HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSC minutes 4-27-17Council Public Safety Committee
April 27, 2017
MINUTES
Members:
Councilmember Carmen Mendez (chair)
Councilmember Kathy Coffey
Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez
Others:
Andrea Altmayer
Tony Coursey
Lupita Carrillo — Safe Yakima Valley
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
Staff:
City Manager Cliff Moore
Chief Dominic Rizzi, Police
Capt. Jeff Schneider, Police
Lt. Chance Belton, Police
Tom Schneider, Fire
Prosecutor Cynthia Martinez, Legal
Terri Croft, Police
1. Approval of minutes of March 23, 2017
It was MOVED by Gutierrez to approve the minutes of the March 23, 2017 meeting as
presented. Motion was SECONDED by Coffey. Motion PASSED unanimously.
New Business
2.a. Emphasis patrols
Coffey stated that she would like to see emphasis patrols to calm citizens and that she
trusted the police to direct the patrols. She felt it was the responsibility of Council to
provide the financial resources for the police department to conduct the patrols.
Rizzi advised he felt he could conduct some targeted emphasis while still staying within
his current budget, at this point. The department has identified a few enforcement
options, one of which was put into place a few weeks ago. The federal agencies
partnering with the police department are looking at resources to put pressure on violent
offenders.
Coffey stated that she wanted the emphasis patrols to stay on the Council agenda, and
that she didn't want the police department to feel restricted by budget to do what was
necessary. She advised that the department has the support of the Council.
Rizzi advised that he wanted any emphasis patrols to have the best, most positive
results and not to simply put more officers out without results.
Gutierrez stated she would like to see the emphasis be combined with prevention
efforts. She was glad to see the department was able to stay within their budget and
increase emphasis patrols. Mendez expressed the support of the committee for the
department to continue their strategies and her desire to see emphasis patrols
incorporate community outreach and policing. Belton advised one of the strategies the
department was using was directing officers to focus on making contact with the
convenience stores. This is making a positive impact with the store owners and
employees. Coffey had spoken with Ben Soria and recommended regrouping the
coalition of faith -based groups. Faith -based groups will be added to the next Public
Safety Committee agenda. Gutierrez requested that Youth Development be added to
the agenda for the next Council- Yakima School District meeting.
2.b. Body Camera update
Rizzi asked if this issue was related to the announcement of the Axon program. The
committee advised it was. Rizzi stated that Axon's new program does not change any
of the information that was previously presented in the body camera report. Axon's
program provides for deferred payment, which would increase their business, but would
still require full payment at the end of a year. There was no change in pricing, and Axon
was approximately $200,000 more than Coban. Mendez asked if there was any
legislation in the state that would provide for funding. Moore advised there was no such
legislation or funding.
Community member Andrea Altmayer spoke in favor of getting body cameras and felt
there is funding available in the community.
Rizzi reviewed some of the costs associated with implementing and operating a body
camera program. One of the unknown variables is the staffing costs for public
disclosure. Although the current legislation places restrictions on requests for body
camera recordings, it's still unknown what that cost would be, and the cost would be
expected to increase if the legislation is revoked.
2.c. Kronenberg report
Schneider reported that he met with Lea Kronenberg at the beginning of April. As a
result of her meetings and visits in Yakima, she has changed her position. She now
sees the limitations on funding, and the need for intervention in addition to police action.
After her visit, she has changed her follow up project to a survey on access to social
services. Coffey inquired if she would be in contact with city representatives, and
Schneider advised that option was left open to her. Gutierrez stated she felt the
humanization of the situation was important to understanding the issues. She felt this
report gives the City the opportunity to take away the positive notes from it.
2.d. Homicide update
Schneider reported there have been 6 homicides to date. There had been 8 to this
point in 2016, then none until November. Of the 2017 homicides, investigations indicate
2 are gang related, 1 is drug related, 1 was during a robbery, and 2 have an unknown
motive. The detective division continues to work on all 6 cases. Gutierrez comments
that it is difficult to determine how any of these might have been prevented, and she
understands law enforcement is working hard to address the issues. Coffey stressed
the importance of community involvement, and for citizens to follow the "see something,
say something" philosophy.
