PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Thursday, 2015 May 14

 

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 May 14 at 6:00 PM.

 

 

1.

CALL TO ORDER

 

 

            PRESENT:    Councillor Pietro Calendino, Chair

                                    Councillor Paul McDonell, Vice Chair

                                    Councillor Anne Kang, Member

                                    Mr. Paul Holden, Burnaby Board of Trade

                                    Ms. Donna Dawson, Burnaby Crime Prevention Society

                                    Mr. Stephen McLean, Citizens’ Representative

                                    Mr. David Pereira, Citizens’ Representative

                                    Mr. Trevor Ritchie, Citizens’ Representative

                                    Ms. Carolyn Orazietti, Chair, District #2 – Burnaby Mountain

                                    Ms. Lindy McQueen, Chair, District #3 – Southeast

                                    Ms. Mary Gates, Chair, District #4 – Southwest

 

            ABSENT:       Mr. Larry Hayes, School Trustee

                                    Ms. Emma Lee, Citizens’ Representative

                                    Ms. Emily Li, Citizens’ Representative

                                    Mr. Dan De Santis, Citizens’ Representative

                                    Mr. Tony Wong, Chair, District #1 – Hastings/Brentwood

 

            STAFF:          Chief Supt. Dave Critchley, OIC, RCMP

                                    S/Sgt Major John Buis, Executive NCO, RCMP

                                    Insp. Kathy Hartwig, Community Programs Officer, RCMP

                                    Sgt. Gregor Aitken, Strategic Planner, RCMP

                                    Const. Shelby Murphy, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator, RCMP

                                    Mr. Lambert Chu, Deputy City Manager

                                    Ms. Kathy Wipf, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator

                                    Ms. Margaret Manifold, Social Planner

                                    Ms. Blanka Zeinabova, Administrative Officer

 

The Chair called the ‘Open’ meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

 

            Councillor Calendino introduced Ms. Kathy Wipf, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator for the            City of Burnaby. 

 

            Chief Supt. Critchley introduced three new RCMP members – Insp. Kathy            Hartwig,             Community Programs Officer, Sgt. Gregor Aitken, Strategic Planner, and Const. Shelby Murphy, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator.

 

 

2.

MINUTES

 

 

a)

Minutes of the Public Safety Committee

Open meeting held on 2015 March 12

 

 

MOVED BY Mr. McLean:

SECONDED BY councillor Mcdonell:

 

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting held on 2015 March 12 be adopted.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

3.

PRESENTATIONS

 

 

a)

Steve Elson, Police Coordinator

Re:  Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers

Speaker: Steve Elson

 

 

            Mr. Steve Elson, Police Coordinator, Crime Stoppers appeared before the             Committee to provide information on Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers.  Mr.           Elson noted that Crime Stoppers is an independent, non-profit society and registered charity managed by a civilian Board of Directors working in partnership        with the police, the media and local citizens.  Crime Stoppers operates 24 hours a          day, 7 days a week. Crime Stoppers call centre (Tip Line) is located in Ontario,     and they also have a translation service (115 languages).    There are currently        30 member programs of BC Crime Stoppers (an umbrella organization for   individual community-based Crime Stoppers programs in the Province).  Last year, BC Crime Stoppers received over 4,000 tips.

 

            The speaker noted that Crime Stoppers is a vehicle that allows citizens to anonymously supply the police with information about a crime or potential crime    of which they have knowledge without fear of reprisal.  Crime Stoppers provides       a          cash reward up to $2,000 upon an arrest and charge for a tip.

 

**Councillor McDonell retired from the meeting at 6:34 p.m.**

 

**Councillor McDonell returned to the meeting at 6:35 p.m. and took his place at the Committee table.**

 

            Ms. McQueen inquired how an individual can claim a reward.

 

 

 

 

            Mr. Elson noted that in order to claim a reward, the person receives a code (i.e.    ABC123) and have 60 days to respond to Crime Stoppers.

 

            Mr. McLean inquired regarding Crime Stoppers funding.

 

            It was noted that 60% of funding is received from the government and 40% is       obtained through fundraising (i.e. golf tournaments) and private donations.

 

            Mr. Pereira inquired regarding statistics across Canada.

 

            Mr. Elson noted that Crime Stoppers is third best program in North America.

 

            Councillor McDonell inquired about different divisions of Crime Stoppers in BC.

 

            The speaker noted there are 30 member programs in BC, i.e. Kamloops, Central Okanagan, Prince George, Williams Lake, etc., governed by BC Board of            Directors.  Metro Vancouver program is the largest and receives about 60% of             the tips.

 

            The Chair thanked Mr. Elson for very informative presentation.

 

 

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

 

 

MOVED BY Mr. Holden: 

SECONDED BY Ms. McQueen:

 

THAT the correspondence be received.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Correspondence from Cathryn Palmer, President CAPG

Re: Canadian Association of Police Governance

 

 

**Councillor Kang retired from the meeting at 6:44 p.m.**

 

            Correspondence was received from Ms. Cathryn Palmer, President of Canadian             Association of Police Governance (CAPG) providing information on the CAPG.  It           was noted that CAPG was founded in 1989 and now represents over 75% of   municipal police services in Canada.  Ms. Palmer invited Burnaby RCMP to     consider becoming a member of the CAPG.

 

 

 

 

 

5.

REPORTS

 

 

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL: 

SECONDED BY mr. ritchie:

 

THAT the report be received.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

Report from Director Planning & Building and OIC, Burnaby RCMP

Re: Public Safety Committee 2015 Workplan

 

 

The Director Planning and Building and OIC, RCMP submitted a report providing an update on implementation of the Public Safety Committee's 2014 Workplan, and proposing a Workplan for 2015.

The Director Planning and Building and OIC, RCMP recommended:

1. THAT the Committee request Council to endorse its proposed 2015 Workplan, attached as Appendix 1.

 

**Councillor Kang returned to the meeting at 6:47 p.m. and took her place at the Committee table.**

 

            Arising from discussion, the Committee requested that the Appendix 1 – Action #3          – be revised to read as follows: 

 

            a.         Request updates on the implementation of the RCMP’s Mental Health                               Intervention Program and identify possible gaps in service for people                                 experiencing mental illness and report them to Fraser Health for action.

 

            b.         Work towards reducing policing costs related to mental health calls for                               service.

 

            MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:

            SECONDED BY MR. RITCHIE:

 

            THAT the recommendation of the Director Planning and Building and OIC, RCMP          be adopted.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

            Chief Supt. Critchley advised that RCMP, together with City staff, working on the            updated  website for Business Watch.   The following  information and  links will be

 

 

 

            available in the future – crime maps, workshops, crime alerts, public safety           partners, tips and resources and contact us.

 

            The Committee inquired how the information regarding a new website will be      conveyed to businesses.

 

            Chief Supt. Critchley suggested mail out, attach information when applying for    business license, use media (print and TV) and social media, and press release.

 

            Mr. Holden noted that Burnaby Board of Trade is hosting Business Showcase and         Expo on Thursday, 2015 May 21 and suggested RCMP have a booth at the event.

 

            RCMP undertook to investigate the feasibility to have static displays at the event             with information about the upcoming Business Watch website.

 

 

6.

MONTHLY REPORTS

 

 

MOVED BY Mr. MCLEAN: 

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR KANG:

 

THAT the Monthly Reports be received.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

a)

District #1

 

 

            There were no submissions for District #1.

           

b)

District #2

 

 

            Ms. Orazietti, Chair noted that the District #2 encourages youth participation. North         Burnaby Secondary School established “Crime Prevention Club” and Burnaby        Mountain Secondary School started “Graffiti Busters Club”.

 

            The Chair noted that some volunteers questioned changes in the Crime Watch   Program, and inquired clarification.

 

            Chief Supt. Critchley noted that work is underway on the mandate/terms of           references in order to be consistent with RCMP policies and procedures.  The      main reason behind the changes is to ensure safety of all volunteers.

 

            Councillor Calendino requested staff meet with members to convey the information       about these changes.

 

 

 

            Staff undertook to provide the necessary information to all members.

 

c)

District #3

 

 

            Ms. McQueen, Chair advised that Edmonds Spring Clean Sweep on May 02 was             successful, with 52 people in attendance.  It was noted Ms. Wipf and Const.         Murphy assisted with graffiti removal.

 

            The speaker noted that District #2 will be participating at the Edmonds Bike Fair on         June 05 at the Edmonds Community School.

 

d)

District #4

 

 

            Mr. Gates, Chair noted that Speed Watch volunteers are looking forward to meet             with new officer in charge of traffic safety. 

 

            The speaker noted rise of theft from autos and a $10,000 theft of construction tools         left on Anthem Properties.

 

            It was noted that the ICBC focus for May 2015 is high speed offences.  May 15 will         highlight this activity with a traffic blitz conducted from Mission to Vancouver.

 

            Ms. Gates inquired regarding the Citizen Complaint Forms at the City Hall.

 

            Staff noted that the Citizen Complaint Forms are available at the City Hall or         people can contact the City through the website.

 

e)

Graffiti

 

           

            Ms. Wipf, Anti-Graffiti Coordinator advised that the Anti-Graffiti Program was        developed by the Mayor’s Task Force on Graffiti in 2007.  The program consists of      four main elements – eradication, education, prevention and identification and     deterrence.

 

            The speaker noted that development of Graffiti Busters Program (with cooperation          of Burnaby Mountain Secondary students and Burnaby North Road BIA).  This is a            pilot program where student volunteers are being educated about graffiti and will            be doing graffiti removal.  In the fall, these students will go to their feeder     elementary schools to educate the Grades 6 and 7 classes.  The goal is to expand     this program to all secondary schools in Burnaby.

 

            Ms. Wipf advised regarding development of the Lower Mainland Enforcement      Team which consists of police officers and municipal staff in Metro Vancouver   area.  This enforcement team will be targeting prolific graffiti vandals.

 

 

 

            It was noted that the City’s Anti-Graffiti Program continues with ongoing    community paint outs, bylaw enforcement, responding to complaints and       monitoring neighbourhoods with mapping out problem areas.

 

f)

RCMP

 

 

            Chief Supt. Critchley noted recent escalation of violence and shooting in Surrey             and Delta.  It was noted that Burnaby RCMP members targeted individuals at the         street level drug trade, and as a result, an arrest was made with attempted       murder charges pending.

 

            The speaker noted that a number of investigations are underway regarding          member involved shooting, and advised that member acted according to a policy;        however, further details cannot be released.

 

            Chief Superintendent noted that in the first four months of 2015, the number of   crime types in the community significantly decreased. The most significant drop    was in theft from auto in District #3 by 38% and auto theft by 18%.  A number of     robberies also decreased. 

 

            It was noted that the detachment is experiencing challenges in the break and enter        to residencies, due to warmer weather and longer daylight hours.

 

            S/Sgt Major Buis advised that 2015 August 15 marks 65th anniversary of the         Burnaby RCMP.  There will be a number of activities planned, i.e. barbeque at the     City Hall, displays at the Burnaby Village Museum, regimental dinner, etc.).

 

            Chief Supt. Critchley noted that a new Media Relations Officer will start in June.

 

            Chief Superintendent also noted that a report on Cell Watch and Speed Watch   Programs will be submitted at the next Public Safety Committee meeting.

 

**Ms. Dawson retired from the meeting at 7:45 p.m. and did not return.**

 

           

7.

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

             There was no new business brought before the Committee at this time.

 

 

8.

INQUIRIES

 

 

            Stephen McLean

 

            Mr. McLean inquired regarding a violent incident on Bryant Street, where his       neighbour’s 16 year old son was hit over the head with a pipe, injured and robbed.

 

            Chief Superintendent advised he is aware of the incident; however, does not know        more details, and also cannot comment on the case.  The speaker also noted that         he believes this is an isolated incident.

 

           

9.

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL: 

SECONDED BY Mr. MCLEAN: 

 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

 

                                                                                    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The ‘Open’ meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Pietro Calendino

CHAIR