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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/2009 Special Meeting .51 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 7, 2009 1:00 — 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Roll CaII • Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding (until 2:25 p.m.), Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Council Members Maureen Adkison, Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey, Bill Lover, and Sonia Rodriguez Staff: Assistant City Manager Zabell, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Moore Guests: Senator Curtis King, Representatives Charles Ross and Norm Johnson 2. Update on gang enforcement efforts and potential enhancement options Police Chief Sam Granato pointed out that, statistically, crime in the City of Yakima is significantly less than what it was five years ago, and a fraction of what was experienced in the not too distant past. To put things in perspective, in the first six months of 1994 there were 211 aggravated assaults reported. In the same time period this year, with a much larger population, there have been 88 reports. He emphasized that crime is not out of control; we are beginning to get a better understanding of cause and are prepared to deal with it. Crime Analyst Cesar Abreu gave a short presentation on crime statistics using data he had compiled. In a five -year comparison, the numbers reflect a 6.4% decrease in aggravated assaults. Mr. Abreu displayed an area photograph showing hot spots by highlighting addresses where events have taken place. Chief Granato pointed out that although weapons calls are all over the city, there is a concentration in the northeast and central part of Yakima. We know exactly where to target our resources. Suppression is the easiest part of the problem by putting the resources on the streets, but that is a short-term solution. We need some long -term strategies to be considered by the Council in the future. A 30 -day emphasis patrol will be implemented immediately in that target area. Chief Granato reviewed the manpower levels they are currently using: • Gang Unit - 6 officers (including a sergeant) • Proactive Unit - 6 officers (including a sergeant) • Detectives — 6 officers • Violent Crimes Task Force — 2 officers He said they can increase staffing by ten additional officers during the 30 -day period. The associated cost would be approximately $80,000. He is working with the Bureau of Justice Administration (BJA) who audits the 2008 Byrne Grant Earmark to allow us to access that money prior to having followed the required guidelines. He expects to receive a positive response from them. He has also been working with the 52 SPECIAL MEETING — GANG UPDATE AUGUST 7, 2009 Patrolman's union (YPPA) to get an exception on the required 48 -hour notice to change officers' hours. That will help them respond more quickly. Council Questions • Do you think this is the most cost effective way to make a difference on this problem in this time period? Chief Granato responded that the emphasis patrols have worked well in the past. The proposed plan allows for flexibility to cover all the area. • Does this also increase investigation resources? Yes, if there is a shooting, the right people are there to begin an investigation immediately. They will balance resources on uniform presence and behind the scene investigations. • Do you think civil injunctions would be a useful long -term tool? Yes, it is something we should be exploring. A civil injunction suit is filed by the city on behalf of a targeted area experiencing gang problems. The intent is to serve every known member of that gang with a court order stating they cannot be in the area and if they violate the judge's order, they can be arrested and jailed. The issue with the legislation that was attempted earlier required the city to pay for legal representation for the gang member. AWC and law enforcement didn't support that portion of the bill. • How long do you expect the 30 -day emphasis patrol to be effective? It will be effective for 30 days. There may be a shooting or homicide on day 31. This is short -term only. With regard to long term, we have discussed the "broken windows" theory of crime prevention. That theory also applies to city government and the quality of life it provides to a community in terms of what alternatives are available to keep kids from gangs. There needs to be a combination of government, non - profits, and church groups to provide some of those options. • Are increased funds for the PAL program something the Public Safety Committee should help look for? Efforts are being taken to identify funding sources to renovate the PAL Center. Facilities of this type are lacking in north and central Yakima. Centers should be within walking or bike riding distance so kids can be involved. The GREAT program was also discussed as an important part of the long -term strategy. We want to concentrate on the youth and steer them away from gangs, but many of them are older members just getting out of jail and are recruiting and mentoring kids on the gang lifestyle. It's imperative we interdict them and put them away. Council Member Coffey relayed ideas that are being pursued to develop a long -term business plan that would take an inventory of what is available in the community. 