2.e. Mini mart robbery update
Schneider reported there have been 15 commercial armed robberies in 2017. There
have been arrests made in two of those cases. There has not been one since April 6,
which has been the longest gap between incidents this year. There is a decreasing
trend in the robberies. Usually the trend is to see more armed robberies in the colder
months, with a drop off after Christmas. We did not see the drop off this year. It's
suspected that there are only a small number of perpetrators of these crimes, and we
expect to see the robberies drop off once they are incarcerated.
Gutierrez asked if arterial cameras might be a good tool to address robberies and other
crimes. Schneider advised they are a good investigative and deterrent tool. There is a
significant cost to them and there are privacy issues with a city -owned system. Coffey
asked for more information regarding costs and implementation, and felt that some of
the service clubs might be interested in sponsoring such a program. Rizzi advised that
the private sector video is especially helpful as there are not disclosure issues with it,
the private citizens own the video.
2.f. Response to David Morales correspondence
Martinez advised that the city has received two correspondence items from David
Morales detailing a long list of issues and quoting the Washington Attorney General's
guidebook. Legal has researched the issues he has raised regarding holding
individuals on ICE detainers or administrative warrants. The City does not hold
individuals on detainers but does hold on administrative warrants (warrants signed by
an administrative official but not a judge). Legal feels the best practice would be to
have those orders signed by a judge. They recommend moving toward adopting a
policy and suggest several steps to undertake to develop a policy, such as meeting with
Yakima County officials, then meeting with ICE and US Attorney representatives.
Additionally, there has been no reply to Mr. Morales regarding the issues he brought
forward. Martinez requested direction if she should formulate a response.
Gutierrez advised she supported the staff recommendations to take steps to develop a
policy. Coffey asked if developing a policy would put the city in jeopardy of being
considered a sanctuary city and bring the spotlight onto undocumented citizens.
Martinez advised that earlier this week the US Conference of Mayors issued a report
that defined sanctuary cities. The mayors had met with Homeland Security and the
meeting resulted in a clarification of the definition of sanctuary city as willful
noncompliance with 8 USC Code 1373 of Immigration and Nationalities Act, which
provides no jurisdiction or official shall prevent someone from sharing information with
ICE. The city has no such policy and the proposed policy would not change that status.
Coffey reiterated that her concern was with not having a spotlight placed on
undocumented residents and subjected to retaliation. Martinez advised this would be
an internal policy change that would best protect the city from legal action and limit
liability. Coffey asked what the procedure would be for proceeding with a policy
change. Gutierrez stated that it was her understanding that it did not require Council
deliberation or approval, but appreciated that the information was being brought to the
committee. Moore stated he felt it was important to conduct meetings with ICE and the
US Attorney's representatives to preserve the working relationship. He stated that this
would be a police department policy, which does not require Council action. However,
since this policy change was part of the ordinance which Council rejected, he did not
want it to appear there was any attempt to subvert the rejection of the ordinance. He
wanted to make sure that Council members were aware of those conversations with
ICE and US Attorney's representatives and the direction towards policy development
and adoption. Gutierrez expressed that she didn't think that this particular clause was
the reason the ordinance was voted down and the council members who voted against
might be interested in knowing the information. Coffey asked if the issue could be
addressed by the City Manager in his individual meetings with the council members. He
advised he could. Coffey asked if Rizzi was comfortable with this policy change and
process. He advised he was. Moore clarified that the committee was directing Martinez
and Rizzi to have preliminary conversations with ICE and US Attorney representatives,
and advised he would add the item to his weekly meetings with the council members.
Martinez was directed to draft a generic response that the issues he addressed were
being reviewed.
None
None
3. Old Business
4. Other Business
5. Information items
The YPAL February report was included in the packet for information
6. Recap of future agenda items
Arterial camera information if ready
Faith based community coalition
Emphasis patrol update
Domestic violence — discuss direction of addressing social issues
Follow up on policy on judicial warrants
7. Audience Participation
Tony Coursey thanked the police department for the support of the mini mart
businesses. Asked for clarification on reporting policies and council redistricting. Mr.
Coursey was advised his questions would be addressed after the meeting.
Luz Gutierrez spoke regarding the police requesting residents to call in with information,
who they should be calling. She also stated the need to recruit Hispanic and/or bilingual
officers and asked who screens the officer applicants. Ms. Gutierrez was advised her
questions would be responded to after the meeting as well.
Adjournment
It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Gutierrez to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
Approved: