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Home My WebLink About04/20/2012 B A K E R S F I E L D Staff: City Council members: Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Rudy Salas, Chair Russell Johnson Jacquie Sullivan SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Friday, April 20, 2012 12:00 p.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 A G E N D A 1. ROLL CALL 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 3. ADOPTION OF JANUARY 19, 2012 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement – Williamson B. Update on Schedule for Community Forums – Williamson C. Update on Recent Call-in and Information regarding the Safe Streets Program Funding – Williamson D. Update on Coplink Software - Williamson 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 7. ADJOURNMENT B A K E R S F I E L D Steven Teglia Rudy Salas, Chair Staff: Steven Teglia Russell Johnson Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, January 19, 2012 12:00 p.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 12:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember, Rudy Salas, Chair Councilmember, Russell Johnson Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan City staff: Steve Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Chris Huot, Administrative Analyst Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Jessalee Tally, Associate City Attorney Richard Iger, Associate City Attorney Greg Williamson, Police Chief Lyle Martin, Assistant Police Chief Captain Mike Payne Captain Bob Bivens Lieutenant Joe Mullins Sergeant Chris Johnson Sergeant Bobby Woolard, Jr. Additional Attendees: Brian Mendiburu, Kern High School District Teitna Bailey DeVon Johnson, N.B.H.K.C. Jon Roberson David Williams, N.B.H.K.C. Walter Williams, G.B.L.A. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 19, 2012 Page 2 2. ADOPTION OF DECEMBER 15, 2011 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Jon Roberson spoke about the significant amount of graffiti, burglaries and vandalism taking place in the area near South H and Monitor Streets, around Fairview Road. His goal was to learn what could be done to restore the morale, pride and appearance of the neighborhood. Most of the problems occur on weekends. Committee member Johnson suggested that the Police representatives meet with Mr. Roberson at the conclusion of the meeting. Committee member Sullivan encouraged Mr. Roberson to contact his Councilmember and Code Enforcement staff regarding problem areas where junk or other Code-related issues are seen. When the neighborhood starts looking better, it raises morale and standards. Committee Chair Salas asked that the Police Department provide a report at the next meeting on the efforts in that vicinity. Police Chief Williamson acknowledged the elevated level of property crimes in the area. Police staff will prepare an analysis, and the Directed Policing Unit will take a look at the problems. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Assistant Chief Martin reported that there had been a significant decline in the amount of graffiti in the last four to five months; however, referrals have recently been increasing. The reason is uncertain at this time, but staff is examining it. He further reported about a homicide that took place on December 24, 2011 at the Elks Lodge. As a result, law enforcement concentrated efforts in the area, and, specifically, the activities of the East Side Crips, for 3 weeks straight, 24 hours per day. The outcome was 3 search warrants, 24 open charges, 24 felony arrests, 19 misdemeanor arrests, 13 felony warrant arrests, 28 misdemeanor warrant arrests, and seizures of 2 firearms. This is considered a positive conclusion overall, because it means that the efforts of the Safe Streets Partnership are working, as the category totals could have been much higher. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 19, 2012 Page 3 DeVon Johnson lives in the area, and he attested to the fact that the violence is slowly decreasing due to the coordinated effort, call-ins, heightened enforcement and word of mouth that the community is not tolerating the lifestyle. Committee member Johnson noted that the amount of graffiti increased in Ward 7 over Christmas break. Chief Williamson received an e-mail from a citizen who saw 20 tags on the wall around her complex. He said that Captain Bianco is working with her. B. Update on Status of Coplink Software Sergeant Chris Johnson gave an overview. The software allows law enforcement agencies to share databases with each other. The Police Department is now connected to the Kern County Sheriff’s Department’s database, among others, which is a major advantage for patrol officers. Efforts continue to connect with other agencies throughout state. Fresno and Ventura are not on board yet. Chief Williamson said that Bakersfield paid approximately $300,000 to $400,000 for the software, which was funded by grant monies that are no longer available. Committee Chair Salas asked about a connection with the Attorney General’s office. Sergeant Johnson said that is not happening now as there are many challenges at the federal level. Committee member Johnson, who had requested the update, asked if Bakersfield is connected to Los Angeles. Sergeant Johnson replied that the City of Los Angeles has chosen not to connect with other agencies, but Los Angeles County is one of the Bakersfield connections. Sergeant Johnson reported that this concept originated in Orange County, when 13 agencies formed a collaborative. Bakersfield staff has been working on this for three years. Organizers are working with Senator Boxer in an attempt to persuade the federal government to participate throughout California, Washington and Arizona. It is intended that the system be utilized nationwide. Committee member Johnson indicated he would be willing to encourage elected officials to participate by way of a letter or direct dialog. Committee member Sullivan said that the League of California Cities should get involved. It was agreed that a letter would be drafted for the Mayor’s signature, and Committee members would be provided with talking points to be conveyed as appropriate. Chief Williamson will provide background information to the Mayor. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 19, 2012 Page 4 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Report regarding Civil Gang Injunctions City Attorney Gennaro distributed a memo and provided a summary of the content. An injunction is a restraining order against particular individuals in a specifically designated region. Officers must first prove to a judge that the individuals are gang members, and then each person is allowed a due process hearing to make sure they were accurately identified. A violation of the injunction is a misdemeanor that may result in jail time; however, with the current realignment of prisoners from AB 109, there is no room in the jails for anyone who is convicted of anything less than a felony. In most cases, the offender would only receive a ticket. Some of the smaller jurisdictions have had some success with injunctions because gang members in that area are territorial; however, that is not the case in Kern County where gangs are more spread out. Assistant Chief Martin concurred that this is a very labor intensive process that will have minimal results. The City of Stockton discovered that their officers were spending most of their time either in the office or in court on these cases. He said that using an injunction would erase the progress that has been made by way of the Safe Streets Partnership in which a tough stance has been taken. Committee Chair Salas asked about the exposure to litigation in these cases. Chief Williamson replied that it is probable that this would result in civil rights litigation; which, if the City did not prevail, the City would have to pay all attorney fees for the defendant, and that could be quite costly. Committee member Johnson, who had referred the matter to the Committee, indicated that, after hearing this report, he was not in favor of instituting this process. The report will be filed. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Johnson asked when the next Community Forum would be held, and if it would be in Ward 7. Assistant Chief Martin replied that a date had not yet been secured, but that it would be in Ward 7. Committee member Sullivan said that she and Councilmember Hanson would host a joint forum for Wards 5 and 6. Committee Chair Salas asked for discussion about a schedule of Community Forums at the next meeting. Lieutenant Mullins said that one is scheduled for each quarter of 2012, and they are being coordinated by Senior Officer Andrea Pflugh. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report January 19, 2012 Page 5 Brian Mendiburu with the Kern County High School District thanked Chief Williamson and command staff for always being so responsive and cooperative. Committee member Sullivan asked if the different schools gave groups an opportunity to adopt an area around their school to clean up graffiti. Mr. Mendiburu said that while individual student clubs have adopted areas around their campus, he will have to research the matter. 7. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 12:52 p.m. Dates - Information / Location - M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 30 M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 30 31 M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2012 KC Network for Children - 2000 K Street Brighthouse Amphitheater - 11200 Stockdale Highway (Councilman David Couch) Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan TBA 0830 hours 1900 hours BPD Community Forum 3/15/2012 5/10/2012 8/23/2012 TBD 10/25/2012 September October November December January February March April May June July August