City Council Committee -
Community Improvement and Crime Prevention

June 21 , 2006 Meeting Minutes

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

ATTENDANCE:

Committee
Councilmember Leslie Martin, Member

Staff
Vice Mayor Gary Giovanetti
Patty Wong, Library Services
Alex Bailey, Library Services
Dennis Smallie, City Manager’s Office
Susan Gregory, Public Works Department
Jim Ballard, Police Department
Juan Zermeno, Police Department
Tom Jernigan, Police Department
Steve Thomas, Police Department
Isabel Fragoso, Police Department
Brice Hammerstein, Police Department
Maria Verbeck, Police Department
Karen Daly, Police Department
Cathy Hudlin, Police Department

Others
Damon Evans, San Joaquin County Probation
Terry House, Concerned Citizen
Margaret Noah, Concerned Citizen
Lou Van Anne, Concerned Citizen
Rick & Rose Dimas, Concerned Citizens
Fred Minor, Concerned Citizen
Larry Angle, Concerned Citizen
Della Perino, Concerned Citizen
Lucille Cooper, Concerned Citizen
Frances Flores, Concerned Citizen
Charles Kolb, Concerned Citizen
Sophia Rabali, Concerned Citizen

Committee Deliberations

The neighborhood of Sierra Vista has approximately 1,200 residents, with over 300 families.  The residents’ council recently submitted a grant and was awarded $25,000 to be used toward the betterment of their neighborhood.  The group decided to use the money to fund a physical fitness and nutrition program for all residents.  The program was given the name “On the Move” by the youth, with one of their target goals being utilization of their playground, which hadn’t been previously accessible due to insurance restrictions.  The area  is now open to residents on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The program began with 25 children and now includes a total of 70 residents.  The group also plans to install park benches to make it easier for seniors to use the area.  They are developing the “10,000 Steps” program, with signs posted throughout the neighborhood to advise residents when they’ve reached walking milestones.

There were 973 calls to the hotline from January through May, which is a 10% increase compared to last year. During that period, we provided 11 $250 graffiti rewards, with 26 arrests resulting from those 11 rewards. So far, there have been 139 graffiti arrests, resulting in 232 charges (15 felonies). Of those 139 arrestees, 104 were juveniles. The City is currently implementing a plan to install more video surveillance cameras in target areas, which should help in our citywide fight against graffiti, enabling us to catch more people in the act.

Some time ago, the Auto Theft Prevention Committee explored methods of funding to purchase a quantity of Clubs (anti-theft devices). So far, the City has received $1,000 toward the purchase of these anti-theft devices and will be establishing a pilot program to begin distribution to citizens, probably through Crime Prevention Fairs. The Auto Theft Unit has been working a bait- car mission recently, and during two weeks of operation, they arrested 85 subjects. It was noted a high percentage of those subjects arrested were also involved in drug sales or possession. During the winter months, the Unit also works a mission educating citizens about the hazards of leaving keys in their cars while warming up their vehicles. For example, there were 585 vehicles stolen last year with keys in the vehicles.

COPS Program
The COPS program continues to receive a steady amount of referrals. There were 11 referrals in April, 27 in May, and 22 in June. Classes include first-time vehicle theft and vandalism referrals and are held on the first Saturday of each month. The classes consist of six hours of reality-based components, including problem solving, conflict resolution, and attitude adjustment. To date, there have been 44 classes held, with a total of 429 offenders completing the program. Of 293 minors completing the first 32 classes (from April 2002 through June 2005), only 71 have re-offended.

Youth Accountability Board Program
This program is based on the neighborhood accountability board process, and is used as a tool to divert low-level crimes such as petty theft, shoplifting, battery, etc., out of the juvenile court system, as well as provide consequences and accountability for youth committing these crimes. These are usually cases which Probation probably would not be able to send to court. There are currently 15 panels in San Joaquin County, and they meet once a month. Youth Accountability Boards (YABs) are facilitated by a Probation Officer and made up of community volunteers who are willing to work with these youth, usually from their own neighborhoods, who have made negative choices and need to get back on track. Offenders complete community service counseling. Last year, a similar program called Teen Court was implemented, which utilizes the same type of model. In this case, teen volunteers sit on local juries twice a month, in much the same way as YABs, providing sentencing for their peers.

V. CODE ENFORCEMENT UPDATE

Public Works Department has approved the solid waste/recyclable materials storage program for residential and commercial locations built before June 1, 2004. Public Works has compiled a brochure listing three different designs which meet their guidelines, such as chain-link fencing, masonry, and wood enclosures. Some businesses may be granted an exemption based on the fact that a minimum of parking spaces is also required, and enclosing the dumpsters may take away one of the required spaces. A few years ago, the City compiled design guidelines to outline how projects are to be developed, including how dumpsters were to be enclosed. In the past, it was allowable to simply leave dumpsters in leftover spaces on properties. The City revisited this issue and came up with alternative solutions which were less costly than those originally proposed, such as placing dumpsters behind some type of fencing. The goal behind this solution was to enhance neighborhoods from an appearance point of view. Approximately a year ago, many Downtown locations were cited for this violation, but notices will now be sent to those who received citations notifying them of the new guidelines and a timeline to submit their design plans. For those who fail to submit design plans, Code Enforcement will respond accordingly with enforcement.

VI. HOMEWORK CENTER GRANTS

The City has been providing grants to schools and non-profit agencies who provided after-school homework enrichment activities for the past several years. They serve approximately 3,000 children per year, and this year, 12 new agencies have applied for these grants. The programs match older teens who tutor and mentor younger youth, and are usually led by an adult mentor. This year, the City is providing $150,000 in grant monies to qualifying centers. This is an increase of $50,000 over past years’ grants. The focus is on elementary- and middle-school children. Applications were due May 19, and staff will be reviewing applications in July and making awards in the following months.

VI. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

This year, National Night Out will be held Tuesday, August 1. It is not necessary to be a member of a Neighborhood Watch group to participate in this national event. The event is a great opportunity to meet neighbors and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting against crime. Groups can celebrate with activities such as cookouts, block parties, contests, and youth activities.

/csh