MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 12, 2011, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

Steven Ly, Block Watch Captain, representing the Hamilton community, stated that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of break and enters in his neighbourhood. 

He noted that based on the statistics available on the City’s website, there have been fifteen break and enters in the Hamilton area since December 2010, with the latest one having occurred on March 7, 2011.  Mr. Ly commented that residents are very concerned with their families’ safety.

Mr. Ly submitted a petition (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) with 375 signatures, representing approximately 300 households seeking to accomplish two things for the Hamilton community: (i) a permanent increased police presence; and (ii) the establishment of community police station.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Ly noted that (i) it appears that most the break and enters are occurring during the day, while residents are at work; and (ii) items stolen from the homes are small, such as electronics, jewellery, and cash.

Renny Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, stated that often a spike in break and enters in a particular area is attributed to a previously incarcerated individual who has recently been released.

In reply to queries from Committee, OIC Nesset provided the following information:

§         

the establishment of a permanent community police station in the Hamilton area will not make a significant impact on the break and enters;

§         

the biggest impact for the Hamilton area will be for the police to identify the individual victimizing the neighbourhood;

§         

RCMP Staff Sergeants are responsible to ensure their members are patrolling their respective zones; and

§         

due to the number incidents that occur simultaneously, response times vary as the RCMP must prioritize all its calls depending on the severity of each situation.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the presentation by Steven Ly, Block Watch Captain for the Hamilton Area, be received for information; and

(2)

That the petition submitted by Steven Ly, Block Watch Captain for the Hamilton Area, seeking an increased police presence and the establishment of community police station in the Hamilton Area, be referred to staff for analysis.

CARRIED

Mayor Brodie left the meeting (4:20 p.m.).

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

Review Of General RCMP Costs and General Richmond Detachment Job Functions

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3148375)

In reply to queries from Committee, OIC Nesset advised that (i) the Richmond RCMP are not notified in any capacity of the establishment of legal medicinal marijuana grow operations; and (ii) Richmond RCMP Sergeants and Corporals have at least seven years experience.

It was noted that Committee still wished to receive information regarding the length of service of members at the Richmond RCMP detachment.

Mayor Brodie returned to the meeting (4:24 p.m.).

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “Review of General RCMP Costs and General Richmond Detachment Job Functions” dated February 11, 2011 be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

RCMP's Monthly Report – January 2011 Activities

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3139547)

Discussion ensued regarding Live Scan, an inkless electronic fingerprinting machine, and its value to the Richmond RCMP detachment.  It was noted that criminal record checks require fingerprinting and often, the processing of all the information collected, including fingerprints, take a long time.  A comment was made regarding whether the implementation of fingerprinting by means of the Live Scan model, may expedite the criminal record check process.

OIC Nesset advised that the Richmond RCMP anticipates implementing Live Scan at the detachment, however, the acquisition process is rather slow.

It was moved and seconded

That Live Scan be referred to the Richmond OIC to analyse and report back on the implications of implementing Live Scan at the Richmond detachment, including any financial impacts.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – January 2011 Activities” dated February 25, 2011 be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Coastal Watch Report

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3160004)

OIC Nesset provided background information and responded to queries from Committee.

Discussion ensued and it was noted that the Richmond Coastal Watch Program is a land based community crime prevention program for anyone who lives, works, or spends time on or near the water.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “Coastal Watch Report” dated February 21, 2011 be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP Marine Vessel Program

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3164647)

OIC Nesset provided background information and distributed a photograph of the proposed RCMP Marine Vessel (Schedule 1).

In reply to queries from Committee, OIC Nesset and Deanne Burleigh, Operations Officer, Richmond RCMP, provided the following information regarding the proposed RCMP Marine Vessel Program:

§         

the vessel itself has a long lifespan, however the vessel’s motors do not;

§         

it is anticipated that there be one, six hour shift per weekday, with two regular member constables from the general duty complement, accompanied by an auxiliary constable;

§         

during major events, it is anticipated that there be two shifts per weekday;

§         

the seasonal policing fund would cover any overtime costs associated with the proposed program; and

§         

it is anticipated that the program run during the heavy water usage season, typically from May through September.

Discussion ensued and Committee commented that often programs such as the proposed RCMP Marine Vessel begin with little or no cost to the City, however over time, these programs evolve as do their costs.  Also, it was noted that the Richmond RCMP detachment currently has several hard vacancies, and although the proposed program anticipates to utilize existing members, it would further stretch its resources.

A comment was made that the proposed RCMP Marine Vessel program be implemented as a pilot program, with an analysis of its various aspects at the end of the boating season.

Discussion further ensued and Committee queried the role of the Canadian Coast Guard and how the proposed RCMP Marine Vessel program’s mandate would integrate with the Canadian Coast Guard’s.

As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the OIC’s report entitled “RCMP Marine Vessel Program” dated February 25, 2011, be endorsed as pilot program; and

(2)

That staff be directed to review the RCMP Marine Vessel Program at the end of the summer boating season and report back on the various aspects of the program.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued and it was noted that more information from the “E” Division was required on the operation of the RCMP’s existing marine vessels and their role in policing Richmond’s waters.  Also, Committee sought more information on what aspects of policing would be carried out by the proposed Richmond RCMP Marine Vessel.  Furthermore, Committee queried what type of policing Vancouver Police Department’s marine vessels conduct and the volume of such policing.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

That the OIC’s report entitled “RCMP Marine Vessel Program” dated February 25, 2011, be referred back to staff for more information and report back at the April 2011 Community Safety Committee meeting.

CARRIED

5.

Regular Member, RCMP Professional Standards Position

(File Ref. No.:  09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3143357)

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, provided background information and advised that funding for a regular member, RCMP Professional Standards position was being sought as part of the 2012 budget process.  She noted that it was not assumed that funding for the position be included as part of the 2012 budget.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC's report entitled "Regular Member, RCMP Professional Standards Position" dated February 10, 2011 be considered as part of the 2012 Budget process.

CARRIED

6.

Community Bylaws – January 2011 Activity Report

(File Ref. No.:  12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3154343)

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, clarified that the headings on the table titled ‘Year Over RAPS Shelter Comparison Report’ on page 7 of the staff report entitled ‘Community Bylaws – January 2011 Activity Report’ should read as follows from left to right: lost dogs; lost cats; dogs surrendered; dog adoptions; dog impounds; cat impounds.

In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Mercer advised that the City is occasionally compensated for loss of income due to development construction which temporarily restrict access to roads that typically collect parking revenue.

Discussion ensued regarding licensed medical marihuana grow operations and in reply to queries from Committee, Kim Howell, Deputy Chief – Administration, provided the following information:

§         

licences are issued by Health Canada;

§         

there are two types of licences: Personal-Use Production licence and Designated-Person Production licence; and

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under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Marihuana Medical Access Regulation does not require that licensees have a fire safety inspection of the premises where the marihuana is grown.

Discussion ensued regarding concerns related to the location of licensed medical marihuana grow operations in the City and it was noted that if the City were to be privy to such information, it could all be released under a request as per the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Community Bylaws – January 2011 Activity Report” dated March 1, 2011, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

(i)

Kitchen Fires

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, advised that a media release was forthcoming regarding kitchen fire as an analysis of Fire-Rescues statistics indicated that there has been a 30% increase in cooking related fires.

8.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

(i)

Introduction of Steve Ilott, Auxiliary Constable Coordinator

OIC Nesset introduced Steve Ilott, Auxiliary Constable Coordinator and commented on Mr. Ilott’s past experience with the RCMP as an Auxiliary Constable.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Ilott advised that it is anticipated that the recruitment of new Auxiliary Constables commence in June 2011 and that Auxiliary Constables are requested to commit to a minimum of two years service, and volunteer a minimum of 160 hours a year.

In reply to a query from Committee regarding Beat Patrol, an enhanced uniform presence along the No. 3 Road corridor, OIC Nesset advised that the Richmond RCMP hopes to integrate the patrol into the general duty division.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s verbal report on the Beat Patrol be received for information.

CARRIED

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Greg Scott, Director, Project Development and Deanne Burleigh, Operations Officer, Richmond RCMP, to provide an update on the Community Safety Building Headquarters at 11451 No. 5 Road.

Greg Scott, Director, Project Development, provided an update on the progress of the Community Safety Building Headquarters at 11451 No. 5 Road.  Mr. Scott reviewed the work that has been completed to date and highlighted that it is anticipated that the project be completed by November 2011.  Also, Mr. Scott noted that a staff report on the use of the existing Community Safety Building is forthcoming.

In reply to a query from Committee, Jane Fernyhough, Director, Arts, Culture & Heritage Services, advised that five artists have been selected to create concepts for public art for the site, and the public art budget is $90,000.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:38 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, March 15, 2011.

_________________________________

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Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk