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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/2011� BAKERSFIELD Staff: Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager 1. ROLL CALL City Council mer Rudy Salas, Chai Russell Johnson Jacquie Sullivan REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Thursday, September 15, 201 1 5:30 p.m. Friendship House 2424 Cottonwood Road Bakersfield, CA 93307 AGENDA 2. ADOPTION OF JUNE 16, 2011 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang Enforcement - Police Chief Williamson B. Report on Kern County Probation Activities - Probation Chief Kuge C. Report on Graffiti Operations - Public Works Director Rojas 5. NEW BUSINESS . 3r . �. `��::.K �1,:➢' .:F`-�s,���: � ..3�.,�� ';.: ��' '��"SC\�A. Y'lr:.'�e a : . ; �c�?... �y�. <'n�..,- <5 ! � •: � �. L' � � _ _ ;.:; � � Staff: Steven`Teglia Assistant to the City Manager Rudy Salas, � Russell John� Jacquie Sulli SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, June 16, 201 1 5:30 p.m. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park — Community Center 1000 South Owens Street Bakersfield, CA 93307 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 5:45 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember, Rudy Salas, Chair Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan Councilmember, Russell Johnson was absent. City staff: Steve Teglia, Asst to City Manager Chris Huot, Administrative Analyst Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Lyle Martin, Asst. Police Chief Lieutenant Joe Mullins, Police Dept. Lieutenant Randy Robison, Police Dept. Sergeant Melvin Johnson, Police Dept. Dianne Hoover, Rec. and Pc Darin Budak, Parks SuperintE Raul Rojas, Public Works DirE Stuart Patteson, Operations Nick Fidler, Gen. Services Su Jessie Ayala, Gen. Services : Additional Attendees: Cynthia Zimmer, Joseph Marcano and Scott Brandon Beecher, Kern County Probation Otis Jennings, Kern County High School District Dustin Downey, Kern County Sheriff's Office Spielman, Kern County Safe Neighborhoods and Community Rel Agendc 2. ADOPTION OF MARCH 17, 2010 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Will Haywood with Ebony Counseling Center commended the City's graffit asked if some areas are noted as problem areas. Public Works Director Rojas thanked Mr. Haywood for his comments, and indl goal is to remove graffiti within one to two days. He acknowledged th continual reports of graffiti in a certain area, it is noted as a probl subsequently canvassed on a regular basis. Committee Chair Salas encouraged everyone to report graffiti. The wall be� station on 4'" Street was reported as a problem area. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Upd_ate reqarding Ganq and Graffiti Enforcement Police Chief Williamson introduced Police Lieutenant Mullins with the Directe� Lieutenant Mullins reported that prevention and intervention efforts continuE on-going partnership with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools an� Probation that involves at-risk youth and those who are most in need of so provide them the tools to turn away from the gang lifestyle. In regard to the suppression component, to date, there is less than one-third shootings from this time last year. This year, the Department began a new t whereby they will be considered gang related whenever a gang member is Committee Chair Salas noted that, to date in 201 1, there have been 10 sl homicides. During the same time period in 2010, there were 33 shootings ar He asked if this was due to the efforts of the Safe Streets partnership. Lie indicated that the program has made a difference, but it can also be success for the community, which has been more inclined to take a sta incidents. one is workinq toqetr Safe Neighborhoods and Community Rel Agendc Jamallah Dean asked for a clarification as to why the number of shoc Lieutenant Mullins responded that it is a result of the combination intervention and suppression efforts. Fewer people are not joining gangs and community efforts to dissuade them. Additionally, the interventic acquaint current gang members with the opportunity to disassociate with tr had some success. Lastly, law enforcement officers are focusing on zero individuals who are responsible for the gang-related violence. B. Report on Kern County Probation Activities Brandon Beecher, with Kern County Probation reported that on June 4, 201 graduation from court community schools, which includes the Bridges A Crossroads facility, and Juvenile Hall Central School. One particular stu Bridges Academy has already enrolled in Bakersfield College for next year. continuation schools are available to both students who are on probc disruptive or having trouble in the classroom, or have been expelled. Some attend by the juvenile court, others by probation officers or through their sch The Department continues to collaborate with other law enforcement ager the F.B.I., District Attorney's Office, and Bakersfield Police Department. Prc actively participa�e in the Safe Streets call-in meetings, sex offender swE profile public events to ensure compliance of 290 offender registrant laws. T assigned to oversee and supervise approximately 40 high-risk juveniles w released from the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, forr the California Youth Authority. Reports from the State indicate thc approximately 30,000 inmates to be released, about 2,000 will be returned t Due to budget constraints, it will be challenging for the Probation [ adequately supervise these individuals. Methamphetamine prices are up, but heroine prices are down, indicating significant amount of heroine on the streets at this time. Hispanic gang c Metropolitan Bakersfield and in other County areas. Committee Chair Salas asked what the impact will be when all of th released. Mr. Beecher responded that additional resources are needed, as already high. The Department anticipates some additional funding, which be used to hire additional personnel. Committee Chair Salas asked about the level of inmates who are being rE Chief Williamson replied that they are considered non-serious, non-violent, Safe Neighborhoods and Community Rel Agendc Committee Chair Salas asked how this wili impact the City of Bakersfield Williamson responded that while Governor Brown signed AB 109, it will not bE without funding, which is not yet available. The State has to have a plc November. Staff is watching State legislative actions closely, and will have when additional information is available. The Probation Department has I the task of supervising all of the released inmates. The Chief Probation OfficE of Police, District Attorney, and a County Supervisor will meet and devise a p Committee Chair Salas asked if the Probation Department makes it a top juveniles get their high school diploma to help turn their life around. Mr. B� that early intervention and prevention programs are the key to breakin< behavior. With diminished revenues, they have had to cut programs, collaboration with the Kern Co�nty Superintendent of Schools to run the cou community schools. Out of custody schools are transitioning schools, which before they transition back into the mainstream school system. Marvin Dean thanked the Committee for holding meetings in the communit� Committee Chair Salas for his online forum. He stated that a public-privatE necessary to deal with crime, and one of best things to do is put able-boc work. He believes the City ought to employ people from within redevelo� work on redevelopment projects, and create temporary jobs for citizens tc projects instead of using contractors. Mr. Beecher noted that in addition to an education, students learn job skills, with job placement, learn job application and interview skills, and meet employers, all through the Bridges Academy. The Kern Crossroads facility al� skills, including carpentry skills, and training with Westec to work in the oilfield� Marvin Dean asked if the programs reduce the recitivism rate. Mr. Beecher the Bridges Academy has only been in existence for 18 months, that c available. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Report on Graffiti Operations Public Works Director Rojas provided an overview of a slide show he pi program began in 1993, and grew from 2 employees once a weE emplcyee effort, 7-days per week in 2007. The additional effort was c increase in the amount of graffiti, and the need to reduce the responsE Safe Neighborhoods and Community Rel Agend< Almost 20,000 tags were removed during Fiscal Year 2009-2010, with < 18,000 weekdays and 2,000 on weekends. Most are reported by phonE 2007, the average rate of removal was less than 10,000 tags per day. The City operates 6 pressure washer trucks and 6 paint match trucl explained how paint is both matched and applied on site. During the wE from 9 to 10 trucks are used, as they regularly rotate through the maintenc There are 8 employees who work on Monday and Tuesday, 13 on Wed on Thursday and Friday. There are 5 employees who work on weekends, stays in the office to answer and log calls. The weekend crew handles � better accessed on weekends, such as highly traveled arterials. The community events to promote the program. Committee Chair Salas reminded everyone to download the graffiti ap their phone, and advised the meeting attendees how to do this. acknowledged that people are using it, and it does work. Committee Chair Salas is going to e-mail Mr. Rojas a list of questions thai answered at the next Committee meeting. Committee member Sullivan stated she is encouraged by the improved Dorothy Daniels, with AANKC asked for clarification on the statistics show removed in Fiscal Year 2009-2010 than in 2006-2007. Mr. Rojas replied th� combined efforts of the Police Department and the anti-graffiti prc reduction in staff during a budget crisis, there were fewer tags removed. Bakersfield Operations Manager Patteson added that volunteer groups difference, and they help to eradicate graffiti in their areas. The amour remove are not incorporated into the City's data. Committee member Sullivan noted that business owners also dese encouraging their employees to assist in eradicating graffiti on the o facility. Mr. Rojas stated that there is a program for business owners w given materials and equipment if their business gets tagged frequently. Committee Chair Salas asked about the efficiency of the schedule thc � • ���--� i i _ _J_ _ ___1'_ _I 1_ _.., .,....�....... ..�...� �.�n�n •.•�-.r� r���ni/\!� /"�I IYIY'1 Safe Neighborhoods and Community Rel Agendc ability to do that. A tax that would charge a specific user, yet benefits may have to be voted on. B. Report on DUI Checkpoints Police Chief Williamson introduced Police Sergeant Johnson, who is the Tr and administrator of the Office of Traffic Safety Grants. He noted that ov years, the Bakersfield Police Department has received four first place St regard to traffic safety: Life Interrupted program; MADD; in the mc enforcement challenge, Bakersfield was voted the # 1 city for traffic safe for cities that employ 250 to 500 sworn personnel; and, Bakersfield was vc technology used for traffic safety. Sergeant Johnson reported that in 2010, staff was called upon 28 times fatal collisions, 36�0 of which were collisions involving impaired drivers c with a blood alcohol content of .08�0 or above. In comparison, the nat for 2010 was 32�0; and in the State, 30%. In 201 1, to date, there have collisions, 62�0 of which involved impaired drivers. Staff has been aggressively competing for several years for grant fundir National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the California Of Safety to obtain funding that would provide for additional officers. One of most effective means to combat impaired driving is the DUI che� 2007, the Department has conducted 87 checkpoints, which does not in they participated in with other law enforcement agencies. The City three geographic regions for the purpose of coordinating the checkpoin is everything west of Highway 99; east, which is everything east of Unior central, which is everything between Highway 99 and Union Avenue. Sin were 36 checkpoints conducted on the west side of town, 32 on the ea in the central region. Staff has noticed a reduction in the amount of hit and run acciden attribute to seizure and impound of vehicles at checkpoints that w unlicensed motorists and those with a suspended or revoked license. average checkpoint, there were 80 vehicles impounded. In 201 1, the av Committee Chair Salas stated that there needs to be public education i i _ _ .._ 1_ _._ _ 1_ _ 1 _I ..� .-. �.. �L. ......-. � .�.�n ��.�r� �r r �ni' r1f micinfnr Safe Neighborhoods and Community Rel Agendc Police Chief Williamson added that the bill will limit what an officer c checkpoints, such as only look for red watery eyes, slurred speech o alcohol on the breath. They will not be allowed to ask for a driver's licer experts, see someone they believe may be under the influence of ineth or cocaine, the officer will not be allowed to consider it. Committee Chair Salas asked about the main cause of vehicle impour Johnson replied that they are mainly caused by either unlicensed driver� are driving on a suspended or revoked license. He added that Baker� average for DUI arrests at checkpoints, with 4 and the State average i usually an increase in the number of incidents in the summer, so si strategizing for ways to reduce the number of persons killed or injured. C. Discussion reaardinq Fundinq Source Options to Combat Ganq Violence Police Chief Williamson reported that the Department is about mid-way tr year ARRA stimulus grant that allowed for the hiring of numerous officers � Directed Policing Unit. In the Proposed Fiscal Year 201 1-2012 budget, it w� hire individuals to fill those positions permanently. If the ARRA funding isoffE Department will apply for 1 1 additional positions. Committee Chair Salas asked about the status of the CalGrip grant fundi Mullins responded that those funds were to be used towards the resK shootings. Since the number of shootings has decreased, some of the fun� grant awarded in 2010-2011 supports the Safe Streets Partnership, thE Department's Family Nurse program, and a prevention specialist at th Network for Children to guide to individuals who wish to turn away from c existing social programs. At the request of Committee Chair Salas, Police Chief Williamson clarified 1 Enforcement Unit is under the umbrella of the Directed Policing Unit. This l all Council referrals and graffiti investigations. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Sullivan thanked staff for attending and providing info She encouraged staff to make sure the information for the next meeting is � encourage as many people as possible to attend.