May 10, 2016 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Linda McPhail
Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

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 April 12, 2016, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

June 14, 2016, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – March 2016
(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 4973868 v. 2)

Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, commented on the March 2016 activities, noting that the City proceeded with a light-hearted awareness campaign to remind residents to clean up after their dogs. Also, she noted that staff will review City polices regarding the spaying and neutering of young pets.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – March 2016”, dated April 11, 2016 from the General Manager, Law and Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – March 2016
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4981183)

John McGowan, Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, offered comments on Richmond Fire-Rescue’s (RFR) activities for March 2016, noting that (i) there have been an increase in medical calls, (ii) RFR is reviewing options to respond to the increase in medical calls such as by deploying smaller units, (iii) British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) has reviewed their resource allocation plan and the role of fire fighters in responding to medical calls, (iv) prioritizing of calls are based on the information callers provide dispatchers, and (v) an Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) license require more training hours and costs more to maintain compared to a first responders license.

Discussion ensued with regard to the service levels of BCAS.

The Chair queried when Council is expected to receive the report from Dr. Cohen, University of the Fraser Valley, related to future police and fire deployment facilities and Ms. Carlyle noted that the report is under staff review. Ms. Carlyle added that staff will bring forward a report regarding changes to BCAS response protocols and the potential impact to RFR in the next month.

The Chair commended RFR for their service.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report - March 2016”, dated April 13, 2016 from the Fire Chief, Richmond Fire-Rescue, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond RCMP Clearance Rates 2014
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4942481 v. 9)

Eric Hall, Inspector, Operations Support Officer, Richmond RCMP, reviewed the Richmond RCMP Clearance Rates for 2014, noting that (i) the Richmond RCMP’s clearance rate is comparable to other RCMP detachments, (ii) Richmond RCMP clearance rates are not compared to other police agencies due to varying protocols of reporting, and (iii) clearance rates may vary due to the severity of crime and the time required to conduct an investigation.

In response to queries from Committee, Renny Nesset, Officer in Charge (OIC), Richmond RCMP, noted that incidents in Richmond cleared by other policing agencies will be reflected in Richmond’s clearance statistics.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Richmond RCMP Clearance Rates 2014,” dated April 29, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RCMP’s Monthly Report – March 2016 Activities
(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 4966872 v. 3)

Discussion ensued with regard to sexual offenses in the Lower Mainland, and in reply to queries from Committee, Insp. Hall noted that Richmond RCMP is working with other enforcement agencies in the region and that there has been a recent reduction in the number of recorded incidents in Richmond.

Discussion then ensued with respect to the investigation time of a cyclist incident in 2013.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP’s Monthly Report – March 2016 Activities,” – dated April 29, 2016 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Response to Provincial Review of the RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program
(File Ref. No. 09-5140-00) (REDMS No. 4986641 v. 2)

Supt. Nesset spoke on the Provincial review of the RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program, noting that the Richmond RCMP is awaiting results of the review process.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “Response to Provincial Review of the RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program” be forwarded to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in response to their request for written feedback by May 25, 2016 and to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for information; and

(2)

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General be advised that the City of Richmond would be pleased to participate in further consultation and stakeholder meetings.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Richmond Fire-Rescue Participation - Public Works Open House

Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR will be participating in the Public Works Open House on May 14, 2016 from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m.

(ii)

Doors Open Richmond

Fire Chief McGowan advised that RFR will be participating in Doors Open Richmond on June 4 to 5, 2016 and that Fire Hall No. 2 in Steveston will be hosting.

7.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Project SWOOP

Insp. Hall noted that Project SWOOP (Speed Watch Out on Patrol) program sets up in various locations in the city with Auxiliary Constables and volunteers.

(ii)

Update on prolific offender file

Insp. Hall updated Committee on a prolific offender file, noting that suspects were identified from a stolen vehicle and stolen items were recovered.

(iii)

Command vehicle as ‘pop up’ detachment

Insp. Hall noted that the Richmond RCMP Command Vehicle has been utilized in Project SWOOP and bicycle registration events and several community events such Emergency Preparedness Week and Police Week.

(iv)

Richmond Identify – “most wanted” webpage

Insp. Hall advised that the Richmond RCMP has started a “most wanted” webpage that posts pictures of wanted individuals online.

(v)

Replacement Officers for Fort McMurray

Insp. Hall advised that the Richmond RCMP will be sending replacement officers to Fort McMurray to assist in the community’s wildfire recovery and that the assignments will have no impact to the policing resources in Richmond.

The Chair spoke on the Speed Watch program and commended the Richmond RCMP for their speed enforcement efforts.

(vi)

Project 529 – Bicycle Registry

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) Kevin Krygier, Corporal, Richmond RCMP, briefed Committee on the Project 529 Bicycle Registry, noting that (i) the program was founded in the United States by a former Microsoft executive, (ii) bicycles are registered online and are labeled with a decal, (iii) bicycle owners can create an online profile with photographs of their bicycle, (iv) the registry can be used by enforcement agencies to trace and recover stolen bicycles, (v) bicycle owners who wish to sell their bicycles are able to transfer the registration to the new owner, (vi) registration is administered by Project 529 and the only costs are for decals, and (vii) the Richmond RCMP is using social media and community partners to promote the program.

8.

Committee Standing items

(i)

E-Comm

The Chair advised that E-Comm will have an Annual General Meeting scheduled on June 16, 2016 and that there is board meeting later in the month.

(ii)

Emergency Services

Discussion ensued with regard to emergency preparedness in the city and the Chair requested that a written report regarding Emergency Services activities be provided monthly.

Lainie Goddard, Manager, Emergency Programs, spoke on a new Provincial emergency preparedness planning program for grade six students, called Master of Disaster, noting that the City will be working with the Province to introduce the program to Richmond schools.

Ms. Goddard reviewed Emergency Services activities, noting that (i) the City participated in Emergency Preparedness Week during the first week of May 2016 and that presentations and information was provided to the public and staff, (ii) social media was used to promote Emergency Preparedness Week, and (iii) the City will provide more emergency preparedness information at the Public Works Open House on May 14, 2016.

Discussion took place regarding (i) reviewing the items included in personal emergency kits annually, (ii) compiling a list of skilled volunteers in times of emergencies, (iii) reviewing ways to increase public awareness of emergency planning, and (iv) promoting self-sufficiency during times of emergencies.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Goddard noted that the City can focus on students to raise awareness on the importance of personal emergency planning.

(iii)

Block Watch

Discussion ensued with regard to the organizational chart of the Richmond RCMP in relation to the Block Watch Program and Supt. Nesset noted that an organization chart that includes names and titles can be provided to Committee.

In reply to queries from Committee, Edward Warzel, Manager, RCMP Administration, noted that the City is in the process of acquiring a dedicated Block Watch coordinator. Ms. Carlyle added that the City currently has two filled positions dedicated to the Block Watch program.

Discussion ensued with regard to introducing an advisory board or committee to oversee the Block Watch Program.

9.

MANAGER’S rEPORT

Update  to Shooting and Homicide Incident

Insp. Hall updated Committee on a shooting and homicide incident, noting that the suspects charged are not residents of Richmond.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:16 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 10, 2016.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator