C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, June 9, 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; Quincy Barr
- Absent:
- Dr. Pinkie Hendley; 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 Hendley and Gibbons.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the May 12, 2022 Police Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2022 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., 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.
None
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Members were informed that meetings regarding the department’s budget were being had with City Commissioners.
As it relates to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department had 141 sworn officer positions and 17 vacancies. The department was given 10 officer positions through the COP Grant which should be filled by 2026. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that with the police salary increases the department would be in competition with the County. Member Jones shared with the meeting that Port Saint Lucie Police Department was sponsoring 10 officers to attend the police academy.
Staff Braun shared with members that the department was approved 26 license plate readers (LPR) through Flock Safety. He outlined that the LPRs will be beneficial to the department since they will alert officers by sharing a photo and the location of the suspect vehicle. It was noted that rentals were being used to circumvent security systems. In light of the recent school shooting in Texas, Member Barr asked how the department was addressing security of schools. Staff Hobley-Burney pointed out that school security was addressed through the county.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that she was pleased with the remodeling of the department and that work was still being done.
With regard to a Citizen’s Academy, members were informed that the department was working on having another one in the near future.
As it relates to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department had 141 sworn officer positions and 17 vacancies. The department was given 10 officer positions through the COP Grant which should be filled by 2026. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that with the police salary increases the department would be in competition with the County. Member Jones shared with the meeting that Port Saint Lucie Police Department was sponsoring 10 officers to attend the police academy.
Staff Braun shared with members that the department was approved 26 license plate readers (LPR) through Flock Safety. He outlined that the LPRs will be beneficial to the department since they will alert officers by sharing a photo and the location of the suspect vehicle. It was noted that rentals were being used to circumvent security systems. In light of the recent school shooting in Texas, Member Barr asked how the department was addressing security of schools. Staff Hobley-Burney pointed out that school security was addressed through the county.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that she was pleased with the remodeling of the department and that work was still being done.
With regard to a Citizen’s Academy, members were informed that the department was working on having another one in the near future.
B.
Upcomimg Events.
Members were reminded of their participation in the department’s Unity in our Community event which 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
Staff Braun provided information regarding the department’s brick fundraiser for the Memorial Statue and the dedication of the First Responders Park in honor of the department’s fallen officers.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Jones informed members that plans were being made to do an unveiling of a mural for the late Commissioner Rufus Alexander.
Member Hayek inquired about the resumption of the Courageous Kids community meetings. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the department plans to resume the meetings. However, she said it would be better to wait until after the summer so that families can be notified of the meetings when school is in session.
Member Jones wanted to know about the relationship the department had with the Haitian community. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that plans are in place for the opening of the RICH House South at the Fort Pierce Recreation Center so that the department can provide services for those residents.
Member Hayek inquired about the resumption of the Courageous Kids community meetings. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the department plans to resume the meetings. However, she said it would be better to wait until after the summer so that families can be notified of the meetings when school is in session.
Member Jones wanted to know about the relationship the department had with the Haitian community. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that plans are in place for the opening of the RICH House South at the Fort Pierce Recreation Center so that the department can provide services for those residents.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 5:41 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed