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Public Safety Committee
c/o Office of the City Clerk
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D. Back, City Clerk
K. OConnell, Deputy City Clerk
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INTER-OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
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TO:
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CHAIR AND
MEMBERS
PUBLIC
SAFETY COMMITTEE
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DATE:
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2016 SEPTEMBER
7
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FROM:
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ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER
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FILE:
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2410-20
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SUBJECT:
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Notes from the 2016 June 09
Public Safety discussion
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Due
to a lack of quorum at the 2016 June 09 Public Safety Committee meeting, the
members stayed to hear a presentation from the Anti-Graffiti co-ordinators and
updates from the RCMP, Fire and the four Districts of Community Policing Advisory
Committee. The following is a synopsis of the discussion:
Ms.
Wipf and Cst. Murphy provided the Committee with a ten year overview of the
Anti-Graffiti Program. The speakers also provided the Committee with information
and updates on:
·
Prolific Taggers
·
Hip-Hop Graffiti
·
Community Initiatives
·
Mural Program (Art
of Empowerment)
·
Anti-Graffiti
Vinyl Wraps
·
Restorative
Justice (Beyond the Wall)
·
Bylaw Enforcement
·
Outreach with
Community Partners (CPACS, BIAs, Stratas, Joint Police Forces)
·
Youth Engagement
(Graffiti Busters)
·
Paint Outs
The
speakers advised that the key to eradication of graffiti is through education.
Ms. Wipf and Cst. Murphy continue to provide information and presentations to
community partners. This is undertaken in an effort to inform citizens,
students, community partners and business owners of the criminal element and
costs associated with graffiti in the community as well as encouraging the
reporting of graffiti to the RCMP.
Highlighting
the importance of reporting graffiti to the RCMP and the City has allowed the
co-ordinators to open case files and track crime statics. The use and sharing
of this information has facilitated collaboration with other police agencies as
taggers do not limit their crime to one geographic area. In 2015, 400 case
files were recorded in Burnaby.
In
conclusion, the speakers advised that the success of the program is due to the
cooperation of community partners, volunteers and stakeholders and the support
of Council, youth and citizens of Burnaby.
The
Committee thanked Ms. Wipf and Cst. Murphy for their commitment, energy and
continued evolution of initiatives to eradicate graffiti in Burnaby.
Fire
Chief Robertson advised that Public Safety Canada warns of the fire risk
related to hover boards but does not have any Canadian statistics available.
From December 1, 2015 to February 17, 2016 the US Consumer Product Safety
Commission received 52 reports of hover board fires.
The
fire risk associated with these products is from the ignition or explosion of
the lithium ion battery and has occurred when the board is being charged. The
Burnaby Fire Department has not responded to any incidents involving fires
caused by hover boards, and they are unaware of any incidents reported by other
Lower Mainland fire departments.
District
#1 submitted a report advising of the continuing issue around the discovery of
syringes in public areas. CRT members are speaking with suspected users to
mitigate the problem.
District
#1 also queried if a volunteer bike patrol will be instated.
District
#2 submitted a report advising that the youth members of the CPAC have been
collaborating with School Liaison Officers in an effort to better communicate
with high school students. Presentations were made to Seaforth Elementary on
2016 May 24and to Burnaby North High School on 2016 June 3.
District
#2 members advised that they are committed to promoting graffiti awareness and
supporting the City’s Anti-Graffiti Program through peer education and paint
outs.
District
#3 participated in the Canada Day Celebrations at the Edmonds Community
Centre. They also advised that they will visit businesses in the Edmonds Town
Centre to highlight the benefits of Business Watch.
Ms.
Lindy McQueen introduced Ms. Tazul Ali to the Committee as the new Chair for
District #3.
District
#4 reported higher than average break and enters, drug activity at a bus bench,
Speed Watch session outcomes and participation in emergency preparedness
training.
Fire
Chief Robertson reported on three major incidents; a commercial building fire,
an apartment building fire and a house fire.
The
Training Division has been involved in the certification of eight Fire Officer
1 candidates, which then allows the employee to act as a Lieutenant.
The
Fire Prevention Division continues to conduct reviews on Fire Safety Plans in
an effort to create Pre-Incident Plans. The information is used to assist
deployed Fire Officers with effectively controlling an emergency.
Fire
Chief Robertson advised the Committee that the Police will no longer be called
out to drug overdoses, unless there is a threat of violence, attempted suicide
or other threat.
New
protocols and policies will be implemented in relation to ‘W-18’, which is a
powerful opioid considered up to 100 times stronger than fentanyl.
In
conclusion, Fire Chief Robertson emphasized the importance of installing
working carbon monoxide detectors in every home. In the near future, the Fire Department
will be introducing an educational program regarding carbon monoxide detectors.
Acting
Chief Superintendent Drolet presented the RCMP Public Safety report outlining
the Annual Performance Plan and crime statistics.
Through
the input from community partners, the Annual Performance Plan has identified
property crime, mental health, youth, road safety and violent crime as
priorities. The next step in the process will be to set initiatives and
performance measurements within the units/departments responsible for the
priorities identified.
The
break and enter statistics in District #1 have decreased from a high of 75 to one,
largely due to the apprehension of a prolific offender.
A
press conference at E-Division announced the arrest of six individuals
responsible for sexual assaults across the Lower Mainland. The investigation
and arrests were a result of the joint participation of policing forces across
the Lower Mainland.
Eva Prior
Administrative Officer