December 12, 2023 - Minutes
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Community Safety Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 |
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Place: |
Council Chambers |
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Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair |
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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 4:07 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 November 15, 2023, be adopted. |
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CARRIED |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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1. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICES MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – OCTOBER 2023 (File Ref. No. 12-8375-01) (REDMS No. 7454271) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – October 2023”, dated November 17, 2023 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 – OCTOBER 2023 (File Ref. No. 12-8375-01) (REDMS No. 7455592) |
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In response to queries from the Committee, staff provided an overview of the enforcement response to commercial vehicle parking on agricultural land, noting that staff can provide a memorandum on the matter. |
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Discussion then ensued regarding short term rental bylaw offences, noting that 536 tickets have been issued year-to-date; likely the highest in the region. |
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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 – October 2023”, dated November 17, 2023 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 – OCTOBER 2023 (File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 7437214) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – October 2023”, dated November 10, 2023, 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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Fire Chief Wishlove provided an update of activity on Halloween noting that the public awareness campaigns and the added benefit of it being a weekday, resulted in a typical weekday call volume. |
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5. |
RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – OCTOBER 2023 |
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In response to queries from the Committee, Chief Supt. Chauhan noted (i) advancement in technology makes it possible for individuals to contact, connect and monitor phones through clever techniques for which the Crime Prevention Team, together with Block Watch volunteers, continue to engage with and educate the public on the precautions for these types of risks (ii) with respect to robberies, the Property Crime Team have been engaged with businesses, and looking at profiling for any repeat offenders with the aim of targeted enforcement, (iii) planned operations continue to be conducted to address/combat the increase in shoplifting, including enhanced efforts for more frequent, targeted operations and engaging with businesses to develop theft prevention strategies. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – October 2023”, dated November 10, 2023, 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) |
Toy Drive Campaign |
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Chief Supt. Chauhan provided an update of the Toy Drive Campaign for Richmond children and families, noting the collective efforts and assistance of Richmond Fire-Rescue, community partner members and other volunteers, in raising just over $29,000 and breaking last year’s record-breaking total by collecting 4,670 lbs. of toys and 535 lbs. of used textiles for the Salvation Army. |
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7. |
RICHMOND TRAFFIC INTERSECTION CAMERAS AND PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA SYSTEM (File Ref. No. 99-LAW) (REDMS No. 7471928) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That: |
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(1) |
A more detailed assessment of the costs associated with implementing the Proposed Public Safety Camera System, including phasing options and funding sources, as described in the report titled “Richmond Traffic Intersection Cameras and Proposed Public Safety Camera System” dated December 6, 2023 from the City Solicitor and General Manager, Community Safety be presented for Council’s consideration and approval through a future budget process; |
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(2) |
The feasibility of obtaining a Court declaration in advance of the expenditures associated with implementing the Proposed Public Safety Camera System, as described in the report titled “Richmond Traffic Intersection Cameras and Proposed Public Safety Camera System” dated December 6, 2023 from the City Solicitor and General Manager, Community Safety be explored; |
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(3) |
Any necessary Privacy Impact Assessment for the Proposed Public Safety Camera System be undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act; and |
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(4) |
A copy of this report titled “Richmond Traffic Intersection Cameras and Proposed Public Safety Camera System” dated December 6, 2023 from the City Solicitor and General Manager, Community Safety be provided to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Richmond Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) the rationale for the proposed public safety camera system, noting the cameras would be specific to (and could be instrumental in the outcomes of) serious crime investigations, (ii) estimated costs of the proposal, and |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Gillanders opposed. |
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8. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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(i) |
Business License and Property Use Violation Update |
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Discussion ensued with regard to enforcement of illegal commercial escort and sex services and staff advised that bylaws staff will be proceeding with inspections of certain businesses to ensure compliance. Staff advised that in these cases, bylaws staff focus on enforcement of business license and property use violations and that any criminal code violations or organized crime activity would be investigated by the Richmond RCMP. |
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(ii) |
Illegal Ride Hailing |
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In response to queries from the Committee, staff noted Richmond RCMP, City Business License staff, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement Branch (the lead agency) and Transit Police, work in conjunction to enforce provisions, rules and regulations and laws against illegal ride hailing, and that legitimate, licensed businesses continue to operate in Richmond. It was further noted that there is no information that would suggest these legitimate business are losing any market share to the illegal businesses. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:50 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, December 12, 2023. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Alexa Loo |
Lorraine Anderson |