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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/2011 County of Kern City of Bakersfield Mike Maggard, Supervisor/Co-Chair Rudy Salas, Councilmember /Co-Chair Karen Goh, Supervisor Russell Johnson, Councilmember Staff: Richard Taylor Jacquie Sullivan, Councilmember Staff: Steven Teglia SPECIAL MEETING OF THE JOINT CITY/COUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE October 6, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. Bakersfield City Council Chambers 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 MINUTES ROLL CALL 10:08 a.m. 1. Public Presentations This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons to address the Committee on any matter not on this agenda but under the jurisdiction of the Committee. Committee members may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed. They may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff for factual information or request staff to report back to the Committee at a later meeting. Also, the Committee may act to direct the staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. Please state your name and address for the record before making your presentation. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES. None 2. Committee Member Announcements or Reports None 3. Probation Department Update (Chief Probation Officer Kuge) Matthew Kundinger gave an update on the Gang Intervention and Suppression Team, which was established in 1999. It is funded through a State grant through the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act. Officer Brent Hughes, with the Adult High Risk Unit reported on mission of the Unit and the impact of the AB 109 realignment. They are part of the collaborative effort known as the Safe Streets Partnership. Committee Co-Chair Salas was provided with information regarding staffing levels to handle the AB 109 parolees. He encouraged the Department to seek out grant funding. Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence October 6, 2011 Minutes Page 2 Committee member Sullivan was told that juveniles in the system had been incarcerated before being released and placed under the supervision of the Probation Department. Officer Hughes also noted that those adult parolees recently released from prison who had not already reported in, will be found. Committee member Johnson asked to learn as time goes on if there will be a correlation between Part 1 Crime statistics and the influx of recently released State prisoners relocating to this area. Committee member Goh noted that the allocation of $14 million is inadequate to cover the actual cost associated with the AB 109 realignment. At her request, Officer Hughes provided information regarding the approaches the Probation Department is taking to address the limited resources. He reported that those who choose to participate have shown a lower recidivism rate than others. Committee Co-Chair Maggard received information regarding caseload sizes for the various units. He pointed out that in addition to the funding for the AB 109 realignment being inadequate, it is only guaranteed for one year, and that there are no elected officials on the committee that allocates the funding. 4. Kern County Sheriff’s Department Update (Deputy Hudson) Deputy Hudson provided up-to-date statistics, including those covering violent crimes, shootings and the many hours spent on preparation for testimony and testimony itself, both in and out of Kern County. Committee member Goh asked what the public can do to make the Department’s efforts more effective. Deputy Hudson indicated that the most important thing that can be done is communicate directly with law enforcement personnel, and community activist groups, committees and councils. Committee Co-Chair Salas asked if there is anything that can be done to address the politics in the prison system that translates into the aggressions of Black gangs versus Hispanic gangs. Deputy Hudson replied that many things have been tried. Committee member Goh stated that prevention and intervention will bring about change. 5. Bakersfield Police Department Update (Chief Williamson) Assistant Chief Lyle Martin reported that the law enforcement agencies in Kern County are working very well together to combat the gang problems. Lieutenant Chow updated the Committee on statistics for homicides and Part 1 crimes. He noted that there is increased community involvement, and that staff has received many tips from the Secret Witness program. Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence October 6, 2011 Minutes Page 3 Lieutenant Mullins provided an overview of the Safe Streets Partnership and their efforts to date. Committee Co-Chair Maggard asked to hear a report on the consequences faced by the members of the two gangs who choose to continue the violence. Committee member Goh said that she appreciated the balance of the approach, and that the success is a tribute to community and agencies that they continue to help without extra funding. Committee member Johnson said he is pleased to see the success of the Partnership, and that is exactly what the Committee was formed to accomplish. Committee member Sullivan said that the new attitude was well presented, and that she is pleased that a lot of groups in town are dedicated to helping gang members get back on track. Committee Co-Chair Salas said he is a big supporter of the call-ins, and was able to sit in on some. He asked for clarity on what consequences are faced by those who do not get the message. Lieutenant Mullins replied that there is stricter enforcement and deeper investigations into their activities, violent or otherwise. 6. Discussion regarding Strategic Plan (Committee Co-Chair Salas) Committee Co-Chair Salas said the goal is to provide an update to the Plan at the next meeting. Committee member Johnson suggested that the three sub-groups meet first. He asked the Committee to define the necessary steps to update the Plan. Committee member Sullivan received information regarding funding for the Directed Policing Unit of the Bakersfield Police Department. Committee member Goh noted that the success of the Plan is attributable to the community. A considerable amount of preliminary work must be done before it can be brought back to the Committee and community for discussion. Committee Co-Chair Maggard agreed that the Plan must be updated, and it must be done in an efficient manner. He verified with the City Attorney that the three subcommittees: prevention, intervention and suppression, can meet without violating the Brown Act. It was agreed that each respective legislative body would meet separately to update statistics, and then reconvene in another Joint City-County meeting to decide what the next step will be before convening a community-wide meeting with staff. Committee member Goh will research files to determine who facilitated each subcommittee. Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence October 6, 2011 Minutes Page 4 7. Q & A / Discussion Manual Ramirez with Stay Focused Ministries gave an update on the organization’s activities. Erica Flores with the Corporation for Better Housing advocated increased collaboration with law enforcement in order to build a better rapport with the community. Committee Co-Chair Maggard suggested using the Friendship House as the location for the next community meeting. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia recommended that the November 17, 2011 Joint City-County meeting be canceled. He acknowledged that staff in the City Manager’s office would coordinate City information for the update of the Strategic Plan. Committee Co-Chair Salas expressed appreciation to those who attended and participated in the meeting. ADJOURNMENT 11:37 a.m. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (Government Code Section 54953.2) Disabled individuals who need special assistance to attend or participate in a meeting of the Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence may request assistance at the County Administrative Office, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, or by calling (661) 868-3198. Every effort will be made to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities by making meeting materials available in alternative formats. Requests for assistance should be made five (5) working days in advance wherever possible.