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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission October 12, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 12, 2011 — 3:30 p.m. Administrative Services Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lebel called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. I II. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Lebel Vice Chairman Butzbach Commissioner Kirkwood Commissioner Luhring Commissioner Nethery Staff Present: Absent: None O Q ti zoo Councilmember Cindy Finerty U O Councilmember William R. Kroonen Stephen Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager v N Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police Department Chief Dorian Cooley, Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief John Rios, Riverside County Fire Department Fire Marshal Steve Brooker, Riverside County Fire Department EMS Captain Scott Visyak, Riverside County Fire Department Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS U U C" C � Phyllis Harkins addressed the Commission at the request of the Palm Desert Country Club Board of Directors to voice concerns over what seems to be a growing crime issue. There have been several vehicle burglaries and suspicious activity around the Michigan apartment area. MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING October 12, 2011 She asked if the officers who attend the next board meeting could address these concerns. IV. PRESENTATIONS A. Introduction of Palm Desert Police Department's Burglary Suppression Team Lt. Shouse introduced the members of the Burglary Suppression Team present at the meeting. This unit has one detective and four officers assigned to the team. Two of the officers are assigned to the contract city of Palm Desert, one of the officers is assigned to the contract city of Rancho Mirage, and one officer is assigned to the County. One sergeant is assigned to supervise operations. The mission of the burglary suppression unit is to reduce thefts within the jurisdiction of the Palm Desert Station to include the County area and the contract cities of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. Chairman Lebel was impressed with the statistics the last couple of months, especially the amount of recovered property. Lt. Shouse added that this team is making a positive impact. Chairman Lebel thanked the team for attending the meeting. B. Presentation of Palm Desert's New Diesel Medic Unit Chief Cooley introduced members from Station 71. The new Medic Unit now has a diesel truck chassis, and it was available for those who wanted to see it. Several Commissioners indicated they had seen the unit in the parking lot prior to the meeting. Chairman Lebel thanked Chief Cooley for arranging the presentation. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the Public Safety Commission Meeting of September 14, 2011 B. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report for August, 2011 C. Palm Desert Police Department Specialized Units Monthly End of Month Report for August and September, 2011 Commissioner Butzbach asked that Item C be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Pq MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING October 12, 2011 Motion by Commissioner Nethery, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, to approve Items A and B of the Consent Calendar, unanimously approved. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Butzbach commented that it appeared the Commercial Vehicle report did not have much activity, and under the "notes" section it indicated "transferred to motors". He asked for clarification. Lt. Shouse responded that the truck used for the program had an engine blow out and the County is in the process of buying a Ford SUV. There was a motor vacancy and the deputy was moved into that position which left the Commercial Vehicle position vacant. Three traffic deputies will go to Motor Vehicle Enforcement School in Sacramento the end of October, and once they return from training, the new vehicle should have arrived. This program is essential to the traffic safety program, and he hopes to have an update on this during the coming month. Commissioner Butzbach asked if the Business Watch program was fully staffed, and Lt. Shouse responded in the affirmative. Motion by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Luhring, to receive and rile Item C, unanimously carried. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. FBI Uniform Crime Reports for 2010 Lt. Shouse reported that the good news is that overall crime decreased in 2010 and has consistently decreased over the last fifteen years. Residential burglary numbers are down, however, vehicle burglary numbers are up this year. He also mentioned that AB109 was passed in June, 2011. In May, the US Supreme Court ruled that the State of California had to reduce its prison population. Non-violent, non -serious offenders sentenced to three years or less will now serve time in the County jail, which is 3 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING October 12, 2011 maxed out now at 3,900 County beds. It is estimated that there will be 5,700 inmates put through the County system annually. This will mean more inmates will be absorbed on the streets which could negatively impact crime numbers. Chairman Lebel mentioned that San Bernardino County and San Diego County both have specialized task forces that focus on paroled criminals, and he asked if Riverside County had a similar task force. Lt. Shouse said that Riverside County has participated in task forces that address