PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Wednesday, 2016 September 07

An Open meeting of the Public Safety Committee was held in the Cafeteria, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Wednesday, 2016 September 07 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes from the  Open Meeting of the Public Safety Committee held on 2016 May 04__________________

MOVED BY mr. mclean

SECONDED BY mr. pereira

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting of the Public Safety Committee held on 2016 May 04 be adopted.

          CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY mr. mclean

SECONDED BY councillor kang

THAT the correspondence be received.

 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Memorandum from the Administrative Officer

Re: Notes from the 2016 June 09 Public Safety Discussion

Correspondence was received from the Administrative Officer regarding notes from the 2016 June 09 Public Safety Committee discussion.

4.

MONTHLY REPORTS

MOVED BY mr. mclean

SECONDED BY mr. pereira

THAT the Monthly Reports be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

District #1 - July/August 2016

Mr. Wong, Chair, provided a report of activities that took place in District #1 over the summer months:

·         CPAC has a new representative from Confederation Elementary School.

·         The Heights Merchants Association (HMA) is exploring installing a system of video surveillance cameras along Hastings Street.  The cameras would not be focused on any one particular premise but try to record activity on the street front.

·         The HMA reported one incident where a merchant was defrauded of merchandise – a suspect posing as an RCMP member asked to ‘borrow’ merchandise for a supposed sting operation.  The merchandise was never returned.

The Committee expressed privacy concerns with the cameras facing a street, as well as a sign should be installed to note that this will be a video surveillance for the HMA, not the City.

The staff recommended that the HMA and the CPAC check with the Privacy Commissioner on this matter.

b)

District #2 -  August 2016

Ms. Cheng, Chair, provided a monthly report of activities that took place in District #2:

·         CPAC members are constantly thinking of new ways to communicate safety messages to people in the community, i.e. an initiative of creating signs on the sidewalks that say “See track, think train” to help pedestrians who may be distracted while walking.

·         CPAC is committed to enhance and update members’ knowledge of safety and crime prevention, and will be supporting members and volunteers who are interested in attending the BC Crime Prevention Symposium.

·         A volunteer bike training course was very successful.  Having volunteers complete this intensive training, facilitated by CanBike, ensures that Volunteer Bike Patrol is always expertly trained and safe.

·         CPAC has two new students from Burnaby North Secondary School.

c)

District #3 - June 2016

Ms. Ali, Chair, provided a monthly report of activities that took place in District #3:

·         CPAC membership is diverse and gives different perspective on safety.

·         A member reported a stolen key from a car which was very costly; however, CPAC using this event to educate members and the community.

·         CPAC supporting its members interested in attending the BC Crime Prevention Symposium.

The Committee noted that the unsanctioned car shows at the Market Crossing Mall have been relocated; however, cars and motorcycles regularly speed and drag race on Marine Way.

Staff undertook to monitor this matter.

Ms. Gates, Chair, noted that District #4 CPAC did not meet during the summer months, and provided the following update:

·         Three CPAC members are attending the BC Crime Prevention Symposium in Richmond.

·         A Transit Police member is interested in joining CPAC.  Ms. Gates inquired as of a process to do so.

·         Concerns with increased numbers of homeless people in the District.

Staff advised that the Transit Police Chief should submit a letter to the OIC, RCMP and CPAC seeking Transit Police representation at the District #4 CPAC.

e)

Fire - June/July 2016

The Fire Chief submitted a report summarizing Fire Department service delivery and programs.

The Deputy Fire Chief Samson highlighted the following items:

·         The Fire Department proudly sponsored a member’s daughter to attend a four-day training camp.  The 2016 Camp Ignite educates and inspires young women, and provides an introduction to the world of firefighting.

·         The proliferation of high-rise buildings presents unique challenges for first responders – some of the construction components block radio signals and emergency service personnel may be unable to communicate using hand-held portable radios.  Radio amplification equipment and systems can be installed to eliminate this problem, and the Fire Department is working with the RCMP and E-Comm to examine the feasibility of a bylaw which would require the installation of such systems in new high-rise or large commercial structures.

The Committee inquired regarding public education and safety talks through school field trips and/or the Fire Department visiting schools.

Staff advised that schools can contact the Fire Department administration and training divisions with their requests.

The Committee suggested holding the Public Safety Committee meeting at the Fire Hall.

Staff suggested discussion take place at the November meeting and undertook to investigate.

f)

RCMP - May/June/July 2016

C/Supt. Drolet submitted a report providing an overview of activities that took place during May/June/July 2016:

·         Crime reduction statistics are good, and decreased in all four districts.

·         Auxiliary Program expanded its scope of activities and undertook an anti-graffiti initiative.  During the summer months, Auxiliary Constables were painting over graffiti on a weekly basis.

·         In the upcoming months C/Supt. Drolet will be attending all CPAC meetings to introduce himself as well as to consult and receive input from volunteers, staff, community representatives, citizens, etc.

·         Bike Squad 6-month pilot program was very successful, and C/Supt. Drolet is looking for feedback on this program.

·         RCMP Open House will be held on Saturday, 2016 September 17 together with the City Hall Open House, Paver Dedication Ceremony and Farmers’ Market.  A day of family fun will include games and prizes, police dog demonstrations, exhibits, as well as ‘Air One’ will be in attendance.

The Committee inquired information on ‘Air One’.

C/Supt. Drolet noted that ‘Air One’ is a police helicopter that went into service in 2006.  It started as a joint initiative between the RCMP, ICBC and the government for traffic enforcement.  Since 2008, ‘Air One’ extended its operational policy and is now also used for criminal activity and assisting to locate missing persons.

The Committee queried if Pokémon Go has posed any risks to children (i.e. meeting strangers, sharing information, etc.).

Staff advised that a few files have been opened in relation to large gatherings. Metrotown area continues to attract large numbers of players.  The more serious issue is related to Pokémons being placed at police detachments creating security breach concerns.

5.

NEW BUSINESS

City Manager

Mr. Lambert Chu advised that former OIC Dave Critchley has been hired by the City as a Director of Public Safety and Community Services starting 2016 October 03.  Mr. Critchley will be responsible for RCMP, Fire, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Parking Enforcement and Lands Division, and will be attending the Public Safety Committee meetings.

Councillor Calendino

Councillor Calendino noted that the BC Crime Prevention Association Annual Training Symposium will be held on 2016 October 27 – 29 at Pacific Gateway Hotel at Vancouver Airport, Richmond.

MOVED BY MR. PEREIRA

SECONDED BY MS. ALI

THAT the Committee recommend Council authorize up to three (3) Public Safety Committee members to attend the BC Crime Prevention Association 2016 Annual Training Symposium at an approximate cost of $1,000.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Calendino inquired regarding RCMP detachment staffing.

C/Supt. Drolet advised that Burnaby has lots of Cadets who are eager to learn.  There are still some vacancies in the key roles; however, contingency is the best in two or three years.

6.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought before the Committee at this time.

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY MR. MCLEAN

SECONDED BY MS. GATES

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Committee meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Pietro Calendino

CHAIR