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Home My WebLink About08/13/2009 Z; Ir S A K E R S F I E L D a✓ Committee Members Irma Carson, Chair Staff: John W. Stinson Sue Benham Assistant City Manager Jacquie Sullivan SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE and Community Advisory Committee of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Thursday, August 13, 2009 11 :45 a.m. City Hall North -Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 11 :50:17 PM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember Irma Carson, Chair Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan arrived at 12:00:00 PM Councilmember Sue Benham was absent Advisory members: Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Group David Strong, Corporation for Better Housing Ishmael Kimbrough City staff: Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant- City Manager's Office Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst- City Manager's Office Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Christine Im, Associate City Attorney William Rector, Chief of Police Lyle Martin, Assistant Chief of Police Capt. Greg Williamson, Police Department Lt. Hajir Nurridin, Police Department Sgt. Joe Mullins, Police Department Karen Bennett, Crime Prevention Supervisor- Police Department Donna Kunz, Economic Development Director Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report August 13, 2009 Pa ecL2 Additional Attendees: Susan Lerude, Kern County Probation Russell Albro, Kern County Sheriff's Office Tami Smith Lopez, Garden Pathways Kevin Keyes, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Marques Stansberry, Ebony Counseling Center Larry Sheppard, GSA Rocky Lee, GFRC/SWBOC Lewis Neal, Bakersfield City School District Beatrice Hunt, Stop the Violence Tony Williams, N.B.A.K.C. Marvin Dean, Kern County Construction Boot Camp Karen Shaw, Rachelle Hill, and A.J. Jacinto, Community members Media 2. ADOPTION OF APRIL 16, 2009 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Marvin Dean distributed a flyer in regard to the Kern County Construction Boot Camp. This entity is a temporary employment service. Mr. Dean requested that the City contract with the firm to hire temporary workers. Committee Chair Carson and City Attorney Gennaro both recommended that Mr. Dean bring his proposal before the full City Council, and suggested that Mr. Dean make his presentation to the City Council. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Police Chief Rector Chief Rector reported that the Bakersfield Police Department received a federal grant that will fund 17 officers for 3 years. Two units will be created that will focus on specific troubled crime areas. It was stated later in the meeting that the funds can only be used for "front-line" officers. Chief Rector is working with Mayor Hall on Public Service Announcements to address the issue of reporting crime and getting involved to prevent or solve crimes. Assistant Chief Martin updated the Committee on Gang Enforcement. To date, in 2009, the gang unit made 502 felony arrests, conducted 3, 378 parole/probation searches, and seized 133 firearms, 32 of which were seized in July. In the entire year of 2008, 166 guns were seized. The number of gang-related homicides is up but not the number of shootings. Lieutenant Nurridin reported that, to date, there have been 16 reportable homicides, 14 of which were gang-related. Eighty percent of victims and offenders are African- American, and the typical age is 18-24. The homicide unit is looking into new technology, JWCouncil Committees\2009\Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations\August\August 13 ASR Admin.doc JWS:RK/ST/al Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report August 13, 2009 Page 3 known as "WeTip," that will allow the community to anonymously text information and receive responses. They are also looking for ways to enhance awareness about the homicide unit and its impact, including participation in the Fair booth. This will give citizens an opportunity to meet and greet homicide detectives and talk to them informally to potentially reduce the fear of talking to them. Committee member Sullivan suggested consideration of a Public Service Announcement regarding the benefits of providing tips. She asked if the number of homicides has increased due to the knowledge that staffing has been reduced. Chief Rector noted that staffing levels for the gang unit were never reduced, and that, citywide, violent crime is down 2% over last year. Assistant Chief Martin stated that the Public Service Announcements will focus on messages from community leaders, detectives and other safety personnel, and teenagers. Marvin Dean suggested that a 10 most wanted list be created and broadcast on television and that a small incentive or reward be offered. Lieutenant Nurridin commented that something similar is already available B. Report on Kern County Probation Activities — Chief Probation Officer Roberts Deputy Probation Chief Lerude updated the Committee on the Department's activities. The risk assessment tool, Assessment.com, will be used throughout the Department. It is currently being used in the Juvenile section and the adult section will be live on September 1, 2009. The goal is to have all cases assessed by December 31, 2009. This tool evaluates the entire family to determine whether or not to file charges. Staff anticipates a 66% reduction in court cases as a result of this tool. C. Update regarding Kern County Fair Booth - Police Chief Rector Committee Chair Carson confirmed that the Kern County Sheriff's Department will continue to patrol the Fair, but the Bakersfield Police will investigate any incidents that occur on the Fairgrounds. Crime Prevention Supervisor Bennett reported that there are 12 days during which the booth will have to be staffed. The Fair runs from September 23, - October 4, 2009. On weekdays, staffing is required from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on weekends, from 12:00 P.m. to 10:00 p.m. She encouraged all organizations to volunteer and to coordinate their attendance through her. Committee Chair Carson encouraged everyone to participate, including Ebony Counseling Center, Stop the Violence and Kern County Probation. Committee member Campbell indicated she would be participating. SACouncil Committees\2009\Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations\August\August 13 ASR Admin.doc JWS:RK/ST/al Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report August 13, 2009 Page 4 5. NEW BUSINESS None 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Campbell reported that the six-month effort in coordinating the Charrette Summit will conclude on September 5, 2009. Once the Summitt is scheduled, she will notify everyone. Marques Stansberry from Ebony Counseling Center updated the Committee on its activities. He thanked the representatives from organizations that partner with the Center for their assistance. The Youth Achievement Program under Project 180 involved six schools. Of those, four showed improvements in the total number of suspensions, students suspended, and number of days these students were suspended. One school in particular showed a significant decrease in the number of schoolyard fights; down to 10 from 57 the year before. The Center received stimulus funding to employ 50 young people who are out of school, and 47 of the slots have been filled. The Center will be hosting a community forum on August 28, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cain AME Church. Committee Chair Carson stated that the panelists will consist of youth, and adults will respond. Marvin Dean thanked the Chair for putting the Committee together and bringing everyone together. Economic Development Director Kunz noted that the new owners of the Padre Hotel are in the process of recruiting for 200 jobs. Committee member Strong stated that the Corporation for Better Housing has community rooms that can be utilized for meetings. 7. ADJOURNMENT 12:56:32 PM S:\Council Committees\2009\Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations\August\August 13 ASR Admin.doc JWS:RK/ST/al