sexual predators, narcotics, and gangs. The State has teams that deal with paroles at large, but because of State budget issues, the number of deputies who participate in task forces has been reduced. The Department supports task forces, but without funding there are some major challenges. Commissioner Kirkwood asked why there were no statistics provided for 2008. Lt. Shouse will correct the report and have it sent to the Commissioners. No motion to receive and file made, pending receipt of an updated report. B. Recommendation to accept CalCOPS Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funding (SLESF) for 2011/2012. Motion by Commissioner Nethery, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, to recommend that the City Council accept the Ca/COPS (Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funding- SLESF) Grant Award of $100,000 for 2011112 and expenditure plan as presented, unanimously carried. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. IX. OLD BUSINESS None. 0 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING October 12, 2011 X. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) No report. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Citizens on Patrol Program 1. Monthly Report for September 2011. Frankie Riddle reported that the COPS program continues to move forward, and a lot of its members are back for season. Over the summer, ten new members were recruited, and a few members were lost. There are approximately thirty-five (35) COPS members at this time. Ms. Riddle expressed appreciation for assistance received from Sgt. Misty Reynolds, who handles training for the COPS members through the Police Department. The training has proven very beneficial. 2. COPS Caller for September and October 2011. Chairman Lebel appreciated receiving the newsletters. B. Legislative Update Gary Rosenblum reported that the Governor has decided what to do with over 600 bills received. Two that pertained to the valley were related to DUI check points: 1. Prohibiting Police Department from impounding vehicles of unlicensed drivers. This bill PASSED. 2. Requiring that the public receive advance warning of the exact locations and times of DUI check points. This bill was VETOED. Lt. Shouse indicated that the Police Department currently, and will continue to, put out a Press Release in advance concerning DUI checkpoints; however, it does not disclose the exact location of the checkpoint. MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING October 12, 2011 Chairman Lebel asked if there was any legislation requiring an increase in booking fees, and Stephen Aryan will prepare a report for the November meeting. C. Police and Fire Departments Fire Marshal Brooker reported that the City Council appropriated funds to conduct CERT training and purchase equipment. He distributed a copy of the City's new CERT trailer. Gary Rosenblum said that COD is the main administrator of the class and they contract with Fire Marshal Brooker for training. D. Staff 1. Update on Video Surveillance Subcommittee Commissioner Butzbach reported that a couple of weeks ago, Stephen Aryan, Gary Rosenblum, Lt. Bill Sullivan, and Sgt. Misty Reynolds, and he met to discuss the surveillance camera project. It was a brainstorming meeting on what they will try to accomplish and the direction to take. Commissioner Butzbach stated that Lt. Sullivan indicated that from the Police Department's standpoint, he would like to see more camera use inside businesses and asked whether there could be City financial assistance to encourage businesses to install cameras in their stores. Commissioner Butzbach said that before forming a subcommittee, he and perhaps a member of staff could visit police departments in other cities that have cameras; i.e. Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Redlands, to see what types of systems they are using. After visiting other facilities, they will report back to the Commission. Businesses he spoke with along El Paseo were supportive of camera systems in their shops and on the street. The license plate identification systems used in the City were also discussed. Stephen Aryan said that the renovations at the fire stations are winding down, and Station 71 crews have moved back in and trailers have been removed. The landscape improvements at Station 33 are underway now and anticipated to be finished the end of next week. Once the punch lists are complete, arrangements will be made for the Commissioners to tour the stations. N MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING October 12, 2011 Gary Rosenblum reported that the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association has revamped its website and it now includes a calendar system. All cities in the valley will be loading emergency response events onto this calendar. The website is: CVEMA.org. Frankie Riddle mentioned that she is in the process of working to revise the waste reclamation plan. E. Public Safety Commissioners Commissioner Butzbach asked if there were flyers available for the CERT training. Mr. Rosenblum responded that in an attempt to keep expenses at a minimum, no flyers were printed, but all indications are that there is a great deal of interest in this training. Chairman Lebel asked Commissioners to consider what they might like to see addressed at future meetings. XII. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Luhring, seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood, unanimously carried. Meeting was adjourned at 4:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Karen Prusinowski, Recording Secretary 7