November 15, 2022 – Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 |
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Place: |
Council Chambers |
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Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair Councillor Andy Hobbs Councillor Laura Gillanders Councillor Kash Heed Councillor Bill McNulty |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Chak Au Councillor Carol Day Councillor Michael Wolfe |
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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 October 12, 2022, be adopted. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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December 13, 2022, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers |
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AGENDA ADDITION |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Peace Officers Referral be added to the agenda as Item No. 6.1 and Public Safety Officers Referral be added to the agenda as Item No. 6.2. |
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CARRIED |
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1. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICES MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2022 (File Ref. No. 09-5375-09) (REDMS No. 6991170) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – September 2022”, dated October 14, 2022, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
PROPERTY USE AND PARKING ENFORCEMENT MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2022 (File Ref. No. 12-8060-00) (REDMS No. 7003498) |
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Mark Corrado, Director, Community Bylaws and Licencing, introduced Ken Eng as the new Manager, Community Bylaw Operations. He advised that Mr. Eng will be overseeing property use and parking enforcement. |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) the response model established is to prioritize and investigate calls regarding short term rentals as quick as possible, (ii) third party tech companies are being engaged to conduct scrubs and differentiate between legitimate accounts and frauds, (iii) the current increase in rentals is due to the relaxation in travel restrictions, and (iv) the 500m radius is applied to B&B short term rentals only. |
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In reply to further queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) in relation to grease related issues education is the primary action and it has been very successful, (ii) the large number of calls for unsightly premise is regarding issues of vegetation overgrowth and debris, (iii) one specific property has been a repeat offender and will likely escalate to prosecution stages, (iv) the three properties with a stop work order is related to fills without a permit, and a memo with additional information will be provided, (v) the City’s website has bulletin with regards to soil deposit applications, (vi) although there are bylaw officers that patrol during the weekend, complaints received outside of certain hours would be directed to the RCMP, and (vii) business licence data is available online. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report - September 2022”, dated October 24, 2022, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2022 (File Ref. No. 09-5375-03) (REDMS No. 7002333) |
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In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Jim Wishlove, Richmond Fire-Rescue (RFR), advised that (i) during the pandemic, first responder calls were reduced for RFR to limit Covid-19 exposure to firefighters, (ii) as the pandemic has receded, RFR is exploring with BC Health Services ways to dispatch crews to calls, (iii) rarely have crews experienced excessive wait times for ambulances, (iv) he serves on numerous regional committees and is aware of potential changes to BC Ambulance and Licencing for RFR, |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2022”, dated October 12, 2022, from the Fire Chief, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
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None. |
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5. |
RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2022 (File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 6988595) |
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In response to queries from Committee, Chief Superintendent Dave Chauhan, Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP, advised that (i) specific crime statistics are not kept in relation to warming centres, however staff can examine the statistics, (ii) using the COMPSTAT program officers examine the statistics of high risk areas and formulate responses geared to those areas and activities, (iii) the statistics can be broken down to isolate vehicles without insurance, and (iv) statistics for repeat calls for mental health related issues can be provided. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report - September 2022”, dated October 14, 2022, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
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(i) |
Halloween |
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Chief Chauhan highlighted that Halloween fireworks displays were authorized in Burkeville and Minoru Park, and the RCMP had a robust operation plan in place, however no firework incidents were reported. He then advised that there was one incident where a 13 year old child unknowingly ingested candy containing THC, and a media advisory was issued to contact the RCMP for any other incidents, however no further incidents were reported. |
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(ii) |
Constable Shaelyn Yang Funeral Update |
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Chief Chauhan advised that Constable Shaelyn Yang’s regimental ceremony was held on November 2, 2022 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. He noted that it was well attended by police officers across Canada and the USA, as well as all levels of government officials. |
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(iii) |
Remembrance Day Ceremony |
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Chief Chauhan highlighted that the Remembrance Day Ceremony was a success with tremendous response from volunteers, organizers, uniformed partners, veterans, members of the community and city staff. |
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(iv) |
Toy Drive |
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Chief Chauhan highlighted that the Richmond RCMP will be hosting their 8th Annul Toy Drive at Lansdowne Mall on November 19th in support of the Richmond Christmas Fund. Chief Chauhan also advised that he has volunteered for the dunk tank to take the plunge to raise money. |
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In reply to queries from Committee regarding the report “A Rapid Investigation into Repeat Offending and Random Stranger Violence in British Columbia”, Chief Chauhan noted that (i) the Richmond Detachment’s investigative services has a robust prolific offender program and priority offender program, (ii) both programs are reviewed on a 6 week basis, and (iii) he will be reviewing the report and examining changes that may need to be made. |
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6.1. |
PEACE OFFICER REFERRAL (File Ref. No.) |
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Discussion took place on transition bylaw officers to peace officer status and have a more protective services approach in Richmond. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff examine and report back on the feasibility and implications of transitioning bylaw enforcement officers to peace officer status, including outlining the difference between bylaw enforcement and peace officers duties. |
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CARRIED |
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6.2. |
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER REFERRAL (File Ref. No.) |
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Discussion took place on Community Police Stations and feasibility o of implementing a protective services approach including Fire Rescue, Bylaws, Emergency Programs and Police Officers. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff review the protective services approach and its potential application to the City’s Community Police Offices (CPO), using the development funded Hamilton CPO currently under development as a pilot, including examining cost implications and report back. The learnings from Hamilton could be used to guide future application in South Arm and Steveston. |
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CARRIED |
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7. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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None. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:00 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, November 15, 2022. |
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Councillor Alexa Loo |
Sarah Goddard |