Memo to: 604-294-7289

Public Safety Committee

c/o Office of the City Clerk

D. Back, City Clerk

K. OConnell, Deputy City Clerk

Bbylogo

 

INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

TO:

CHAIR AND MEMBERS

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

DATE:

2016 SEPTEMBER 7

 

 

 

 

FROM:

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

FILE:

2410-20

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Notes from the 2016 June 09 Public Safety discussion

 

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:

 

1.

PRESENTATION

 

 

a)

Kathy Wipf, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator, Burnaby and

Cst. Shelby Murphy, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator, RCMP

Re: Anti-Graffiti Then and Now

 

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.

 

2.

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

a)

Memorandum from Joe Robertson, Fire Chief

Re:  Hover Board Fire Danger

 

 

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.

 

5.

MONTHLY REPORTS

 

 

a)

District #1 - May 2016

 

 

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.

 

 

b)

District #2 - May 2016

 

 

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.

 

c)

District #3 - May 2016

 

 

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.

 

d)

District #4 - May 2016

 

 

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.

 

e)

Fire - June 2016

 

 

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.

 

f)

RCMP - April 2016

 

 

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