May 13, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, May 13, 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.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, June 10, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATIONS

1.

(1)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation Neil Dubord, Chief Officer, Metro Vancouver Transit Police spoke of Transit Police operations and the following was discussed:

§   

the tier-level of security and policing services within the transit system;

§   

the identification of incidents by type and location;

§   

partnerships with different jurisdictions within the Metro Vancouver transit system;

§   

the geographical area where the Metro Vancouver Transit Police operate; and

§   

predictive policing and identification of crime-prone areas.

Chief Officer Dubord played an audio clip of a 9-1-1 call where an incident was reported away from the original location and noted that various municipal police forces responded to this incident. He added that since the Metro Vancouver transit system spans across several municipalities, Metro Vancouver Transit Police can respond to incidents throughout the Lower Mainland.

Chief Officer Dubord then spoke of using statistical analysis to efficiently allocate resources to high crime areas at specific times of the day.

In reply to queries from Committee, Chief Officer Dubord spoke of alarms on the Canada Line and advised that these alarms, when activated, are dispatched by E-Comm.

(2)

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Brian Hobbs, Coxswain, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) commented on RCMSAR’s activities, including (i) the equipment used; (ii) the new equipment acquired; (iii) number of calls received in 2013;  (iv) types of incidents RCMSAR responds to; (iv) community events attended (v) 24-hour contact number available; (vi) areas assigned to RCMSAR and the allocation of resources; and (vi) training standards.

Discussion ensued with regard to RCMSAR’s training and recruiting efforts and Mr. Hobbs noted that a strong community presence helps garner interest in the organization. He noted that training takes place over the course of four months and the program was developed with the Canadian Coast Guard.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Hobbs advised that the closure of the Kitsilano Canadian Coast Guard Station has had little effect on the number of calls to RCMSAR. Also, he added that the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft, stationed locally, is well staffed and is able to respond to incidents.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Hobbs noted that the Canadian Lifeboat Institution and can assist with distress calls as required.

(3)

Frances Clark, 8160 Railway Avenue, expressed her concern regarding the City’s emergency response resources and commented on (i) adding or upgrading Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR) equipment and fire halls; (ii) increasing the number of first responders to reflect the increase in the city’s population; (iii) balancing fire prevention initiatives with first responder capabilities; (iv) RFR insurance rates; and (v) addressing the increase in air traffic at the Vancouver International Airport.

Ms. Clark referenced the Burnaby Fire Department’s equipment complement, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and spoke of these figures in comparison to RFR’s.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the presentation given by Ms. Frances Clark and report back.

CARRIED

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue – March 2014 Activity Report
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4213407)

Fire Chief John McGowan commented on fires for March 2014 and reported that there was minimal property loss attributed to fires.

Discussion ensued regarding the insurance rates for RFR and in reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR’s insurance rating are improving.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

3.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – March 2014
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4201925)

Committee thanked staff for their efforts in addressing the bird feeding concerns at Lang Park.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled, Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – March 2014, dated April 28, 2014, from the General Manger, Law & Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP’s Monthly Report – March 2014 Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4185094)

Superintendant Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, reviewed RCMP activities for March 2014 and noted the following:

§   

an increase in the number of reported sexual offences is attributed to an individual charged with multiple offenses;

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Richmond RCMP have uncovered a credit card factory which is suspected of committing credit card fraud;

§   

an increase in thefts from motor vehicles was in part attributed to a group targeting parking lots along No. 5 Road’s religious institutions; Richmond RCMP have since detained said suspects and issued a press release to increase public awareness;

§   

the number of arsons is decreasing, and most incidents considered minor in nature.

In reply to queries from Committee, Supt. Nesset noted that thefts from motor vehicles parked adjacent to the Canada Line cannot be attributed to one factor, and noted that one individual can often skew the statistics by committing multiple offenses in a short period of time.

It was moved and seconded

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

CARRIED

5.

Summer Dog Programs
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 4218478 v. 3)

Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws commented on the reported high rates of unlicensed dogs in the Richmond Animal Protection Society shelter.

Committee thanked staff for their animal control enforcement initiatives and in reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel noted that the Summer Dog Program will start spring 2014.

Discussion ensued with regard to complaints received regarding off-leash dogs along the dikes and in reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Warzel advised that staff have attempted to reach the complainant but have been unsuccessful. Committee then directed staff to examine the implications of photographing members of the public without their knowledge or consent.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled  Summer Dog Programs (dated April 28, 2014 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety) be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Doors Open – Sea Island Fire Hall No. 4

Fire Chief McGowan spoke of the Doors Open event scheduled for June 7 to 8, 2014, highlighting that the Sea Island Fire Hall No. 4 will be participating, and noted the event will include family-friendly activities.

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

None.

8.

JOINT BRIEFING – FIRE CHIEF AND RCMP/OIC
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Summer Camps

Fire Chief McGowan commented on the upcoming youth summer camps, noting that the camps are low-cost and will cater to youths ages 8 to 12. Also, he noted that the camps will bring awareness of the roles of the Richmond RCMP and RFR.

(ii)

Tim Horton’s Camp Day

Fire Chief McGowan spoke of the Tim Horton’s Camp day scheduled for June 4, 2014, and advised that Richmond RCMP and RFR will be on location at the Ironwood Tim Horton’s starting at 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

(iii)

Summer Safety

Fire Chief McGowan commented on summer safety and noted that the Richmond RCMP will focus on boating safety awareness and RFR will focus on barbeque safety awareness.

(iv)

Public Works Open House – Emergency Programs

Fire Chief McGowan spoke of the Public Works Open House and noted that emergency programs will feature kitchen safety, preventable fires and fire extinguisher training. Also, he noted that a new feature from Engineering and Public Works will include a mobile exhibit that would highlight the Public Works programs in the city.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Emergency Preparedness Week

Deborah Procter, Manager Emergency Programs, spoke of Emergency Preparedness Week and distributed a pamphlet providing residents with information regarding emergency preparedness (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2).

Ms. Procter advised that the City was invited to participate in the Provincial Earthquake Preparedness Consultation process in which the City can provide input on the Province’s earthquake preparedness initiatives.

Ms. Procter then commented on the spring snow melt and noted that water levels in the Fraser River basin are currently normal and she anticipates that if weather conditions remain favourable, the threat of flooding will remain low.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 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, May 13, 2014.

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Councillor Derek Dang
Chair

Evangel Biason
Auxiliary Committee Clerk