C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, December 12, 2019 - 3:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Charles Hayek; James Edwards; Dr. Pinkie Hendley
- Absent:
- Melvin Jones, Sr.; Henry Duhart
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Sergeant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
OPENING PRAY
Pastor Pinkie Hendley led the opening prayer.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from the November 14, 2019 meeting.
Motion was made by Dr. Pinkie Hendley, seconded by James Edwards to approve minutes from the November 14, 2020 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, James Edwards, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
Member Hendley made a correction to the minutes at Item 12 that she did not vote for adjournment of the meeting.
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Board will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Board will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
None.
7.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
A.
Old business from November's meeting will be tabled until January's meeting.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Discussion on meeting format and start time.
Motion was made by Dr. Pinkie Hendley, seconded by James Edwards that after fifteen (15) minutes of the start of the meeting, it will be cancelled if there was no quorum (which is 3 of the 5 members).
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, James Edwards, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
Members indicated that they did not have any challenges with the format and start time of the meeting. A/Lt. Braun will compile a list of committee members and their contact information for circulation.
B.
Review of the Department's monthly report.
Reference was made to the number of calls to service that was presented in the Police Department’s monthly report for November 2019. Staff Hobley-Burney reported that the total for calls for service include both those which are received from the community, as well as outside. The issue of prank call was raised, and it was highlighted by Staff Hobley-Burney that those calls were received as well, especially as it relates to false gun firing calls. She also indicated that a major concern was the number of persons who were leaving valuables in their vehicles unprotected. With regards to the different categories of crime, a twelve (12) month chart can be added to show all the crimes that have been committed. It was noted that opioid overdose was on the decline, as reported by Staff Braun.
As it relates to community engagement, Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the number of these events will be added to the monthly report, as well as the number of hours that are dedicated to these activities. It was discussed that these activities, as well as the work of the Police Department could be presented in the form of a newsletter for distribution in the community.
The issue of officer retention was discussed. Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that it was the greatest challenge for the Department as more calls for service from the community are received.
As it relates to community engagement, Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the number of these events will be added to the monthly report, as well as the number of hours that are dedicated to these activities. It was discussed that these activities, as well as the work of the Police Department could be presented in the form of a newsletter for distribution in the community.
The issue of officer retention was discussed. Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that it was the greatest challenge for the Department as more calls for service from the community are received.
D.
Discussion on posting contact information of Committee Members on the Department's website or Facebook page to further their role as community liaisons.
Motion was made by Dr. Pinkie Hendley, seconded by James Edwards to post information of members of the Committee on the Police Department’s website.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, James Edwards, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
Staff Hobley-Burney enquired of members if they were comfortable with their information being shared with the public. Member Hendley indicated that it would be good so that members of the community would know who to contact should they need to share ideas or concerns.It was pointed out by Chairman Hayek that this would also build trust between the citizens and members of the community.
As it relates to the identification of members of the committee, Member Hendley asked if they could get a shirt or badge of identification. Staff Hobley-Burney said that members could get shirts but would seek advice from the City Attorney regarding the matter.
As it relates to the identification of members of the committee, Member Hendley asked if they could get a shirt or badge of identification. Staff Hobley-Burney said that members could get shirts but would seek advice from the City Attorney regarding the matter.
E.
Discussion on setting community meeting dates, the sugested dates currently conflict with other events.
It was pointed out that the dates for the community meetings were not convenient as they would coincide with Martin Luther King Jr’s celebrations. It was discussed that a staff member from the Police Department could attend these meetings.
Member Hendley said it would be good to conduct a short community survey for feedback purposes on what to cover in these meetings. She also volunteered to work on the survey. Staff Hobley-Burney suggested that samples of similar surveys could be reviewed for ideas on how to proceed. Member Hayek suggested that Mr. Joe Sweat could be a good resource in this area, and would contact him.
Member Hendley said it would be good to conduct a short community survey for feedback purposes on what to cover in these meetings. She also volunteered to work on the survey. Staff Hobley-Burney suggested that samples of similar surveys could be reviewed for ideas on how to proceed. Member Hayek suggested that Mr. Joe Sweat could be a good resource in this area, and would contact him.
9.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Chairperson, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Chairperson, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public.
None.
10.
STAFF COMMENTS
Chief Hobley-Burney shared with the Committee the upcoming events for the Department. These include the Swearing-in Ceremony of six (6) new Officers on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 3:30 pm at the Police Department, as well as Shop with a Cop at 5:30 pm at Walmart, and Santa’s Cop on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 5:30 pm at the Police Department.
11.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Motion was made by Dr. Pinkie Hendley, seconded by James Edwards to remove Member Duhart, as a member of the Committee since he failed to attend three (3) consecutive meetings.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, James Edwards, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
The concern of the attendance of committee members to the meeting was raised by Chairman Hayek. Of note was the absence of member Duhart to three consecutive meetings. According to Section 10 of the by-laws, members can be removed having fail to attend two consecutive regular meetings. Since the member was appointed by the Commissioner, it would be a decision of the Commissioner to submit another representative. Chairman Hayek will speak with Commissioner Perona on the matter.
Member Hendley commended the Police Department for including her in the CIS training. As a result of the training, she will be able to deal with issues on a personal level.
The following upcoming activities were shared by Member Hendley; Saturday, December 14, 8:00 am there will be a breakfast and the winter wrap (sweater) outreach at her church, as well the Social Survivor’s Group Meeting on December 16, 2019 at 6:00 pm.
Member Hendley commended the Police Department for including her in the CIS training. As a result of the training, she will be able to deal with issues on a personal level.
The following upcoming activities were shared by Member Hendley; Saturday, December 14, 8:00 am there will be a breakfast and the winter wrap (sweater) outreach at her church, as well the Social Survivor’s Group Meeting on December 16, 2019 at 6:00 pm.
12.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by James Edwards, seconded by Dr. Pinkie Hendley to adjourn the meeting at 6:02pm.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, James Edwards, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed