April 9, 2013 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Derek Dang, Chair Councillor Ken Johnston (entered at 4:23 p.m.) |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Chak Au |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT |
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1. |
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3801897 v. 9) |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Anne Stevens, Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy & Programs, advised that (i) the total number of referrals is lower than past years as youth crime is decreasing; and (ii) the City’s contract with the Touchstone Family Association will expire in December 2013, at which point staff would bring forward a report with options for Council’s consideration. |
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Discussion ensued regarding the Restorative Justice Program and Judy Valsonis, Director of Operations, Touchstone Family Association, advised that four regular full-time staff and ten volunteers administer the Program. Also, Ms. Valsonis stated that the volunteer turnover rate is very low as volunteers are very committed to the Program. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Performance Outcome Evaluation Report, as attached to the staff report titled Touchstone Family Services 2012 Restorative Justice Performance Outcome and Evaluation Report dated March 14, 2013 from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3818964) |
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In reply to query from Committee, Fire Chief John McGowan, Richmond Fire-Rescue, commented on the number of medical calls responded to in February 2013 related to allergic reactions. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – February 2013 Activity Report, dated March 20, 2013, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 3812902 v.2) |
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Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge (OIC), Richmond RCMP, commented on the number of referrals to the Restorative Justice Program, noting that the total number of referrals is lower than past years as youth crime is decreasing. |
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In response to a query from Committee, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law, commented on Criminal Activity Maps, stating that a user can select a date range and that data is updated daily. |
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OIC Nesset distributed copies of February 2013 statistic and criminal activity maps (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 1). |
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OIC Nesset commented on February 2013 statistics, noting that often extreme variations appear early in the calendar year; however, these statistics average out over the course of the year. |
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In response to a query regarding the Auxiliary Constable Program, OIC Nesset spoke of the Program’s security clearance requirements and training schedule. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – February 2013 Activities (dated March 4, 2013, from the OIC RCMP) be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3814574 v. 6) |
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In reply to a query regarding civic addresses, Kim Howell, Deputy Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, advised that the Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306 manages civic addresses. Staff was requested to provide a copy of Bylaw 8306 to Council members for information. |
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Cllr. Johnston entered the meeting (4:23 p.m.). |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – February 2013 Activity Report (dated March 11, 2013, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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5. |
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 3820615 v.4) |
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Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, provided background information and stated that the proposed legislation would act as another tool to address problematic properties. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled New Provincial Legislation – Bill 12-2013 Community Safety Act (dated March 21, 2013 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3819733 v.9) |
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Ms. Stevens provided background information and commented on the impending Provincial election, noting that staff will continue to monitor progress on the Plan. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled White Paper: Justice Reform and the BC Policing and Community Safety Plan from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, dated March 26, 2013, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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7. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING (Verbal Report) |
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Items for discussion: |
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(i) |
Azure Fire – Post Incident Safety Messaging |
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Fire Chief McGowan spoke of a recent fire on Azure Road, noting that RFR canvassed the surrounding neighbourhood and distributed over 500 leaflets regarding fire prevention measures. |
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(ii) |
Doors Open Richmond – May 4 to May 5, 2013 |
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Fire Chief McGowan advised that the Sea Island Fire Hall No. 4 would be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on May 4th and May 5th. |
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(iii) |
911 Awards Update |
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Fire Chief McGowan spoke of the upcoming 911 Awards scheduled for May 7, 2013. |
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(iv) |
“Firefighters Hope to Create a Buzz in Haiti” – Richmond Review |
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Fire Chief McGowan spoke of fundraising efforts to build a school room for an orphanage in Haiti, and highlighted that a member of RFR, who also happens to be a beekeeper, has offered to train local residents in proper beekeeping in an effort to maintain sustainable and replenishing sources of honey. |
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Discussion ensued regarding proper fire safety equipment in care facilities. Deputy Fire Chief Howell commented on the Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC smoke alarm campaign, whereby 5,000 smoke alarms have been donated for distribution and installation to vulnerable buildings, including care facilities. She stated that RFR has requested 100 free smoke alarms for installation in Richmond buildings. |
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8. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING (Verbal Report) |
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Item for discussion: |
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OIC Nesset spoke of a recent curb side robbery, highlighting that the young offenders have been apprehended. |
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9. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, spoke of Emergency Preparedness Week – May 5 to May 11, 2013. Also, Ms. Procter commented on Get Ready Richmond, whereby a series of personal preparedness workshops will be held to teach individuals how to make an emergency plan and what do in an emergency or disaster. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:40 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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, April 9, 2013. |
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Councillor Derek Dang |
Hanieh Berg |