March 14, 2023 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au

Councillor Carol Day

Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

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 February 14, 2023, be adopted.

CARRIED

DELEGATION

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office), Chief Officer Dave Jones briefed Committee on Transit Police activities.

In response to queries from Committee, Chief Jones staff noted (i) in addition to transit systems being equipped with a panic strip, there is also a 24/7 live-monitored report-by-text system where passengers can message Transit Police from a mobile phone in real time, (ii) cameras in transit systems are very useful tools, with over 12,000 high-quality cameras that contribute to a high success rate in identifying suspects, (iii) Community Safety Officers (CSO) have a designated set of authorities they can utilize to respond to incidents, whereas private security guards can only represent property owners or events, (iv) CSOs would be paired with another Police Officer at community events, (v) Metro Vancouver Transit Police are planning on creating an education campaign on transit safety, (vi) 911 calls go to the jurisdictional police force initially and diverted to supplemental police agencies if applicable, (vii) when warming centres are open during extreme weather events, and provides resources to vulnerable people, and (viii) local social workers or health staff are able to assist Transit Police since they fall under both Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions.

Councillor Loo recessed the meeting at 4:38 p.m. for the Closed Community Safety Committee meeting.

The meeting reconvened at 5:44 p.m. following the Closed Community Safety Committee Meeting with all members of Committee present, including Councillor Au, Councillor Day, and Councillor Wolfe (by teleconference).

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

2.

ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICES MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2023

(File Ref. No. 09-5375-09) (REDMS No. 7117615)

In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted that the SPCA can present an annual report to Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – January 2023”, dated February 10, 2023, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

PROPERTY USE AND PARKING ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2023

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 7137599)

In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted (i) staff are in the process of escalating enforcement action regarding a particular property that was previously receiving multiple Soil Deposit and Removal Offences and can provide a memorandum regarding the current status of the property in question, (ii) there has been an increase in short-term rentals licensing, compliance, and enforcement, (iii) sign offences are covered under the Richmond Sign Bylaw, (iv) when responding to noise complaints, all property use staff have access to acoustic measuring devices, and (v) there was an increased number of unsightly premises calls in January, a number of which were garbage-related.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report – January 2023”, dated February 15, 2023, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

PEACE OFFICER FEASIBILITY
(File Ref. No. 12-8375-01) (REDMS No. 7149587)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Peace Officer Feasibility”, dated, February 24, 2023, from the Director, Community Bylaws and Licencing be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2023

(File Ref. No. 09-5375-01) (REDMS No. 7133484)

In response to queries from the Committee, Fire Chief Jim Wishlove noted that in regards to the response to the January 21-23, 2023 Vancouver Harbour oil sheen, the oil sheen did not reach Richmond shores.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – January 2023”, dated February 13, 2023, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Recruit Firefighters

Chief Wishlove shared that Richmond Fire Rescue just closed the application portal for recruit fighters, with over 300 applications received.

(ii)

National Initiative with Canadian Red Cross Resiliency Project

Chief Wishlove shared that Richmond is one of five communities across Canada that are participating in the National Inclusive Resiliency Preparedness Project through grant funding obtained through Red Cross, have purchased an emergency preparedness kit.

7.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2023

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 7125591)

In response to queries from the Committee, Chief Supt. Dave Chauhan noted (i) the majority of increases in Other Criminal Code offences are attributed to cause disturbance files and 25% of these files were as a result of incidents at YVR Airport, (ii) the number of mental health incidents fluctuate monthly, (iii) distracted driving is at the top of the list for contributing factors of collisions, and (iv) traffic cameras are only designed for red lights, however there is enforcement of yellow light infractions.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled "RCMP Monthly Activity Report - January 2023", dated February 10, 2023 from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

8.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

Items for discussion:

(i)

Walter Tyrrell memorial

Chief Supt. Chauhan highlighted the career and accomplishments of long-time volunteer Walter Tyrrell, who passed away in January, noting that Tyrrell logged over 20,000 volunteer hours and earned multiple awards and accolades. Richmond RCMP’s S/Sgt Walter P. Tyrrell Atrium Museum is currently in the process of re-development and honours his legacy.

(ii)

Youth Academy           

Chief Supt. Chauhan noted that the Richmond RCMP held the second annual Youth Academy, where 32 students in grades 10-12 from nine different secondary schools in Richmond, engaged in a simulated RCMP training environment.

In response to queries from the Committee, Chief Supt. Chauhan noted that the current format of the RCMP Youth Academy is working well.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Assistance from Richmond RCMP

Staff noted that the Richmond RCMP detachment will be providing assistance for the upcoming visit by the President of the United States. Through the municipal agreement with RCMP, up to 10% of members from the detachment can be temporarily withdrawn in consultation with the OIC.

In response to queries from the Committee, Chief Supt. Chauhan noted that the Richmond RCMP Detachment will determine how many members can be sent to Ottawa and what the operational impact will be.

(ii)

Quarterly Updates from E-Comm

Staff noted that beginning in April, E-Comm will begin providing statistics on policing and fire on a quarterly basis.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:19 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 14, 2023.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Alexa Loo
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate