MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, December 9^th, 2003, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, February 10^th, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

RICHMOND RCMP ANNUAL REPORT 2003
(PowerPoint Presentation)  (File No. 5375-01)

Supt. Ward Clapham introduced Inspectors Tony Mahon and Renny Nesset.  He then played a video clip which had aired on Global TV in December, 2003, regarding the Detachments efforts in dealing with youth in local high schools. 

Supt. Clapham then presented the Detachments 2003 Annual Report through a PowerPoint presentation.  A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerks Office.

Following the conclusion of the presentation, discussion ensued among Committee and the delegation on:

●          

the PRIME technology program and how it assisted in identifying the suspects in the death of Cst. Jimmy Ng

●          

grow ops and the significant changes which had occurred during the past year; the incursion of organized crime into this area; the increase in the number of grow ops occurring in high rise apartments; how the grow rip industry was impacting marijuana growers, the large increase in the percentage of grow rips selecting homes which were the wrong address; and how the Detachment was dealing with these problems

●          

the proposal to place police officers in East Richmond and Hamilton, and the steps being taken to ensure not only that the expectations of area residents were met but also that the Detachments presence was felt

●          

whether Block Watch neighbourhood groups had been consulted about being trained in what to look for with respect to potential grow op sites

●          

the targeted approach taken by the Detachment with respect to random speed zone checks which resulted in zero fatalities from street racing

●          

the process followed by the public when submitting complaints about potential grow op locations, and whether the onus was on the public to provide documentation on potential sites

●          

the rationale for the decrease in the number of auto thefts occurring in Richmond

●          

the Ticketing for Good Behaviour program; whether statistics could be provided on the success of the program, and how funding was provided

●          

organized crime; the communitys need to recognize that organized crime had moved into Richmond, and the need to deal with this issue

●          

the impact of Skytrain, RAV and organized crime coming into Richmond and what could be expected for the future with respect to drugs and youth

●          

whether police officers should be working in classrooms along side teachers to educate students about gangs and gang violence

●          

whether an increase in manpower was the answer and whether officers were trained to do more than one job

●          

whether the Detachment consulted with other municipalities to see if there were better ways of dealing with specific issues.

During the discussion, the RCMP were congratulated on their successes over the past year, especially for their work with the community and youth in particular.

With reference to the discussion on the impact of Skytrain, RAV and organized crime coming into Richmond and what could be expected for the future with respect to drugs and youth, the following resolution was adopted:

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP be included in any discussions between Council or City staff and RAVCO, regarding Skytrain and the RAV Project in terms of bringing organized crime into the City thereby affecting City security.

CARRIED

Discussion continued, with a question being raised about whether the Detachment was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. David Patterson on dealing with grow ops.  Advice was given that the Detachment had received the letter, and a brief discussion ensued on how the frustration of Richmond residents with respect to grow ops could be addressed.  Also addressed was the impact which the decriminalization of marijuana could have on the City, and information was requested for a future meeting on whether (i) the decriminalization of marijuana would increase the market for organized crime in this area, and (ii) decriminalization was for possession of marijuana or also related to growing the plant. 

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:05 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 Tuesday, January 13^th, 2004.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda Barnes
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office