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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/2008 B A K E R S F I E L D 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, October 16, 2008 11:45 a.m. City Council Chambers 1501 Truxtun Avenue Second Floor, City Hall South Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 12:00:36 PM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmembers Zack Scrivner and Jacquie Sullivan Advisory members: Ann Batchelder, Employers Training Resource Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Group Devon Johnson, O.G.P.C. / Prodigy City staff: Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant— City Manager's Office Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney William Rector, Chief of Police Bryan Lynn, Assistant Police Chief Capt. Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department Additional Attendees: Ed Jagels, Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, Kern County District Attorney's Office Susan Lerude, Kern County Probation Kirk Foster, Kern County Sheriff's Office Karen Goh, Garden Pathways Marques Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center Tiffani Alvidrez and David Reese, Bakersfield High School Alan Paradise, Kern High School District Patricia Birdie, Pat Birdie & Associates Rachelle Hill Media 2. ADOPTION OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 16, 2008 Page 2 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Advisory member Johnson thanked staff at the PAL Center for donating a football facility and equipment. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement — Rector Gangs: Chief Rector gave an overview. Year-to-date, there have been 46 shootings and 4 gang-related homicides. The Special Enforcement Unit has spent approximately 4,800 hours working with other law enforcement units. Graffiti: Capt. Williamson reported that the Police Department continues to get 40-50 calls per week, which is a significant increase. Last month, one case involved three different tagging crews. Capt. Williamson reported that some recent business burglaries citywide have been committed by one group of people. Chief Rector notified the Committee of a recent meeting that involved the Police and Sheriff's Departments, and City Recreation and Parks staff to coordinate a baseball program for youth 8 to 15 years old. The games will be played at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Committee member Scrivner indicated he had pledged to be involved in the program. B. Report on Kern County Probation Activities — Chief Probation Officer Roberts Susan Lerude with the Kern County Probation Department gave the report. They are competing for a drug rehabilitation grant, which would enable the opening of 40 beds at Juvenile Hall. Early intervention programs have expanded into Lamont and North Kern. Strengthening Families, which is an evidence-based program, is progressing, as is Parent Project. The Committee and audience were encouraged to call their office as there are several available sites, and a Spanish- speaking group. The grand opening of the Bridges Academy is scheduled for October 30, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 2001 28t" Street. Thus far, the school is successful. They are working with youth on interviewing skills, pubic speaking and raising self confidence. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Update on District Attorney's Target Program — Cindy Zimmer Kern County District Attorney Ed Jagels spoke about the program. More resources are dedicated on a percentage basis towards gang suppression than any other District Attorney's office in the State. There is a unit that handles traditional gang cases. Additional resources were recently granted by the Kern County Board of Supervisors to create another unit that is dedicated to target gangsters, specifically, shot callers and trigger men. Utilizing intelligence sources, with assistance of the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Department, a list was S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\October 16\Oct 16-ASR.doc JWS:al Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 16, 2008 Page 3 developed of the worst offenders. There are 82 individuals on the current list, and they are all adults as it is only worthwhile to use the resources for strike offenses. The list is comprised of 30 members of the East Side Crips, 23 members of the Country Boy Crips, 13 members of the West Side Crips, 11 members of the Bloods, and 5 members of the Mona Park Crips, which is a gang from Southern California that has committed casino robberies. Since July 1, 2008, of the 82 individuals on the list, there have been 16 felony convictions and 36 felony cases are pending. Of the remaining 30, at least 1 has been killed and some have either left the county or are in custody for misdemeanors. New names will be added as the list is reduced. It is very difficult to catch one of these criminals in the act; so anytime someone on the list shows up in the criminal justice system, he or she will be prosecuted by a Target Gang Deputy District Attorney, who has more time to devote to the case. The objective is to send these individuals to prison for a long period of time or encourage them to stop engaging in gang activity. Advisory member Campbell suggested that the list be published. District Attorney Jagels said that the issue is under consideration. Advisory member Johnson noted that all of the gang members currently targeted are black, so there may be a perception in the community that the focus is on black gangs. District Attorney Jagels stated there are more gang crimes per capita committed by those gangs identified on the list. Committee Chair Carson stated that a request was made for the District Attorney's office to focus on prosecuting these gangs. B. Update on Safe Neighborhood Booth at 2009 Kern County Fair— Police Chief Rector Police Chief Rector stated that Crime Prevention personnel were informed that the cost for a booth will be $1,200. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Karen Goh with Garden Pathways thanked City staff for their support of the skate outreach event. There will be four nationally known skaters at the facility located at 20th and O Streets both Saturday, October 18, 2008 and Sunday, October 19, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Also, on Sunday, October 19, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a movie will be shown called "Dope" which chronicles the rise, fall and redemption of skaters. On Saturday, October 18, 2008, the Good Neighbor Festival will be held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. At 11:00 a.m., during the Festival, the skaters will perform on the basketball court. Marques Stansberry from Ebony Counseling Center reminded the Committee of a Community Forum to be held at Beale Library on Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Councilmember Carson will be presented the Hidden Hero Award at that time. Advisory member Johnson voiced his support to have the targeted gang list published. 7. ADJOURNMENT 1:08:15 PM S:\Council Committees\2008\08 Safe Neighborhoods\October 16\Oct 16-ASR.doc JWS:al