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 12, 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.; Dr. Pinkie Hendley; Quincy Barr
- Absent:
- Charles Hayek; Derrick Gibbons
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:37 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Staff Hobley-Burney prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to excuse the absence of Members Hayek and Gibbons.
- AYE:
- Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the April 14, 2022 Police Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2022 meeting.
- AYE:
- 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.
Community Meetings
Member Hendley reminded members of the proposed community meetings. Proposed venues were discussed. It was recommended that the Committee members could be included in the police department’s Unity in our Community event on July 6, 2022. Subsequent meetings were proposed so members could interact with residents. Member Hendley suggested that members could individually meet with residents to sensitize them on the importance of the community meetings.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting of a search warrant that the department did in the Lincoln Park community. She said the search warrant was a success and that the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative is working. Staff Hobley-Burney shared her concerns about an elderly resident who was seen coming from the house while everyone was on the outside during the search warrant. She shared her thoughts about developing a connect program for the elderly in the city that would conduct welfare checks and visit them.
As it relates to the annexation of the City, Member Hendley inquired about its progress. Members were informed that a third district would need to be created if the expansion of the city goes out to the west. With regard to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the police department received 10 officers through the Department of Justice- COP Grant. The police department has been actively hiring new officers. Currently, six (6) new officers and one (1) sponsored officer have been hired.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the officers’ wage contract will be on the agenda of the City Commission. She shared that officers will be placed in their correct steps and will receive 5% increase. This new pay package will be close to what officers receive in Port Saint Lucie.
Member Hendley asked about officer complaints. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that complaints were minimal and supervisors were actively reviewing random videos to provide guidance to officers on areas of concern.
With regard to crime statistics, it was noted that the one murder was reported in the city which was domestic-related.
As it relates to the annexation of the City, Member Hendley inquired about its progress. Members were informed that a third district would need to be created if the expansion of the city goes out to the west. With regard to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the police department received 10 officers through the Department of Justice- COP Grant. The police department has been actively hiring new officers. Currently, six (6) new officers and one (1) sponsored officer have been hired.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the officers’ wage contract will be on the agenda of the City Commission. She shared that officers will be placed in their correct steps and will receive 5% increase. This new pay package will be close to what officers receive in Port Saint Lucie.
Member Hendley asked about officer complaints. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that complaints were minimal and supervisors were actively reviewing random videos to provide guidance to officers on areas of concern.
With regard to crime statistics, it was noted that the one murder was reported in the city which was domestic-related.
B.
Upcomimg Events.
Unity in our Community will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Fort Pierce Recreation Center.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
None.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Barr shared that the baseball playoff games will start soon but noted that a number of the games will be held in Port Saint Lucie and a few at 13th Street.
Member Hendley informed members that the Survivors of Murder Victims received a grant that will be used to assist family members. She inquired about getting assistance for family members while they are at the hospital at the passing of their loved ones. A discussion on the matter followed and members shared the pros and cons of this proposal. Member Hendley shared that the Trauma Center at the Lawnwood Regional Hospital would assist and that moral support is needed for family members. Member Jones shared that it was important that professionals were on board who can deal with these situations. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that once there is a workable program in place the police department will participate.
Member Jones inquired about traffic complaints. It was noted that speeding was a major concern. Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department has a bike unit with at least two officers on bike patrol. Member Hendley outlined that she was seeing more officers in the community. She asked if officers were allowed to do walk patrols. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes. Member Jones noted that the officers were visible in the community and were seen having meetings.
Member Hendley informed members that the Survivors of Murder Victims received a grant that will be used to assist family members. She inquired about getting assistance for family members while they are at the hospital at the passing of their loved ones. A discussion on the matter followed and members shared the pros and cons of this proposal. Member Hendley shared that the Trauma Center at the Lawnwood Regional Hospital would assist and that moral support is needed for family members. Member Jones shared that it was important that professionals were on board who can deal with these situations. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that once there is a workable program in place the police department will participate.
Member Jones inquired about traffic complaints. It was noted that speeding was a major concern. Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department has a bike unit with at least two officers on bike patrol. Member Hendley outlined that she was seeing more officers in the community. She asked if officers were allowed to do walk patrols. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes. Member Jones noted that the officers were visible in the community and were seen having meetings.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 P.M.
- AYE:
- Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed