PUBLIC
SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
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Thursday, 2015 May 14
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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.
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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.
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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.
MOVED BY Mr. McLean:
SECONDED BY councillor Mcdonell:
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THAT
the minutes of the Open meeting held on 2015 March 12 be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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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.
MOVED BY Mr. Holden:
SECONDED BY Ms. McQueen:
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THAT
the correspondence be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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**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.
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:
SECONDED BY mr. ritchie:
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THAT
the report be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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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.
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**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.
MOVED BY Mr. MCLEAN:
SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR KANG:
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THAT
the Monthly Reports be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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There
were no submissions for District #1.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.**
There
was no new business brought before the Committee at this time.
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.
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR MCDONELL:
SECONDED BY Mr. MCLEAN:
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THAT
this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The
‘Open’ meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
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________________________
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________________________
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Blanka
Zeinabova
ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER
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Councillor
Pietro Calendino
CHAIR
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