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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/19/2008 B A K E R S F I E L D Za 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, June 19, 2008 11:45 a.m. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park 1000 South Owens Street Bakersfield, CA 93307 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 11:50:00 AM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan and Zack Scrivner Advisory members: Ann Batchelder, Employers' Training Resource Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone DeVon Johnson, OGPC/Prodigy Walter Wiliams, GBLA City staff: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant— City Manager's Office Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst— City Manager's Office Harvey L. Hall, Mayor Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney William Rector, Chief of Police Bryan Lynn, Assistant Police Chief Lt. Joe Bianco, Bakersfield Police Department Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director Others: David Kuge and Susan Lerude, Kern County Probation Karen Briefer-Gose, Employers' Training Resource Karen Goh, Garden Pathways Marques Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center Manuel Carrizalez, Stay Focused Ministries Alan Paradise, Kern High School District William Andrews, Isaiah Crompton, Derrick Osbey - Stop the Violence David Reese, Principal — Bakersfield High School Darryl Thiesen, Kevin Keyes and Sal Arias, KC Superintendent of Schools Vondra Armour, Boy Scouts —Southern Sierra Council Delray Beavers, Throwback Junior NFL Pat Birdie, Nicole Dixon Various members of the community and media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report June 19, 2008 Page 2 2. ADOPTION OF APRIL 17, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement— Rector Police Chief Rector reported that, to date, there have been 23 shootings, whereas last year there had been 25. There have been almost 2,300 probation/parole searches. Last month, 17 guns were seized, bringing the total for 2008 to almost 60. Of the almost 300 felony arrests for the year, 250 were documented gang members. Police Lt. Bianco gave an overview of the four units that comprise the Special Enforcement Unit. He also reported that a recent arrest by the GHOST resulted in the clearance of 13 graffiti offenses. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion regarding Anonymous Tip Line — Rector Police Chief Rector reported that much research has been done at the request of Committee member Scrivner on an anonymous tip line that would apply to graffiti offenses. Many police agencies across the nation have been contacted to find out how they model those programs. One common way is through an existing secret witness program. City staff plans to attend a meeting in September of the Secret Witness Board and make a presentation that will cover the benefits of creating a reward program for reporting graffiti offenses. B. Presentation on Gang Prevention Programs — Marque Stansberry (Ebony Counseling Center S Marque�Stanberry introduced staff members and gave an update of gang prevention programs at Ebony Counseling Center. Ten schools in the Bakersfield City School District participate, seven of which rank in the Top 10 for high suspension rates and behavioral reprimands. The title "Gang Prevention Program" has been replaced with a positive title, "Youth Achievement Program". There are 137 students currently enrolled, and the goal is 150. The majority of the participants range in age from 10 - 13, and the curriculum is called Aggressors, Victims and Bystanders, which is an approved program out of the Office of Juvenile Justice Planning. This curriculum has a pre-program test that measures knowledge base and a post-program test that assesses whatever skill base has been attained. The goal is to have a 25% improvement rate between both tests. S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\June 19\June 19 ASR.doc JWS:al Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report June 19, 2008 Page 3 Darryl Thiesen, with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, gave an update on Project 180. Staff members were introduced. About 230 referrals have been received from across Kern County. A handout was provided. The curriculum used is called Youth Level of Service Case Management Inventory (YLSCMI), which assesses student concerns and/or risk factors. There is a pre-program and post-program test to measure progress. School attendance and grade reports will also be used as measuring tools. Software called ETO is under construction that will track this information. Manuel Carrisalez, with Stay Focused Ministries, brought some boys from program. He is working to put their stories on television as PSA. Their mentoring program has seen a lot of success. Isaiah Crompton, President of Stop the Violence, reported that they are bringing together individuals who have been involved in gang activity with youth who may be headed there in an effort to change attitudes and approaches to life. There are several success stories. Karen Goh with Garden Pathways reported that they are providing mentoring for adults and youth with their parents. Vondre Armour with the Boy Scouts, Southern Sierra Council, offered to partner with the other groups. C. Comments from Local Youth Three boys with the Stay Focused Ministries program spoke on how their lives have been turned around. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Marvin Dean relayed information he had received about gang members hanging out in the park, and that some mothers are afraid to bring their children there because of this. Advisory member Johnson recommended that these mothers contact the Police Department. Committee Chair Carson recommended assigning a Park Patrol during the peak hours. Advisory member Williams stated that everyone should work together better. He emphasized the need to have one facility where anyone can go for help in receiving services. One speaker said that there is a collaboration to encourage and empower kids to make positive decisions, and a difference is being made. One speaker reported that some drivers are speeding through the park and asked if speed bumps could be installed. Committee Chair Carson referred the speed bump issue to Public Works and directed the Police Department to investigate the safety concerns. Susan Larude, with Kern County Probation, reported on their early intervention program, which has 55 kids enrolled. 7. ADJOURNMENT 1:24:26 PM S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\June 19\June 19 ASR.doc JWS:aI