MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, March 13, 2012, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

Introduction of Inspector Sean Maloney

Renny Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, introduced Inspector Sean Maloney and spoke briefly about Inspector Maloney’s 30 year service and past experience with the RCMP.

2.

RCMP's Monthly Report – November 2011 Activities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3422437)

See Item 3. for discussion and action taken on Item 2.

3.

RCMP's Monthly Report – december 2011 Activities

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3441114)

Items 2. and 3. were discussed simultaneously.

OIC Nesset reviewed the RCMP statistics for November and December of 2011 and advised that: (i) robberies had increased as a result of street level, or curbside, theft of cell phones and tablets; and (ii) break-and-enters in residential homes has increased.

Discussion ensued regarding pedestrian safety issues and auxiliary constables.

In reply to a query, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, advised that she and OIC Nesset had met to discuss activities at the City’s Community Police Offices, such as South Arm, and Steveston, and that staff will come back to Committee with further information.

In response to the Chair’s query regarding the increase in sexual offences, OIC Nesset confirmed that, historically, sexual offences occur between acquaintances, not strangers.

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – November 2011 Activities” dated December 1, 2011, be received for information; and

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the OIC’s report entitled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – December 2011 Activities” dated January 5, 2012, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

Community Bylaws – November 2011 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3428370)

See Item 5. for discussion and action taken on Item 4.

5.

Community Bylaws - DECEMBER 2011 Activity Report

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3457416)

Items 4. and 5. were discussed simultaneously

In reply to a query Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, noted that it was unusual that two parking meters had been stolen in November, though it is not unusual for parking meters to be vandalized. He added that the stolen meters were located in a deserted warehouse.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Community Bylaws – November 2011 Activity Report” dated December 14, 2011, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “Community Bylaws - December 2011 Activity Report” dated January 23, 2012, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

2012/2013 RCMP Annual Performance Plan – Community Priorities

(File No. 09-5000-01)(REDMS No. 3459169) 

OIC Nesset provided background information and in response to comments made by Committee, he noted that pedestrian safety and the development of a community policing presence in the City Centre were identified as objectives for the 2012/2013 performance plan.

Discussion ensued, and in particular regarding: (i) the measured outcomes of success for the 2010/2011 performance plan will be forthcoming soon; (ii) police presence, patrolling on foot, in the City Centre will continue; (iii) besides the two identified objectives, the RCMP will work to abate property-related crimes, and will work on all objectives to attain desired outcomes.

The Chair noted that the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program is valuable to the students who participate.

It was moved and seconded

That the two Community Objectives be selected, as identified in the staff report dated January 24, 2012 from the Officer In Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, for inclusion in the 2012/2013 Annual Performance Plan.

CARRIED

7.

2011 Fourth Quarter Report – Richmond Fire-Rescue

(File No.)(REDMS No. 3432651) 

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), in response to a query, stated that when 911 receives a call for assistance for a victim of assault, usually the RCMP response first but RFR and ambulance services also attend. He added that there is good communication among the attending parties.

It was moved and seconded

That the report on Fire-Rescue’s operations from October 1 to December 31, 2011 be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Station 10) Proposed Boathouse Location

(File No. 06-2345-20-ILAN1)(REDMS No. 3355625) 

Mayor Brodie entered the meeting (4:45 p.m.)

In response to a query regarding the consultation undertaken with the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative (SPHC) Serena Lusk, Manager, Parks Programs and Dave Semple, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, advised that the SPHC’s Executive Committee has accepted, in principle, the relocation of the Station 10, Richmond Coast Guard Auxiliary to Scotch Pond. It was noted that the SPHC’s Annual General Meeting takes place in March.

·          

staff worked with members of Station 10, Richmond Coast Guard Auxiliary to review a wide range of potential locations for Station 10 to moor its vessel, and those potential locations, including Imperial Landing, are listed in Attachment 3 of the staff report;

·          

staff would undertake more consultation, and would come back to Committee with any financial implications;

·          

after the SPHC’s Executive Committee takes the idea to its membership at the March Annual General Meeting, staff would come back to Committee;

·          

the agreement for the moorage of the Station 10, Richmond Coast Guard Auxiliary is an agreement between the City and the Coast Guard; and 

·          

SPHC operates Scotch Pond under a license from the City and whether the relocation of Station 10, Richmond Coast Guard Auxiliary to Scotch Pond would modify that license in any way.

Brian Hobbs, Coxswain, Station 10, Richmond Coast Guard Auxiliary advised that he was available to respond to questions Committee might have. He noted that Station 10 has waited five years for a relocation site, and that another few weeks, to accommodate the SPHC’s Annual General Meeting would be fine.

Mr. Hobbs submitted a report that summarized: (i) the work conducted by volunteer search and rescue in the City; (ii) cost savings incurred at all levels of government; and (iii) current support of other volunteer search and rescue stations. (The report is on file in the City Clerk’s Office).

In response to a query, Mr. Hobbs advised that Station 10, Richmond Coast Guard Auxiliary has not yet had an opportunity to address the SPHC.

The Chair noted that negotiations have been between the City and SPHC.

A brief discussion ensued and there was general agreement that further consultation with the membership of SPHC should be undertaken, especially in light of the Cooperative’s impending Annual General Meeting.

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

It was moved and seconded

That:

(i)

 the staff report entitled “Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Station 10) Proposed Boathouse Location” be referred back to staff; and

(ii)

after further consultation with the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative, staff bring further information forward to the Community Safety Committee meeting, tentatively scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2012.

CARRIED

9.

Chauffeurs’ Permits

(File No. 09-5000-01) 

Discussion ensued among OIC Nesset, Lainie Goddard, Manager, RCMP Administration, Ms. Carlyle and Committee regarding the process of Chauffeurs’ Permits being renewed not on an annual basis, but on a biennial basis, and in particular on:

·          

what are the consequences to a person with a Chauffeurs’ Permit who  commits a criminal offence;

·          

the RCMP controls the issuance and approval of Chauffeur Permits;

·          

no fee is charged for the Chauffeurs’ Permit, but a fee is charged for the Criminal Records Check required as part of the application process; and

·          

Chauffeurs’ Permit processes at other municipalities.

In response to Committee’s request that further information regarding the mechanism to cancel or suspend a Chauffeurs’ Permit should the permit holder commit, and/or be charged with a criminal offence, OIC Nesset advised that: (i) further information will be furnished to Council before the Monday, February 27, 2012 Council meeting, and (ii) an oral report will be given by the OIC at the next meeting of the Community Safety Committee meeting, tentatively scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.

It was moved and seconded

That the requirement for the renewal of Chauffeurs’ Permits be changed from an annual to a biennial basis beginning January 1, 2013 as outlined in the staff report dated January 31, 2012 from the OIC, RCMP Richmond Detachment.

CARRIED

10.

AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY RESPONSE WITHIN RICHMOND

(File No.)(REDMS No. 3462128) 

In response to a query Fire Chief McGowan, and Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Chief – Operations provided Committee with the following rationale for the viability of training RFR personnel to respond to aircraft emergencies: (i) a recognition of the need to educate RFR employees on specific hazards, and allow RFR personnel to understand the practices specific to aircraft emergency response and work more effectively with YVR emergency services personnel; and (ii) when incidents of aircraft emergency occur in the City, RFR staff will be able to manage these events with greater effectiveness and efficiency, thereby providing a safer community for residents.

Discussion ensued, and in particular with regard to: (i) RFR personnel remaining in Richmond, while external service and training providers would travel to Richmond to deliver the training; and (ii) RFR is working with YVR emergency services personnel to align training methods.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled Aircraft Emergency Response Within Richmond, dated February 3, 2012 from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

11.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

(i)

Pink Shirt Day, February 29, 2012

Fire Chief McGowan reported that RFR personnel would wear pink T-shirts on February 29, 2012, in support of the Stop Bullying Campaign.

(ii)

CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) Saves Lives

Deputy Chief Wilkinson noted that February is Heart Smart Month, and RFR supports programs that encourage the general public to get involved with CPR training. A media bulletin this month has reminded the public that CPR saves lives. He added that in the last year’s last quarter, RFR responded to 24 cardiac-related calls.

(iii)

Pedestrian Safety Campaign – a joint initiative of RFR, RCMP, British Columbia Ambulance Service, ICBC, the City’s Corporate Communications team, and Transportation

OIC Nesset, Fire Chief McGowan, and Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, made a brief presentation to Committee and advised that: (i) the campaign is a joint initiative with full participation by many parties, including ICBC; (ii) on February 23, 2012, the campaign will have a presence at a selection of designated high traffic locations; and (iii) the initiative is Citywide, is ongoing, and will be directed at both pedestrians and drivers.

A brief discussion ensued during which comments were made that seniors are a vulnerable group of pedestrians, speeding vehicles within the City are a hazard, and an enforcement component is being explored.

12.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(i)

Downtown CPO - Regional IPREM Table Top

OIC Nesset and Greg Scott, Director, Project Development provided an update on the progress of the Downtown Community Policing Office (CPO). Mr. Scott briefly noted that it is anticipated construction will be complete by the spring, the Office will then be furnished, and after that it will go into operation.

A comment was made that when RCMP headquarters moved out of the City Centre, residents could no longer drop into the centrally located building, but that the soon-to-be-completed Downtown CPO would provide the opportunity to drop in to speak with RCMP personnel.

(ii)

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Peter German

OIC Nesset advised that Deputy Commissioner Peter German, a resident of Richmond, has announced his retirement from the force.

(iii)

Robberies of Cell Phones

OIC Nesset advised that the RCMP is working on methods to dampen the market for stolen cell phones.

13.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Mobile Medical – Temporary Placement at Gateway Theatre

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, reported that British Columbia’s Mobile Medical Unit, a 100 bed clinic and surgical unit, will be in Richmond, at the Gateway Theatre parking lot, during the week of February 27, 2012 for orientation and training of Richmond Hospital Staff.

Council is invited to tour the facility on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

(ii)

Integrated Partnership for Regional Emergency Management

Ms. Procter advised that 23 local authorities in Metro Vancouver have been invited to participate in an Integrated Partnership for a Regional Emergency Management tabletop exercise to examine regional emergency management issues.

The Thursday, February 16, 2012 event is a good opportunity for City staff to participate in the exercise that simulates the scenario of a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in the Georgia Strait.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:40 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, February 14, 2012.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Sheila Johnston

Committee Clerk