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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-17 PDCAC Minutes CITY OF CHULA VISTA SPECIAL MEETING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes June 17, 2021—09:30 am Virtual Via Teleconference Pursuant to the Governor of the State of California's Executive Order N-29-20, and in the interest of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Police Department Community Advisory Committee and staff participated in this meeting via teleconference. All votes were taken by roll call. 1. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Police Department's Community Advisory Committee of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 9:33 am on June 17, 2021 via teleconference. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Barros, Cazares, Chavez, Corbet, de la Garza, Harb, Kingkade Lampkin, Millican, and Sablan. Not Present: Aragon and Bidart Staff: Kennedy, Collum, Thunberg, Redmond, Alegre, Trujillo & Miller 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments received from "e-comments"after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. 4. CHIEF COMMENTS: 6.2 Update on De-escalation Training to present first. CAC member Kingkade has been working with the San Diego County law enforcement, behavioral health specialists and community members on de-escalation training. A law went into effect in 2020, AB 392. AB 392 discusses several key factors including the importance of preplanning when feasible. SB 230 also went into effect in 2020 indicating that De-escalation Training must occur. The De-escalation Training is a collaborative training that includes the community, law enforcement, mental health providers and public safety providers. The DA's office was one of the first in the state to have a POST certified curriculum. The curriculum addressed the value of de-escalation; using the "5A's" (assessing; assemble; anticipate; announce; act). The class is an eight-hour class. As of today, there has been approximately 3,000 officers trained in the County, and it has been well received. CAC member Kingkade praised CVPD for being progressive from Live 911 and the Drone as First Responder program. There is a second phase 1 of De-escalation Training, offering a refresher course for law enforcement. The De-escalation Training has also been shared with the community. CAC member Kingkade asked members to participate in the 3-hour overview of the training. It is a modified version of what officers are taught and offers role playing. She will work with the captains to choose several dates and let members know. There was a 2-minute pause to submit comments. No comments received from "e-comments" after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. CAC member Sablan is interested in attending the 3-hour training. He also asked about the timing of the four steps an officer would take before incorporating step 5 to act. CAC member Kingkade said each situation is complex. There are no absolutes given, the tools empower the officers to navigate to each unique situation. CAC member Millican thanked CAC member Kingkade for her presentation and asked if a flyer could be sent to school board members regarding the 3-hour session. Chief Kennedy asked how many people from the community attended the last training. CAC member Kingkade said the class holds 30 people which includes community, law enforcement and instructors. This training opens the dialogue with the community and is important. Chief Kennedy thanked the District Attorney's Office for taking the lead on this regional training. CAC member Kingkade said they are receiving feedback from groups like Stand in the Gap and NAACP. CAC member Lampkin attended, and she agreed it was a great training opportunity for the community. CAC member Lampkin understood it was modified but would also like to see the 8-hour training. CAC member Lampkin felt time management could have been better since some community members wanted to share their experience and grievances and became frustrated with the short time frame. CAC member Lampkin appreciated the role play scenarios and videos, which showed what officers deal with daily. She wanted more community dialogue and to make sure the community could walk away with something they can share with their circles. She also suggested giving clear expectations early in the training with what the community could walk away. CAC member Lampkin said she would attend the 8-hour training if it was offered. CAC member Kingkade thanked CAC member Lampkin for attending. A survey has been created for those who attended the training and once the surveys have been returned, the information will be assimilated and opportunity to dialogue will be given to past attendees. Chief Kennedy does want to continue with in-depth dialogue between law enforcement and the community and encouraged CAC members to reach out to Chief Kennedy or CAC member Kingkade with any ideas. CAC member Corbett would attend the entire training if offered. CAC member Corbett asked who was conducting the training. CAC member Kingkade said the curriculum was developed 2 two years ago and included the voice of the community, the voice of mental health experts, and instructors from San Diego County law enforcement agencies. The course is taught by a diverse group of law enforcement agencies, behavior health agencies, emergency instructors, and crisis negotiators. The District Attorney's Office put $1.5 million in the budget to fund this training. CAC member Chavez would like to be included in the training and thanked the Chief for building trust with the community. She felt CAC member Millican's suggestion to invite school members was a valuable suggestion. CAC member Harb suggested the department host a function and Chief Kennedy is always willing to engage the community. The training is usually held where there is enough room to have the role play and video scenarios, but a modified version might be a possibility. CAC member Chavez recommended to reach out to the social justice organizations in addition to the school partners so they can share with their communities. Chief Kennedy said the Community Advisory Committee can be the link to anyone who might have had a negative or positive experience with the police. The department is always willing to talk, and Officer Jeff Pace is one of the community outreaches officers that is actively coordinating outreaches. CAC member Cazares is also interested in the three-hour training, as well as CAC member de la Garza. CAC member Chavez asked for a flyer to share. 4: Chief Comments (continued) Police Community Relationships and Oversight: Chief Kennedy discussed the council meeting mentioning the potential of having an oversight committee and what it will entail. She is in the early stages of research and will reach out to CAC members. There was a 2 minute pause to submit comments. No comments received from "e-comments" after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. No committee comments. School Resource Officer program: Captain Collum discussed the SRO program which started in 1993. This program has been used as a model across the country in building partnerships with the school districts and community. Their mission statement focuses on four key themes: Prevention, Intervention, Education and Enforcement. Enforcement is the last thing the SROs try to do. They build rapport with students, parents and school staff. They mentor and use resources throughout the community and school to help where needed. Captain Collum spoke on the SRO program, because CAC members might have heard of recent discussions from the school board meetings. The elementary and high school districts fund a portion of the program. There are 12 sworn personnel and the two districts fund about 80% of seven personnel. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is renewed yearly. Because of today's current climate, questions have arisen on why there are SROs in the schools. Captain Collum wanted the CAC members aware the of questions about the program. Captain Collum and Chief Kennedy have been dialoguing with the two districts, teachers and community and 3 presented to both the Sweetwater Union High School District and Elementary School District. As CAC ambassadors, Captain Collum wanted members to be aware of the dialogue and to participate in the board meetings or share any positive or negative experiences on the program. There was a 2 minute pause to submit comments. No comments received from "e-comments" after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. CAC member Millican spoke as an individual who supports the SRO program. He asked CAC members for their voice of support and explained at the meetings people are extrapolating what is happening nationally or even between the high schools versus the elementary schools. It is extremely rare for an elementary school student to be arrested. Captain Collum agreed and added that only in extreme circumstances may elementary school students be physically "detained" for their protection. At the elementary school level SROs provide students a safe place to learn. It is also about building constructive positive relationships and helping identify potential situations early in order to help students. CAC member Millican suggested sharing why SROs are called to the campus which includes determining threat assessments sent over social media. CAC member Cazares participated in the elementary school district meeting and thanked Captain Collum for his presentation which was well prepared. She said some of the questions from the board members might have been negative or challenging, but that is their role as the voice of the community. She felt it was not negative but gives the department the opportunity to ensure the public feels safe. CAC member Cazares perception was all board members appreciated the responses to their questions. She suggested and encouraged Chief Kennedy and Captain Collum to reach out to CAC members when speaking in public so CAC members can attend. Chief Kennedy thanked CAC member Cazares on the excellent suggestion. Captain Collum thanked CAC member Cazares for her comments and believed the meeting gave new ideas and concepts on how to reach out to children who might not feel comfortable about police. FY 2021-22 Police Department Budget: Due to time constraints this will be tabled to the next meeting. 5. ACTION ITEMS 5.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 1, 2021 There was a 2 minute pause to submit comments. No comments received from "e-comments" after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. After these changes are made, the following moved to approve the minutes: • Page 2—ALPR Update, line 6: Correct name to read Alliance San Diego • Page 2—ALPR Update, line 12: reflect the sentence be corrected to say, "CAC member Kingkade thanked the chief and command staff for listening to community concerns 4 on confidentiality and working to address those concerns. She said that this work helps empower police community partnerships." • Page 3—ALPR update, line 7 -change forum date to April 7, 2021 • Page 6—add ad-hoc committee member names Moved by CAC member Cazares and seconded by CAC member Barros. Member Martin Barros: Yes; Member Patty Chavez: Yes; Member Takisha Corbett: Yes; Member Jose de la Garza: Yes; Member Henrietta Harb :Yes; Member Shante Lampkin: Yes; Member; Member Gerry Sablan: Yes; Co-Chair Norma Cazares: Yes Carried 5.2 Consideration to read aloud public electronic comments: Chief Kennedy reminded members in April Co-Chair Cazares asked that any public electronic comments were read aloud during virtual meetings to show transparency and be captured in the minutes. DCA Trujillo mentioned this was optional and recommended it be placed on this meeting's agenda to be voted upon by members. There was a 2 minute pause to submit comments. No comments received from "e-comments" after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. CAC member Cazares reiterated she brought this suggestion up to show the department completely transparent and open, especially during virtual meetings. She felt it was a lack of respect to the community and taxpayers who pay salaries of public entities such as the City. She felt the community often feels dismissed and felt there was no better time than the present to read ecomments out loud. Although it may add to the length of the meeting, elected officials need to listen to the public. A motion was made to include public electronic comments in the minutes was made by CAC member de la Garza and seconded by CAC member Chavez. Member Martin Barros: Yes; Member Patty Chavez: Yes; Member Takisha Corbett: Yes; Member Jose de la Garza: Yes; Member Henrietta Harb: Yes; Member Shante Lampkin: Yes; Member Gerry Sablan: Yes; Co-Chair Norma Cazares: Yes Carried 6. PRESENTATIONS 6.1 ALPR Forum recap —Captain Thunberg said since the council meeting in April 2021, the department has restricted data sharing to California agencies only is researching with the ALPR company do develop better custom reports and is reaching out to the community through the records request act process and other venues. As Captain Collum mentioned earlier, there is 5 negative incorrect information on ALPRs. People have alleged that CVPD sold information to Immigration and Border Patrol. This is incorrect, CVPD does not collect immigration information, nor does it share or sell it. The Ad-hoc committee is moving forward to work on amendments or updates to the Department's ALPR policy. The City will host a Smart City forum where the community can be educated and provide input on this and other technologies. Chief Kennedy let the committee members know about the ALPR web page (https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/police-department/about-us/transparency-and- accountability/automated-license-plate-readers-alpr) and asked for feedback from the committee. There was a 2 minute pause to submit comments. No comments received from "e-comments" after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Callum after the allotted time. CAC member Cazares complimented Captain Thunberg for his presentation. He was prepared and supplied the questions and answers for the public to review. She was frustrated with the City format as well as with the public comments since the commenters did not read the report. Her goal with the community is if comments are made, the material must be read before commenting. She encouraged all CAC members to engage with these type of events in order to stay informed. CAC member Sablan had attended the forum and congratulated Captain Thunberg on his presentation. He wanted to highlight the support from all the City Council. He was impressed with the Mayor and council's overall support of the department. He was thrilled with the final vote and wanted to highlight that even at council level, they took time to recognize the chief and staff for being transparent and available to the community. 6.3 Future CAC Meetings as Pandemic Restrictions are Lifted —Captain Collum mentioned that the Community Advisory Committee meetings might be meeting in person in the near future as required by the Brown Act and the COVID restrictions easing. 7. COMMITTEE MEMBERS' COMMENTS: Chief Kennedy asked members if there were any comments and there were none. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:13 hours and the next meeting will be Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 9:30 am. We believe it will be at the police department in the community room. We will confirm if 9:30 is better and we will reach out to everyone individually. Minutes prepared by Cathy Miller, Secretary i MLtti Cathy Miller, Secretary 6