March 11, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Derek Dang, Chair
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA ADDITION

It was moved and seconded

That “Community Impacts of the Proposal to Eliminate Home Mail Delivery Service by the Canada Post Corporation” be added to the agenda as Item 6A.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 15, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

1.

Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Evaluation Report 2013
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 4131640)

Committee commented that discussion regarding restorative justice at the Blue Ribbon Panel on Crime Reduction validated the City’s commitment to and financial support for the Restorative Justice Program.  Committee thanked the Touchstone Family Association for their work in the community.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Touchstone Family Association Restorative Justice Evaluation Report 2013,  dated February 21, 2014,  from the Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – January 2014 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4154901)

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), advised that the monthly activity report has been modified to provide information on activities related to prevention, education, and emergency response.

In response to a query from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan noted that RFR provides medical support to assault related incidents and in such instances, RFR keeps a safe distance from the scene until the RCMP arrives.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Richmond Fire-Rescue – January 2014 Activity Report, dated February 17, 2014, from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Community Bylaws – January 2014 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 4149442)

Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws, stated that parking meter vandalism was significantly reduced in January 2014 due to the apprehension of the main perpetrator.  It was noted that, when taken together, the revenue generated in December 2013 and January 2014 is consistent with monthly averages.

Committee commented on the improvements to the Fat, Oil, and Grease Management Program and noted that the implementation of a residential grease management program, complete with a community educational component, may further improve the current program.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled Community Bylaws – January 2014 Activity Report, dated February 28, 2014, from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMp’s monthly report – january 2014 activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4147304)

Bart Blachford, Inspector, Richmond RCMP, highlighted the following activities for January 2014:

§   

an arrest has been made with regard to a hit and run incident that resulted in a resident being stabbed;

§   

three individuals are facing charges after an attempted robbery; and

§   

due to poor weather conditions, the RCMP were not able to locate a suspect believed to be involved in an attempted abduction near the 5600 block of Blundell Road.

Insp. Blachford advised that cadets in the Auxiliary Constable Program will graduate on April 13, 2014.  In addition, Insp. Blachford commented on the January 19, 2014 pedestrian safety display at the Brighouse Library, highlighting that over 144 individuals received road and pedestrian safety information.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled RCMP’s Monthly Report – January 2014 Activities, dated February 28, 2014, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Insp. Blachford stated that the 2014-2015 RCMP Annual Performance Plan sets forth the RCMP’s priorities for Council’s consideration.  The top three Community Objectives identified for the 2014/15 Annual Performance Plan are:  (i) Pedestrian Safety, (ii) Break and Enters, and (iii) Policing and Mental Health.

Committee expressed support for the priorities identified in the 2014-2015 RCMP Annual Performance Plan; however, with regard to pedestrian safety, Committee suggested pedestrian safety education be incorporated into the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program.  Insp. Blachford indicated that Richmond RCMP have partnered with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia to further develop pedestrian safety strategies and improve public education on the subject.

In response to a query from Committee, Insp. Blachford advised that organized crime continues to be a priority for the Richmond RCMP; however, the three objectives identified in the 2014-2015 RCMP Annual Performance Plan are significant issues for the community.

It was moved and seconded

That Council identify priorities as listed in the report titled 2014/2015 RCMP Annual Performance Plan-Community Priorities, dated January 30, 2014, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, for inclusion in the Richmond Detachment 2014/2015 RCMP Annual Performance Plan.

CARRIED

6.

British Columbia Real Time Intelligence Centre
(File Ref. No. 09-5350-01) (REDMS No. 4131640)

Anne Stevens, Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs,  provided a brief overview of the Real Time Intelligence Centre (RTIC-BC) and highlighted the following:

§   

presently, the Provincial Intelligence Centre (PIC) focuses only on gang-related offences and does not operate 24-hours a day;

§   

the RTIC-BC would (in time) replace the PIC;

§   

the RTIC-BC would incorporate all statistical intelligence for gang-related activities and for offences considered a serious threat to public safety;

§   

local police forces and the RCMP will utilize intelligence obtained from the RTIC-BC to assist in investigative matters; and

§   

Phase 1 of the RTIC-BC is anticipated to commence in May 2014, costing the City of Richmond approximately $91,255 and $165,438 for 2014/15 and 2015/16 respectively.

In reply to a query from Committee, Ms. Stevens advised that the PIC is federally and provincially funded, and it is anticipated said funding would be available for the RTIC-BC.  Further, she advised that the cost of RTIC-BC would be absorbed in the City’s 2014 RCMP budget; however, future cost would be considered as part of the City’s typical budgeting process.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the implementation of the British Columbia Real Time Intelligence Centre be endorsed in principle; and

(2)

That the future governance structure and budget approval process for the British Columbia Real Time Intelligence Centre include elected municipal officials.

CARRIED

6A.

COMMUNITY IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE HOME MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE BY THE CANADA POST CORPORATION
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued regarding the Canada Post Corporation’s December 11, 2013 announcement to eliminate home mail delivery service in urban centres over the next five years, and in particular, safety concerns voiced by residents with regard to community mailboxes.  Discussion further took place and Committee referenced a letter from the City of Burnaby dated March 4, 2014 (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).  At the conclusion of the discussion the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the letter from the City of Burnaby dated March 4, 2014 regarding ‘Community Impacts of the Proposal to Eliminate Home Mail Delivery Service by the Canada Post Corporation’ be referred to staff to explore the matter.

The question on the referral was not called as Committee queried whether there had been issues related to any existing community mailboxes.  Insp. Blachford commented on the occurrence of mailbox thefts in Richmond, noting that, to date, there are no significant issues.  The question on the referral was then called and it was CARRIED.

7.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

9-1-1 Awards – Joint Briefing with Richmond RCMP

Fire Chief McGowan advised that the Richmond Chamber of Commerce will host their Annual 9-1-1 Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the River Rock Casino on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.  The awards ceremony will honour the dedication and courage of all Emergency Services members.

(ii)

Watch Meetings

Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Fire Chief, RFR, advised that members of RFR and the Community Bylaws division have attended RCMP Watch Meetings in an effort to identify cross-departmental synergies and implement related initiatives.

8.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Insp. Blachford noted that the D.A.R.E. Program has a “Taking Responsible Decisions” component that includes pedestrian safety.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:35 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 11, 2014.

_________________________________

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Heather Howey
Committee Clerk