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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2012 Agenda Summary Report B A K E R S F I E L D /s/ 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, October 18, 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 - Absent City staff: Steve Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager Chris Huot, Administrative Analyst Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Richard Iger, Associate City Attorney Greg Williamson, Chief of Police Lyle Martin, Assistant Chief of Police Captain Brian Clayton Lieutenant Greg Terry Lieutenant Jorge Gomez Sergeant Damon Youngblood Additional Attendees: Brian Mendiburu Cindy Parra Members of the media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 18, 2012 Page 2 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 3. ADOPTION OF JULY 19, 2012 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang and Graffiti Enforcement Lieutenant Terry reported that, to date, there have been 48 gang-related shootings, which is an increase over last year. In order to address this problem, an operation was recently conducted whereby the Directed Policing Unit (DPU), Career Criminal Apprehension Team (CCAT), and County Probation focused on gang members and those involved in gangs who are most responsible for the violence. Over a 12-day period, 140-160 arrests were made for a variety of different crimes, over 50 of which were committed by documented gang members. Eleven firearms were seized, together with significant amounts of narcotics. To date, the graffiti officers have cleared over 800 cases, and submitted over $80,000 for restitution. Officers will soon file cases against 16 suspects, 1 of whom is responsible for 128 offenses, and another who is responsible for over 150 cases. This action will result in the submittal of another $20,000 in restitution. The Department continues to participate in the Safe Streets Partnership program, which garners a lot of support from citizens and other community partners. Chief Williamson stated that one aspect of the Safe Streets Partnership program is that if the gang members are unwilling to take advantage of the resources made available to them during the call-ins, the Department’s only recourse is to suppress the crime. Both the DPU and CCAT teams have been very diligent in focusing on the two gangs who decided not to take advantage of those resources, and continue to commit the offenses. He also stated that 60% of the reported gang shootings have been cleared. This is largely due to increased involvement by citizens, who are willing to come forward and provide information to assist in solving crimes. Committee Chair Salas said that the community liaison meetings have helped, as well. Committee member Johnson asked about those who had been arrested in the special operation; how many of them spent time in jail and how many were immediately released due to lack of space. Chief Williamson said that the vast majority of them were classified as open arrests for new crimes, meaning the answer cannot be determined. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 18, 2012 Page 3 Committee member Johnson asked how long the graffiti restitution amounts have been outstanding, and what success in collecting them had been achieved. Chief Williamson answered that collection falls within the purview of the courts, so no answer is available. B. Discussion regarding Report on AB 109 Realignment Chief Williamson reported that Lieutenant Gomez oversees CCAT and Sergeant Youngblood is the direct supervisor. After a year of dealing with the effects of AB-109, the Department continues to collect verifiable statistics to determine whether or not the early release of prisoners bears some responsibility for the increase in property and violent crimes. The consensus of the Kern Chiefs’ organization is that there is some responsibility. In the Greater Bakersfield area, approximately 2,000 previously incarcerated inmates were released, 1,500 - 1,800 of which can be found within the City limits at any given point in time. The limited resources allocated by the State were provided to County Probation and Parole, with a minimal amount to outlying communities that lack the resources Bakersfield has. The Department continues to ask for support from County Probation and Parole, and other law enforcement agencies to combat the problem. Chief Williamson sits on the Executive Committee of the Community Corrections Partnership, where there is consensus that it will be approximately two to three years before it can be definitely determined whether or not these former inmates are responsible for the increase in crime. Lieutenant Gomez reported that it is not yet possible for patrol officers to note whether or not the person they are arresting is a product of the AB-109 realignment. Sergeant Youngblood is the direct supervisor of CCAT, which consists of one sergeant and six officers. It was created in July, 2012, with a focus on combatting the post- release supervision of AB-109 with a proactive approach. The team identifies areas within the community that have seen an increase in crime, develop plans to combat those problems, and actively pursue those individuals who are responsible. They work closely with the Investigations Division, with the added mission of making themselves available to assist with the apprehension of locating unwanted individuals, conducting undercover operations and some non-traditional police operations. They are a specialized unit, having received more than 80 hours of formal training, including narcotic investigations, highway interdiction, parcel interdiction, surveillance techniques and entries, and money laundering. The team also routinely works with the DPU, Child Abuse/Sexual Assault (CASA) unit, and the Robbery/Homicide Division on varying operations that have netted multiple arrests, both felony and misdemeanor, and firearm seizures. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 18, 2012 Page 4 Assistant Chief Martin reported that due to an increase in daytime burglaries near the Golden Valley His School area, the team changed their hours to address the situation, which resulted in arrests and clearance of some burglary cases. Three murder suspects were apprehended, related to three separate homicides. It is also his belief that AB-109 is responsible for the spike in the crime rate, but more statistical information is needed to be sure. Committee Chair Salas asked how many of those arrested were a part of AB-109. Assistant Chief Martin said that the records management system is being updated to allow arresting officers a method to denote whether or not the offender is someone who was released due to AB-109. The update is estimated to be ready in the next 90 – 120 days. Committee Chair Salas asked how CCAT is funded. Assistant Chief Martin said that funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2012/13 budget when Council approved additional positions, some officers were reassigned from the DPU, and one person was reassigned from patrol. Committee member Johnson stated that when he was at the recent League Conference, every other elected official from every other city said that they saw an increase in crime after the realignment. He would like this to be a bigger priority by requesting that the City Manager identify more funds for additional officers. He asked Chief Williamson to provide information to the Committee and City Manager that addresses all of the concerns and needs of the department to accomplish this goal , and identify options that may achieve it. Mr. Teglia stated that public safety continues to be a major priority for the City Manager, who will continue to add positions as allowed by available resources. Committee member Johnson asked if there were any mid-year savings that could provide for an additional position at the upcoming academy. Mr. Teglia said that there are a lot of different fiscal challenges that have to be dealt with, but an evaluation can be done at that time. Chief Williamson stated that everything points to this issue being responsible for the rise in crime. While the influx was substantial initially, he believes that the number of inmates associated with AB-109 will decrease over time. He further noted that law enforcement is focused on arresting the individual and sending them to prison, but the State’s policy is to reduce the numbers in prison, so the two positions are at odds. Committee Chair Salas asked if County Probation and/or Parole have asked for the City’s assistance. Chief Williamson said that they have not; however, he has asked them for assistance, and they have provided it. Committee Chair Salas asked if the increased capacity that will result from the Lerdo jail expansion will help. Chief Williamson said he would have to ask the Sheriff, who has already estimated completion in five to six years. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report October 18, 2012 Page 5 C. Discussion regarding Update of Strategic Plan 2012 Mr. Teglia reported that this discussion is in follow-up to last Joint City-County meeting, and in preparation for the next one. Various strategies were identified, and staff from the City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office and the Police Department met and proposed revisions accordingly. He noted that there are those who believe the City to only be responsible for suppression, but it is also involved in the prevention and intervention efforts by providing a significant amount of funding to partners who lead those efforts. Committee Chair Salas stated that Committee member Sullivan should be given an opportunity to review the material before more substantial discussion takes place. Mr. Teglia and Chief Williamson both stated that they want to highlight the efforts of the City towards all three components of the Plan. The Police Department approaches the gang and crime problem from all sides. Mr. Teglia further s tated that it is a testament to the Department and City Council for their commitment to combat the problems. Mr. Teglia indicated that the City is only responsible for those sections that pertain to City efforts. County departments will revise those portions attributable to their efforts. County staff will then revise the entire document accordingly for discussion at the next Joint City-County meeting on November 15th. Committee member Johnson asked Mr. Teglia to follow up with him ten days prior to that meeting for any additional comments. Mr. Teglia thanked Lieutenant Terry for the major contribution he made to assist with City efforts. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Johnson asked the Chief to contact his assistant to schedule another comprehensive ride along and then a second one that will focus on all of the medical marijuana dispensaries within the City limits. Committee Chair Salas asked to receive an e-mail addressing the item from the last meeting regarding signage around Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. 6. ADJOURNMENT 12:45 p.m.