HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 07/15/1997 MINUTES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MPTING
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JULY 15, 1997 �
PRESENT: Jim Bennett, Chair Pat Fitzpatrick
Leona Orr Glenn Woods
Tim Clark Ed Crawford
Roger Lubovich Norm Angelo
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bennett at 5:12 p.m.
AMENDMENT TO SOAP ORDERS ORDINANCE
Senior Prosecutor Pat Fitzpatrick advised that this amendment to a SOAP ordinance,
which stands for Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution, has been requNtd to accommodate
the Del Mar annexation area. The Del Mar annexation encompas* an area of high
problems with prostitution related activities and crime. Since the $OAP ordinance was
originally enacted, some of these crimes have south on Pacific Highway. This
amendment will encompass the new area of Pacific Highway incorporated in the City of
Kent limits. It basically prohibits people who have been convictediof prostitution related
crimes or who have prostitution related crimes pending, from being in this area which has
been determined to be a high area of prostitution activity. Furthermore, there are a couple
iof roads that are not part of the Del Mar annexation but are adjacent to the current SOAP
ordinance area, there are a number of apartments in that area anthe apartment
managers have expressed a need and an interest in having those areas SOAPED (letters
are attached to the ordinance for review). Fitzpatrick added that, a SOAP ordinance as it
stands has been a very effective deterrent in keeping prostitution; Wed crime down in
the areas.
Clark commented that in reading the letters, he was a little surprised that he saw South
3 240th and asked exactly where that location was. Fitzpatrick explained it is coming back
down toward the hill, east of Pacific Highway and then it runs rightinto 30th Avenue which
basically branched off 240th. Clark further commented that we certainly want to
encourage citizens to take their own active interest and they have.
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Leona Orr moved to approve the amendment to Section 9.02.31i f the Kent City Code
relating to prostitution loitering to add areas encompassed by theifty Out of Areas of
Prostitution" orders. Tim Clark seconded the motion. Motion paled unanimously (3-0).
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION TO D.A.R.E. PROGRAM
Lieutenant Glenn Woods explained that on June 29 the DARE pgram was fortunate
enough to enter into a fundraising event with DARE America andihe Kmart Corporation.
Kmart has recently taken on DARE projects across the country by basing corporate
sponsors. The event was a lawn mower race, souped-up, sit do and ride-em style lawn
mowers for kids who raced around a track at the Kmart parking I The plan was for
every child that crossed the finish line, the Kent DARE program; Id receive $5.00. At
that end of the event, the amount of$5,000 was awarded to the ,t DARE program from
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July 15, 1997
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the Kmart Family Foundation. This was presented immediately aftor the event on June 29
to supplement funding of Kent's DARE program.
Clark commented that he had an inquiry as to the costuming of the Panda bear. There
was apparently significant wear and tear to the costume and asked what the capability of
getting it repaired was. Woods advised that they have already explored that and have
found a costume maker in Portland, Oregon, the same costume maker that makes and
designs costumes for Disneyland. They have given a price of approximately $3,300 to
$3,500 to update the Panda costume and make it wearable even in,the hot summer
months. Woods advised they are in the process of identifying whey those funds are
going to come from right now as it is not within the current budget. !,lark asked to be kept
updated. Clark further asked Chief Crawford to insure that a letter js written to Kmart to
express Kent's appreciation, commenting that its really nice to see'llocal merchants take a
hand in a program as important as this. Crawford advised that it hod already been done.
Orr commented that it looked like a lot of fun. Bennett commented1hat he and his
grandson drove by and were able to participate. And, if the weathst had been anything
but inclement (like maybe a little sunshine) he was sure the numbers would have been
higher. The two times he drove by it was pouring down rain. Wood's commented that they
• hope to participate in it again next year.
Leona Orr moved to formally accept the $5,000 donation from Kmart Corporation, a DARE
America sponsor. Clark stated that he enthusiastically seconds thi motion and Bennett
agreed. Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
OTHER
Bennett asked if either chiefs had anything to add to the agenda. Cblef Angelo advised
that he did not. Chief Crawford advised that he would like to respond,to questions from
last meeting regarding sight distances. He advised that they had checked on the areas
and informed the appropriate people. Bennett stated he would like to,thank whoever
Chief Crawford persuaded to clear the vegetation from those inters ic ions. Its made a
remarkable difference.
Leona Orr asked Chief Crawford what the police department's polio on speeding vehicles
was -- can any police officer stop a speeding vehicle? Crawford ahead yes. Orr asked
why a police officer would follow a speeding vehicle very closely wi*°both vehicles
speeding, never attempt to stop the vehicle and then go a different direction from the
speeding vehicle, no sirens, or anything. Crawford answered that rot knowing the exact
circumstances, he could only give a hypothetical answer. Orr advised that it was on
• Friday, July 11 th, on SE 248th Street, which happens to be along a;school, which is why it
really concerned her. Orr stated that her husband came home and �om,pilained that he
was behind the police officer's vehicle and both the police vehicle aid the car in front of it
were doing over 45 MPH. He had intended to follow the police ofl r'intb the fire station
because he thought that's where the police officer was headed, but 0y continued down
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July 15, 1997
Page 3 of 3
the street. Orr stated that speeding on that street is always periodiQ dIly a problem and
she hates the idea that drivers are getting in the habit of whizzing c ► n the street when it
won't be long before school starts up again. Crawford advised that�everal things could
have happened 1) the officer himself could have been speeding an4 not even noticed that
the car in front was speeding; 2) the car in front could have been 9ppeding and the officer
behind could have been trying to go to a call that did not require lig is and sirens; 3) the
officer could have been trying to get a pace on the car and then be galled off to go to
something else and not made the stop; or any of ten other things. Orr stated that she felt
it was important to bring it up because it is on a street with a schootrp sometimes they do
have summertime programs for kids there, and its not a real safe slit. Crawford stated
that they too should be accountable and he would take the messag�j.back to make sure
they try to communicate better.
Orr stated that on the flip side, in the recent past one of her neighbprs' homes was broken
' into and it was handled very efficiently and very quickly. Unfortun for the burglar
everyone in the neighborhood was home and looking out for each Cher. Orr stated that
they not the most active Block Watch group in the city, but they do 1pok out for their
neighbors and in this instance, it worked just like its supposed to. awford asked if the
• burglar was caught; Orr advised that he was. Crawford stated that- hr's comments were
very valid and that's why they consistently ask people to just pleas , ,cell 911 if they see
suspicious people, suspicious cars, etc. so the police can get them'Jantd check it out.
Meeting adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
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