City Council Committee -
Community Improvement and Crime Prevention

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

ATTENDANCE:

Committee
Vice Mayor Gloria Nomura, Chair
Councilmember Leslie Martin, Member
Staff
Christine Tien, City Manager's Office
Florence Low, City Manager's Office
Mark Helms, Police Department
Joe Rocha, Police Department
Troy Broddrick, Police Department
Michael George, Police Department
Brice Hammerstein, Police Department
Karen Daly, Police Department
Adolfo Cruz, PeaceKeepers
Cathy Hudlin, Police Department
Others
Damon Evans, San Joaquin County Probation
Martin King, Senator Machado's Office
Dan Casteline, Concerned Citizen
Rudy Hurtado, Concerned Citizen
Joe Saenz, Concerned Citizen

ISSUE/RECOMMENDATION:

The items discussed by the Council Community Improvement and Crime Prevention Committee and the Committee's actions are as follows:

ISSUE: Future Direction of Committee.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Committee meet on a quarterly basis, with representation from Neighborhood Watch groups and other organized groups such as Neighborhood Betterment

Committees, Community Service Officers, Code Enforcement representatives, and Councilmembers, with an emphasis on a more universal problem-solving effort. Reports on graffiti abatement, the COPS program, and Code Enforcement issues should continue to be presented, as well as discussion of success stories. The meetings should take place in the evening and in a central location.

COMMITTEE REPORT TO COUNCIL:

DISCUSSION

Background
At the last Committee meeting, members were asked to bring ideas to the next meeting concerning the future direction of the Committee.

Committee Deliberations

I. JUVENILE JUSTICE UPDATE

Damon Evans provided the group with an update on the COPS program. There were 10 referrals for October and nine referrals for November. Classes continue to be held the first Saturday of each month. To date, there have been 27 classes, with a total of 186 offenders completing the program. A statistical query going back one year to November 2003 shows that of the135 minors who completed the first 17 classes from April 2002 through November 2003, only 35 have reoffended.

•  GRAFFITI HOTLINE UPDATE

Brice Hammerstein distributed graffiti hotline statistics, reporting the total number of calls received in October was 59, so it appears the number of calls is declining in comparison to last year. He processed one graffiti arrest reward recently, which will be shared by a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy from Clairmont School , who observed a junior- high student tagging.

•  FUTURE DIRECTION OF COMMITTEE

Vice Chair Nomura opened the discussion by giving a brief history of the Committee. When it was initially formed, its purpose was to find ways to abate graffiti. Later, it was redefined to explore juvenile delinquency prevention and diversion programs, adult crime prevention and diversion programs, anti-substance abuse programs, and code enforcement in support of property management activities, in addition to graffiti abatement. Councilmember Martin commented that with changes in personnel that have occurred over the years with management, City Council, etc., the efforts of this Committee may be overlapping those of one of the established action teams. She noted that at the present time, the Committee has no major issues to address. Outreach efforts may be needed to involve more citizens and increase their awareness of the efforts of the Committee. Also, Neighborhood Watch groups many times serve the same purpose, but their efforts are confined to specific neighborhoods. Vice Chair Nomura noted that when an issue arises in certain neighborhoods, such as the St. George's area, citizens are referred to the Neighborhood Betterment Committees for resolution.

Councilmember Martin asked whether the Neighborhood Watch Captains attend the Neighborhood Action Team meetings. Florence Low stated Neighborhood Watch Captains do attend these meetings, in addition to Community Service Officers and Police Officers.

Captain Helms provided the group with an update concerning recent changes within the Police Department. A year ago, the city was divided into four districts, with one District Commander presiding over each district. Currently, Police Officers are deployed in six policing districts, with a District Commander in charge of each area. Sometime next year, the Police Department will be adding another district. Each district has a crew of Community Service Officers, who assist with the Community Policing effort. The Police Department is very committed to the Neighborhood Watch program and will continue to use this tool as a means of resolving neighborhood issues. The Police Department has expanded its community policing efforts and will continue to expand them in its endeavor to more effectively serve the city. It will soon be activating Neighborhood Impact Teams, which will be problem-solving units.

Vice Mayor Nomura announced this would be her last Committee meeting, and she thanked all those present for their efforts during the past several years and for the valuable accomplishments of this Committee.

With no objections from the group, Councilmember Martin made a motion to forward this issue to Council for approval, with Chair Nomura seconding the motion.

RECOMMENDATION:
That the Committee meet on a quarterly basis, with representation from Neighborhood Watch groups and other organized groups such as Neighborhood Betterment Committees, Community Service Officers, Code Enforcement representatives, and Councilmembers, with an emphasis on a more universal problem-solving effort. Reports on graffiti abatement, the COPS program, and Code Enforcement issues should continue to be presented, as well as discussion of success stories. The meetings should take place in the evening and in a central location.