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Home My WebLink About09/18/2008 • B A K E R S F I E E D V— — 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 18, 2008 11:45 a.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1501 Truxtun Avenue Second Floor, City Hall South Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 12:00:56 PM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmember Zack Scrivner Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan was absent Advisory members- Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Group Ann Batchelder, Employers Training Resource 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 Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Jefferson Billingsley, Associate Attorney Christine Im, Associate Attorney Lyle Martin, Assistant Police Chief Capt. Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director Additional Attendees• Susan Lerude and David Kuge, Kern County Probation Lt. Mike Rascoe, Kern County Sheriffs Department Karen Goh, Garden Pathways Marques Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center Tiffani Alvidrez and David Reese, Bakersfield High School Alan Paradise, Kern High School District Sal Arias, Kern County Superintendent of Schools / Project 180 Pat Budin, Pat Budin &Associates Louis Vegas David Williams Media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 18, 2008 Page 2 2. ADOPTION OF AUGUST 21, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Rector Assistant Chief Martin reported that, year-to-date, the gang unit has made 1,276 arrests, 566 of which were felonies. One hundred fourteen guns were seized. Although there has been a spike in violent crimes citywide, there are fewer gang related shootings in 2008 (43) than in this same period in 2007 (49). Additionally, gang homicides are down from 6 in 2007 to 4 to date in 2008. He attributes the improvement to citizens and witnesses coming forward and providing valuable information. Chief Martin also reported that the Graffiti Hotline is receiving an average of 50 calls per day. The total of arrests year-to-date is 197 and 753 offenses have been cleared. In 2007, there were 148 arrests made and 285 cases were cleared. The amount of Secret Witness graffiti tips are up over 50%. There are more surveillance operations now as a result of a restructuring effort in the Police Department. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Report on Park Patrol Activity— Rector Captain Williamson reported that there are five Park Patrol officers, who work an average of 320 hours per month on Friday evenings, and all day and evenings Saturday and Sunday. The operation has been successful as the number of park calls have gone down. Recreation and Parks Director Hoover concurred that the Park Patrol has made a big difference. Several comments have been received by the Department indicating that citizens who use the park feel safer. B. Status Report on Camera Program — Rector Captain Williamson reported that there are two remote cameras that are operational, both of which are involved in sensitive investigations. The Police Department has more cameras, but due to staffing levels, they cannot all be monitored at the same time. C. Status Report — Roberts David Kuge with the Probation Department reported that the Bridges program is up and running. The Day Reporting Center is also open for transitional youth as of August 18, 2008, and has a capacity for 40 youth who are referred by Probation Officers. Services that are provided are; counseling, job connection, and psychiatric help. The Day Reporting Center also has a school with a capacity for 40 students who are ordered there by Court. A job S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\September 18\Sept 18-ASR.doc JWS:al Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 18, 2008 Pa e 3 development program will be developed in conjunction with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Susan Lerude also reported that they are working with Bakersfield College on job-related classes. The entire Bridges student body will visit the College on November 7, 2008. Committee Chair Carson expressed an interest to visit the Bridges Academy and invited others to join her. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although Officers are there until 5:30. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Advisory member Campbell suggested having a Christian component on the Advisory Committee. Ms. Campell also reported that she and Pat Budin are working together on a project for single females with children, a lack of education, and are high risk. Contact numbers are: 979-9820 and 835-8247. Marques Stansberry of Ebony Counseling Center gave a brief update on their program. Last school year four Bakersfield City Schools were involved, and there are eight in 2008. They are: Sequoia Middle School, Compton Jr. High School, Pauly Elementary School, Sierra Middle School, Rafer Johnson Elementary School, Emerson Jr. High School and Walter Stiern Middle School, which has the highest expulsion rate. Their staff found that it is better to work with the young people earlier in the day before they get tired, so an agreement was reached with Emerson, Pauly and Compton to take groups of five to seven students out during the day to participate in the program. Mr. Stansberry also reported on the following: • At 5:00 p.m. on September 23, 2008, the first Youth Advisory Council Meeting will be held at Ebony Counseling Center. • A partnership agreement has been reached with West, Bakersfield and South High Schools that will provide leadership development to young people. The intent is to teach youth a curriculum that they can then go out and implement. Peer-to-peer sessions will be included. Community service prerequisites can be met for graduation. The students will receive a stipend, depending on the service provided. • On November 20, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Beale Library auditorium, the Ebony Youth Achievement Program will be hosting their first community forum. The guest speaker is Bruce George from New York. A community panel will discuss community-based solutions to prevent gang violence and gang membership. Refreshments will be provided. Contact numbers are: 472-9475 or 324-4756. Committee member Scrivner asked if there is an interagency booth at the Fair that provides gang hotline information. Although there is not one this year, Committee Chair Carson recommended that this be implemented in 2009. Mr. Scrivner suggested that it be considered a Safe Neighborhoods booth. S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\September 18\Sept 18-ASR.doc JWS:al Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 18, 2008 Page 4 Mr. Scrivner asked that a representative from the District Attorney's office attend the next Committee meeting to provide a report on their gang suppression program. Karen Goh with Garden Pathways reported that feedback has been very positive on an opportunity class at Golden Valley High School. She also stated that on October 18, 2008, Garden Pathways and Stay Focused are collaborating on a major skate boarding event. In conjunction with October being Red Ribbon month, some nationally known skater boarders will be participating in an event on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. that will include a movie with an anti-drug message. The location is 201h & O Streets. At 11:00 a.m. that same day, the skate boarders will hold a demonstration at the Good Neighbor Festival at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. David Reese with Bakersfield High School reported that the school year is off to a good start. Students are dressing better and seem to be more positive. Louis Vegas commended the Police Department for their enforcement efforts on the Panorama Bluffs. There used to be many people hanging out and painting graffiti, but incidences have been fewer. He said that a Los Angeles Judge issued an injunction prohibiting a certain gang from being within a specified distance from a residential area. He suggested utilizing this same course of action. Sal Arias with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools reported that the Boys and Girls Club is hosting a Day for Kids on September 20, 2008. Backpacks will be given away. Additionally, his organization is currently working on a parent project on October 8, 2008 that will be facilitated by Richard Ramos, who is known for his gang prevention efforts. Information can be found on the Kern County Superintendent of Schools website. Committee Chair Carson thanked everyone for attending. 7. ADJOURNMENT 12:51:15 PM S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\September 18\Sept 18-ASR.doc JWS:al