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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-04 CAC MinutesMINUTES A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHULA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT Webex Virtual Meeting 315 FOURTH AVENUE June 4, 2020 CHULA VISTA, CA 91910 9:30 am Roxana Kennedy Chief of Police MEMBERS: Ray Aragon Martin Barros Gustavo Bidart Norma Cazares Patty Chavez Takisha Corbett Jose de la Garza Henrietta Harb Marla Kingkade Peter Mabrey Anthony Millican Gerry Sablan STAFF: Captain Vern Sallee Captain Phil Collum Captain Eric Thunberg ASM Jonathan Alegre DCA Carol Trujillo SAS Cathy Miller 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 Chief’s Community Advisory Committee and staff participated in this meeting via teleconference. All votes were taken by roll call. CALL TO ORDER: 9:33 AM ROLL CALL: City Clerk’s Office Present: Kerry Bigelow and Cristina Hernandez CAC Members Present: Martin Barros, Gustavo Bidart, Norma Cazares, Patty Chavez, Takisha Corbett, Jose de la Garza, Henrietta Harb, Marla Kingkade, Peter Mabrey, Anthony Millican and Gerry Sablan. CAC Members Not Present: Ray Aragon Staff Present: Chief Roxana Kennedy, Captain Vern Sallee, Captain Phil Collum, Captain Eric Thunberg, ASM Jonathan Alegre, DCA Carol Trujillo and SAS Cathy Miller City Clerk’s office opened the meeting with the Webex instructions. The meeting was video streamed live on U-Tube. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments from “e-comments” after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. One “chat” comment on Webex from community member Shawan Owusu who heard Chief Kennedy speak at a council meeting and was interested to stream the Chief’s Community Advisory Committee meeting. AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Approval of Minutes (October 2, 2019, December 5, 2019 and March 5, 2020 meetings) No comments received from “e-comments” after the allotted time. No comments by email to Captain Collum after the allotted time. CAC members were asked if they had any changes to make to the three sets of minutes. 2 CAC member Kingkade – March 5, 2020 minutes – asked to enhance page 2, section 3, to say: The District Attorney’s 25-year study shows a decrease in officer involved shootings over the last few years due to better training and equipment. Note: In 2017 there were 20 officer involved shootings – 14 being fatal and 6 non-fatal. In 2018 there were 10 OIS shootings – 5 were fatal and 5 were non-fatal. CAC member Corbett- December 5, 2019 minutes – asked on page 3 to reflect the following: CAC Corbett discussed that over time, members of the community had concerns and apprehensions about the potential abuse of this program and that there may be history of similar abuses. CAC member Corbett suggested the police department invite different organizations and advocacies to dialogue with the police department to acknowledge and address those concerns and apprehensions so the Chula Vista Police Department could prevent any abuse of this program. CAC Corbett said this was a great program. CAC member Millican – March 5, 2020 minutes - asked for a spell check on the word de- escalation versus descalation. CAC member Sablan - March 5, 2020 minutes – asked that the roll call reflect CAC member Bidart’s absence, which CAC member Bidart confirmed. CAC member Cazares asked if today’s meeting had a quorum in order to approve the changes to the December 5, 2019 and March 5, 2020 minutes, and accept all three sets of minutes. It was confirmed there was a quorum. Captain Collum confirmed CAC member Barros joined today’s meeting and City Clerk Bigelow confirmed he joined at 9:45 am. Motion made by CAC member Harb to approve all three sets of minutes once the changes are made. CAC member Corbett seconded it. City Clerk Bigelow conducted a vote that showed 11 in favor; 0 opposed and CAC member Aragon absent. 2. Chief’s Comments: Chief Kennedy shared she received a call from the US Attorney stating CVPD will receive a $750,000 COPS grant which will allow the hiring of six additional officers. Staffing Update - The chief shared her concerns regarding the future of recruiting for law enforcement and coming up with a strategy between law enforcement and the community to continue to find the best qualified candidates to protect and serve the community; a continued service that CVPD has provided over the past 100 years. Since December 30, 2016, the chief has hired 86 sworn personnel and 58 professional staff for a total of 144 new employees. Chief Kennedy has also promoted 77 people into leadership roles. The people selected are of the highest caliber, who focus on community and has compassion and consideration for human life. 3 Chief Kennedy highlighted the America Strong campaign the department created , which has spread through the nation. Patriotic badge bands and ribbons are being worn by first responders and essential workers, uniting them together during the challenge of COVID-19. The Awards and Recognition Ceremony has been postponed. Although it is important to recognize members in law enforcement, the professional staff and the members of the community, it is important to wait until things stabilize. The Evening with Heroes, scheduled for September 26, 2020, might be postponed as well. This event has always united the community with the police department. Chief Kennedy spoke on the greatest challenges the department has faced due to the civil unrest. The department has “all hands-on deck” and the department has been watching the pulse of the community, county and nation. Chief Kennedy read her public letter which is posted to the CVPD webpage (read here). Chief Kennedy has met with the San Diego County Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association and all agencies united in banning the carotid restraint. She reminded CAC members to remember what local departments are encountering with officer safety due to the actions of others from another state’s agency. Command has worked 7/24 and CAC support was greatly appreciated. Comments: The City Clerk gave a 2-minute pause for the public to comment on the Chief’s comment section. One e-comment from Allison Estaris was submitted for the members to review. Captain Collum has not received any emails regarding the comment. Members were encouraged to make comments at this time. CAC member Sablan noted it has been a difficult time for everyone, and after reading the chief’s letter to the community and to the board, he wanted to say how proud he was to be part of an organization that can help make changes in a positive way. CAC member Sablan thanked Chief Kennedy her open dialogue which was warranted and appreciated. CAC member Bidart thanked the chief for reading the letter and sharing her personal feelings and comments. He is proud to be a Chula Vista resident, and was proud that department personnel have been helping other cities, showing CVPD in a good light. CAC member Kingkade thanked the chief for her leadership was it was evident long before this current event. CAC member Kingkade stated Chief Kennedy embraced de-escalation training long before today’s discussion. CAC member Kingkade thanked the chief for being one of the first departments to schedule the training for the officers to make sure they have the best training and most enhanced communication and response. It is evident how the community is responding due to the leadership. CAC member Kingkade thanked all the department for their continued work in serving the community. 4 CAC member Millican concurred with the prior statements made by fellow CAC members about the department, as well as the community who have suffered a lost. He referred to the de- escalation training in the March minutes and encouraged the department to publicize it. He also stated as good as CVPD is at values, it is clearly not that way everywhere and if the training can be highlighted, it would help the community know what the department does . He understood the anger and protest but does not condone the looting and violence. He is grateful Chula Vista has not seen the violence other cities are encountering and encouraged continued dialogue in order to strengthen the trust between community and the department. CAC member Corbett thanked Chief Kennedy for her letter to the community and it was appreciated. She expressed oftentimes people miss the pain associated with the members of the African American community and the concerns and worries over the possibility of violence occurring to family. She appreciated the concern and the need to move forward with a dialogue so there is healing and a move to true resolution. CAC member Corbett thanked Chief Kennedy for her consistent openness throughout the department, which is expressed in the tone of the letter. It is a valuable tool to be considered by other departments across the nation to be the people in the community to go for help. She commended the chief on opening a dialogue between the community and the police to acknowledge the pain and move forward. CAC member Corbett also asked about a better understanding of the ban on carotid restraint versus a lethal restraint. She asked for a more in-depth discussion because it does not appear to have been the technique used in the George Floyd case. Chief Kennedy discussed CVPD’S use of the restraint. In 2020, CVPD used it once. In 2019 it was used 3 times. Without the use of the restraint, officers might have been forced to use lethal force. The technique used on Mr. Floyd was not a carotid restraint and CVPD officers are trained not put pressure on the front of a person’s neck or to obstruct their breathing. The technique used on Mr. Floyd is not one used in training tactics in California. Chief Kennedy said there is a need to continue the dialogue between both the community and law enforcement agencies and requested CAC members to also be the voice to calm the community and rebuild trust through and social media platforms. She again illuminated both sides of the concerns, one from the community and one from the business owners in the community concerned for their business property should protests turn violent. Chief Kennedy expressed the need to know of any social media concerns since there are some who post false rumors in order to stir up fear. CAC member Chavez thanked the department and sentiments expressed. She has been participating in policy making collaboratives and is proud and honored by the leadership because policies and training have moved forward. She expressed shock over other law enforcement agencies training and compares them to Chula Vista Police Department’s actions. She too expressed CVPD positive actions should be highlighted in the community. CAC member Cazares appreciated Chief Kennedy’s passion and leadership and appreciated the department, the community and the CAC committee members. She knows everyone will get through this together. 5 CAC member Sablan expressed everyone has come together in this forum, each member can represent to the community. All are supportive of the department. Surveys show CVPD in high ranking with the community, but he also liked the comment made on “moving forward.” CAC member Sablan wants to acknowledge there are voices that need to be heard. Because the meeting is live streamed, he asked Chief Kennedy what she would say to those who want to call and vent. Chief Kennedy informed members she and Command have been receiving calls and emails and will continue to accept any calls or email questions. She said law enforcement is asking the hard and/or uncomfortable questions and is open to dialogue. Chief Kennedy gave an example of a community member filling out a request to speak from the “I can’t breathe” campaign who wanted the carotid restraint banned. The citizen said she would contact the department later. Chief Kennedy mentioned speaking with the Human Relations Committee this afternoon to open dialogue. She asked for CAC members to reach out to the community and let the department know of any concerns. She will also meet with faith-based community leaders and is open to meeting with the BLM Chula Vista chapter. CAC member Millican stated being a police officer is a tough job and salutes each one. He also agrees with CAC member Sablan that there is room for improvement and needs to include those voices who have not been heard or silenced. He agreed it shows Chief Kennedy’s heart to strengthen the community discussions and relations. There is healing in sharing and this is a step in the right direction. He hears the call to the committee to help in community and suggested organizing a peace walk. Chief Kennedy announced a BLM march on Friday (3/6/20) at 6:30 in Memorial Park and would love for the members who felt comfortable to attend. She wholeheartedly agreed to peaceful demonstrations. She encouraged safe freedom of speech, but the community must be safe. 4. Coronavirus Pandemic: Police Department mission, strategies and impacts: Captain Collum thanked the CAC members for their participation and commitment to the police department and community. Captain Collum discussed the department actions regarding the pandemic whi ch is educational and not enforcement yet. Chula Vista has 1,157 positive cases over the past several months. The City of Chula Vista has a higher spread of the virus and the City has been working to flatten the curve. Officers and other department personnel have been contacting businesses and residents handing out masks and flyers to educate people on how to stay safe. 704 businesses have been contacted by department personnel and over 1000 masks have been distributed. The cost of COVID19 comes at a n expense to the City budget and emergency funding is requested. Comments: The City Clerk gave a 2-minute pause for the public to comment. No e-comments were submitted. Captain Collum has not received any emails regarding the comment. Members were encouraged to make comments at this time. 6 CAC member Cazares asked if domestic violence has increased from those who are required to stay home. Chief Kennedy concurred there has been a rise in domestic violence and robberies. However, the overall calls for service are down from data compiled by analysts on 05/25/20. Child abuse has not risen. CAC members were directed to view the dashboards on the Chula Vista Police Departments website, as well as the City website for additional pandemic information. In Closing: Chief Kennedy thanked members for their participation and support and were encouraged to call her or Command Staff if there is anything they wanted to discuss. Meeting ended at 10:55 am. Next scheduled meeting will be in July if possible and information will be provided once a date and time is set.