February 10, 2016 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Carol Day |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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AGENDA ADDITION |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That E-Comm be added to the agenda as Item No. 6A, Emergency Programs be added to the agenda as Item No. 6B, and Block Watch be added to the agenda as Item No. 6C. |
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CARRIED |
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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 January 12, 2016, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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March 15, 2016, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
COMMUNITY BYLaWS MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – DECEMBER 2015 |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Michelle Orsetti, Assistant Manager, Operations (Bylaws), noted that (i) one Animal Control Officer will be designated in March, (ii) Bylaws staff are patrolling parks and responding to animal calls, (iii) Richmond RCMP or Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) officers are able to respond to animal calls on the weekends, (iv) a Bylaws Officer is available on Sundays and statutory holidays to respond to construction and noise complaints, and (v) City Parking Officers are able to respond to construction and noise complaints on Saturdays. |
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The Chair requested that the City place more emphasis on animal control and increase the number of licensed dogs in the city. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to vacant property in the city and Ms. Orsetti advised that Chimo Community Services are preparing a presentation to Council regarding their work with vacant homes in the city. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – December 2015,” dated January 15, 2016 from the General Manager, Law & Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - December 2015 |
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Acting Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson wished to thank Council for their support of Richmond Fire Rescue’s (RFR) Fire Safety Trailer and education efforts. He noted that RFR’s goal is to present to all schools in Richmond School District No. 38. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that (i) RFR members play a role in community education, (ii) costs associated with community education can be provided to Council, (iii) RFR help facilitate solutions to utilize vacant homes for affordable housing, and (iv) RFR do warn residents who may be unaware of open burning regulations. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - December 2015,” dated January 18, 2016 from the Acting Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Naloxone Protocols |
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Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson briefed Committee on the proposed addition of Naloxone Protocols to Richmond’s Medical First Responder Program, noting that RFR is seeking Council’s support on the matter. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson noted that RFR has a group of first responder instructors who will be able to train all emergency response staff in the administration of Naloxone. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Council request BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) approve the addition of Naloxone protocols to Richmond’s Medical First Responder Program. |
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CARRIED |
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ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION |
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4. |
Community Safety Buildings Replacement and Improvements |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Jim Young, Senior Manager Capital Buildings Project Development, noted that all Firehalls were designed to be earthquake resistant. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled, “Community Safety Buildings Replacement and Improvements,” from the Director, Engineering, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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5. |
Emergency Management Provincial Legislation Consultation |
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In reply to queries from Committee regarding proposed changes to the Emergency Program Act, Doug Long, City Solicitor, noted that the Province has sent letters to stakeholders advising of the proposed changes to the Act and that the public can provide input online. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to the process to declare local states of emergency and Mr. Long advised that in the event that a local state of emergency is declared, the City will be able to exercise additional powers and work beyond the budget. He added that it is the City’s position that local government officials are in the best position to decide whether to declare a state of emergency. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Long anticipates that the Province will provide a response to the consultation by the end of March 2016. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That a copy of the report titled “Emergency Management Provincial Legislation Consultation” from the City Solicitor be forwarded to the Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness in response to her request for stakeholder input by February 19, 201 5 with a copy to Richmond MLAs Linda Reid, John Yap and Teresa Wat, for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
RCMP's Monthly Report - December 2015 Activities |
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Superintendent Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, briefed Committee on the Richmond RCMP’s December 2015 Activities, noting that (i) there have been a decrease in the number of residential break and enter incidents in the city, (ii) incidents of fraud and automotive thefts have increased in the city, and (iii) fraud activity may go unreported. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to the Richmond RCMP’s clearance rate for crime. |
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As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to provide Council with statistics related to the Richmond RCMP’s clearance rate for crime and report back. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – December Activities 2015,” dated January 21, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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Committee requested that E-Comm, Emergency Services, and Block Watch be added as standing items to the Community Safety Committee agenda. |
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6A. |
E-Comm |
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The Chair updated Committee on E-Comm, noting that (i) Richmond is E-Comm’s second largest contributor, (ii) E-Comm has a new Chair, and (iii) E-Comm is operating in 80% of the province. |
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Discussion ensued with respect to municipal contributions to E-Comm. |
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Discussion then took place with regard to Council members scheduling a tour of E-Comm and BC Ambulance facilities. |
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6B. |
Emergency Services |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, noted staff can provide a monthly report on the City’s emergency response programs. |
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6C. |
Block Watch |
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Discussion ensued with respect to (i) community interest in Block Watch, (ii) areas in the city where there is no Block Watch participation, (iii) expansion of the Block Watch program, and (iv) increase Block Watch signage. |
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Supt. Nesset commented on the Block Watch program in the city, noting that the Richmond RCMP has been conducting a review of the program and feedback from participants was being received through a survey. He added that staff can report back to Council regarding the review by April 2016. |
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Discussion then ensued regarding (i) ways to increase Block Watch participation, (ii) Block Watch program complementing the Richmond RCMP in crime prevention, and (iii) using smartphone applications and social media as communication tools in the Block Watch program. |
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7. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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(i) |
Community Response Team |
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Supt. Nesset briefed Committee on a new volunteer-based Richmond RCMP initiative for crime reduction, noting that volunteers would target crime activity hotspots and provide residents of the area with crime prevention information. He added that the Richmond RCMP is in the process of implementing the program and no formal start date is available. |
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(ii) |
Online Crime Reporting |
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Edward Warzel, Manager, RCMP Administration, spoke on the Online Crime Reporting Program, noting that there was a 56% increase of incidents reported online last year compared to the same period during the launch year. Inspector Konrad Goldbeck added that there have been successful cases where stolen property that was reported online was recovered. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Supt. Nesset noted that the online crime reporting is only for non-emergency crime. Mr. Warzel added that staff are examining ways to expand public awareness of the Program and noted that there are Program links on the City’s website. |
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8. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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Spring Cleaning/Clocks Changing/Smoke Alarm Safety Messages |
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Acting Fire Chief Wilkinson wished to remind residents that the upcoming time change would be an ideal time to test smoke alarms. He added that smoke alarms typically last approximately 10 years and that residents should consider a dual purpose alarm that can monitor carbon monoxide levels. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:49 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 Wednesday, February 10, 2016. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Bill McNulty |
Evangel Biason |