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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/2011� . � . � .� ,� : : �. - Rudy Salas, Chair Staff: Stev Teglia Russeli Johnson Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, September 15, 2011 5;30 p.m, Friendship House 2424 Cottonwood Road Bakersfield, CA 93307 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting cailed to order at 5;38 p,m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members; Councilmember, Rudy Salas, Chair Councilmember, Russell Johnson Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan was absent. Citv staff; Mayor Haii Steve Teglia, Rssistant to the City Manager Chris Huot, Administrative Analyst Jessalee Tally, Associate City Attorney Lyle Martin, Assistant Police Chief Captain Hajir Nuriddin, Investigations Division Lieutenant Jorge Gomez, Directed Policing Unit Sergeant Christopher Johnson, Information Technology Unit Raul Rojas, Public Works Director Stuart Patteson, Public Works Operations Manager Nick Fidler, Generai Services Superintendent Additional Attendees; Stephanie Campbell, Ebony Counseling Center Walter Williams, GBLA Kevin Zimmerman, Kern County Sheriff`s Office Karen Briefer-Gose, Employers Training Resource Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 15, 201 1 Paae 2 2. ADOPTION OF JUNE 16, 2011 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update re ac�rdinq Gancland Graffiti Enforcement Police Lieutenant Gomez gave a brief overview of Safe Streets call-in program, which focuses on calling in known gang members and impressing the message to stop the violence. The candidates must be gang members who are either on parole or probation, active within the gang, who Police have contacted in the recent past, or who have influence within the gang. The sessions begin with a message from the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief or another officer at command staff level. A representative from the District Attorney's office follows, who describes what will happen when a case comes across their desk. There are also representatives from Parole and the United States Attorney's office, who speak to the attendees. Once law enforcement personnel conclude their respective presentations, they are excused from the forum, and community members then give the same message to stop the violence. The gang members are then offered assistance with services, such as housing and other social services. This last step is voluntary. In response to a question from Committee member Johnson, Lieutenant Gomez reported that service workers assist the attendees in completing any necessary forms. in response to a question from Committee member Johnson, Assistant Chief Martin reported that the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office tracks information such as longevity and job success for those gang members who gain employment. Committee member Johnson requested that staff contact the Superintendent of Schoois staff and ask them for a report, either verbal or written on the success rate. In response to a question from Committee Chair Salas, Lieutenant Gomez reported that anyone who stays to speak to a social worker does so voluntarily. Committee Chair Salas asked if there was anything to do to enhance the program. Lieutenant Gomez replied that the biggest challenge is finding a location, either in the participating gang's territory, or a neutral location. Assistant Chief Martin said that future funding may be an issue to face. In response to a question from Committee Chair Salas, Lieutenant Gomez reported that all gangs have been targeted at least once to attend these meetings. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 15, 201 1 Paae 3 B. Report on Kern Countv Probation Activities This item was deferred, as no one from the Probation Department could attend. C. Report on Graffiti Operations Public Works Director Rojas provided an electronic and verbal overview of the anti-graffiti program that started in 1993. In 2007, the Department began a seven day per week program. This consists of three shifts: • One crew that works 8 hours per day, 5 days per week; and ■ Two crews that work 10 hours per day, 4 days per week; • 1 - Wednesday through Saturday. • 1 - Sunday through Wednesday. The City Council had requested a 24-hour turn around period for removal, and this system has proven to be successful in achieving that. Mr. Rojas also noted that this schedule eliminated all overtime costs. Fiscal year 2005-2006 was the last year in which there was one crew of eight men who worked Monday through Friday, eight hours per day. The crew found the work to be chailenging as the amount of graffiti increased. The City Council approved the hiring of additional personnel, which lead to the seven day per week schedule. The program now consists of 13 employees. Four work on Sunday; Monday, 8; Tuesday, 8; Wednesday, 13; Thursday, 9; Friday, 9; and Saturday, 5. In fiscal year 2009-2010, almost 18,000 tags were removed during weekdays. On weekends, approximately 1,800 tags were removed. There are fewer on weekends because those crews must also attend and assist with community events held on those days. The call volume consisted of nearly 12,000 calls received during that same time frame. Weekend calls make up approximately 20� of the overall total. In Fiscal year 2010- 201 1, over 20,000 tags were removed. There are six pressure washer trucks to remove tags from unpainted block waiis, sidewalks, and curbs. There are also six paint match trucks, which were built by City staff. Two trucks are typically in the shop for maintenance on any given day due to the high usage of the equipment. Stuart Patteson, Operations Manager; Nick Fidier, General Services Superintendent, and Jesse Ayala, Acting Plant Maintenance Supervisor, receive a regular report as to how many work orders were processed, and how many tags were removed. A blue work order indicates a tag that was not reported by the community. A white work order indicates a tag that was reported by a citizen. Committee Chair Salas indicated that his reason for discussing this item is to ensure that the efforts of staff are maximized. He had some questions that he wanted on record. Q: How many people were on staff during fiscal year 2005 - 2006? A: According to Mr. Rojas, there were eight employees, plus one supervisor who also oversaw other operations. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 15, 201 1 Q: How many people were on staff during fiscal year 2006 - 2007? A: According to Mr. Rojas, there were 12 employees. Q: What was the number of tags during fiscal year 2005 - 2006? A: According to Mr. Rojas, there were 1 1,000. Q: Was that on a Monday through Friday schedule? A: According to Mr. Rojas, yes. Q: To clarify, it would take from Monday through Wednesday to catch up on tags committed over the weekend? A: According to Mr. Rojas, yes. During that timeframe, no staff inember worked on weekends, so all calls were logged on Monday and the tags were subsequently removed. Q: When did the use of 32-ERASE start? A: According to Mr. Rojas, it began in the mid to late 1990's. Q: Comparing the Monday through Friday schedule with fewer staff, to the Monday through Sunday schedule now in place, how many outstanding tickets are there after 48 hours? A: According to Mr. Rojas, there are very few. The majority of tags are removed anywhere from 24 - 48 hours after being reported. Committee Chair Salas noted that he would like to see the day when a volunteer group cails in to schedule a cleanup and staff is challenged to find a suitable location. General Services Superintendent Fidler responded that because of the diligence of staff, that condition exists now. Committee Chair Salas agreed that most locations are smaller and relayed some tags he had seen on the way to the meeting. Committee Chair Salas confirmed that there are 12 trucks; however, 2 will be out of operation for maintenance due to routine and continual use. Mr. Fidler noted that the equipment on the trucks also must be maintained. Committee Chair Salas confirmed that there used to be a large amount of overtime. Mr. Rojas noted that no overtime is necessary now. Committee Chair Salas confirmed that under the current schedule, more employees work on Wednesday than other days because two of the crews' schedules overlap on that day. He asked if that translated into more tags being removed on that day. Mr. Rojas said it would be a good assumption to make. Committee Chair Salas asked for public comment, and there was none. Although, Stephanie Campbell noted during the discussion that it was inappropriate to use Committee time to discuss the number of graffiti employees. Committee member Johnson indicated that he referred this matter to the Committee as a result of a report from a Keep Bakersfieid Beautiful Committee member who saw graffiti Safe Neighborhoods and Comm�nity Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 15, 201 1 Paqe 5 trucks sitting idle. He wanted to look at the 4/10 schedule to see if it is the best approach to maximize efforts, compared to the 5-day work schedule. His questions included: Q: Of the 13 staff members, are there any middle management personnel who have to overlap the 5/8, 4/10 schedules? A: According to Mr. Rojas, there are 2 lead workers who overiap. Q: Do two employees burden the General Fund more than one? A: According to Mr. Rojas, yes. Q: There was only one prior to the implementation of the 4/10 schedule? A: According to Mr. Rojas, yes. The impetus for two came about when the schedule changed from five days per week to seven days per week. Q: If the schedule were to revert to five cleanups be handled without overtime? A: According to Mr. Rojas, they cannot. days per week, couid the community Q: Can it be run on a flex schedule? A: According to Mr. Rojas, the current schedule was approved by the employees and the Union, and is a part of the contract. Any change wouid have to be similarly approved. If the schedule reverted to five days per week, it would require overtime pay. Regularly flexing an employee to cover weekend duties without overtime may lead to Union grievance issues, and is not advisable. Q: How many wards are covered on Wednesday? A: According to Mr. Rojas, no ward is ever singled out. Graffiti is eradicated wherever it exists every day, regardless of ward. Some wards do have more problems than others. Mr. Rojas stated that the reason there are trucks in the Corporation Yard on weekends is because there are only five employees working on weekends, therefore only five trucks are needed. Committee member Johnson said that there are still some unanswered questions about overtime costs. He asked that staff report back as to where things stand, and if there is the ability to set up a flex schedule with a day off in the middle of the week, without restoring overtime costs. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia stated that staff schedules and how the department handles that function is an administrative role handled by the department. The goal of eradicating graffiti as efficiently as possible, and in the shortest amount of time, is set by the City Council. However, the discretion and flexibility to administer the schedule and the resources, including staff, is left under the purview of the departments. He offered to provide additional information at a future meeting, and Committee member Johnson responded that all questions should be answered. There were no questions from the public. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 1 S, 201 1 Paae 6 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Report on Efforts to Combat Auto Thefts Police Captain Nuriddin reported on the Police Department's efforts to combat auto theft. Over the last six months, there has been a 17.5% decrease in the report of auto thefts, compared to last year. On average, there are about 150 reports per month. In this same time period, there were approximately 150 felony arrests for avto thefts, and 126 arrests related to auto thefts. The Bakersfield Police Department is a partner of the KernCAT (Kern Auto Theft Task Force) Team, which includes the California Highway Patrol. The team utilizes informants to gather information, conducts a variety of undercover operations as well as surveillances, uses bait vehicles, and participates in a cooperative effort with Tulare and Fresno Counties. This has resulted in approximately 16 arrests per month to control and combat auto theft. In response to a question from Committee Chair Salas, Captain Nuriddin stated that the offenses are mainly concentrated in the area near Valley Plaza, Panorama and Columbus, and Pacheco and Union. In response to a question from Committee Chair Salas, Captain Nuriddin stated that the Directed Policing Unit responds to a variety of challenges in the community; however the Task Force is specifically focused on this issue, and is doing a good job. Staff does routinely review the data, which indicates the time and day of week, and, when appropriate, additional resources can be called in to assist. Committee member Johnson noted that efforts are being made to schedule a meeting with the management at Valley Plaza, as they requested additional resources to assist them with the growing number of auto thefts at the mall. Captain Nuriddin noted that most incidents occur after 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Assistant Chief Martin also noted that in some cases, the car may be repossessed, rather than stolen. B. Reporfi reqardinq Public Safety Databases Assistant Chief Martin introduced Police Sergeant Johnson, who reported on the efforts by the Department in response to the California's Attorney General's efforts to encourage law enforcement agencies to share databases. Sergeant Johnson is assigned to the Department's Information Technology Unit. The software the Department uses for this purpose is called Coplink, and it is a tool that allows the Department to share their records management system or reports with other agencies. Not all State agencies are connected yet. The data shared with others will include mug shots, parking tickets and other citations. Fingerprints and DNA evidence is not yet accessible, as the State is working to standardize the data. Sergeant Johnson said he expects that the Bakersfield Police Department will be connected by the end Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report September 15, 201 1 of 201 1. The cost of the software is paid by the Police Officer Standard Training (POST) program. Committee member Johnson asked for a summarization of a typical investigation. Sergeant Johnson used the example of a car that had been burglarized. The officer would come to the home and interview the car's owner to find out what had been taken. They would then dust for fingerprints; and if any were found, they would be submitted to the crime scene unit, who would analyze the data to determine whether or not it matches those of any others in the system. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Johnson asked Assistant Chief Martin to give a brief update on the policing efforts at Valley Plaza Mall. Assistant Chief Martin said that additional patrols would be assigned to the area for approximately two weeks to evaluate the situation. They will also be attending a meeting to be set in the near future with the Mall's management staff to determine a more long-term strategy. Committee Chair Salas thanked everyone for attending. He stated that the Committee has made a point of holding meetings in the community at an accessible hour. He also expressed appreciate to staff for their efforts, and noted that public safety is doing a great job. He is encouraged by Coplink database capabilities and the call-in program. He has some outstanding questions regarding the graffiti program, and will provide those to staff in memo format. 7. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 6:52 p.m.