Mayor's Blue Ribbon Crime Prevention Committee
Meeting Minutes
PLACE: Cesar Chavez Library, Stewart Hazelton Room
605 North El Dorado Street
DATE/TIME: January 25, 2006
3:30
p.m.
Opening Comments:
Mayor Edward Chavez called the meeting for order at 3:35 p.m. and gave his
welcome remarks.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
Mayor Chavez introduced Bill Brown of the Gospel Center Rescue Mission for
his presentation on the homeless.
Bill Brown of the Gospel Rescue Mission provided the committee with a presentation
that outlined the plight of the homeless situation. The presentation
was divided into four categories, 1) crimes by the homeless, 2) victims of
homeless crime, 3) causes of homelessness and, 4) solutions and prevention.
Crimes by the homeless:
Mr. Brown explained that the most obvious crimes committed by the homeless
against society are public nuisance type crimes such as loitering, pan handling,
indecent exposure, alcohol and substance abuse, and mental illness. Unlawful
activity includes public assistance fraud, vandalism, theft, trespassing and
illegal encampments. In addition to being a public nuisance, there is
a significant financial impact to society with the cost of insurance, repairs
to damaged property, abatement and clean-up efforts.
Victims of homeless crime:
Some crimes committed against homeless include personal injury resulting
from theft of belongings from other homeless persons, crimes of passion, and
a growing concern of vigilante crimes against homeless persons.
Causes of homelessness:
Mr. Brown informed the Committee that there are no surprises to the causes
of homelessness, which are mainly poverty, addictions/substance abuse, mental
illness, and the lack of education or saleable skills.
Solutions and prevention:
Mr. Brown introduced Randy Pinnelli, Homeless Health Care Services Director
of Community Medical Centers and asked him to elaborate on the issue of solutions
and prevention. Mr. Pinnelli informed the Committee of a new trend in
addressing the issue of homelessness, which entails rehabilitation and assistance
programs to aid in reintroducing homeless persons back into mainstream society
by providing them with the means necessary to find viable employment and housing. In
addition, efforts are being made to work within the criminal justice system
to find alternative methods of dealing with crimes of this nature rather than
adding to the overburdened judicial system. Mr. Brown added that our
community now has a “Homeless Court” to assist the homeless through
this process.
Mr. Brown informed the Committee of specific changes that need to be taken
to address the issue of homelessness such as well managed low-income housing,
mental health assistance, drug and alcohol treatment, public assistance that
would supplement employment and lower income existence, opportunities to develop
job skills, and public acceptance of a lower class of society. In order
for change, society has to change its perception of homelessness to be successful.
Mr. Brown added that intervention from a culture of families, extended families
and churches at a critical time before becoming destitute are necessary to
help prevent someone from becoming homeless.
John Bayley suggested providing training and workshops similar to those provided
for the disabled.
Reverend Bob Hailey asked if there were statistics on how long homeless stay
homeless, homeless that commit crimes and the areas they reside.
Mr. Brown responded that there are some homeless that stay homeless forever,
but he is not aware of any statistics.
Susan Eggman commented that there is chronic homeless, episodic homeless,
and those that cycle in and out. She stated that the average length
of stay for many in a homeless shelter is approximately 2 months. She
added that the largest growing homeless population is women and children who
tend to be escaping from domestic violence and poverty situations.
It was noted that a number was inadvertently left out of the Annual Survey
and Statistical Comparison under “Race/ethnic Groups” in which
the African-American group is similar in percentage to the Caucasian group.
A question was asked about the number of school age students that are homeless
and are delinquent. The comment was made that there is a large number
of high school students who are homeless that drift from one school district
to another and are eventually dropped from the system. It was asked
if there was a correlation to the crime rate. Mr. Brown responded that
the Police Department might be asked to provide statistics if they are available. It
was stated that there is currently legislation that protects students from
being dropped for being homeless. Mr. Brown suggested that there might
be a need for a high school homeless program similar to St. Mary’s TLC,
which currently assists homeless grade school students.
Chief Herder responded that arrests of homeless juveniles are infrequent. Sheriff
Heidelbach responded that out of 3,000 bookings in the month of December 200
were listed as transient juveniles. He added that since some of those
bookings are for persons who are under the influence or intoxicated that the
number is subject to change the following day when additional information
can be obtained.
A question was asked regarding the City’s law on loitering and panhandling. Chief
Herder clarified that persons can be arrested for loitering if the area is
posted. Mayor Chavez added that the City of Stockton has an ordinance
in effect restricting panhandling at off ramps, ATM’s, and store entrances.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Chavez announced that at the next meeting on February 8, 2006 that
the Committee would hear presentations from the Lodi, Lincoln and Stockton
Unified School Districts. The following meeting will have presentations
from the San Joaquin County Sheriff and Stockton Police Departments on narcotics. Mayor
Chavez will inform the Committee if there will be a presentation from the
Department of Immigration. With presentations coming to a close, it
will be time to focus on how to deliberate the issues addressed.
ADJOURN:
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Next Meeting:
The next Committee Meeting has been scheduled for February 8, 2006 at 3:30
p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, North Hall, located at 525 N. Center Street,
Stockton. |
Stockton,
CA 
Procedures