C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, July 13, 2023 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Bruce Murray; Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek; Quincy Barr
- Absent:
- Betty Bradwell
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:33 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Staff Hobley-Burney prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Bruce Murray 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 Minutes from the June 8, 2023, Police Community Advisory Meeting.
Motion was made by Bruce Murray, seconded by Quincy Barr to approve the minutes of the June 8, 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
None
8.
NEW BUSINESS
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting that the department was working with local and federal partners for the upcoming Trump Trial in August. Concerns have been raised about the security of the city and the impact on local businesses. To ensure the safety of the public, a number of roads will be closed. Approval is being awaited from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the closure of US Highway 1 in front the Court House and other surrounding streets. Businesses are being sensitized about the trial and are being encouraged to monitor their parking lots for their employees and customers. Residents will be informed that once the trial begins the department will only respond to priority calls. Also, a unified command concept will be used to manage the trial which allows each agency to lead in their area of specialty.
Funding for the activity is also a concern but Staff Hobley-Burney shared that discussions have been had with the City Manager regarding the needs of the department. She outlined that new equipment will be procured in preparation for the trial. Member Murray inquired if the events around the affected area will be cancelled in the light of the trial. Staff Hobley-Burney in response stated that a request has been made for no permits to be issued for the old city hall. A meeting with key players has been arranged to work out the logistics for the trial. Member Hayek asked how long the trial will be. Staff Hobley-Burney said no information was available and that she learned about the trial through the news. Member Jones shared that trial is being held in the area because of the judge.
Members were informed that a mob trial is currently being held in the city and will last for two to three weeks. Information about the witnesses is not available and Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that there have been no issues with this trial.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department had a swearing in ceremony for the new Major, Michael Santiago. She outlined that Major Santiago has experience with managing large events and has been instrumental in the planning for the trial as well as meeting with the Hispanic community regarding their concerns about the new Florida immigration law.
Funding for the activity is also a concern but Staff Hobley-Burney shared that discussions have been had with the City Manager regarding the needs of the department. She outlined that new equipment will be procured in preparation for the trial. Member Murray inquired if the events around the affected area will be cancelled in the light of the trial. Staff Hobley-Burney in response stated that a request has been made for no permits to be issued for the old city hall. A meeting with key players has been arranged to work out the logistics for the trial. Member Hayek asked how long the trial will be. Staff Hobley-Burney said no information was available and that she learned about the trial through the news. Member Jones shared that trial is being held in the area because of the judge.
Members were informed that a mob trial is currently being held in the city and will last for two to three weeks. Information about the witnesses is not available and Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that there have been no issues with this trial.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department had a swearing in ceremony for the new Major, Michael Santiago. She outlined that Major Santiago has experience with managing large events and has been instrumental in the planning for the trial as well as meeting with the Hispanic community regarding their concerns about the new Florida immigration law.
A.
Department Update
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the meeting that the department was working with local and federal partners for the upcoming Trump Trial in August. Concerns have been raised about the security of the city and the impact on local businesses. To ensure the safety of the public, a number of roads will be closed. Approval is being awaited from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the closure of US Highway 1 in front the Court House and other surrounding streets. Businesses are being sensitized about the trial and are being encouraged to monitor their parking lots for their employees and customers. Residents will be informed that once the trial begins the department will only respond to priority calls. Also, a unified command concept will be used to manage the trial which allows each agency to lead in their area of specialty.
Funding for the activity is also a concern but Staff Hobley-Burney shared that discussions have been had with the City Manager regarding the needs of the department. She outlined that new equipment will be procured in preparation for the trial. Member Murray inquired if the events around the affected area will be cancelled in the light of the trial. Staff Hobley-Burney in response stated that a request has been made for no permits to be issued for the old city hall. A meeting with key players has been arranged to work out the logistics for the trial. Member Hayek asked how long the trial will be. Staff Hobley-Burney said no information was available and that she learned about the trial through the news. Member Jones shared that trial is being held in the area because of the judge.
Members were informed that a mob trial is currently being held in the city and will last for two to three weeks. Information about the witnesses is not available and Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that there have been no issues with this trial.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department had a swearing in ceremony for the new Major, Michael Santiago. She outlined that Major Santiago has experience with managing large events and has been instrumental in the planning for the trial as well as meeting with the Hispanic community regarding their concerns about the new Florida immigration law.
Funding for the activity is also a concern but Staff Hobley-Burney shared that discussions have been had with the City Manager regarding the needs of the department. She outlined that new equipment will be procured in preparation for the trial. Member Murray inquired if the events around the affected area will be cancelled in the light of the trial. Staff Hobley-Burney in response stated that a request has been made for no permits to be issued for the old city hall. A meeting with key players has been arranged to work out the logistics for the trial. Member Hayek asked how long the trial will be. Staff Hobley-Burney said no information was available and that she learned about the trial through the news. Member Jones shared that trial is being held in the area because of the judge.
Members were informed that a mob trial is currently being held in the city and will last for two to three weeks. Information about the witnesses is not available and Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that there have been no issues with this trial.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department had a swearing in ceremony for the new Major, Michael Santiago. She outlined that Major Santiago has experience with managing large events and has been instrumental in the planning for the trial as well as meeting with the Hispanic community regarding their concerns about the new Florida immigration law.
B.
Upcoming Events
Members were reminded that the department’s “Unity in our Community” event will be held on July 19, 2023. Member Murray shared his experience at last year’s event. Members agreed to forego the request to set up of a table so they can interact with attendees.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that Project Lift donated a chair to the department. She shared how good that it was made by the participants of the program.
As it relates to the Operation Cool Cop Summer Initiative, members were informed that the Community Engagement Unit distributed cool pops to the children at day cares and provided safety tips to the children and staff.
As it relates to the Operation Cool Cop Summer Initiative, members were informed that the Community Engagement Unit distributed cool pops to the children at day cares and provided safety tips to the children and staff.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
With regards to the annexation of the city, Member Murray stated that it would be good to have projections on how this would affect the staffing at the police department. Member Hayek shared that members of the committee have tried to talk with their respective Commissioners on the matter but the annexation of the city still continues. Given the impact of the annexations, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the Orange Blossom was being considered for another Police Substation.
Member Jones invited members to a Charity Ball at the Fenn Center on September 29-30, 2023 starting at 8:00 P.M. The cost for the ticket is $75.00 and proceeds from the Ball will go towards providing four scholarships.
Member Hayek informed members of the upcoming Raft Race where children will be building little boats and sailing them on Saturday, August 5, 2023. Staff Hobley-Burney shared how much fun it was to watch the children enjoying themselves at the last event. Member Murray inquired about the liability to transport children to the venue. Member Hayek shared that this was being addressed through the police department. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that parents provided consent for their children to be transported to and from the event.
Member Jones invited members to a Charity Ball at the Fenn Center on September 29-30, 2023 starting at 8:00 P.M. The cost for the ticket is $75.00 and proceeds from the Ball will go towards providing four scholarships.
Member Hayek informed members of the upcoming Raft Race where children will be building little boats and sailing them on Saturday, August 5, 2023. Staff Hobley-Burney shared how much fun it was to watch the children enjoying themselves at the last event. Member Murray inquired about the liability to transport children to the venue. Member Hayek shared that this was being addressed through the police department. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that parents provided consent for their children to be transported to and from the event.
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