed in that area. There are approximately 200 adult sex offenders in the County
system, the number of juveniles is unknown. County officers are trained to use Static 99, a
risk assessment tool mandated by Jessica's Law.
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City Attorney Gennaro praised the efforts of the Bakersfield Police Department for their
efforts in tracking sex offenders and complying with Jessica's Law.
Police Captain Williamson reported that in 2007, there were 1,400 sex offenders living in the
City, all of whom were contacted for compliance checks.
In response to a question from Committee member Sullivan regarding the length of time
pictures of sex offenders remain on the Internet once they complete Probation, City Attorney
Gennaro said that the registration is for life. She will report back on the current policy.
Audrey Chavez said that there should be equal responsibility between the community,
parents and the individuals themselves to keep everyone safe.
Karen Shah said she would like to see gang members tracked, also.
Probation Chief Roberts gave a brief update on staffing issues.
An audience member noted that most sex offenders live in the 93307 and 93313 zip code
areas of town, mostly in lower income housing.
C. Update regarding Transitional Housing Project Kunz
Assistant City Manager Stinson reported that Economic Development Director Kunz will
provide an update once she and Probation Chief Roberts have been able to meet.
Committee Chair Carson said that there is housing money that can possibly be used for
this, but need the right parties need to be involved.
5. NEW BUSINESS
None
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Committee Chair Carson thanked everyone for coming.
Karen Goh said that Garden Pathways is currently having a youth mentoring group session
based upon referrals, and it is going very well.
Advisory member Johnson said that the Third Annual Stop the Violence Basketball
Tournament will be held Memorial Day weekend at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.
7. ADJOURNMENT 12:52:52 PM
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