2 53 SPECIAL MEETING — GANG UPDATE AUGUST 7, 2009 There are many resources that may not be well known. We need to develop a networking method to manage all of those resources. Discussion continued covering efforts that have been taken and have helped reduce the crime numbers, as well as funding from both the Byrne Grant and budget reserves. Also discussed was the aggravated clause in the crime bill that would allow asking for an extended sentence if proven the crime is gang related. There are requests to put an "enhancer of "12 -24 month sentence on gang cases. Legislators speak Senator Curtis King confirmed the importance of this issue and offered to work with the City on the crime bill. Representative Norm Johnson spoke about an idea they are pursuing regarding seizure of gang houses, vehicles and other personal property. Representative Charles Ross is a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, and is committed to helping move legislation through the process, but he said we have to be realistic. Yakima's ideas of solving crime are different than those for solving crime in Seattle. He spoke about the eluding bill that will deter people from running from the police. With gang violence, the same questions were brought up but the ACLU's position is that it is a breach of an individual's right to counsel. He said they are ready to go forward with gang legislation, but it has to have the provision that we provide a public defender. He claimed that, if you can prove the crime committed was related gangs, there can be a stronger sentence today and we should be using it. Audience participation Nestor Hernandez, 1600 S. 73 Avenue, suggested neighborhoods need to be educated on how to handle gang situations because they are fearful of retribution. Bill Duerr, 3206 W. Yakima Avenue, spoke in support of supplying budget to the Police Department to deal with the gang issue. He also recommended the city team up with the media and train the citizens of Yakima on the gang names, turf areas, gang colors and signs, so they can keep watch and advise the police of problems they see. Nick Hughes, 1509 McKinley Avenue, spoke about the crime issue as well as the problem of illegal aliens which he feels contributes to the problem. He recommends a zero tolerance of all crime and to not worry about ACLU threats. Robbie Byrne, 109 Shamrock Drive, spoke against recent Council comments in the paper saying they show weakness. She suggested stimulus money be used to pay for extra police presence as well as stricter laws. Alex Santillanos, 1407 W. Chestnut Avenue, claimed the gangs are now fighting within themselves. He questioned how the court system could keep up with increased arrests due to the emphasis patrols. He supports reaching out to the youth as was suggested for a long -term solution. 3 54 SPECIAL MEETING — GANG UPDATE AUGUST 7, 2009 • Nancy Lust, 13591 Summitview Avenue, is an Eisenhower high school teacher with a long -term suggestion. She shared an idea she had read about in the Christian Science Monitor where a nun implemented a program that used micro lending to get kids and young adults out of gangs in Ecuador. She encouraged looking at different ways of dealing with the gang problem. Mike Bastinelli, 8740 Woodwinds Way, expressed frustration at the over - exageration of the crime problem in Yakima and claimed there was grandstanding going on by some on the council and some leaders. He discounted the media and suggested citizens should not put so much faith and trust in it. He reminded Council to keep things in perspective; Yakima is a safe town and the people in charge are doing a good job. Richard Hardesty, 501 N. 24 Avenue, spoke about methods used in northern California to combat graffiti where he was a probation officer. He recommended graffiti be handled in the area while emphasis patrols are on duty. Assistant City Manager Zabell advised Council that if they approved the proposed legislation, it would address the stressed areas, but would also be spending money out of the General Fund reserves. The City Clerk read the resolution by title, CAWLEY MOVED AND RODRIGUEZ SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Mayor Edler was excused at 2:25 p.m. 3. Audience Comments - continued Eva Valdivia, 311. S. Kershaw Drive, suggested that the people who live in the target area be apprised during the planning phase of the emphasis patrol. With regard to long -term planning, she suggested support for the whole family, not just youth. Jerry . Foy, 702 Old Manor Way, expressed dissatisfaction with the budget process and annexations. Scott Wilson of the West Valley Parker Youth and Sports Foundation, said he had previously suggested there be a three -digit phone number, similar to 911, that could be called for a quick response. He also expressed interest in obtaining property on the east side to develop baseball fields for the youth. He said the Foundation would like to be involved in long -term planning on the gang issue. Maria Rodriguez, 4810 Englewood Avenue, expressed her concerns about the gang problem and suggested better lighting, surveillance cameras, and announcements on the radio urging people to report problems. Barbara Greco, For a Better Tomorrow, suggested that a booklet that was created previously be resurrected. It contained information on all activities in the area for children. She volunteered to help create an updated version. Chief Granato said he will follow up and supply the Council with statistics from the emphasis patrols following the 30 -day period. 4 -55 SPECIAL MEETING - GANG UPDATE AUGUST 7, 2009 4. Adjournment ENSEY MOVED AND LOVER SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO AUGUST 18, 2009 AT 6 :00 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR A COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING. The meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m. . 1 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY J / L e COUNCIL MEMBER DATE r nivej 540.-ag 9 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: id . i CiSls--- 4 11° 14, CITY CLERK DA i EDL R, MA OR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office / .. 5