November 13, 2024 - Minutes
|
Community Safety Committee
|
Date: |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
|
Place: |
Anderson Room |
|
Present: |
Councillor Alexa Loo, Chair |
|
Also Present: |
Councillor Chak Au Councillor Carol Day Councillor Michael Wolfe |
|
Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
|
|
|
The meeting was recessed at 4:01 p.m. |
*********************
|
|
|
The meeting reconvened at 4:14 p.m. following the Closed Community Safety Committee meeting with all members of Committee present, including Cllrs. Au, Day, and Wolfe. |
|
|
|
MINUTES |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on October 8, 2024, be adopted. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
PRESENTATION |
|
|
1. |
Andrew Wallwork, President, South Fraser Search and Rescue (SFSAR) provided a presentation on SFSAR services and capabilities (Copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office). |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) the average lifespan and required maintenance of the command trailers, (ii) response activities from January 2021 onwards and statistics on successful rescues, (iii) financial support requests, (iv) annual operating budget and government funding, including other municipalities, and (v) the integration between SFSAR and local authorities. |
|
|
|
Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s Emergency Programs branch and other organizations involved in community safety and emergency response. |
|
|
|
As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That staff analyze the South Fraser Search and Rescue in addition to other groups that provide emergency response services in Richmond, including Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, and provide options for formal relationships, support, and invitations to attend City events. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
|
|
2. |
Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2024 (File Ref. No. 12-8375-02) (REDMS No. 7828684) |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) Traffic Bylaw 5870 addresses incidents of recreational vehicles (RVs) parked on streets, or individuals residing in their vehicles by prohibiting parking a vehicle at any one place on any street for a period longer than 72 consecutive hours, and carries a $50 fine and the ability to impound, (ii) year-to-date in 2024, there have been 107 RV-related bylaw files, a 22% decrease from 2023, and |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) outreach conducted by Community Social Development and Bylaws staff to assist in finding appropriate shelter and (ii) parking availability near shelters. |
|
|
|
Staff advised that a memorandum regarding the effectiveness of the Trailer Bylaw 2564 can be provided. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the staff report titled “Community Bylaws Monthly Activity Report – September 2024”, dated October 11, 2024, from the Director, Community Bylaws & Licencing, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
3. |
Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2024 (File Ref. No. 09-5140-01) (REDMS No. 7832041) |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, Chief Wishlove advised that (i) the statistics presented in the monthly activity reports are derived from Richmond Fire Rescue’s (RFR) record management system, indicating calls attended by RFR and (ii) a presentation regarding Emergency Preparedness is forthcoming. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding RFR’s outreach campaign including prevention messaging, starting in elementary schools and expanding to secondary schools over the next year and a half. It was noted that Cllr. Au is the Council Liaison for the Vancouver Coastal Health/Richmond Health Services Local Governance Liaison Group, and it was suggested that reports on unregulated drug deaths be requested. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the staff report titled “Richmond Fire-Rescue Monthly Activity Report – September 2024”, dated October 11, 2024, from the Fire Chief, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
4. |
FIRE CHIEF BRIEFING |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Community Outreach |
|
|
|
Chief Wishlove highlighted that in addition to awards and accolades over the past few years, Richmond Fire-Rescue’s (RFR) outreach team “The Squad” was recently recognized by the Ontario Association of Fire Educators, and were invited to speak at their 2024 Public Education Fall Conference. RFR was acknowledged for their online education program. |
|
|
|
5. |
RCMP Monthly Activity Report - September 2024 (File Ref. No. 09-5000-01) (REDMS No. 7810773) |
|
|
|
In response to queries from Committee, Chief Supt. Chauhan advised that in addition to DARE classes, RCMP officers in the Youth Section are actively involved in engaging with students the elementary and secondary school level. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued regarding (i) drug-related complaint statistics, noting that data was recovered by the RCMP Crime Analyst Unit after a labour-intensive review of approximately 5,000 police files, (ii) police presence as a deterrent and the proactive practice of the Road Safety Unit, and (iii) the potential for a collaborative relationship between the Youth Section and Crime Stoppers. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the report titled “RCMP Monthly Activity Report – September 2024”, dated October 17, 2024, from the Officer in Charge, be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
6. |
RCMP/OIC BRIEFING |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
Halloween Operation Plans |
|
|
|
Chief Supt. Chauhan advised that additional resources were deployed on Halloween, noting 15 extra calls related to nuisance or fireworks were received, with no significant issues reported. |
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
Serious Accidents |
|
|
|
Chief Supt. Chauhan advised of two recent motor vehicle accidents in Richmond, highlighting the importance of road safety for both drivers and pedestrians. |
|
|
|
|
In response to a query from Committee, Chief Supt. Chauhan advised that there were no hate crimes or incidents reported in relation to the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel and RCMP officers are fully engaged with impacted communities and continue to be responsive and proactive. |
|
|
|
7. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
|
|
|
None. |
|
|
|
accepted forms of payment |
|
|
|
The following motion was introduced: |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That staff draft a regulation for Council making a mandatory requirement that persons engaged in specific business activities must accept forms of payment in addition to cash. |
|
|
|
The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding cash-only businesses in Richmond. |
|
|
|
The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
|
|
|
ADJOURNMENT |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the meeting adjourn (5:23 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 Wednesday, November 13, 2024. |
|
_________________________________ |
_________________________________ |
|
Councillor Alexa Loo |
Shannon Unrau |