March 12, 2024 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

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 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 13, 2024, be adopted.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

1.

PROPERTY USE AND PARKING ENFORCEMENT MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2024

(File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 7581639)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) they will report back to Committee on the breakdown of repeat offenders on short term rental non-compliance, (ii) an online short term rental advertisement portal is estimated to launch later in 2024, which will enhance bylaw enforcement, (iii) long form prosecution can be pursued if compliance isn’t achieved through tickets and warnings for short term rental non-compliance, and (iv) staff would coordinate with Public Works into mailing recycling and garbage brochures to remind residents on how to recycle properly.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Property Use and Parking Enforcement Monthly Activity Report – January 2024”, dated February 12, 2024, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICES MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2024

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-01) (REDMS No. 7579289)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that under the Dog Licensing and Animal Control Bylaw, it is an offence for a dog to chase, pursue or injure a person noting that a bite does not need to occur to deem a dog dangerous.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Animal Protection Services Monthly Activity Report – January 2024”, dated February 12, 2024 from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2024

(File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 7573577)

Fire Chief Jim Wishlove provided a breakdown on how many times naloxone was administered stating that of the 44 incidents RFR administered naloxone 4 times.

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief Jim Wishlove noted (i) the increase in January incident volumes from 2023 to 2024 can be attributed to the natural gas leak and the extreme weather, (ii) public service calls are lift assist non-emergency calls that RFR receives directly from the community, (iii) an increase in capacity trial will begin after Q2 by reviewing the types of calls that come in freeing up units while reducing risk to staff and the public, (iv) RFR will look into implementing a prevention campaign on educating the public on administering naloxone, (v) grant funding was received for heat mapping and once installed RFR will report back on this as part of the heat response plan, and (vi) RFR participates in a Mutual Aid Agreement and has working relationships with BC Ambulance, Vancouver Airport Authority, RCMP as well as regional and provincial agreements should the City need them in an emergency.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – January 2024”, dated February 12, 2024, from the Fire Chief, be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Dogs on Bumpers Campaign

Fire Chief Jim Wishlove spoke on the Dogs on Bumpers Campaign which saw over 20 families attend to take pictures of their dogs on the fire trucks.  The event gave RFR an opportunity to promote public education, prevention and awareness for emergency preparedness. 

(ii)

Risk Mitigation

Fire Chief Jim Wishlove spoke on the ongoing trial of the new risk mitigation communication system installed in two fire trucks that alerts drivers with smart vehicles and GPS maps when fire trucks are approaching during an emergency.  The new technology is time-saving for crews while reducing risks between the crews and public.

5.

RCMP MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT – JANUARY 2024

(File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 7548636)

In reply to queries from Committee, Chief Supt. Chauhan noted that (i) officers carry drug prevention resource cards that include contact information for different support systems for the public and Chief Supt. Chauhan will provide Committee with copies, (ii) Youth Section officers focus on educating and creating awareness around law enforcement in high schools, and (iii) Richmond RCMP conducts outreaches with businesses to share strategies on deterring theft and crime reporting as well as delivering Crime Awareness bulletins that provide additional information on reducing crime.

Discussion ensued in regards to drug prevention initiatives and how the City can work with the Province of BC, Richmond School Board, Parent Advisory Councils, Community Associations to educate youth and the public on drug prevention.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – January 2024”, dated February 13, 2024, from the Officer in Charge, Richmond RCMP Detachment, be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP/OIC BRIEFING
(Verbal Report)

(i)

Launch of Community Safety Initiative – Safe Sale Exchange Program

Chief Supt. Chauhan spoke on the new program that provides Richmond residents a secure environment to conduct online marketplace transactions due to an increase in criminal offences associated with online sales during in-person meet-ups.

(ii)

Launch of Crime Reduction Initiative – “You Etch It.  We Catch it” Program

Chief Supt. Chauhan spoke on the campaign which helps combat catalytic converter theft and unlawful sales.  The new initiative is a partnership with ICBC and available at participating automotive shops in Richmond.

(iii)

Bike Patrols

Chief Supt. Chauhan spoke on the Richmond RCMP Bike Patrol Unit initiative stating that the deployment of the bike patrols helps reduce theft and increases public safety noting that the officers can patrol parking lots, parks, alleys, shopping centres and can engage with businesses and the public more easily.

COUNCILLOR LAURA GILLANDERS

7.

POLICIES AND BYLAWS RELATING TO BODY RUB STUDIOS
(File Ref. No. 12-8275-11)

Angela Wu, SWAN Vancouver, spoke on SWAN’s support on how Committee should review enforcement practices and current bylaws to develop policies and best practices for women’s safety working in body rub studios (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

Cathy Peters, Be Amazing Campaign, presented on raising awareness of sexual exploitation and strategies to prevent human trafficking.  The delegate noted that with the potential decriminalization of prostitution in the province, the legalization will worsen the safety of women in this occupation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff research and review our current policies and bylaws relating to body rub studios by consulting with agencies and resources such as SWAN, PACE Society, Living in Community, Pivot Legal Society, VCASE, Benjamin Perrin, Trafficking in Persons report, Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000-2003, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and Canada Revenue Agency as well as compare ours to bylaws in other municipalities; that staff report back to Community Safety Committee with findings and/or options to ensure our policies are aligned with current best practices; and

(2)

That staff report back on services that support people to get out of prostitution, including programs or services that the City can be offering.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding the consultation of other agencies and the stigma around Body Rub Studios.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Beijing Mansion Update

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that bylaw officers attended the residence on January 30, 2024, issuing 3 tickets.  Owners are taking steps to obtain proper permits and the file is still active.

(ii)

Tokyo Health and Beauty

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the Aberdeen Centre location is currently under investigation and staff will be providing a report to Committee summarizing the investigation.  Staff will report back on the ownership of the 3 Tokyo Health and Beauty locations.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:25 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 12, 2024.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Alexa Loo
Chair

Mizuguchi,Andrea
Legislative Services Associate