City Council Committee -
Community Improvement and Crime Prevention

PLACE: Civic Auditorium, North Hall, 525 N. Center Street

Committee Deliberations

•  JUVENILE JUSTICE REPORT

Bryan Walker provided the group with an update on the COPS program. The program continues to see a steady amount of referrals, with 10 referrals for February, 7 for March, and 6 anticipated for April. Classes are held on the first Saturday of each month. To date, there have been 22 classes, with a total of 156 offenders completing the program. A statistical query from April 2002, to March 2003, shows that of the 89 offenders who completed the classes, only 26 have reoffended.

•  GRAFFITI REPORT

Concerning the graffiti hotline, Brice Hammerstein distributed statistics, noting we received 56 less calls to the hotline over a two-month period than during the same time period last year. He advised he has processed two graffiti rewards since the beginning of the year.

•  AUTO THEFT UPDATE

Captain Helms was requested by Councilmember Martin at the last meeting to provide an update to the Committee concerning the auto theft issue. He distributed a series of graphs to the group depicting the history of auto thefts over the last 12 years. In 1991, auto thefts totaled 3,832. In 1994, Stockton experienced a spike, with 4,142 auto thefts, the largest number we've seen to date. We experienced a decline for several years, but then in 1999, the numbers headed back up, with 2,140 auto thefts. In 2001, we experienced a 29% increase in auto thefts, a 13% increase in 2002, and an 11% increase in 2003. During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Police Department began implementing aggressive prevention and enforcement efforts. Those efforts included assigning two Police Officers to the Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force, which is a multi-agency group, including the California Highway Patrol in addition to other San Joaquin County agencies. However, since the task force deals with this issue on a regional level, we decided to refocus our efforts on the local problem, so those officers were reassigned back to Stockton Police Department cases only. We also implemented the Campaign Against Auto Theft at that time, which began with community forums in several different areas in Stockton . This effort gathered large groups of citizens together to provide information to help them avoid becoming victims of this type of crime. Vendors were also present to provide information about anti-theft devices, such as alarm systems and steering-wheel locks. A total of six Town Hall meetings were held in various neighborhoods throughout the city.

We also implemented the Violent Crime Suppression Task Force, which was able to make numerous stolen vehicle arrests, even though auto thefts were not its main focus. Probation searches were also increased, specifically targeting offenders who had been previously arrested for auto theft. The Police Department continues to analyze data weekly to determine “hot spots” and distribute Crime Alert flyers, but we have had limited success with this method. Once the numbers go down, citizens are less likely to take the necessary precautionary steps to avoid reoccurrences. A new computer enhancement is in the works which will enable us to categorize outstanding arrest warrants. Previously, there was no mechanism in place to sort these cases by either offense or offender. Within the next month or so, we will be able to organize teams to go out and target violent crime and stolen car offenders. Captain Helms recapped by noting that until we are able to provide stiffer consequences for auto theft offenders and produce cars which are more difficult to steal, we will continue to have a problem with this issue.

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

Vice Mayor Nomura requested the Committee discuss the “cops for hire” issue at an upcoming meeting. She would like to invite the gentleman who attended the recent City Council meeting where this topic was discussed. She also stated that at a recent 3x3 meeting, the topic of the availability of computerized information regarding Megan's Law came up and she would like information about this at the next meeting, also. Captain Helms will research these two items for response at the next meeting.

Captain Helms provided an update on the North Stockton Police Facility. The facility opened on January 11, with 110 Police Officers and civilians moving to this location, at 7209 Tam O'Shanter. This is a 24-hour patrol facility, with both Lakeview and Valley Oak Districts operating out of this location. A few remaining issues are still being worked out with the contractor, but operations are running very smoothly at this point.

Vice Mayor Nomura requested an update from Peacekeepers at the next Committee meeting.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next Committee meeting will be held on May 17, at 4:00 p.m. , in the NORTH HALL of the Civic Auditorium.

/csh