C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, October 14, 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
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:40 pm.
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Dr. Pinkie Hendley prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the September 9, 2021 Police Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Dr. Pinkie Hendley to approve the minutes of the September 9, 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 progress update.
Member Hayek informed members that the community survey is posted on the city’s website and will be available for ten (10) days. A discussion was had on how residents who do not have online access could complete the survey. With regard to getting the survey on the website, Staff Braun shared that Mr. Sweat did a lot of work so that the map could be included. Member Hendley shared her concern with the naming of the community survey as a “satisfaction survey.” It was noted that survey results will be tabulated by the city.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Upcoming Events.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department had a meeting with representatives from TCPalm. A concern about bias reporting relating to the police department was raised. Reference was made to a TCPalm article about the Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC). Member Hayek pointed out that bias reporting is a nation-wide concern. He noted that even though the article provided information about the PCAC, he is concerned that the public has not been attending the Committee meetings.
As it relates to salaries for officers, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that a meeting was held with the City Manager, Finance and Human Resources Directors. She noted that the officers were one year behind regarding salaries, and that this will be addressed.
Member Hayek made reference to an agenda item for the City Commission meeting regarding an Inter-Local Agreement. Staff Braun inform members that the Inter-Local Agreement will be a collaboration involving the Fort Pierce and Port Saint Lucie Police Departments, the Fire District, the Sheriff’s Office and St. Lucie County. The Agreement will allow for shared Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management Systems among the agencies.
With regard to the Inter-Local Agreement, Member Gibbons questioned if training was needed for these systems while Member Jones enquired if the Agreement was a nation-wide roll-out. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the Agreement was a local one that will allow all agencies to contribute to the cost of the upgrades. Member Hayek asked if the funding would impact the budget for the proposed salary increase for officers. Staff Braun provided an explanation on how the Agreement would be funded by the agencies.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting that the contract with Axon was approved. Due to the nation-wide supply-chain issues, she outlined that the department would be fully outfitted with body worn cameras and other devices within six months.
Members were informed that the department will be getting five (5) new vehicles in short order. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that fifty (50) additional vehicles were budgeted for the department. She thanked members for their support, and also expressed appreciation for the support the department has received from City Commissioners. Member Hayek suggested that a thank you letter from the Committee should be sent to the Commission.
As it relates to salaries for officers, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that a meeting was held with the City Manager, Finance and Human Resources Directors. She noted that the officers were one year behind regarding salaries, and that this will be addressed.
Member Hayek made reference to an agenda item for the City Commission meeting regarding an Inter-Local Agreement. Staff Braun inform members that the Inter-Local Agreement will be a collaboration involving the Fort Pierce and Port Saint Lucie Police Departments, the Fire District, the Sheriff’s Office and St. Lucie County. The Agreement will allow for shared Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management Systems among the agencies.
With regard to the Inter-Local Agreement, Member Gibbons questioned if training was needed for these systems while Member Jones enquired if the Agreement was a nation-wide roll-out. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the Agreement was a local one that will allow all agencies to contribute to the cost of the upgrades. Member Hayek asked if the funding would impact the budget for the proposed salary increase for officers. Staff Braun provided an explanation on how the Agreement would be funded by the agencies.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting that the contract with Axon was approved. Due to the nation-wide supply-chain issues, she outlined that the department would be fully outfitted with body worn cameras and other devices within six months.
Members were informed that the department will be getting five (5) new vehicles in short order. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that fifty (50) additional vehicles were budgeted for the department. She thanked members for their support, and also expressed appreciation for the support the department has received from City Commissioners. Member Hayek suggested that a thank you letter from the Committee should be sent to the Commission.
B.
Department Update.
Members were informed that the police department will host a drive-up event for Halloween on Sunday, October 31, 2021. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the annual events for Christmas, namely Shop with a Cop and Santa Cop will be held. She informed members that Shop with Cop will allow children who have been victims of crime as well as those who have experienced challenges during the year the opportunity to go shopping with a police officer at Walmart.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney advised members that plans for the opening of RICH House South will be placed on hold.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hendley briefed members on an initiative, the New Life Changing Information Resource Center, Inc., a community model for providing information on available resources. She said the initiative will incorporate all sectors of the society. She shared how important it was for residents to know where they can access resources to improve their lives for a better community. She solicited the prayers and support from members.
Member Jones informed the meeting that the American Legion will be hosting a Halloween activity. With regard to the advertising of the event, Member Hayek suggested Lincoln Park Main Street.
Member Jones informed the meeting that the American Legion will be hosting a Halloween activity. With regard to the advertising of the event, Member Hayek suggested Lincoln Park Main Street.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 5:39 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed