PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

An ‘Open’ meeting of the Public Safety Committee was held in the Council Chamber, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Thursday, 2015 March 12 at 6:00 PM.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the ‘Open’ meeting to order at 6:14 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Open meeting of the Public Safety Committee held on 2015 February 03

MOVED BY MR. McLEAN:

SECONDED BY TRUSTEE HAYES:

THAT the minutes of the 'Open' meeting held on 2015 February 03 be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR KANG:

THAT the correspondence be received.

                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Memorandum from His Worship, Mayor Derek Corrigan

Re:  Mayor's Task Force on Graffiti Dissolution

A memorandum was received from His Worship, Mayor Derek Corrigan regarding dissolution of the Mayor's Task Force on Graffiti.  It was noted that the purpose, history and functions of the Task Force will be incorporated into the Public Safety Committee’s Terms of Reference. 

b)

Memorandum from the Director Planning and Building

Re:  Crime Reduction Bulletin Uploaded to City's Website

A memorandum was received from the Director Planning and Building in response to the Committee’s inquiry regarding the possibility of posting the last page of the RCMP Crime Prevention Unit’s Crime Reduction Bulletin on the City’s website.

Staff noted the RCMP continues working with the City web team to make information available on the City’s website.  An update on this matter will be provided at the next Committee meeting.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR KANG:

That the meeting do now recess.

                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting recessed at 6:19 p.m.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR KANG:

THAT the 'Open' meeting do now reconvene.

                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting reconvened at 7:22 p.m.

c)

Memorandum from the Director Planning and Building

Re:  Preparation for the 2015 Workplan

A memorandum was received from the Director Planning and Building regarding preparation for the 2015 Workplan, which is an annual requirement under the Terms of Reference for the Public Safety Committee.

The Committee also reviewed 2014 Workplan actions, and suggested the following:

Action #1 – Business Watch Program

·         continue to work on this initiative

·         partner with Burnaby Board of Trade, BIAs and other businesses

·         provide list of services offered to businesses

Action #2 – Hotel/Motel Program

·         remove this action from the Workplan and replace with “Distracted Driving Program”

·         S/Sgt Major Buis undertook to provide information on “Distracted Driving Program” for the Workplan

Action #3 – Committee’s External Communications/Public Education Plan

·         a plan is being developed

·         consider using BCIT journalism program & SFU broadcasting program to reach youth

·         continue working with SLOs

·         consider having RCMP attend diversity events (i.e. multicultural festivals)

Arising from discussion, the Committee requested that the Administrative Officer for the Executive Committee of Council advise RCMP when grant requests for multicultural events at Swangard Stadium are approved.  RCMP will set up an information booth at those events.

Action #4 – Mental Health Intervention Program

·         continue to monitor this program

·         track calls and hours to determine cost to the City

Action #5 – Speed Watch Program

·         increase frequency of traffic enforcement at school zones and promote pedestrian safety

·         RCMP to investigate if letters to speeding drivers are sent by ICBC

Action #6 – Taxi Watch Program

·         remove this action from the Workplan

Arising from discussion, Mr. McLean was granted leave by the Committee to introduce the following motion:

MOVED BY MR. MCLEAN:

SECONDED BY TRUSTEE HAYES:

THAT the Public Safety Committee Workplan be prepared for two years with yearly updates.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

REPORT

MOVED BY MR. MCLEAN:

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

"THAT the report be received."

                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re:  Blue Ribbon Panel on Crime Reduction

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report providing information on the results of a Provincial consultation on crime reduction.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1. THAT Council authorize staff to write to the Provincial Ministry of Justice indicating support for the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Crime Reduction and to request the Province to consider the City’s comments on the Panel’s recommendations, as outlined in section 3.0 of this report.

MOVED BY TRUSTEE HAYES:

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

THAT the recommendation of the Director Planning and Building be adopted.

                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

MONTHLY REPORTS

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

SECONDED BY MR. MCLEAN:

THAT the Monthly Reports be received.

                                                                                                                                      CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

District #1 – March

Tony Wong, Chair, District #1 was absent and therefore there were no new updates.

b)

District #2 – February

Carolyn Orazietti, Chair, District #2 advised that an urban trail near Burnaby Mountain Secondary School is poorly lit and students feel it is unsafe.

Trustee Hayes advised the School District works with the City to identify issues.

Staff undertook to investigate the matter.

c)

District #3 – January

Lindy McQueen, Chair, District #3 advised that the community clean-up will be held on Saturday, 2015 May 02.

Ms. McQueen expressed concerns regarding the large amount of graffiti on a wolf mural on Edmonds.  The City’s Graffiti Coordinator has been contacted and is aware of the problem.

d)

District #4 – March

Mary Gates, Chair, District #4 had no new updates.

e)

RCMP - January & February

Chief Superintendent Critchley provided the following information regarding the annual crime statistics:

·         in 2014 Burnaby RCMP responded to 60,263 calls for service which represents an increase of 11% from 2013;

·         in the first two months of 2015 Burnaby is showing a decrease in a number of crime types, most significantly in auto-related property crime;

·         auto theft was down by 24% while theft from auto showed 23% decrease (the most significant drops were in District #3 with 57% decrease in thefts from autos and a 32% drop in auto theft);

·         robberies and break-ins at businesses decreased by 9% and break and enters to businesses dropped by 16% (48% decrease in break and enters to businesses in District #2);

·         all four districts experiencing an increase of break-ins at residences;

·         a joint Burnaby RCMP/VPD investigation “Project Tainted” successfully concluded with interdiction of a large scale Fentanyl distribution ring.  Firearms, drugs and money were seized as well as numerous people arrested.

6.

NEW BUSINESS

7.

INQUIRIES

8.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

SECONDED BY Mr. mclean:

THAT the 'Open' meeting do now adjourn.

                                                                   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The ‘Open’ meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Pietro Calendino

CHAIR