C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, December 8, 2022 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Charles Hayek; Quincy Barr; Derrick Gibbons; Melvin Jones, Sr.; Dr. Pinkie Hendley
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:36 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Chief Hobley-Burney prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the October 13, 2022 Police Community Advisory Meeting.
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Quincy Barr to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2022 meeting.
- AYE:
- Derrick Gibbons, Dr. Pinkie Hendley, 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 any 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 any 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.
7.
OLD BUSINESS
A.
Community Meetings
Staff Braun will provide more information about this at the next meeting after consultation with the City Attorney.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Presentation- Melanie Trewyn of Remember for Change
Timothy and Melanie Trewyn of Remember for Change (RFC) made a presentation to the meeting to include an overview of the vision and mission of the organization, its activities and action plans as well as suggestions for partnering with the police department. Ms. Trewyn shared that the events that led to the untimely death of their daughter motivated them to action. She thanked the Chief for her role in the investigations and the officers who played an integral role in the apprehension of the impaired driver. She commended Officer Stokes for the excellent report he prepared on the fatal crash as well as all the officers who participated in the Vigil to promote awareness on the negative impact of impaired driving. To fulfil their mission, FRC has been educating businesses that serve alcohol on what they can do to encourage responsible drinking in order to save lives.
Ms. Trewyn sought partnership with the police department so that more proactive action can be taken to minimize fatal incidents from intoxicated drivers. As a non-profit organization, she suggested that donations to RFC could be used to fund a horse-mounted officer to patrol designated areas of the city during special events.
Copies of the organization’s outreach coaster were distributed at the meeting and Ms. Trewyn encouraged members to share the information with others. She outlined that by scanning the QR code on the coaster, information on safe driver options will be provided. The overall goal of the organization is to change the culture by rewarding compliance and educating and recognizing businesses that acknowledge responsible serving. Ms. Trewyn commended the Chief for acknowledging Archie’s Seabreeze for their commitment to alcohol sales and serving compliance.
Member Hayek thanked the Trewyns for their presentation. He inquired about the compilation of the organization’s Board and whether they have given thought to incorporate RFC with Mothers Against Drug Driving (MADD) since both organizations share similar goals. Ms. Trewyn shared that the RFC’s Board is comprised of five members. She outlined that given the operational structure of MADD, that organization could not collaborate with RFC.
Ms. Trewyn sought partnership with the police department so that more proactive action can be taken to minimize fatal incidents from intoxicated drivers. As a non-profit organization, she suggested that donations to RFC could be used to fund a horse-mounted officer to patrol designated areas of the city during special events.
Copies of the organization’s outreach coaster were distributed at the meeting and Ms. Trewyn encouraged members to share the information with others. She outlined that by scanning the QR code on the coaster, information on safe driver options will be provided. The overall goal of the organization is to change the culture by rewarding compliance and educating and recognizing businesses that acknowledge responsible serving. Ms. Trewyn commended the Chief for acknowledging Archie’s Seabreeze for their commitment to alcohol sales and serving compliance.
Member Hayek thanked the Trewyns for their presentation. He inquired about the compilation of the organization’s Board and whether they have given thought to incorporate RFC with Mothers Against Drug Driving (MADD) since both organizations share similar goals. Ms. Trewyn shared that the RFC’s Board is comprised of five members. She outlined that given the operational structure of MADD, that organization could not collaborate with RFC.
B.
Department Update
Staff Braun provided an overview of recent activities of the police department to include the dedication of the Officer Memorial and the Sergeant Danny Parrish First Responders Park, the Trunk and Treat community engagement and the reaccreditation audit of the department.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the Courageous Kids outreach was more organized and would like to expand the program to the RICH House where children can access individualized learning services.
Member Hayek recommended the Learn to Read Program as an addition to the offerings at the RICH House. Staff Hobley-Burney agreed.
Member Hendley informed members that all public schools in the county were offering after-school tutoring to children who needed assistance. Member Gibbons shared a concern that children were not given the books to take home that they could revise the work they are doing at school.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the Courageous Kids outreach was more organized and would like to expand the program to the RICH House where children can access individualized learning services.
Member Hayek recommended the Learn to Read Program as an addition to the offerings at the RICH House. Staff Hobley-Burney agreed.
Member Hendley informed members that all public schools in the county were offering after-school tutoring to children who needed assistance. Member Gibbons shared a concern that children were not given the books to take home that they could revise the work they are doing at school.
C.
Upcoming Events
Members were briefed on the upcoming Christmas events of the department to include Shop with a Cop on December 9, 2022 at the Walmart Supercenter and Santa Cop on December 16, 2022 to be held at the police department.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting of the Roundtable’s Ignite Impact Report and that the organization needs the support of the police department and by extension the City of Fort Pierce. She shared her concerns about the approach the organization has taken to access funding by competing with the police department in applying for the same grants.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hayek inquired about the impact of Marsy’s Law on the work of police officers. He said that law enforcement personnel should still be allowed to remain anonymous.
Member Hayek thanked Member Hendley for her support and dedication in light of her resignation from the committee.
Member Hayek thanked Member Hendley for her support and dedication in light of her resignation from the committee.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 5:29 P.M.
- AYE:
- Derrick Gibbons, Dr. Pinkie Hendley, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed