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 8, 2023 - 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; Bruce Murray; Quincy Barr
- Absent:
- Betty Bradwell
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Brian MacNaught
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:41 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Staff Hobley-Burney prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to excuse the absence of Member Bradwell.
- AYE:
- Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from May 11, 2023
Motion was made by Bruce Murray, seconded by Quincy Barr to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2023 meeting.
- AYE:
- Bruce Murray, 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.
None
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update
Members were informed about the upcoming plans for the police department. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the department is need of a psychologist because the mental wellness of the staff is paramount to their success. Plans are in place to include a therapy or comfort dog. Discussions have been had with an entity that provides training for the program as well as the dog for free. Member Murray inquired about the duration of the placement of the dog. Staff Hobley-Burney, in response outlined that the assignment of the dog will be permanent. It was noted that School Resource Officer, Jorge Goz is exploring the possibility of having a comfort dog at his school. Members were informed that all these upcoming plans will be included in the department’s presentation to the City Commission.
As it relates to calls for service, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department has surpassed 1,900 calls for service per week. In order to effectively manage these calls, the department has had to change its approach so that officers only respond to priority calls. With regard to shoplifting calls, owners who do not want to press charges will be asked come to the department.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department has positions for one hundred and forty-one (141) officers. Three (3) additional officers will be hired to account for the three (3) School Resource Officer positions. Additionally, five (5) persons will be sponsored so they can go through the police academy. With regard to hiring concerns, members were informed that it will be difficult to attract and keep officers given the starting pay of other agencies.
With regard to the homeless, members were informed that it has been an issue for the city. Since there is no law in place to address homeless concerns, Staff Hobley-Burney has proposed an ordinance to ban shopping carts and that the City Attorney is working with department on this proposal. In the interim, a request was made to the public works department to place bars on park benches to prevent the homeless from using them.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that as a result of the reduction of the speed limit on Indian River Drive from 35 miles to 25 miles per hour officers will seek first to educate the public on the change before issuing traffic tickets.
Since the department has twenty-three (23) individuals in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), Staff Hobley-Burney stated that it would good to utilize their services after retirement since they already have the experience. She identified fraud cases as an area that the department would benefit greatly from their expertise. Given the concern of individuals getting two checks, Member Murray said this matter could be explored since times have changed. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department has been working on changing the old culture and now has a father and son working at the department. She stated that accountability and transparency measures have been implemented to avoid them from working on the same shift and reporting to the same supervisor.
Member Murray inquired if the family members of the officers could utilize the services of the psychologist. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes, and that it would include the civilian staff and their family members. It was pointed out that an app will be provided as added feature for access to the services. Staff MacNaught shared that the progress has been made on the development of this application for implementation. Member Murray commended the department for exploring this service for staff since it is documented that police officers are three times more prone to be suicidal.
With regard to the comfort or therapy dog proposal, Member Murray outlined the difference between both dogs and noted that it would be more beneficial to the department to have a therapy dog.
As it relates to calls for service, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department has surpassed 1,900 calls for service per week. In order to effectively manage these calls, the department has had to change its approach so that officers only respond to priority calls. With regard to shoplifting calls, owners who do not want to press charges will be asked come to the department.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department has positions for one hundred and forty-one (141) officers. Three (3) additional officers will be hired to account for the three (3) School Resource Officer positions. Additionally, five (5) persons will be sponsored so they can go through the police academy. With regard to hiring concerns, members were informed that it will be difficult to attract and keep officers given the starting pay of other agencies.
With regard to the homeless, members were informed that it has been an issue for the city. Since there is no law in place to address homeless concerns, Staff Hobley-Burney has proposed an ordinance to ban shopping carts and that the City Attorney is working with department on this proposal. In the interim, a request was made to the public works department to place bars on park benches to prevent the homeless from using them.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that as a result of the reduction of the speed limit on Indian River Drive from 35 miles to 25 miles per hour officers will seek first to educate the public on the change before issuing traffic tickets.
Since the department has twenty-three (23) individuals in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), Staff Hobley-Burney stated that it would good to utilize their services after retirement since they already have the experience. She identified fraud cases as an area that the department would benefit greatly from their expertise. Given the concern of individuals getting two checks, Member Murray said this matter could be explored since times have changed. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department has been working on changing the old culture and now has a father and son working at the department. She stated that accountability and transparency measures have been implemented to avoid them from working on the same shift and reporting to the same supervisor.
Member Murray inquired if the family members of the officers could utilize the services of the psychologist. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes, and that it would include the civilian staff and their family members. It was pointed out that an app will be provided as added feature for access to the services. Staff MacNaught shared that the progress has been made on the development of this application for implementation. Member Murray commended the department for exploring this service for staff since it is documented that police officers are three times more prone to be suicidal.
With regard to the comfort or therapy dog proposal, Member Murray outlined the difference between both dogs and noted that it would be more beneficial to the department to have a therapy dog.
B.
Upcoming Events
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the County has taken responsibility for the Juneteenth events. Members were informed that the Peace Walk was canceled.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
As it relates to the Florida Permitless Carry law that takes effect July 1, 2023, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that training of officers is very critical. She outlined that the training unit will be very busy and that Lieutenant MacNaught is leading the unit. It was noted that the terminology for Active Shooter was being changed to Active Assailant to cover all kinds of weapons.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hayek inquired about the purpose of the presentation to the Commission. It was pointed out that the department will provide an overview of its operations to the City Commission and the public to include its successes. Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department has come afar way and that since 2015 crime has been reduced by 50%.
Member Murray shared with members that residents are pleased with the idea of having the department’s boat out on the holiday. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that a request was made for two (2) additional boats for the department. He inquired about plans for the 4th of July and whether there will be additional support from officers. It was noted by Staff Hobley-Burney that the department always has a plan in place for the holidays and that officers will be vigilant in their efforts.
With regard to building the capacity of the police department to respond to numerous changes, Member Hayek shared that with the opening of more businesses in the city, calls for service will be impacted. Additionally, Member Jones shared that training of the staff was essential and pointed out that Port Saint Lucie Police Department is working on having their own training facility.
Member Murray shared with members that residents are pleased with the idea of having the department’s boat out on the holiday. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that a request was made for two (2) additional boats for the department. He inquired about plans for the 4th of July and whether there will be additional support from officers. It was noted by Staff Hobley-Burney that the department always has a plan in place for the holidays and that officers will be vigilant in their efforts.
With regard to building the capacity of the police department to respond to numerous changes, Member Hayek shared that with the opening of more businesses in the city, calls for service will be impacted. Additionally, Member Jones shared that training of the staff was essential and pointed out that Port Saint Lucie Police Department is working on having their own training facility.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to adjourn the meeting at 5:38 P.M.
- AYE:
- Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed