City Council Committee -
Community Improvement and Crime Prevention

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

COMMITTEE REPORT

DISCUSSION:

Committee Deliberations

•  JUVENILE JUSTICE REPORT

Michael Martinez provided an update to the group. The COPS program has experienced a slight decrease in referrals since the last meeting. There were six referrals for April, one for May, and four expected for June. To date, there have been 23 classes held, with a total of 162 juvenile offenders completing the classes. For the time period April 2002 through May 2003, there have been 98 offenders completing the first 13 classes, with only 28 reoffenders. Of those 28 reoffenders, 24 were for auto theft.

•  GRAFFITI REPORT

Brice Hammerstein distributed graffiti hotline statistics, noting we are 10% behind on graffiti calls as compared to this time last year. He advised through the first week of May, we have arrested 17 offenders, which resulted from information from 8 rewards.

•  MEGAN'S LAW WEBSITE UPDATE

Captain Helms advised the group the Police Department will be revising their website in the very near future to allow crime statistics mapping access to citizens, as well as an enhanced Megan's Law web page. Citizens will be able to access sex offender data by simply clicking on any particular area of town. Currently, you must pick a school site or park in order to access that type of data. With the new enhancement, you will also be able to access information for high-risk offenders, including name, date of birth, photograph, and the hundred-block location where he resides. High-risk offenders are the career criminals who have committed the highest level of violent sexual crimes. There are only approximately 12 high-risk sex offenders in Stockton . Even though no detailed information will be made available for the other categories of sex offenders, their approximate locations will be mapped out. In addition, the new page will include answers to a list of frequently-asked questions concerning sex offenders. Citizens will also be able to access crime data for a particular neighborhood to see which crimes are occurring there.

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

Lt. Smallie updated the group on current policy regarding hiring Police Officers to provide security at local businesses. This report was in response to an inquiry by a citizen at a recent City Council meeting. The citizen mentioned that in San Jose , officers are allowed to work in an off-duty capacity providing security at local businesses. Assembly Bill 359 was recently passed updating Penal Code Section 70 and Government Code Section 1126. The basis of this assembly bill stated law enforcement agencies cannot prevent officers from working off duty. However, Government Code Section 1126 allows Police Departments to prevent officers from working in various assignments, such as security guards, private investigators, bartenders, bouncers, sales clerks in liquor stores or gun dealerships, etc.; in other words, any business where the uniform would be similar to that of a peace officer or where alcohol is served. Stockton Police Department holds the opinion that this would cause a conflict of interest and, therefore, will not allow its officers to work in these types of establishments. Stockton allows its officers to work off duty at other types of businesses, but not in uniform. San Jose allows its officers to work off duty in uniform; however, they may not work for liquor-related establishments. Sacramento Police Department allows its officers to work for liquor-related businesses, but they can only work outside the establishment, as opposed to inside.

Vice Mayor Nomura requested an update from Peacekeepers at the next Committee meeting, as well as an update from the Neighborhood Services Section.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next Committee meeting will be held on July 19, at 4:00 p.m. , in the NORTH HALL of the Civic Auditorium.

/csh