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Home My WebLink About10/21/2010�"�� ,� y � ;��. ::��: s�� BAKERSFIELD Irma Carson, Chair St ff: Steve eglia Sue Benham Assistant to the 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 21, 2010 1 1:45 a.m. City Hall North - Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting called to order at 1 1:50:19 AM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Counciimember, Irma Carson, Chair Councilmember, Sue Benham Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan Advisory members: Devon Johnson, OGPC Prodigy Stephanie Campbell, Cornerstone Walter Williams, GBLA City staff: Steve Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Justin Crumley, Associate Attorney Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Lyle Martin, Assistant Chief of Police Captain Hajir Nuriddin, Police Department Lieutenant Joe Mullins, Police Department Lieutenant Mike Payne, Police Department Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director Sal Moretti, Sofid Waste Superintendent Additional Attendees: Susan Lerude, Kern County Probation Bob Lerude, County Parks/Recreation; Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Lauro Cantu and Curtis Cornelison, Sheriff's Department Nolan Hunt and Cynthia Luya, Bakersfield College David Williams, R.B.A.K.C. David and Kristie Coons, Faith in Action Miscellaneous members of the media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 21, 2010 Page 2 2. ADOPTION OF JUNE 17, 2010 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement - Police Chief Williamson Lieutenant Mullins gave an update on the Safe Streets Partnership program, which has been very effective. This program combines the efforts of the Police, Sheriff and Probation Departments, as well as Project 180, National Brotherhood Association, Superintendent of Schools and members of the faith-based community. This program is referred to as Operation Cease Fire in other communities. The concept is to target individuals at high risk of violence, both those who may be victims and those who might become perpetrators. Individual meetings with the area's three most violent gangs were held. They were selected because they have shot more people in the last two years than ali of the other gangs in the City combined. They are: Eastside Crips, Country Boy Crips and Westside Crips. The meetings followed a cali-in format by which individuals were directed to participate by either their parole or probation officer. The focus was to get them to understand what the community will and will not tolerate. Experience has shown the level of violence will not change through more arrests. The message from law enforcement was that should a gang choose to use violence as a method of doing business, then that particular gang will receive the full focus of every resource available to law enforcement. The faith-based community informs them that the community has a right to insist that the gangs stop their violent ways. Finally, the service providers convey what various options are available. Additional meetings are scheduled in November and December that will involve the two most violent Hispanic gangs, the Colonia Bakers and Barrio Bakers. Advisory member Johnson asked if individuals are needed to help reach out to the gang members to encourage them to attend these meetings. Lieutenant Mullins indicated that volunteers are always welcome to assist with outreach, and help individuals who are at-risk to get in touch with services they need. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 21, 2010 Paae 3 B. Report on Kern County Probation Activities - Chief Probation Officer Kuge Susan Lerude reported that the assessment tool has now been fully implemented. The results are that they are seeing a decrease in the number of petitions being filed with the District Attorney's office, and the number of caseloads is down. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Report on the Possibility of re-establishing a Park Patrol - Police Chief Williamson This item was a result of a referral from Councilmember Benham following recent acts of violence in City parks. Chief Williamson provided background on the park patrol that had been in effect in 2007-08. He recommended to the Committee that the Direct Policing Unit patrol the parks instead of a park patrol because the officers are better trained to respond to emergency situations. Committee member Benham thanked Chief Williamson for the report and acknowledged his recommendation. Committee Chair Carson confirmed that the Recreation and Parks Department provides a schedule of events to the Police Department to keep them better informed as to when large groups are expected to gather. Committee member Benham said that she is concerned about next spring when it gets busy, and directed staff to review current policies for improvements that can potentially be made, such as earlier closing hours for the larger picnic areas. She also asked that staff report back to the Committee as to what might be done to alleviate the problems, such as perhaps drafting a different set of rules for parks that are surrounded by residential areas. Mr. Coons indicated that there is a role that the community can play. Chief Williamson responded that there used to be a park watch program, and he would research the background and report back to the Committee. Discussion regarding Implementation of an Anti-Litter Campaign - Solid Waste Superintendent Moretti, and Recreation and Parks Director Hoover Recreation and Parks Director Hoover reported that there are several programs already in place through the Solid Waste division, such as Make a Difference Day and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful. There are other litter campaigns in place, such as Mayor Hall's monthly freeway cleanups. She further stated that the three top reasons why some people litter more than others are: 1) Some do not feel a sense of ownership of the facilities; 2) Litter is more prevalent where sorneone else is going to clean up after them; and 3) Once litter starts accumulating in one place, such as an illegal dump site, it keeps accumulating in that same place. Keep Bakersfield Beautiful is trying to create a slogan that the community can support. Individuals will be able to vote for their favorite. It is believed that once they get involved with this plan, they will be more apt to get on board with the entire program. The Condors Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 21, 2010 Pacae 4 have adopted a portion of Ming Avenue to keep clean, and also plan to adopt a slogan as a way to get players involved. Solid Waste Superintendent Moretti indicated that there could be a better job done to educate the public. He recently met with representatives from Anaheim, who promote a Adopt a Neighborhood program, where residents coordinate cleanups with local agencies. The Solid Waste division is looking to create a similar program. He also reported that the Solid Waste division has the necessary equipment to respond to citizen requests for cleanups, and routinely pick up bulky items that residents cannot transport themselves. Advisory member Campbell noted that Stop the Violence works with local youth to clean up neighborhoods during the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration. Assistant Police Chief Martin stated that the City's website contains pertinent information. Bob Lerude, Director of the Kern County Recreation and Parks Department and member of the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee, recommended contacting the High School District to get them more involved. Committee member Suilivan asked if a large group left a mess in a park, would they be fined. Recreation and Parks Director Hoover responded that each group has to pay a deposit when they reserve an area at a park. If they leave a mess, the City keeps the deposit. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Chief Williamson encouraged the Committee to carefully read Proposition 19 on the upcoming ballot and make an educated vote. His opinion is that the issue to legalize marijuana is a public safety concern. Advisory member Campbell thanked Committee Chair Carson for her service. Committee member Benham thanked Committee Chair Carson for her outstanding leadership and passionate dedication to the cause of safe neighborhoods, and said that Ms. Carson tr�ly exemplifies what public service is all about. Advisory member Johnson wished Committee Chair Carson the best. Advisory member Walter Williams asked about the future of the committee and said that there is still have a long way to go. Committee member Sullivan thanked Committee Chair Carson for her service. Committee Chair Carson thanked everyone, and promised to see that the efforts continue. 7. ADJOURNMENT 12:40:09 PM