The Chair invited Tony Mahon, RCMP Operations Support Officer (OSO), to introduce Cpl. Nycki Basra to the Committee. On July 16, 2007 Cpl. Basra will assume the position of spokeswoman for the Richmond Detachment of the RCMP, filling the position vacated by the departure of Cpl. Peter Thiessen, who is moving to the RCMP’s Langley Detachment.

Cpl. Basra joined the Richmond RCMP in the spring of 2006. Before that time she worked on the Missing Women’s Task Force. On behalf of the Committee, the Chair welcomed Cpl. Basra and congratulated her on her new position within the Detachment.

MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

3.

PROHIBITION OF LATE NIGHT EVENTS (RAVES)

(Report:  April 19, 2007, File No.: 12-8060-20-8262 ) (REDMS No.2221776, 2239221, 263047)

Shawn Issel, Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs advised that the nature of raves presents challenges for security and for control. She added that the RCMP has increased its presence at the three raves held so far this year, and this has raised the cost of policing this type of event above the permit fee.

In response to a query regarding consequences for anyone who organizes an “underground rave”, Ms. Issel stated that the proposed Amendment Bylaw outlines significant penalties for contravention of the Late Night Event (Rave) Regulation Bylaw No. 7202.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw 8262, to amend Late Night Event (Raves) Regulation Bylaw No. 7202 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

4.

POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS (PBDE’s)

(Report:  May 10, 2007, File No.:  10-6125-01) (REDMS No. 2089675)

Margot Daykin, Assistant Manager, Environmental Programs, circulated a copy of a letter written to Federal Member of Parliament Peter Julian, who represents Burnaby-New Westminster, from Jim Lee, of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Canadian Operations (Schedule 1).

The IAFF’s letter supports MP Julian’s private member’s motion that calls on the Federal Government to phase out the production and import of items containing PBDE’s.

Ms. Daykin explained that PBDE’s applied to many household items as a flame retardant may reduce the amount of flame spread during a fire, but PBDEs do not prevent fires. Firefighters are concerned that PBDEs release dense fumes and black smoke as they burn, thereby reducing visibility in a fire situation. Chemical alternatives to PBDEs do exist and are available for the majority of manufacturing applications.

In response to a query, Ms. Daykin advised that the use of PBDEs is not listed on labels on products so consumers have limited access to information when making informed choices. A strengthened toxic chemical management program by the Federal Government would be one way to enhance communication regarding the presence of PBDE’s to the consumer. 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond City Council send a letter to the Federal Minister of Environment:

(a)

conveying support for the Federal Private Member’s Motion M-38 calling for legislation to completely phase out the production and importation of products containing Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) as long as a safer alternative has been identified, and

(b)

advocating for a strengthened Canadian Toxic Chemical Management program.

(2)

That staff provide input to Environment Canada’s current PBDE management strategy requesting that it incorporate:

(a)

a commitment to develop appropriate restrictions on the amount of PBDE applied to product and management strategies for addressing disposal and recycling of products or materials containing PBDEs; and,

(b)

a comparative risk assessment and identification of the most preferred products and techniques for reducing fire risk currently being addressed through use of PBDEs be undertaken, and commitment made to develop regulations to ban all non-preferred products.

CARRIED

5.

FIRE Chief Briefing

Fire Fighter Recruitment Update

Fire Chief Jim Hancock and Deputy Chief Geoff Lake reported on the progress of the recruitment process:

·            

of the 240 applications that had been received in April, 2007, 36 were rejected;

·            

of the 204 chosen for evaluation, 14 are qualified females and 25 are qualified visible minorities;

·            

after one of two psychological tests, and after one of two physical tests were conducted, the field of qualified females was reduced to 10, and the field of qualified visible minorities was reduced to 22; in addition, there are between 90 and 100 white males who have qualified as candidates;

·            

the next step involves a psychological assessment of all candidates to ensure that they are able to meet the emotional and mental aspects of firefighting;

·            

in the middle of July, 2007, individual interviews will be conducted and a minimum of 20 job offers will be made in early August, 2007;

·            

the start date of August 27, 2007 for successful candidates has not changed.

In response to a question from the Chair, Fire Chief Hancock confirmed that there has been no lowering of qualifications or standards of testing.

6.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(a)

Bicycle Squad

OSO Mahon updated Committee on the progress of the Bicycle Squad (initiated on June 1, 2007):

·         

the original squad of seven members has increased to eight, and comprises one Corporate and seven Constables;

·         

the RCMP wants to create two bicycle squads, perhaps as early as the end of July, 2007, and recruitment is being conducted through the RCMP detachment membership;

·         

one goal is to have enough bicycle squad members to achieve minimum of coverage of six days a week, as well as regular weekend coverage;

·         

another goal is to achieve high visibility for the bicycle squad thereby creating a sense of safety within the community, and encouraging members of the public to approach an RCMP officer on a bicycle;

·         

using information from the crime analysis office, the bicycle squad is deployed to areas in the City that benefit the most from this type of crime fighting;

·         

after six months, the bicycle squad’s activities and composition will be reviewed and evaluated;

In response to an inquiry, Officer In Charge (OIC) Ward Clapham advised that “no call is too small” and that if a resident called in to report suspicious activity, near the west dyke for example, members of the bicycle squad could be deployed to investigate. 

(b)

Enhanced Service Delivery at Steveston Community Police Station

OIC Clapham advised that the next step in developing the Community Policing Stations had recently been taken. The rationale was to ensure equality of service in each of Richmond’s districts. He reported that:

·         

of the 10 officers dedicated to South Arm and Steveston, eight have been reassigned, with a Corporal and a Constable now in Steveston, and a Constable in South Arm; these officers are fully responsible for volunteer programs and initiatives;

·         

neighbourhood Constables that respond to calls are connected through the creation of these “mini-detachments”;

·         

to ensure the changes are smooth, the OIC has worked out of one of these Community Police Stations part-time;

·         

training of a volunteer bicycle team is taking place at the Steveston Community Police Station;

·         

the RCMP has dedicated a full-time policewoman to Hamilton; at present she is working out of her vehicle, while making inroads and building bridges in that part of the City;

A brief discussion ensued with regard to RCMP Auxiliaries. OIC Clapham advised that:

·         

auxiliary constables are part of the bicycle squad;

·         

auxiliary constables who express interest in the Community Policing Stations will be placed there after their training;

·         

Council has authorized a total of 40 auxiliaries, overseen by one coordinator; at present there are 26 auxiliaries, four spares, and 16 soon to graduate from training.

7.

OTHER ITEMS – None.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Police Service Review – Ms. Issel advised that the community consultation phase of the Police Service Review involves a public Open House and feedback sessions which have been scheduled to take place at City Hall during the week of June 18, 2007:

·         

open house display only 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 18 through Friday, June 22, 2007

·         

open house display with staff on hand to respond to questions, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 21, 2007;

The open house information will be communicated to the public through a news release and advertisements in the local newspapers. Members of the public who do not come to City Hall for the open house can use a feedback form published on the City’s website.

Ms. Issel further reported that the Steering Committee, chaired by Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, has been established and the committee’s next meeting is on Friday, June 22, 2007.

Ms. Issel remarked that the consultant could present his draft of the report in front of the Committee in July, 2007.

The Chair advised that the consultant has invited members of Council to speak directly to him if desired. Ms. Issel is the contact in this regard.

(b)

RCMP Integrated Teams – Ms. Issel reported that the Lower Mainland District has completed the first phase of the review of the Integrated Teams: (i) Dogs (ii) Forensic Identification and (iii) Traffic Reconstructionists. The first phase of integration (scheduling and bringing people together under one reporting structure) is complete.

The second phase  (the completion of budgetary transfer) is scheduled to be complete in April, 2008. Spreadsheets have been provided to Richmond with information and projections regarding what those costs will be over the next few years.

Staff has requested, and are awaiting the arrival of, performance measures information on the three teams to determine if they are meeting service levels for the communities they serve. More information will be forthcoming.

(c)

UBCM Grant for Emergency Planning - Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs reported that the City’s application to UBCM for a grant for emergency planning had met with success, and that the $5,000 grant awarded to Richmond would be used for training and exercises to enhance the City’s ability and capacity to respond to emergencies.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:54 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, June 12, 2007.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Chair

Sheila Johnston
Committee Clerk