C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, July 15, 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; Dr. 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 June 10, 2021 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
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.
Staff Braun informed members that the maps were updated in the survey. Members agreed to move forward with the tabling of the survey at a Commission meeting. Guidance will be sought on the matter, and members will be notified accordingly.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update
Members were informed that the department will receive 2.5 million dollars in the new financial year to improve its Tasers, body worn camera system, to add in-car camera and other applications that will greatly enhance and equip officers as they work in the community. Some of the notable improvements for these systems include automatic intelligence that can pick up a license plate through another vehicle, drone with full three-dimensional (3D) capability with crime scene mapping. The department will also be equipped with virtual reality headsets that will be used for community engagement.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department was approved two new positons for the editing of the body worn and in-car cameras as well as an additional community service officer.
As it relates to the sponsorship of officers to go through the police academy, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that it is an expensive venture. She said the department has been working hard to include individuals who are committed and dedicated to the development of Fort Pierce. Member Hendley enquired if the department has a sponsorship policy. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department has a sponsorship contract that is signed before individuals enter the program. She outlined that the department will seek legal advice so that all funds can be recouped should individuals breach the contract.
With regards to the support for the department’s budget, Member Hendley enquired about the President’s stimulus commitment and how it will be of benefit. Members were advised that the funds would go to the county and then be distributed to the different departments.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department will apply for 10 more officers under the Department of Justice’s Community-Oriented Policing (COP) Program. She stated that as the city continues to grow, the department has to increase its cohort of officers. She made a recommendation for the city to be divided into three districts to facilitate its expansion.
Member Hayek enquired about the department’s lease of motor vehicles. A discussion on the pros and cons of the program followed. Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that the city will be doing its lease through Enterprise. She outlined that the department will receive 50 vehicles through this program. The lease information for the upcoming year will be shared with members.
Member Hendley enquired if there was an assigned Unit at the department that deals with identity theft cases. Members were advised that the Detective Bureau would normally work on these cases.
Staff Hobley-Burney thanked members for their participation in the department’s promotional interview.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department was approved two new positons for the editing of the body worn and in-car cameras as well as an additional community service officer.
As it relates to the sponsorship of officers to go through the police academy, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that it is an expensive venture. She said the department has been working hard to include individuals who are committed and dedicated to the development of Fort Pierce. Member Hendley enquired if the department has a sponsorship policy. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department has a sponsorship contract that is signed before individuals enter the program. She outlined that the department will seek legal advice so that all funds can be recouped should individuals breach the contract.
With regards to the support for the department’s budget, Member Hendley enquired about the President’s stimulus commitment and how it will be of benefit. Members were advised that the funds would go to the county and then be distributed to the different departments.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department will apply for 10 more officers under the Department of Justice’s Community-Oriented Policing (COP) Program. She stated that as the city continues to grow, the department has to increase its cohort of officers. She made a recommendation for the city to be divided into three districts to facilitate its expansion.
Member Hayek enquired about the department’s lease of motor vehicles. A discussion on the pros and cons of the program followed. Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that the city will be doing its lease through Enterprise. She outlined that the department will receive 50 vehicles through this program. The lease information for the upcoming year will be shared with members.
Member Hendley enquired if there was an assigned Unit at the department that deals with identity theft cases. Members were advised that the Detective Bureau would normally work on these cases.
Staff Hobley-Burney thanked members for their participation in the department’s promotional interview.
B.
Upcoming Events.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department’s Resources in Community Hope (R.I.C.H.) House will have its grand opening ceremony on July 28, 2021. There will be a mini-expo about the various jobs at the police department that will begin at 10:00 A.M. before the ribbon cutting ceremony that will start at 11:00 A.M.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
None.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hendley informed members of the Survivors of Murdered Victims Support Group’s 2nd Anniversary celebration on July 31, 2021 from 10 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Lawnwood Medical Center.
With regards to getting children in the city involved in sports, Member Barr informed the meeting of his plans for baseball, and the importance of marketing the good things that are happening with the various groups.
Member Jones shared that as Fort Pierce’s Commander for the American Legion he will be working to sponsor a team and that he looked forward to getting the parents involved.
Member Hayek encouraged members to be vocal and supportive of the needs of the police department.
With regards to getting children in the city involved in sports, Member Barr informed the meeting of his plans for baseball, and the importance of marketing the good things that are happening with the various groups.
Member Jones shared that as Fort Pierce’s Commander for the American Legion he will be working to sponsor a team and that he looked forward to getting the parents involved.
Member Hayek encouraged members to be vocal and supportive of the needs of the police department.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed