C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, May 13, 2021 - 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; Pinkie Hendley; Derrick Gibbons; Quincy Barr
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Sergeant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:36 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Member Hendley prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2021 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Pinkie Hendley, Quincy Barr
Passed
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda or other concerns 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 or other concerns 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.
PCAC Community Survey.
Members made suggestions to improve the community survey.It was agreed that the zones be bolded so that they can easily be identified.
Member Hayek enquired if the survey needed to go back to a City Commission Meeting. Staff Hobley-Burney suggested that members could speak with their Commissioners on the matter.
Staff Braun will send the survey link for the International Association for Chiefs of Police (IACP) to Member Hayek.
Member Hayek will follow-up with Ms. Davis who provided comments on the survey.
Member Hayek enquired if the survey needed to go back to a City Commission Meeting. Staff Hobley-Burney suggested that members could speak with their Commissioners on the matter.
Staff Braun will send the survey link for the International Association for Chiefs of Police (IACP) to Member Hayek.
Member Hayek will follow-up with Ms. Davis who provided comments on the survey.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Staff Hobley-Burney made reference to an article that was in the TCPALM newspaper about the Committee. A discussion followed on how members can be more accessible to the community. Staff Hobley-Burney said that there will be a page for the Committee on the department’s website with members’ contact information. Member Barr indicated that the website would be a good medium for the public to reach out to members.
The department’s new Public Affairs Manager, Curtis Jennings was introduced by Staff Hobley-Burney to the committee. Staff Jennings shared how important it was to use available technologies to connect members with the community.
Member Jones enquired about the tenure of the committee, given the impact of the Coronavirus on its planned activities. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that discussion was needed on the matter. Member Hayek shared that the 2-year tenure was too short since it is difficult for the committee to accomplish much during that time span.
Member Hendley said that members needed to be more visible in the community, and the sooner the public meetings can be held would be the better. Staff Hobley-Burney said the community meetings would need to be held in four parts to include everyone in the city.
With regards to traffic stops, Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department has issued more warnings than tickets. Officers have been more empathetic with residents, and there are doing more to educate residents about the importance of road safety. Member Hendley indicated that her comments at the last meeting about traffic stops was directed towards making the process better for both the community and officers.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the police department is looking into improving its taser system through Axon. She outlined that the new taser will be more effective given its shooting reach. Also, the package being offered will improve the body worn camera (BWC), it has an in-car camera system, it will automate inspections for quality control and review, and it has a virtual reality feature where officers utilize a pair of goggles for training purposes. Staff Braun shared that the color of the taser will be bright yellow, and that the supervisor will be alerted once the officer’s BWC is activated. The new system will allow for live-streaming, and can download information immediately for critical incidences.
Member Hayek shared that the investment being made to improve the taser system will ultimately reduce law suits against the department. He suggested a meeting with Axon and individual Commissioners so that they can learn about the system.
As it relates to funding, members were informed that the department will be using its Law Enforcement Training Funds (LETF) to purchase equipment and other critical items that are needed for the efficient and effective running of the department. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department’s budget was cut, and that a number of positions were frozen, due to the pandemic.
Members were apprised that calls for service was averaging 1,500 per week. An internal study revealed that calls for service were most frequent on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department will begin a pilot where additional officers will be deployed during those times. The police department was answering more calls for service than the Sheriff’s Office and calls to the 9-1-1 system. She outlined that community service officers will assist with non-emergent calls.
With regards to recent events, Staff Hobley-Burney commended the detectives for their investigative skills in making an arrest for a recent murder. She also shared that more is being done to monitor social media. Also, the department is working with the Sheriff’s Office on a case from the West Biking Event.
The department’s new Public Affairs Manager, Curtis Jennings was introduced by Staff Hobley-Burney to the committee. Staff Jennings shared how important it was to use available technologies to connect members with the community.
Member Jones enquired about the tenure of the committee, given the impact of the Coronavirus on its planned activities. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that discussion was needed on the matter. Member Hayek shared that the 2-year tenure was too short since it is difficult for the committee to accomplish much during that time span.
Member Hendley said that members needed to be more visible in the community, and the sooner the public meetings can be held would be the better. Staff Hobley-Burney said the community meetings would need to be held in four parts to include everyone in the city.
With regards to traffic stops, Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department has issued more warnings than tickets. Officers have been more empathetic with residents, and there are doing more to educate residents about the importance of road safety. Member Hendley indicated that her comments at the last meeting about traffic stops was directed towards making the process better for both the community and officers.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the police department is looking into improving its taser system through Axon. She outlined that the new taser will be more effective given its shooting reach. Also, the package being offered will improve the body worn camera (BWC), it has an in-car camera system, it will automate inspections for quality control and review, and it has a virtual reality feature where officers utilize a pair of goggles for training purposes. Staff Braun shared that the color of the taser will be bright yellow, and that the supervisor will be alerted once the officer’s BWC is activated. The new system will allow for live-streaming, and can download information immediately for critical incidences.
Member Hayek shared that the investment being made to improve the taser system will ultimately reduce law suits against the department. He suggested a meeting with Axon and individual Commissioners so that they can learn about the system.
As it relates to funding, members were informed that the department will be using its Law Enforcement Training Funds (LETF) to purchase equipment and other critical items that are needed for the efficient and effective running of the department. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department’s budget was cut, and that a number of positions were frozen, due to the pandemic.
Members were apprised that calls for service was averaging 1,500 per week. An internal study revealed that calls for service were most frequent on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department will begin a pilot where additional officers will be deployed during those times. The police department was answering more calls for service than the Sheriff’s Office and calls to the 9-1-1 system. She outlined that community service officers will assist with non-emergent calls.
With regards to recent events, Staff Hobley-Burney commended the detectives for their investigative skills in making an arrest for a recent murder. She also shared that more is being done to monitor social media. Also, the department is working with the Sheriff’s Office on a case from the West Biking Event.
B.
Upcomming Events.
None.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney said since the City has lifted restrictions the department will resume its Courageous Kids Program.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Jones shared with the meeting that his experience as a participant in the department’s oral board was a good one. He encouraged the participation of other members.
Member Hendley made reference to the Governor’s order on rioting and protesting. Staff Hobley-Burney noted that the department was in the process of reviewing its policies, and that officers will be trained so that they can respond proactively in the event these situations arise.
Member Hayek thanked everyone for their participation at the meeting.
Member Hendley made reference to the Governor’s order on rioting and protesting. Staff Hobley-Burney noted that the department was in the process of reviewing its policies, and that officers will be trained so that they can respond proactively in the event these situations arise.
Member Hayek thanked everyone for their participation at the meeting.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Pinkie Hendley, Quincy Barr
Passed