C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, September 14, 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; Betty Bradwell; Quincy Barr; Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
- Major Michael Santiago
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:35 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Staff Hobley-Burney prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the August 10, 2023, Police Community Advisory Meeting.
Motion was made by Bruce Murray, seconded by Quincy Barr to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2023 meeting.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, 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.
Ms. Stephanie Eubanks was welcomed to the meeting. She asked if the police department had a homicide task force. She pointed out that her family has been a victim of violence and that she lost her sister to gun violence a few years ago. Ms. Eubanks shared that she has not been able to get any updates about her sister’s death. She stated that more was being done in drug cases than for homicides. She outlined that there are too many guns on the streets and that it is evident during the holidays. She shared that police officers should be placed in areas of the city that have more shootings such as the Northside, Lincoln Park, 13th, 23rd, 25th and 29th streets as well as in the projects.
Staff Hobley-Burney thanked Ms. Eubanks for attending the meeting. She provided an overview of how the department deals with homicides. She shared that when family members are contacted with updates they sometimes get upset because it brings back memories of their loved ones. She informed Ms. Eubanks that the department does not have a homicide taskforce but assured her that the detectives who work homicide cases do an exceptional job. Staff Hobley-Burney also shared that on a daily basis the police department utilized most of its resources in the Lincoln Park area. She stated that one of the challenges in solving homicides is the unavailability of reliable witnesses. Member Murray shared that having worked as a volunteer with the police department allowed him to see how much effort detectives put into solving homicides.
Member Hayek stated that residents need to know more about the police department. He said that attendance to the Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) meetings was one of the ways they can learn more. He encouraged Ms. Eubanks to rally her community to speak out and to share information they know about homicides.
Ms. Eubanks asked Staff Hobley-Burney about crime statistics since she has been Chief. Additionally, she outlined that the city needs a curfew to keep children off the streets because when residents call the police for assistance they are being told that nothing can be done.
Staff Hobley-Burney thanked Ms. Eubanks for sharing her concerns and provided her contact information for further dialogue. She welcomed her to visit the police department’s community engagement at the First Step Park on Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. Also, she informed Ms. Eubanks that she can become a volunteer of the department, participate in a ride-a-long, as well as department’s upcoming Citizen’s Academy.
Staff Hobley-Burney thanked Ms. Eubanks for attending the meeting. She provided an overview of how the department deals with homicides. She shared that when family members are contacted with updates they sometimes get upset because it brings back memories of their loved ones. She informed Ms. Eubanks that the department does not have a homicide taskforce but assured her that the detectives who work homicide cases do an exceptional job. Staff Hobley-Burney also shared that on a daily basis the police department utilized most of its resources in the Lincoln Park area. She stated that one of the challenges in solving homicides is the unavailability of reliable witnesses. Member Murray shared that having worked as a volunteer with the police department allowed him to see how much effort detectives put into solving homicides.
Member Hayek stated that residents need to know more about the police department. He said that attendance to the Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) meetings was one of the ways they can learn more. He encouraged Ms. Eubanks to rally her community to speak out and to share information they know about homicides.
Ms. Eubanks asked Staff Hobley-Burney about crime statistics since she has been Chief. Additionally, she outlined that the city needs a curfew to keep children off the streets because when residents call the police for assistance they are being told that nothing can be done.
Staff Hobley-Burney thanked Ms. Eubanks for sharing her concerns and provided her contact information for further dialogue. She welcomed her to visit the police department’s community engagement at the First Step Park on Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. Also, she informed Ms. Eubanks that she can become a volunteer of the department, participate in a ride-a-long, as well as department’s upcoming Citizen’s Academy.
7.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update
Staff Hobley-Burney introduced Major Santiago to members and thanked him for the work he has accomplished since being with the department for three months. Staff Santiago shared briefly about his law enforcement experience and that as a Major his role is to enhance the work of the police department.
As it relates to community engagement, members were informed that the department is planning to host three community meetings. The proposed venues would be in the Lincoln Park area, the Old Pal Center, and either on the beach or at the Riverwalk Center. She shared that at these meetings residents will get exposure to the department’s DART equipment.
As it relates to community engagement, members were informed that the department is planning to host three community meetings. The proposed venues would be in the Lincoln Park area, the Old Pal Center, and either on the beach or at the Riverwalk Center. She shared that at these meetings residents will get exposure to the department’s DART equipment.
8.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the police department has received approval from the City Manager for two captains. She also informed members that interviews are being held every Tuesday for officer positions.
9.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hayek asked if the staffing and compensation information that Lieutenant Grecco presented at the last meeting can be shared with their individual Commissioners. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes. She outlined that salary increases from surrounding agencies will negatively impact the department’s staffing levels because of the competition. Member Murray shared that he has met with Commissioner Broderick about compensation concerns and further discussions will be had on the millage rate.
Member Jones inquired about the promotional exercise. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department had its promotional exams for Sergeants and Lieutenants.
As it relates to road patrol, Member Murray shared that the officers are doing a great job on the beach. He shared concerns about the defacing of the parks. Staff Hobley-Burney inquired about the overnight parking on the beach but Member Murray informed the meeting that this was under control.
Member Jones inquired about the promotional exercise. Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department had its promotional exams for Sergeants and Lieutenants.
As it relates to road patrol, Member Murray shared that the officers are doing a great job on the beach. He shared concerns about the defacing of the parks. Staff Hobley-Burney inquired about the overnight parking on the beach but Member Murray informed the meeting that this was under control.
10.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 P.M.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed