C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek; Dr. Pinkie Hendley; Derrick Gibbons
- Absent:
- James Edwards
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Sergeant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:32 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Member Pastor Hendley conducted the prayer.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from the February 13, 2020 meeting.
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to approve minutes from February 13, 2020 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Dr. Pinkie Hendley
- Other:
- James Edwards (ABSENT)
Passed
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
A.
Review and approval of the PCAC Community Survey.
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to approve the survey.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Dr. Pinkie Hendley
- Other:
- James Edwards (ABSENT)
Passed
Member Hendley was commended for her hard work in putting together the survey.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Review of the Department's monthly report.
Staff Hobley-Burney presented the draft monthly report for January 2020. Member Gibbons enquired about the timeframe of the calls to show when the need for manpower is needed most. Member Gibbons will submit information that is needed to Staff Braun.
As it relates to responding to major crimes, Member Jones questioned if the Police Department had a task force in place. Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting that a task force had just ended to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Sheriff’s Department and US Marshals. Reference was also made to the Narcotic Unit in the County and City as well as the undercover work that is being done by the Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). Staff Hobley-Burney stated that Lieutenant James Gagliano was the point of contact at the Department for the CSU.
Member Hendley made a request for the crime brief to be sent to members before the meetings so that the information can be reviewed for further comments.
With regards to grants, Staff Hobley-Burney shared with the meeting that there was one available for assisting Officers with mental health issues, a grant that would allow the Department to employ ten (10) existing officers, two (2) of these Officers will be assigned in the Lincoln Park area, two (2) will be deployed at the RICH House as well as the beach and Downtown area. Another grant is available for that can be used to purchase computer.
Member Hendley enquired if there will be a need for volunteers at the RICH House. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes the Department will need volunteers.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that a meeting was arranged for Monday, March 30, 2020 to discuss law enforcement services with St. Lucie County Administrator, Howard Tipton.
In relation to the use of ShotSpotter, the Chief reported that a presentation was being requested, and as such sought the opinion of members. Member Jones suggested that consultation be had with Police Departments that have used the technology, such as the Savannah Police Department in Georgia.
As it relates to responding to major crimes, Member Jones questioned if the Police Department had a task force in place. Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting that a task force had just ended to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Sheriff’s Department and US Marshals. Reference was also made to the Narcotic Unit in the County and City as well as the undercover work that is being done by the Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). Staff Hobley-Burney stated that Lieutenant James Gagliano was the point of contact at the Department for the CSU.
Member Hendley made a request for the crime brief to be sent to members before the meetings so that the information can be reviewed for further comments.
With regards to grants, Staff Hobley-Burney shared with the meeting that there was one available for assisting Officers with mental health issues, a grant that would allow the Department to employ ten (10) existing officers, two (2) of these Officers will be assigned in the Lincoln Park area, two (2) will be deployed at the RICH House as well as the beach and Downtown area. Another grant is available for that can be used to purchase computer.
Member Hendley enquired if there will be a need for volunteers at the RICH House. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes the Department will need volunteers.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that a meeting was arranged for Monday, March 30, 2020 to discuss law enforcement services with St. Lucie County Administrator, Howard Tipton.
In relation to the use of ShotSpotter, the Chief reported that a presentation was being requested, and as such sought the opinion of members. Member Jones suggested that consultation be had with Police Departments that have used the technology, such as the Savannah Police Department in Georgia.
B.
Disscussion on the report to the City Commission summarizing the Police Advisory Committee activities for the March 23, 2020 Conference Agenda Meeting.
Member Hayek suggested that for the upcoming Conference Agenda Meeting that each member could select a topic for research and discussion at the Meeting.Member Gibbons said he would work on salaries for Officers as well as the size of the force, given the annexation of the City.Member Hendley will work on the community survey and present it at the Conference Meeting while Member Hayek will make a presentation on ShotSpotter. Committee members will send the topics they would be researching and presenting at the meeting to Staff Braun.
C.
Police Community Advisory Committee introduction at the Fort Pierce Citizen’s Academy at 5:30 pm.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the Fort Pierce Citizen’s Academy would begin at 5:30 pm in the afternoon at the police department. Members of the PCAC will be introduced to the attendees at the Citizen’s Academy, as well as providing information on the work of the Committee.It was recommended that the community survey be administered to the attendees as a sample.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Members were informed by Staff Hobley-Burney of an incident that took place at the Lawnwood Hospital where an Officer was overly aggressive. She said the department responded swiftly by placing the main officer on administrative leave with pay, and for contacting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) that is currently doing the investigation. After the FDLE’s investigation, Staff Hobley-Burney said she will arranged a press conference on the matter.
With regards to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that she has recommended to the City Manager to hire a Major as well as two (2) Captains to assist with the work load of the department. She also advised that the Public Affairs Manager’s position was advertised.
With regards to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that she has recommended to the City Manager to hire a Major as well as two (2) Captains to assist with the work load of the department. She also advised that the Public Affairs Manager’s position was advertised.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hayek enquired about the City of Fort Pierce’s plan with regards to the Coronavirus. Staff Hobley-Burney advised that the Mayor was awaiting the directives from the Centers for Disease and Prevention as well as the State of Florida. She said the police department’s plan is to make available masks and sanitation supplies for the officers.
As it relates to Jaycee Park, Member Hendley raised a concern about the area that is designated for jet skiing. Staff Hobley-Burney advised that additional officers have been assigned to patrol the park.
As it relates to Jaycee Park, Member Hendley raised a concern about the area that is designated for jet skiing. Staff Hobley-Burney advised that additional officers have been assigned to patrol the park.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to adjourn the meeting 5:35 pm.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Dr. Pinkie Hendley
- Other:
- James Edwards (ABSENT)
Passed