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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/2009 00 Agenda and Packet I r FILE (LW) CITY HALL Confidential — PL items Micah Cawley, Assistant Mayor Yakima Maureen Adkison '';'' ,' ,ti hll1 '_ City Council Kathy Coffey Rick Ense ........................ `TE\,__- Agenda Bill Lover 129 N. 2nd Street,Yaki ma, WA. 98901 Sonia Rodriguez Phone: (509) 575 -6000 • Fax (509) 576 -6614 City Manager Email: ccouncil @ci.yakima.wa.us • www.ci.yakima.wa.us Richard A. Zais, Jr. Anyone wishing to address the Council, please fill out the form found on the tables and give it to the City Clerk YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 7, 2009 1:00 — 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Roll Call 2. Update on gang enforcement efforts and potential enhancement options 3. Audience Comments (1:45 — 2:00 p.m.) 4. Adjournment to August 18, 2009 at 6 :00 p.m. in the Council Chambers for a Council business meeting Yakima aFameslwaiy City of Y akima Vision Statement: To create a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, safe, and strongYakima community. i Adopted March 2008 O D ® 1994 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the Yakima City Council will be held at the time, date and place specified below, for the purpose of considering the matters specified below. Dated this 5tn day of August, 2009. /s/ Deborah Moore, City Clerk Date and time of Special Meeting: Friday, August 7, 2009 at 1:00 — 2:00 p.m. Place of Special Meeting: Yakima City Hall Council Chambers 129 North Second Street Yakima, Washington Special Meeting called by: Mayor Dave Edler Agenda: Update on gang enforcement efforts and potential enhancement options City of Yakima Police Department 200 S.. 3" Street Yakima, y l Samuel Granato, Chief of Po /ice Washington 98901 knit (509)575 -6200 Fax (509)575 -6007 MEMORANDUM August 7, 2009 TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Sam Granato, Chief of Police CC: Dick Zais, City Manager Dave Zabel!, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Gang Related Crime Update and Recommendations At their Augusj meeting, the City Council engaged in an impromptu discussion centering on concerns regarding recent incidences of gang related shootings. This memorandum is in response to the Council's request for an update and analysis of gang related criminal activity, resources currently deployed, and recommendations for enhanced emphasis. Statistically, crime in the City of Yakima is significantly less than what it was just five years ago, and a fraction of what this community experienced in the not too distant past. As an example, to date this year, the City has experienced 88 reported non - domestic aggravated assaults. During the first six months of 1994, a staggering 211 aggravated assaults were reported at a time when the City's population was approximately two- thirds of what it is today. More recently, overall Part 1 crimes have dropped dramatically over the past five years; however, during the past two years, the rate of decline in the crime rate has slowed. The type of crime we are experiencing in our community is no longer typical only in metro areas like Los Angeles, Detroit, or Atlanta. No community is immune, as similar trends are being experienced within large and small cities across Washington State and throughout the nation. The National Gang Threat Assessment for 2009 reveals 100% of Cities with a population of 50,000 - 100,000 are being impacted by gangs. The recent City Council discussion was focused primarily on assaults with a firearm. This is understandable as there have been a number of recent high profile gang related shootings and incidents both in our City and throughout Yakima County. A ' review of crime statistics for our City reveals that the number of assaults involving a firearm is consistent from 2007 to the present. This is not to say that the level we are experiencing is acceptable; it does however indicate we have hit a plateau on a serious crime and that to reduce it will take additional emphasis. The attention also is an indicator of fatigue on the part that this type of crime, though reduced over the past several years, persists at any level. The recent concentration of violent offenses experienced during the past several weeks is being addressed by the Yakima Police Department with gang enforcement emphasis patrols. There has been one prior emphasis patrol already this year. This effort involved re- tasking division activities, expending overtime, and working in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. Other resources deployed on an ongoing basis in this effort include: • Gang Unit -6 Officers • Pro Active Unit -6 Officers • Violent Crimes Task Force -2 Officers • Detectives -6 Officers While the statistics actually indicate a continuing decline in the level of criminal activity in our community, what my officers are telling me, and what my career as a law enforcement professional tells me, is that with respect to gang related violence, the character of the assaults we are seeing, particularly over the past few months has changed. The gang -on -gang related shootings are no longer the result of happenstance run -ins between rival gang members. These individuals are actively seeking one another out for the pre- meditated purpose of harming another person. The 'escalation in the nature of these incidents is an issue of concern and we must take pro- active steps to address them, before they become an emergency. As effective as our efforts have been to reduce and control crime in our community, to achieve the next level of success needed requires a strategic and focused effort of great intensity. This effort will require multiple phases, the first, shortest and easiest being suppression. For the effect to be durable over time, future investment in prevention and intervention programs for at -risk youth is necessary, which necessitates the need for an expanded dialogue beyond what is offered in this memorandum. To implement the first phase of this effort, suppression, as Chief I am proposing to increase patrol staffing levels through overtime. Based on a plan developed by the Patrol Division Commander and other Commanders, it is recommended the Department increase patrol coverage by ten (10) officers a day during various times of the week where the additional staffing will have the greatest effect. For the initial time period, the Department will implement a thirty (30) day emphasis patrol. It is estimated a thirty (30) day emphasis (3 days a week x 10 officers) will cost the patrol division's budget approximately $76,290 or $19,077 per week. The Detectives Division will be assisting in this emphasis with the re- assignment of six detectives to adjusted work hours. It is expected overtime for the Detectives Division will be approximately $2,200 for this time period. To assist with extra coverage the Department will suspend Friday in- service and SWAT training for this thirty (30) day time period. Those officers will be assigned to work the targeted neighborhoods. 2 The GET and ProAct officers will continue to serve as the main pivot points for gang enforcement. Working with a MOU from YPPA, there will be changes to officer's work schedules to assist in emphasis coverage, enforcement, and investigations. With the increase of officers working the emphasis, there will be overtime increases for communications and inmate housing. The Police Department will expand its cooperative efforts with the Washington State Department of Corrections and other law enforcement agencies to work closely with probation and parole officers from county, state, and federal agencies to locate and monitor those gang members recently released from adult or juvenile prison. Working with probation and parole officers is a valuable tool to ensure those on probation or parole are complying with the conditions of their release. Those who are failing to comply will be subject to arrest. We are working with the Bureau of Justice Administration (BJA), who audits the 2008 Byrne Grant Earmark, to allow us to access funds to assist in paying the overtime costs for this effort. With the identification of high crime districts in the City we will have the ability to draw upon existing overtime funds available in the 2008 Byrne Earmark Grant. Pending approval from BJA to change the intent of the Earmark, we will need to be careful that we continue to comply with the Earmarks' scope of services, which is as follows: Officers & Sgts Emphasis Sweep Staffing Overtime $80,000 4 sweeps X 30 days X 6 hours X 2 officers = $72,317 4 sweeps X 30 days X 6 hours X 1 Sergeant = $41,580 We are very close to implementing the required survey project with the community services officers scheduled to receive training on August 11 and 12. Once the surveys have been distributed and collected, we can draw upon the funds which will give us approximately $28,500. The remaining overtime funds will need to be budgeted from whatever source is determined. This does not include overtime dedicated to Code Enforcement. They have $5,000 allocated for this first emphasis patrol. Estimated cost with a maximum staffing of 10 patrol officers and detectives on overtime for emphasis: Patrol Division $76,290 Detectives Division $2,200 Communications $5,000 Byrne Grant overtime funding - $28,475 TOTAL CITY GENERAL FUND OUTLAY $55,015 3 Please find attached information from Mr. Abreu regarding crime statistics for the years 2007 to present. These figures are comparative year -to -year through the month of June each year. As noted in previous discussions with Council, there is a decrease in overall crime rates. While we have experienced a decrease in overall crime rates, this does not relieve public concerns regarding gang violence. The Yakima Police Department, along with City Council, City Management and other City departments have worked hard to improve the image of Yakima. These efforts, along with added resources, will continue to have an impact on crime. 4 YEARLY COMPARISON 120 :s r c ri� rsY 4 cac {, x s K7 } v rtr� } p Y Y a S'M1 p ia 44 s a & n a *alp, kkx' a �,1g e * � r, A y ,- e aaY +' ' `" * ac. y r x _} :..,p "} * ` ' d' ir +d r c +f a: ' ' q s • F£ -: . n v m + ' , ; s 4 , v, x , a v , t _ a a! .i" ,a vC ''� k! If Y .' k , " x ∎ a . i rI , p T4t ^ '' A ,. "W : ,.a ' '' r W C" ' . �' l" 'r , + .:r �i r l J mi-.4 , " 1 :.I e P 4 x� " I AL idd ] y a ' G 1 k � � "tl a 1 4 r .. �' + : f f,'u', Sp# � :4 a 4 w * p 4�,u p ` "aU'v„t si b 4,0101 / ,,t x i7 ' `,�' a , J� A . ' I ,." c 1 @ : a w 1� l l a v� ,ia r �h , M y%10# i "W x ' .r '4t.4 , P4T x : 5 4 t2 S Q F w r � 7�i li elf, ar. s 'r . '1. L' r �' T :7 , ' e'� 0 . '� �., : N `" ` � .. t +r '.6� ' m .'+t s ,,,,, � " )., x sh . «, �+ „i .. A .„. 4 . 1... 100 �. �� . � �. � � � .� � � � . � �� � � ,. �� -�� • Y" t ' 4 ,: = f ' e ,,." ., i �! 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LEGAL DEPARTMENT' 200SoulillidStealralima,Washiglon 98 039p56030 Faic 5616D MEMORANDUM August 7, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Dick Zais, City Manager FROM: Jim Mitchell, Assistant City Attorney EMERGENCY POWERS AS APPLIED TO GANG - RELATED CRIME Procedures to ensure adequate crises response and continuity of Federal, State and local government operations in times of emergency date from the advent of the cold war during the Eisenhower administration. Plans have evolved from initial concerns of nuclear war to real world events such as terrorism due to the 911 attack, and more recently natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina. Seattle dealt with civil unrest during the 1999 WTO conference. Yakima itself dealt with the interruption of critical services during the 1980 Mt. Saint Helens eruption. Policies must address a line of succession and extraordinary measures available to decision makers to protect the City once an emergency is declared. Yakima has such a plan, Chapter 6.06 of the Municipal Code. "Emergency" is specifically defined in the first section and generally describes sudden and unforeseen types of events. It is clear from the definitions, subsequent continuity exigencies and potential measures that the recent increase in gang - related aggravated assaults does not constitute this type of legislated emergency, and does not warrant the authorization of the extraordinary measures mentioned. However, this does not preclude the Council from addressing the issue through other means. For example, a resolution recognizing increased crime due to gang activity as a serious public safety issue requiring immediate action and resource allocation could be adopted as an alternative. RESOLUTION NO. R -2009- A RESOLUTION addressing gang related crime in the City by means of strategic and proactive steps including interagency partnerships and enhanced police presence as determined appropriate by the City Manager and the Chief of Police through whatever reasonable and lawful means are available; and authorizing the allocation and expenditure of General Funds, Reserve Funds as well as the use of any other available resources to accomplish this emphasis and focus on reducing gang related crime. WHEREAS, over the past several years the City of Yakima has promoted and accomplished significant steps to address crime within the City and through the concerted efforts of the City Council, the City Manager, the Yakima Police Department, other City departments, citizen groups, inter - agency partnerships with Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies has experienced a significant decrease in violent crime over that time; and WHEREAS, the City has made gang - related criminal activity a priority, justifying an increased police presence and use of police emphasis patrols in areas of heightened criminal activity; and WHEREAS, the City Council perceives the recent incidences of gang related violence requires additional resources through that increased police emphasis patrols, increased officer presence, proactive gang intervention in order to reduce the current level of gang related crime as well as to promote overall community safety; and WHEREAS, it is the City Council's desire that the Yakima Police Department provide the necessary police officer presence to meet this recent serious threat to public safety through 1) specific gang emphasis patrols, 2) increased officer presence in identified areas of concern, 3) re- assignments in officer staffing to provide greater community presence and 4) authorized officer overtime, as well as whatever further lawful and reasonable means may be deemed necessary and responsive to the current situation as the City Manager and the Chief of Police deems necessary ; and WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that it is necessary to authorize the City Manager to utilize financial resources from the City's General Fund, Reserve Funds and any (jc)res /Gang Violence- 1 Emergency Action other financial sources deemed appropriate to provide this additional emphasis by the Yakima Police Department and other necessary City resources as may hereafter be identified; and WHEREAS, to address this gang related criminal conduct, the City Council finds that it is necessary for City staff to examine and identify other potential reasonable means of responding by way of legal action, Code Enforcement and nuisance eradication measures as may be lawful and appropriate to address this present concern; Now, Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: The City Manager of the City of Yakima is hereby authorized and directed to identify and utilize General Fund, Reserve Fund and other available fiscal resources as necessary to support an increased police presence in the City, police emphasis patrols, and police officer overtime costs necessary to provide a heightened police presence; the City Manager and the Yakima Police Chief are further authorized and directed to provide additional police officers and related City resources immediately for the purpose of implementing 1) an increased police presence in areas experiencing gang violence, 2) police emphasis patrol deployment to address the gang violence, and 3) other lawful and reasonable methods and means to respond to gang related criminal activity within the City. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 7 day of August, 2009. ATTEST: David Edler, Mayor City Clerk (jc)res /Gang Violence- 2 Emergency Action �y •i ¢ 4:6684 �. } '- 4 i �' • : :t_ 4 .. " , . r `vim , ,T1.,-.5 � � - q� y - v -�! :.; ti A /: • ,v 1 ' • 4 �t ! 1 LE _. * i'° ;:`'_2'411... ` ' r s ,, 1. e1• '' I Vi �r � '� f - ., e R l _ � �� • L 1s. e ti p : ,i � n+ �t r • ' ^ : 'S=3!{i I : .ilk. • at- I r r ? u- A.,, II I V' '..' L * ' . '.', .,, ii ..1, • - ' g ' — '47'...' ' I .„.4,,,,„., 7'-' a ''" 1 " 4... r It I. - ' . iii. - 0 ' If ' ' '1, ' , - b a s . , ',41. 4 t 4,..„_,...,,s, • ... .. 1 s i y f !d _ - +'�M • r 1 .M 4 fi 4 ! ,Y 114 T . : ; � • I l xr' ' , + 4 1 G rp . '44 S . F ■may • . ., - iftirii‘opi.. ,. . , • . , :fir - - ... - � i ; soli,: . T. • i.• i • .�. ..- 7. '*! w ; fir �. 1 • " +.�it'++t q - - 5 ' a ,,, t t %-1 ., „ F ,y, . ....„ a i ' ► • r E� ;. +fir ' ,...,,o- • • ; _ t { �� ➢ � # � � * r p*. � + ,. � ..„,..:A . � * y j � � t l t . �M. d { � 'x / • 1 � 1 N . 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I mage 2009 D i g i t a l G l v b e * . 1 al 70 OS I N.,... n .� 1r14CORNELLAV' `` _. ,, r -.ttf cr r ,..,_g • � V '4 OR N E L' L V `'": " 'f t z, • YEARLY COMPARISON 120 109 Z 100 92 88 W c) C1— 80 ❑ Aggravated Assaults u_ 60 ® ASSLTS W /FIREARMS 0 44 nc 40 3 33 ❑ MURDER 20 z 2 1 1 0 i 2007 • 2008 2009 YEAR * * *To date, there have been two homicides within the City of Yakima. One homicide occurred outside the comparison data. * ** . Jun •1 Jun •8 Jun•O9YTD%Change Aravated Assaults 109 92 88 •19.3 °l0 ASSTS (/FIREARMS 33 44 33 0.0 °/0 MURDER 2 1 1 •0A °M TOTAL PART 1 CRIMES 3956 3519 •N,OS °lo 3294 •.4 °l0 5 Year • • 120 - 1 • 100 92 88 73 76 w 80 0 60 44 O 40 35 3 33 21� W m 20 5 3 2 . Z p 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 0 Aggravated Assaults _20 gg YEAR ® ASSLTS W /FIREARMS o MURDER YEARLY COMPARISON AND % CHANGE Jun -05 Jun -06 Jun -01 Jun•*8 Jun•09 YTD % Chane AGGRAVATED ASSAVT$ 13 16 109 92 88 119,3 A 21 35 33 44 33 0.0 ° l0 MURDER 5 3 2 1 1 •50.0 °l0 Presented to, the Yakima City Council Emergency Study Session - Aug 6, 2009 By: Nick Hughes 1509 McKinley Avenue. Yakima, WA 98902 509 - 895 -7666 I was born 67 years ago, and raised in Yakima, where I also raised my own family. My two sons do not want to come back here. They left some years back, and now refuse to return, mostly because of the influences of crime that have been an ever - increasing problem. My business life and that of my father before me here, was centered in the agriculture business. I understand the importance of the Hispanic contributions to that industry and admire, greatly, their general work ethic. I believe the vast majority of Hispanics living and working here are upstanding members of the community. However, I cannot ignore, nor do I support, the huge majority, according to an email 1 received from Senator Patty Murray's office some time back, of an estimated 75% of that population demographic that consists of illegal aliens, employed also illegally, by local businesses including farmers, contractors health agencies, hospitality related businesses and even local governments. While I don't believe that fact is the sole reason we have gangs here, I believe it is significantly contributory to the large population of Hispanics who live here now. In THAT respect, the two issues go hand -in hand, if nothing else than based upon sheer numbers. In our local case, the crime issues have been growing, in my opinion, primarily due to the rapid growth of the Hispanic population here. I am NOT saying that all Hispanics are criminals, because they are NOT. I AM saying that, while not all gangs are Hispanic in membership, in our area they are definitely, by far, the leading demographic of our local gangs. I DO blame our early lack of border security and enforcement of Immigration Laws by our Federal and local governments for this out of control problem. I also blame the greed by employers who offer a job- magnet to these people, solely for their contributions of cheap, almost slave -rate labor. Since I have retired, I have plenty of time to offer my personal help. So far, I have offered it to the YPD VIP program, after having completed the YPD Citizens Academy as a brush up course since 1 retired after 14 years on the YPD Reserve, as a Sergeant. My prior experience in that field of interest leaves me dismayed by the recent tolerance given our juvenile crime here, but I do NOT blame local law enforcement entirely. I DO blame our state legislature for gutting our hard -won recent gang legislation that was supposed to have addressed this issue with some authority once and for all. Thanks to one activist Hispanic Senator from Renton, Ms Margarita Prentice, chairman of the State Ways and Means Committee, who is solely responsible for removing as an example of "racist Profiling ", by a last - second amendment, nearly all the funding that was to support and enforce that legislation, including the primary provisionary clause that allowed police agencies to stop and question known and suspected gang members when they were observed wearing their "colors" in certain, known, telegraphic ways. Similar to a football team suited up for a big game, the gangers wear their colors in certain specific ways that indicate an imminent action - usually criminal in nature, and most often violent as well. Since then, the gangs and others involved in criminal activity have been able to thumb their noses at law enforcement in general. Thanks also to strict CPS interference with family issues, the juveniles also threaten their parents with retributive actions if they are disciplined for their bad behaviors by the parents. This leaves the average family in disarray and wondering what to do next My proposed solution is simple: That we institute an IMMEDIATE "0" tolerance policy on crimes, In particular, gang, or suspected gang activities, juvenile crimes of the smallest nature, and even to the extent of allowing the prosecution of SOME parents for their lack of parental supervision for really young offenders. A curfew would do no good, since these crimes happen at any and all times of the day or night. 1 say we should do all this in spite of and in the face of possible ACLU protests or threatened lawsuits. We simply MUST get our community under control. It has gone too far for too long. Thank you Moore, Debbie From: Price, Cally Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 8:50 AM To: Edler, Dave; Cawley, Micah; Coffey, Kathy; Lover, Bill; Ensey, Rick; Rodriguez, Sonia; Adkison, Maureen Cc: Zabell, Dave; Zais, Dick; Granato, Sam; Rosenow, Kelly; Moore, Debbie; Cutter, Jeff Subject: FW: gang violence etc., etc. Importance: High Original Message--- - From: Beehler, Randy Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 8:57 PM To: Price, Cally Subject: Fw: gang violence etc., etc. Importance: High CaIIy, Here's another e-mail that I received having to do with the subject of the special Council meeting on Friday. Randy Beehler Community Relations Manager City of Yakima, Wa. Original Message--- - From: mommy.garcia @gmail.com <mommy.garcia @gmail.com> To: Beehler, Randy Sent: Thu Aug 06 19:45:09 2009 Subject: gang violence etc., etc. have lived on the 300 block of N. Sixth Street for 22 years with my family. The crime elements have decreased over the past several years. I watched KIMA tonight and they reported statistics that correlate with what I have observed in my neighborhood. You should feel "good" about what you have done to bring about this change, with the exception of the gun crimes. There have been numerous gun related crimes that have involved individuals between the ages of 15 -25 (shooters and victims), yet I have never hear anyone express concern about where these young people are getting their weapons or any outrage that they even have access to them. I know that the constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms but aren't there accountability measures that go along with that right; Is the city enforcing all the measure possible to keep guns out of the hands of the underaged. Do you monitor whether gun sales are conducted legally and what is a citizen of the city of Yakima required to report when their gun (s) have been stolen. Do they report this to the police, is there a tracking system to monitor guns that have been stolen from their legal owners? It seems to me that these shootings are better described as gun crimes versus gang crimes. If you don't know who committed the crime then on what basis can you say that the crime is gang related. It's gun crime,that you know for certain but you don't seem to have sufficient facts to label these 1 crimes as "gang" related,except that they appear that way. When you rush to conclusions and report all shootings as gang related, the media reports them as such. This in turn inflames the community with anti gang, hispanic, illegal alien, irresponsible parent, rhetoric that does very little to assist with curbing the problem. Why do you as a city council nurture this attitude? What are we as citizens of Yakima, who read the local newspaper or watch you on television, supposed to think when you call for the National Guard to come and protect us from our own children. Think about the message you send and the image you project as a council. You and those before you worked very hard to improve downtown Yakima, it is beautiful, not much business, but at least it's a pleasant area to walk through. I would like to suggest that you invest the same time, energy and resources to end the shootings and curb the deaths of our young people in this community, your community as well as mine, in the same way that you did to make Yakima APPEAR like a nice, safe place to live, all of Yakima, not just where you live, but where I live too. Yakima county hired a grant writer. Can you hire a grant writer to focus on funding sources that relate to gun crimes, gang violence etc. There appear to be many groups already dedicated to working on the "gang" problem, what more do they need, can you assist with expanding those already existing projects. How about going directly to the source. Police say they know who these gang members are....start building a bridge there. Work with the school districts, counseling agencies, not just CMH. These problems impact business potential, you can't keep looking at this as a separate issue, it impacts your dreams for thriving economy. Here's a most recent example. Three weeks ago I was attending school at CWU in Ellensburg, a fellow student who lives in Moses Lake asked me if it was safe for her to come to. Yakima. I asked her why she would think it wasn't and she told me she had heard about a woman who had just been shot in a crossfire of gang violence. She had this bit of news before I could get home and learn about it myself. I assured her she would be safe and so she traveled to Best Buy and had no problems. She made a joke over not being shot as she drove through Yakima, but I know that she was truly concerned for her safety. By the way, how many cameras do you have in the gang neighborhoods? Let me know how I can help. Pat Garcia 304 North Sixth Street, Yakima Wa 98901 2 Moore, Debbie From: Price, CaIIy Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 8:51 AM To: Edler, Dave; Cawley, Micah; Coffey, Kathy; Lover, Bill; Ensey, Rick; Rodriguez, Sonia; Adkison, Maureen Cc: Zabell, Dave; Zais, Dick; Granato, Sam; Rosenow, Kelly; Moore, Debbie; Cutter, Jeff Subject: FW: Gang Violence..State of emergency Importance: High This message was received in the council inbox. CaIIy Price Executive Assistant City of Yakima - City Manager's Office Original Message--- - From: bonlenderr @charter.net [mailto:bonlenderr @charter.net] Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 7:49 PM To: City Council Subject: Gang Violence.. State of emergency Importance: High Council members Don't be complacent about a so called drop in our crime rate when so many gunshots are being fired in our city. This IS an emergency that requires you to act. Funding extra police patrols would be a part of any solution but creating an environment to bring gang members to the table for truce talks would be helpful. You should not be afraid to use money in reserves to help with the costs of any action. That is what the reserve is for. Emergencies. The reserve will be built back up. We can't sit still and watch our neighborhoods being shot up. Ron Bonlender 1