C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, January 13, 2022 - 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:
-
- Deputy Chief of Police Kenny Horris
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:39pm.
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Dr. Pinkie Hendley
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the December 9, 2021 Police Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to approve the minutes of the December 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.
Results of the Community Survey.
Community Survey – Member Hayek discussed the results of the survey and the presentation of the results to the City Commission adding that the Commissioners expressed a need for better pay and more officers. Member Gibbons expounded on the comments regarding officers’ pay. Member Hayek also discussed the Commission’s desire for more community policing. Member Hayek discussed the need to get the survey out to more citizens in the community and suggested possibly distributing the survey through local pastors. Member Gibbons suggested leaving the survey posted to the city’s website all year long.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Staff Norris shared the findings of the preliminary crime statistics. Norris informed members that the Department is expecting to see a decrease in overall crime for 2021.
Members were informed that the department is currently in negotiations with the City regarding the officers’ contracts. Member Jones added that the pandemic has affected the officers, as well as, the department.
Member Hendley inquired about the availability of resources for the officers’ mental health and wellness. Deputy Chief Norris discussed the options currently available to the officers through the City’s health care program. Members discussed the possibility of having individuals on staff to address the mental health needs of officers. Member Hendley expressed her desire to assist and discussed possibly of creating a program/process where officers can speak with a pastor if they desire to do so. Member Gibbons, Jones, and Deputy Chief Norris discussed potential risks the program citing confidentiality issues and offered a few alternatives.
Members were informed that the department is currently in negotiations with the City regarding the officers’ contracts. Member Jones added that the pandemic has affected the officers, as well as, the department.
Member Hendley inquired about the availability of resources for the officers’ mental health and wellness. Deputy Chief Norris discussed the options currently available to the officers through the City’s health care program. Members discussed the possibility of having individuals on staff to address the mental health needs of officers. Member Hendley expressed her desire to assist and discussed possibly of creating a program/process where officers can speak with a pastor if they desire to do so. Member Gibbons, Jones, and Deputy Chief Norris discussed potential risks the program citing confidentiality issues and offered a few alternatives.
B.
Upcoming Events.
Staff Norris informed members of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. parade, and the Swearing In-Ceremony for new officers to be held on January 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the police department.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
None.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hendley briefed members on the progress of the resource center. The center will offer discussions regarding community gardens and gun violence.
Member Gibbons advised that he has noticed an increased presence in the downtown and beach area and the appreciativeness of the businesses and local farmers market participants.
Member Barr informed members that Little League begins the second week of February and requested an increase in patrol presence at the area during practice and games.
Member Jones inquired about a plan to address motorcycles at the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade citing liability to parade goers.
Member Jones thanked Member Hayek for assistance with a food giveaway that was held over the holiday season.
Member Hendley discussed the improvements with some of the local hotel facilities.
Member Gibbons advised that he has noticed an increased presence in the downtown and beach area and the appreciativeness of the businesses and local farmers market participants.
Member Barr informed members that Little League begins the second week of February and requested an increase in patrol presence at the area during practice and games.
Member Jones inquired about a plan to address motorcycles at the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade citing liability to parade goers.
Member Jones thanked Member Hayek for assistance with a food giveaway that was held over the holiday season.
Member Hendley discussed the improvements with some of the local hotel facilities.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 5:32 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed