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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety Committee - 07/12/2016 CITY OF KENT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting July 12, 2016 Kent City Hall, 4:30 p.m. Council Chambers East Kent, Washington PRESENT: Committee Chair, Jim Berrios, Councilmembers Dana Ralph, and Les Thomas ABSENT: None 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m., with Committee Chair Berrios presiding. 2. Roll Call All Councilmembers were present. 3. Changes to the Agenda Chief Thomas indicated there were no changes to the agenda. 4. Approval of Minutes, dated May 10, 2016 Councilmember Thomas moved to approve the Minutes of May 10, 2016, and Councilmember Ralph seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 3-0. S. Inmate Housing Agreement — Yakima — Recommend Commander McCuistion, presented information regarding the Agreement for the housing of inmates in the Yakima County correctional facility. This Agreement will replace the Agreement the City has with Chelan County. Yakima County will be used when female inmate capacity is reached or when the jail reaches capacity. Yakima County charges $54 per inmate per day, compared to Chelan County's price of $70 per inmate per day. The transportation of inmates to and from the Kent facility is included in the per day price. It is anticipated that City will send 4-6 inmates per month to Yakima County. Page 11 Councilmember 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 2016, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the city attorney and police chief, and Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 3-0. Item 6. National Night Out — Information Only Community Education Coordinator, John Pagel presented information on National Night Out, scheduled for August 2, 2016. 2016, is the 33`d year of National Night Out in the United States and the 28th year Kent has participated in the event. There were 112 events in 2014, and 101 events in 2015. In 2015, the City finished 8th in the Nation. Target will be a sponsor for Kent's National Night Out and will provide giveaway bags that will include information from various city departments including 911 and block watch information. The online registration seeks neighborhood considerations that can be used to match the appropriate department city visitors to those neighborhood events so those specific concerns can be addressed during the visits. Item 7. K2 Police Substation — Information Only Chief Thomas presented information regarding the relocation of the East Hill Substation. The substation will be located at S.E. 2561h & 1041h Ave S.E., adjacent Kent Meridian High School, a known crime hotspot. Community substations have been shown to have a positive impact on crime. The current substation, located at 116th Ave S.E. and S.E. 248th St., in the police/fire training center, will be relocated to this new site. Two other substations are located at 208th and Benson Avenue, in the Panther Lake Shopping Center, and at 260th and Pacific Highway South, in the Woodmont Shopping Center that is located on the West hill of Kent. Item S. School Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program Fund Expenditures - Information Only Chief Thomas presented information regarding the expenditure of School Zone Traffic Safety Camera funds. Chief Thomas indicated that $35,000 will be used to purchase signage and workstations for the new East Hill Substation. Additional funds will be used to install safety and security measures at police headquarters. Page 12 Councilmember Ralph indicated that the use of the funds are in compliance with the ordinance authorizing the school zone traffic safety cameras and the use of funds and have been authorized by the Law Department. Item 9. Police Chief's Update - Information Only Chief Thomas presented information on the following issues: • Fireworks - Week of Fourth of July After Action report for July 1-5 Fireworks enforcement (Attached to minutes) • Graffiti Recognition - Chief Thomas recognized the following people for their part in cleaning up graffiti: • City of Kent Police Department Employees: Stacey Judd and John Pagel • City of Kent Correctional Facility Employees: Officer Matt Crawford and his crew • City of Kent Parks/Public Works Employees: Tom Rusbuldt, Brian Shaw, and Bill Thomas • Kent Downtown Partnership - Barbara Smith, Garry Stewart, John Hinds, Greg Haffner, Elizabeth Scharnhorst • Kent Volunteers: Sabrina Castaneda, Elizabeth Stokes, Diana Storklund • Skis Painting: Jesse Ficks • Library - Pauline Warden • Randall Smith Councilmember Berrios recognized Terrence Finn for his work cleaning up graffiti. Councilmember Ralph recognized the Kentridge Robotics club and the Kent Kiwanis. She also conveyed that if you see graffiti, report it. The Graffitti hotline is 253-856-GRAF (4723). • Chief Thomas thanked members of community for expressing their support of the Kent Police Department in response to nationwide incidents involving police officers. Chief Thomas is concerned about the safety of our community, police officers, and the staff. The Police Department has worked hard to building relationships with the community. Chief Thomas advised that a community meeting will be held July 21, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. The location will be confirmed July 13t". Information will be posted on the City's website and in the Kent Reporter. The focus will be on the residents of Kent to engage in meaningful conversations - a listening session, so that the Police Department can listen and "hear" the concerns of the residents, build relationships, and help with the healing process with Page 13 members of diverse communities throughout the City in an effort to make a positive impact in our community. Councilmember Berrios expressed his appreciation for the Police Department's past and continued organization and participation in community meetings. Additionally, Councilmember Berrios expressed his appreciation of the thoughtful training of Kent's police officers. • Chief Thomas presented information regarding various trainings attended by Police Department staff including: • "Fair and Impartial Policing" - This training is considered a best practice that is recognized by the Department of Justice. • "Blue Courage" - Ethical decision making, doing the right things for the right reasons in policing. • "Emotional Survival"- For all police personnel and their families. • "Multi-dimensional Leadership" - Ethical decision making and accountability of staff. • "Crisis Intervention" - Use the least amount of force necessary to keep the community, officer, and person safe. Chief Thomas indicated that he feels his staff are provided with the most state-of-the art and recommended best practices in police training, including the simulator training that helps with judgment and decision making. Chief Thomas indicated that each of his command staff are assigned to a diverse group in the City in an effort to build relationships. • Chief Thomas provided information regarding current staffing. There are currently four vacancies. His is working with the Governor on funding for the police academy to help alleviate the delay in getting candidates into the academy. Chief Thomas indicated that the Police Department continues to maintain high standards when selecting new officers. Councilmember Thomas asked for confirmation that the corrections staff receives the same training as other officers. Both Chief Thomas and Commander McCuistion confirmed they receive the same trainings. Councilmembers Berrios and Ralph expressed their appreciation for the Police Department's proactive approach to policing in Kent. Additionally, they indicated that what Kent is doing is working. Councilmember Berrios asked the Chief to express the council's appreciation of the work that the Police Department is doing. 10. Adjournment At �:12 p.m. Comrr(Ittee Chair Berrios declared the meeting adjourned. Kim Komoto Public Safety Committee Secretary Page 14 KIENT Kent Police Department \VIGHI N„iDH Kenneth Thomas Chief of Police Phone: 253-856-5888 Memorandum DATE: 07-08-16 TO: Assistant Chief Kammerzell FROM: Commander Holmes RE: After Action report for July 1-5 Fireworks enforcement These are the Fireworks calls/statistics for July 1-5 2016 enforcement. There were 371 Fireworks calls generated by Callers to 911 and On View by Officers, It should be noted that many of the calls were in the same area, Indicating there were several callers to the same incident which generated duplicate calls/incidents in CAD. 312 Calls were cleared without determining who the subject(s) were. 3 Cites were issued for Criminal Fireworks violations. (Illegal Fireworks and in City Parks). These resulted in seizure of approximately 20lbs of fireworks. 3 Infractions were given for Fireworks violations. (Legal fireworks outside the lawful hours). 3 Other Cites for violations found during Fireworks investigations (Trespass HIO's and Drugs). 50 Calls were cleared with warnings. The subject(s) contacted were cooperative and using legal fireworks but outside the lawful hours. During the 5 day period a total of 20 Officers were assigned to Extra Patrol emphasis at various times, with most working during the evening hours when we had the most calls for Fireworks. Respectfully submitted, Commander Holmes