Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/2013 B A K E R S F I E L D /s/ Steven Teglia Committee Members Staff: Steven Teglia Russell Johnson, Chair Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan Ward 1 Representative SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Friday, April 5, 2013 12:00 p.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Meeting convened at 12:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL Committee members: Councilmember, Russell Johnson, Chair 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 Tom Geddes, Associate City Attorney Lyle Martin, Assistant Chief of Police Captain Scott McDonald Lieutenant Greg Terry Lieutenant Jorge Gomez Detective David Boyd Pat Stowe, Clerk Typist - Planning Additional Attendees: Gregory Pulskamp, Deputy District Attorney Will Haywood, Ebony Counseling Center Representative from Employers Training Resource Manuel Hernandez Members of the media Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report April 5, 2013 Page 2 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 3. ADOPTION OF OCTOBER 18, 2012 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Deferred to the next meeting, as there was no quorum. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Update regarding Gang/Graffiti Enforcement and Safe Streets Partnership Assistant Chief Martin reported that, to date in 2013, there have been 21 gang- related shootings, 5 homicides, and 37 firearms that were seized. In 2012, the statistics for this same time frame reflect 12 gang-related shootings and 2 homicides. To date in 2013, there have been 10 graffiti-related arrests (3 adults, 7 juveniles), 59 cases cleared, and $5,955.79 in restitution is being sought. In all of 2012, there were 63 graffiti-related arrests (14 adults, 49 juveniles), 1,108 cases were cleared, and $102,143.32 is being sought for restitution. The Kern County Probation Department and the Courts are responsible for collecting restitution. Once it is obtained, the appropriate amount is provided to the City for reimbursement. The Safe Streets Partnership is going through a transition phase. The goal is for the partnership to be overseen by a coalition that includes 3 community members, 2 clergy, 1 representative from a community-based organization, and 1 representative each from the Police Department, District Attorney’s office and Superintendent of Schools. Elections for the Executive Committee are scheduled for April 8, 2013. B. Discussion regarding Report on AB 109 Realignment/Personnel Scenarios Assistant Chief Martin stated that AB 109 has been a problem, impacting the community as a whole from two different standpoints; the intended and unintended consequences. The intended consequences are that the California Department of Corrections was mandated to reduce the prison population by releasing those individuals who were considered non-violent, non-sexual predators and not involved in a gang. The unintended consequences being seen now are an increase in property crime. The Kern County Sheriff’s Department has to operate under the same mandate as the State, and that results in a limited amount of space in County facilities, also. First-time offenders are being released anywhere from 10-72 hours after their arrest. As a result, many individuals who had no previous record are committing offenses repeatedly. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report April 5, 2013 Page 3 Chief Williamson provided a memo that listed the benefits of adding additional sworn and non-sworn employees under three difference scenarios, and the costs associated with each option. Committee Chair Johnson stated his preference for the most aggressive option, as he wants the sworn compliment to be larger and for the Department to be more proactive. It was recommended that any position be formally stated during budget discussions at a City Council meeting with the entire City Council present. Impacts to the City’s budget as a whole and the ongoing financial threats from the State and County must be taken into consideration when evaluating the potential of adding additional Police personnel above the increases already proposed by the Police Department and the City Manager’s Office. Mr. Haywood commended the Police Department for a fast response to a recent call for service. C. Discussion regarding Internet Cafés Assistant Chief Martin reported that efforts to control the business activities at internet cafés are a cooperative effort of the City Attorney’s office, Police Department and District Attorney’s office. Associate Attorney Iger stated that the Department of Justice, Police Department and District Attorney’s office are aware of these establishments, and have been working on the issue for some time. Lieutenant Gomez stated that they are typically located in a strip mall and contain 25- 50 terminals that look like slot machines. Customers can purchase a phone card or internet time that includes sweepstakes credits, which allow the individual to play the video game. When the individual sits down at a terminal, a pin number is entered. At that point, the sweepstakes credits appear on the machine. The credits can increase or decrease during playtime. At the end, there is the option to cash out, and the player will receive whatever monies are owed to him or her. The Police Department and Sheriff’s Office have a Joint Vice Task Force that has been investigating these businesses since 2008, and their efforts have resulted in some civil injunctions and some closures. There are currently 6 cases in various stages of the investigation process. Deputy District Attorney Pulskamp stated that this is a national issue. He is in constant contact with the State Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney General’s Office. The preferred course of action is to aggressively pursue on a civil basis, as that has more impact than a criminal charge. It is the sweepstakes component that is illegal; and once that operation ceases, the facility typically goes out of business, as that is the focus of the business. They have been successful in shutting down nine locations in six different cases. Of the six, five are being appealed in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. The rulings on the appeals will potentially result in a published opinion on the issue. Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee Agenda Summary Report April 5, 2013 Page 4 Committee Chair Johnson asked if it would be possible to pass an ordinance at the local level to provide greater flexibility in dealing with these businesses. City Attorney Gennaro said that the track currently being followed by the Police Department and District Attorney’s office is the best method, but she will prepare a formal memorandum on the topic. Mr. Hernandez asked if any new investigations are being initiated. Mr. Pulskamp said that they are diligently working on the problem, and will open new cases, as they come forward. D. Discussion and Recommendation Regarding the 2013 Committee Calendar Deferred to the next meeting, as there was no quorum. Assistant to the City Manager Teglia reported that the Joint City-County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence will meet on April 25, 2013. The next meeting of the Safe Neighborhoods and Community Relations Committee is scheduled for June 20, 2013. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 6. Meeting Closed 1:00 p.m.