City Council Committee -
Community Improvement and Crime Prevention

Committee
Councilmember Rebecca Nabors, Chair
Councilmember Dan Chapman, Vice Chair (absent)
Councilmember Leslie Martin, Member (absent)
Councilmember Steve Bestolarides, Alternate (absent)

Staff
Florence Low, City Manager’s Office
Dennis Smallie, City Manager’s Office
Michael McDonald, Public Works
Susan Gregory, Public Works
Jon Wright, Parks & Recreation
Jane Cook, Library Services
Jose Gomez, PeaceKeepers
David Cole, Police Department
Eric Jones, Police Department
Mike Evans, Police Department
Cris Trulsson, Police Department 
Patricia Padula, Police Department
Brice Hammerstein, Police Department
Brenda Scott-Gordon, Police Department
Isabel Fragoso, Police Department
Lynne Goodwin, Police Department
Cathy Hudlin, Police Department

Others
Larry King, Probation Department
Eileen Phillips, Adult Protective Services
Edward Figueria, St. Mary’s Interfaith Dining Room
Michelle R. Martin, AmerIcare
Schelley McDonald, Valley Mountain Reg. Center
Frank Lopez, Concerned Citizen
Jermaine Vallines, Concerned Citizen
Art Garbiso, Concerned Citizen
Terry House, Concerned Citizen
Gloria Bautista, Concerned Citizen
Robert Vargas, Concerned Citizen
Carl Cooper, Concerned Citizen
Ritamarie Cerasi, Concerned Citizen
Jim Jones, Concerned Citizen
Harry Montgomery, Concerned Citizen
Rich Bodendorfer, Concerned Citizen
Frances Flores, Concerned Citizen
Alan Pettet, Concerned Citizen
Willie Gray, Concerned Citizen
Barry & Connie Baxter, Concerned Citizens
Sophia Rebali, Concerned Citizen
Joe Harmon, Concerned Citizen
Hegie Segura, Concerned Citizen
Rudy Hurtado, Concerned Citizen
Victoria Brand, Concerned Citizen
Rose & Rick Dimas, Concerned Citizens
Alex Acevedo, Concerned Citizen
Everett & Debbie Moss, Concerned Citizens
Ralph Lacombe, Concerned Citizen
Mary Delgado, Concerned Citizen
Larry Angle, Concerned Citizen
Lucille Cooper, Concerned Citizen
Jacqueline Lawrence, Concerned Citizen
Elvie & Alan McIntire, Concerned Citizens
Bernice Haynes, Concerned Citizen

Ed Figueria, Co-Director of St. Mary’s Interfaith Dining Room, provided information about his agency.  St. Mary’s has been providing services to the community as a non-profit agency since its inception in 1955, and is not affiliated with any particular religious denomination.  In addition to the Dining Room, other core programs include  their medical clinic, dental clinic, clothing and hygiene center, and school for homeless children.  They originally began as a soup kitchen for men, but today over 50% of the population they serve are women and children.  They provide basic life necessities for the uninsured and underinsured at no cost to the individuals.  During 2004, over 269,000 meals were provided by their dining room, and their medical clinic served over 4,000 individuals.  Also during 2004, over 17,000 men went through the doors of the clothing and hygiene center, in addition to 18,000 women and children.  Their school is one of only five homeless schools in the country permitted to continue to operate after recent federal legislation.  This school served in excess of 470 children during 2004.  St. Mary’s is all about forming partnerships and utilizing the skills and talents of volunteers within our community.  The community supports the efforts of St. Mary’s in three ways:  financial support, in-kind support, and volunteerism.  Because of  this support, they have been successful at improving the lives of many who call this community home. 

Mr. Figueria clarified that the homeless shelter is a separate organization from St. Mary’s, even though both agencies serve the same population.  A program was recently implemented as a diversion to the ever-increasing panhandling problem  the city is experiencing.  The shelter has partnered with four other agencies in providing cards listing a multitude of services that can be handed out to individuals who approach citizens asking for money.  Those agencies, in addition to the shelter, are the Women’s Center, Gospel Rescue Mission, Emergency Food Bank, and St. Mary’s. 

Lt. Evans presented the group with information about this issue.  Since this is a growing problem, especially in North Stockton, he was given the task of putting together a criminal transient focus group, whose goal is to find workable solutions the Police Department can implement to impact and reduce this issue.  When the group first looked at this issue, they expected it to involve mostly homeless individuals.  However, upon closer study, the majority of those involved in these types of crimes have places to live.  The Police Department takes a zero-tolerance enforcement approach toward this issue.  When officers encounter people in the community pushing shopping carts, etc., they stop and make contact, run a warrants check on the individual, and in many cases, are able to issue a citation. They also make referrals to agencies who can provide them with various services, such as St. Mary’s and the San Joaquin County Mental Health Department.  Many people who are involved in these crimes have serious problems, such as drug or alcohol addictions or mental health conditions.  Another problem stems from the fact that many of these people are comfortable with their lifestyle and refuse to accept help for their addictions and problems.  Additionally, even when arrested, many are back out quickly because the county jail has a shortage of space, so many arrested on misdemeanor charges do not remain in jail for long.  This is a complex problem, and the Police Department continues to look at innovative solutions.

Detective Patricia Padula provided the group with information regarding this topic. She explained the four different types of abuse as being financial, psychological, fiduciary, and neglect.  Elder abuse occurs in domestic settings, such as a home or convalescent care facility.  A suspect is typically a relative or family member.  There are three agencies where abuse can be reported:  Adult Protective Services, Ombudsman, and the Police Department.  All three agencies work very closely together and share information.  Eileen Philips, of Adult Protective Services, stated the majority of cases her agency handles are self-neglect cases. Their job as social workers is to assess the situation and determine what services are available to provide a remedy.  They offer numerous services to seniors, such as a free legal program, housekeeping, and care giving.  Regardless of income level, some services can be offered to seniors free of charge.  Adult Protective Services has two separate response times, immediate or within 10 days.  However, staff usually can respond to any given situation within two or three days. They are a 24-hour facility, and have personnel available throughout the weekend. They cannot provide emergency shelter for citizens in need; however, they have a network of board and care homes which can provide help in the event of an emergency situation.  For those living in convalescent homes, Ombudsman is the agency to be contacted, which is made up of two paid staff and numerous volunteers who visit all care homes to assure compliance. 

Senior Community Service Officer Brenda Scott-Gordon provided information about this annual event, held on August 2, which is an anti-crime tool used to bring neighborhoods together and send a message to criminals that citizens are organized and fighting back.  Neighborhoods can celebrate this event with block parties, cookouts, and ice-cream socials.  This year, Stocktonians will join 34 million people across the country.  As in years past, the Police Department plans to send a representative to each of these neighborhoods to join in the celebration. There will be between 70-100 groups participating.  Following this event, one neighborhood from each of the seven Police Districts will be chosen to receive a special plaque. 

Mary Delgado and Bernice Haynes, the two founding members of this group, which stands for Stocktonians Taking Action to Neutralize Drugs, provided a presentation, explaining their group was founded in 1991 for the purpose of addressing numerous drug and gang problems which were beginning to plague the neighborhood.  Another big problem was absentee landlords who were letting properties fall into extreme disrepair.  When problems weren’t being addressed through the usual channels, contact was made with the Mayor, and a town hall meeting was organized to bring all parties together and formulate a plan of action. Approximately 200 community members and numerous City staff attended that first meeting.  As a result, members of the group began rallying their neighbors into action by reporting license numbers to the Police Department and taking pictures of crimes as they were occurring.  They became the eyes and ears of the neighborhood, being careful to emphasize safety at all times, which is still one of their main goals.  In addition to Police Department cooperation, other individuals had to be involved, including judges and Probation personnel.  The road has not always been an easy one, but they have been successful in greatly reducing crime in their neighborhood through tenacity and determination.  They didn’t wait for things to improve, but took matters into their own hands and got involved in the solution. The group continues to meet twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 

        VI.      A communication was received from Nick Gligor as a follow-up item from the last meeting concerning the “club” anti-theft locking device.  He is a representative of Winners International, which manufactures this device, and can provide it for a minimum cost to law enforcement agencies and community groups who wish to use it as a crime-prevention tool to reduce auto thefts in their communities.  The information will be forwarded to the Stockton Police Department and the Committee will address this issue in greater depth at an upcoming meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. at the North Hall of the Civic Auditorium.

/csh