HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety Committee - 10/10/2017Public Safety Committee
Minutes
Approved January 9, 2018
Page 1 of 3
Date: October 10, 2017
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Place: Chambers East
Attending: Dana Ralph, Les Thomas, and Jim Berrios, Chair
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to the Agenda
The 2017 SAMHSA Drug Free Communities Grant – Recommend was added to
the agenda as item #6.
4. Approval of Minutes dated September 12, 2017.
L. Thomas moved to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes dated
September 12, 2017. D. Ralph seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
5. Yakima County Inmate Housing ILA – Recommend.
Chief Thomas asked members to update an interlocal agreement (ILA)
between Yakima County and the City to transport the overflow of inmates for
the next five years. The request is for purposes of population management.
Benefits to update the ILA are:
The cost is $50 a day, per inmate,
there are no booking fees or additional costs to transport and house an
inmate, and
Kent jail has limited female inmate capacities.
Typically, inmates serving a longer sentence (no longer than 364 days) are
transported to Yakima. Currently, there are 17 inmates serving time in
Yakima. This agreement will renew annually through December 31, 2022
unless there is a written notification from one party to the other to terminate
the contract at the end of the current calendar year.
D. Ralph moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign an
interlocal agreement with Yakima County for the purpose of housing inmates
as the City may need, for 2018, subject to final terms and conditions
acceptable to the city attorney and police chief. L. Thomas seconded the
motion, which passed 3-0.
Public Safety Committee
Minutes
Approved January 9, 2018
Page 2 of 3
6. 2017 SAMHSA Drug Free Communities Grant – Recommend.
Research and Development Analyst Sara Wood asked members to accept the
year nine drug free communities programs grant. Grant funds will be used for
drug and alcohol prevention activities identified by the Kent Drug Free
Coalition, Kent Police youth board projects, including the Game of Life youth
conference among other drug and alcohol prevention activities.
It was noted that at the end of year ten, this grant will no longer be available.
L. Thomas moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Drug
Free Communities Support Program Grant from the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration in the amount of $125,000, amend the
budget, and authorize expenditure of the grant funds in accordance with the
grant’s terms and conditions. D. Ralph seconded the motion, which passed 3-
0.
7. Chief’s Report – Information Only
Chief’s supplied information on a variety of topics, they are:
New Human Traffic Victim Advocate: Ms. Wood worked with Kent Youth
and Family Services to apply for a one-year grant to hire a victim
advocate, Kyra Doubek, to work with city detectives to aid in John
stings. First time offenders are levied $1000 as an assessment fee.
Additionally, if the suspect is the registered owner of the car driven to
the meeting location that car is impounded for a $500 levy. Monies from
both levies are split 50/50: 50 percent goes towards future enforcement
while the other 50 percent goes towards supporting victims’ programs.
So far, Ms. Doubek has exceeded all expectations in regards to working
with victims of trafficking.
Volunteer Chaplain Program: Jay Abram is the new volunteer chaplain at
Kent Corrections Facility. He has previously assisted at the facility
volunteering to provide services to inmates. Chair Berrios invited
chaplains to meet full Council at an upcoming meeting.
Crime Update: although the City remains the lowest in King County
when it comes to violent crimes, the City has seen a spike in car thefts
and property break-ins compared to 2015-2016 numbers.
Drone Use Update: the use of a drone has been in effect for about the
last six months. The drone has been used for one SWAT call on the East
Hill for an officer involved shooting as well as for a traffic collision.
Upcoming Community Meetings:
o Panther Lake Elementary School, October 11 at 7pm. Assistant
Chief Hemmen will have a presentation on camera pods posted in
high crime areas. Other Commanders will provide crime updates
to various sectors around the City.
Public Safety Committee
Minutes
Approved January 9, 2018
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o Police Diversity Task Force: East Hill Fire Training Center on
Wednesday, October 18. Mark Larsen from the King County
Prosecutors Office will be there to discuss inquests that occur
after officer involved shootings.
o Coffee with the Chief: the next event is 8am Wednesday, October
25 at the Starbucks located on 4th Ave South and Meeker Street.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:49 p.m. by J. Berrios.
J. Hays
Jennifer Hays
Public Safety Committee Secretary