MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, May 14^th, 2002, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

SERVICE LEVEL REVIEW - RCMP
(Report:  May 28/02, File No.:  0340-20-CSAF3) (REDMS No. 725185, 653288, 458745)  (PowerPoint presentation)

The General Manager, Community Safety, Chuck Gale, spoke about the commitment to enter into a letter of understanding between the City and the RCMP for the provision of services, and he then explained the purpose of todays review.  Mr. Gale then briefly reviewed attachments 2 and 3 to the staff report.

Superintendent Ward Clapham, Officer in Charge, Richmond Detachment, RCMP, introduced Inspectors Renny Nesset, Tony Mahon and Keith Bramhill to the Committee.  Supt. Clapham stated that his goal for 2002 was to undertake a thorough review of the operations of his department.  With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, he then reviewed and responded to questions on the services provided by the Richmond Detachment of the RCMP.  A copy of the presentation is attached as Schedule A and forms part of these minutes.

During the review, Sgt. Wendall provided information on the community policing stations established in Steveston and South Arm, and reported on the status of the evaluations undertaken following the establishment of these facilities.  He also provided information on the operation of the community policing stations and the duties of the officers who were in attendance at the stations.

(Mayor Brodie left the meet at 5:23 p.m., during the review process, and did not return.)

(Cllr. Greenhill left the meet at 5:30 p.m., during the review process, and did not return.)

Discussion also took place on the need for direction from Council to make cuts to the budget and whether these reductions should only relate to police officers or also from RCMP municipal staff.  Also addressed was the possible future expansion of the RCMP department and the difficulties in expanding on limited resources; and the need to provide a safe community for Richmond residents, while at the same time maintaining service and optimizing growth.

(Cllr. Steves left the meet at 5:37 p.m., during the review process, and did not return.)

(Cllr. E. Halsey-Brandt left the meet at 5:43 p.m., during the review process, and did not return.)

Discussion also ensued on E-Comm, during which Mr. Gale provided an update on the status of the situation, during which he noted that certain upcoming decisions could have an impact on the City's budget and the level of service currently provided. 

Mr. Gale referred to the Youth Intervention Program for which funding had not been approved for 2002, and advised that unless directed otherwise, he intended to apply for additional level funding for the Program for 2003.

As a result of the discussion, the following items were referred to staff for further review and report to the Committee:

(1)

Feasibility of integrating community policing stations with the new fire halls, i.e. Hamilton, in the Cambie area; in the Thompson area, and in the Aberdeen area;

(2)

Youth Liaison as opposed to School Liaison;

(3)

Performance measurements on-going reviews and reports (assessments);

(4)

How to accomplish both change in service and growth in calls for service;

(5)

How to accommodate budget reductions or service level and programs changes;

(6)

How to accommodate community growth;

(7)

Provide definition of programs and services and link to cost; also, separate core services from optional services;

(8)

Feasibility of creating a policy on receiving gifts, e.g. accommodating community policing stations within privately owned facilities;

(9)

Need to increase investment in youth and school programs;

(10)

How to optimize (i) the involvement of auxiliary police officers, and (ii) volunteer programs;

(11)

Need to focus on prevention, youth, and education;

(12)

Different options for responding to calls for service; and

(13)

Consideration of a marketing plan for Richmond as a safe city.

With reference to the above list, Mr. Gale, in response to a question from the Chair, stated that it was staffs expectation that between now and September, the proposed policing plan would be presented to the Committee.  He stated that that plan would address all of the issues raised during this meeting.  In response, the Chair asked that these issues be specifically identified in the plan.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated May 28, 2002, from the OIC, RCMP), regarding Service Levels for the RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:29 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Thursday, June 6^th, 2002.

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Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant