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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/2012 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 Thursday, July 19, 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 APRIL 20, 2012 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement – Williamson B. Update on Recent Safe Streets Program Call-in - 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 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Friday, April 20, 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 12:04 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 Richard Iger, Associate City Attorney Greg Williamson, Police Chief Lyle Martin, Assistant Police Chief Captain Mike Payne Captain Joe Bianco Lieutenant Joe Mullins Lieutenant Jorge Gomez Sergeant Chris Johnson Officer Matt Tramel Additional Attendees: Daniel Barrett, Fresno Pacific University 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report April 20, 2012 Page 2 3. ADOPTION OF JANUARY 19, 2012 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Officer Tramel, who is assigned to the Directed Policing Unit (DPU), Graffiti Habitual Offender Suppression Team (GHOST), gave a report that included a PowerPoint slide show. Topics included the different level of taggers by definition and why they use graffiti. One hundred thirty three cases were cleared in January 2012. In February, 222 cases were cleared, and in March, 168. Committee member Johnson asked for a copy of the Power Point for a visit to Golden Valley High School. Committee Chair Salas asked how many crews have been identified in the City. Officer Tramel reported that there are more than 50, with new ones being discovered on a regular basis. Committee Chair Salas asked if there was a contributing factor to the increase in graffiti. Officer Tramel reported that it is a matter of them looking cool . Committee member Johnson referred to the most recent DPU gang violence report that indicates that in 2012, there have already been 12 shootings, and he wanted to know why. Assistant Chief Martin reported that this is being addressed at the call-ins. B. Update on Schedule for Community Forums Chief Williamson reported that the next community forum is scheduled for May 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bright House Networks Amphitheater, which is in Ward 4. The following forum is scheduled for August 23, 2012 in Ward 6, the specific location for which has not yet been determined. There is another forum scheduled for October 25, 2012; however, it has not been decided which Ward it will be held in, nor what time it will take place. Committee member Johnson stated that he is available on October 25th, and the meeting could perhaps be held at Stonecreek Jr. High School. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia reported that by the end of 2012, a forum will have been held in every Ward. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report April 20, 2012 Page 3 Committee Chair Salas asked for a critique of the last forum. Staff reported that it had been challenging, as several people brought children, and most of the scenarios are adult oriented. Committee Chair Salas reinforced the intention to partner with the media to advertise the forums. C. Update on Recent Call-in and Information regarding the Safe Streets Program Funding Lieutenant Mullins reported on the funding that was made available through the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant, which is a federal grant administered through California Emergency Management Administration. Funds were granted to the City of Bakersfield and City of Stockton to help maintain safe community partnership for both cities. Bakersfield’s share was $132,548, and it was designated 100% for the community partners that have provided resources and services to those who attend. The funding is administered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, who will assist with the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Community-based organizations that are skilled will have to commit to a certain level of service to qualify as applicants. Committee Chair Salas asked about the criteria. Lieutenant Mullins reported that, while the details have not yet been finalized, they will be looking for those organizations with non-profit status that have a history of providing services to this specialized segment of the community, and have proven their ability to commit to the program. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia noted that at the last meeting of the Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence, it was insinuated that the City was not participating in any other component than suppression. The information presented at this meeting repudiated that inference. Chief Williamson reported that the funding from last the two Calgrip grants was used for these same purposes, the majority of which was provided to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools for Project 180 use. Assistant Chief Martin added that there was a match associated with the Calgrip grants, and Asset Forfeiture Funds were used for the match. Committee Chair Salas asked that staff provide a report at the next Joint meeting, and include information regarding the work that has been done. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report April 20, 2012 Page 4 D. Update on Coplink Software Sergeant Johnson reported that the process is going well. A connection with the 55 agencies in the San Diego area was recently made. The partnership with the City of Shafter has been expanded. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia reported that this subject will be the topic at a League of California Cities, South San Joaquin Valley Division, City Manager’s Association meeting in May. Sergeant Johnson clarified that the Attorney General’s office oversees the program. Their intent is to generate one single Memorandum of Understanding to involve all jurisdictions. The City’s goal is to be connected statewide by July. 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Assistant Chief Martin reported that Lieutenant Mullins has won the Award of Distinction for a community based program, Bakersfield Safe Streets Partnership, from the California Police Officers Association. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia said that this news would be added to the next Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence agenda. Committee member Johnson asked for an update on the issues presented by Mr. Roberson at the last meeting. Assistant Chief Martin said that Sergeant Woods would follow up with him. Committee member Sullivan asked that staff write a Community Voices article regarding the graffiti information presented earlier in the meeting. Committee member Johnson asked about an article he saw, indicating an increase in auto thefts. Chief Williamson said that there is a grant, a portion of which provides for license plate readers. A camera is mounted on the dash that scans all license plates as the patrol car passes by. If one is stolen, an alert will be sent to the computer. He further reported that the Department plans to set up at Valley Plaza to set out information for the public that might include examples of anti-theft devices. Committee Chair Salas asked that staff provide an update following the community outreach. 7. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 12:52 p.m. The attached document was distributed at the meeting of the Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee on July 19, 2012.