| REPORT BACK Community/Police
Issues Roundtable
ABC Strategies, Trespassing
Laws, Citizen's Arrest, Communications Center Issues, Neighborhood/Community
Watch guidelines were covered in a roundtable Saturday at the Hart
Senior Center - 915 27th Street from 8:45 to noon. The participants worked
on these and other issues that have been long standing concerns of public
safety and officer safety activists. A detailed report covering the topics
and action plan will be available here soon.
This was our first
problem solving meeting with our new Sector 1 Captain Jim Hyde. As the
session got underway, we were joined by Deputy City Manager David Martinez,
Area 1 Manager Max Fernandez, Neighborhood Services' Gary Ziegenfuss, Code
Enforcement's Ron O'Conner, County Supervisor Roger Dickinson and Felony
Team 1 DA Joe Williams.
SPD's ABC Liaison
Eric Nygren led off with an overview of enforcement strategies and
how neighborhood activist could work to support his efforts with problem
establishments. A report on several actions in the last few weeks was delivered.
An Alkali Flat watch team hooked up with Erik to work on a loitering problem
at one target location.
Officer Pete Boelman
supported by Deputy DA Joe Williams walked through trespass laws,
revisions to the signage requirements and discussion about legislative
initiatives the group would like to bring back next session. Hand out materials
on specific examples and the law were passed out. The long sought after
reduction in sign size policy was achieved. A more detailed program in
cooperation with Law&Leg. was set as a priority for next year. Joe
left chart size and letter size code descriptions that will be used in
future workshops. Our thanks to Joe Williams who's never let us down in
court and is willing to help us gain that "legal edge" when the time counts.
Sgt. Tom Cooper
opened the discussion on Citizen's Arrest and provided detailed literature
on the law, rights and responsibilities of both officers and the citizen.
While the group holds that confrontation is discouraged, observe and report
the primary mission, it was agreed that further training is necessary for
those willing to go the extra distance. The Citizen's Academy was one option
offered along with a follow-up watch specific class for those interested
in safety and procedures. Excellent documentation accompanied the
session along with intended future discussions with the DA on legal issues
raised today.
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Patty
McGeary, second in command at the Communication Center, listened closely
to proposals to improve communications and accountability with her staff.
There was specific discussion about INF-P policy and it's potential expansion
to support community activist engaged in neighborhood watch. A direct line
to Patty was offered to resolve personnel concerns and call handling. Of
all the topics, this was one that had long standing concerns and an opportunity
emerged to get down to the nitty-gritty. There was a pledge from us for
future citizen support on fiscal issues and facilities that needs to come
before council one day. Meanwhile, an expanded session will be worked out
with assistance of Captain Hyde to deal with our 'laundry list'. Great
interest was expressed by all in attendance that this be a focused, multi-part
ongoing process. Saturday's were suggested by Patty, as the best time to
schedule classes. Our watch groups need your help! Thank you for
giving of your time Patty.
Neighborhood Watch
and Crime Prevention issues suffered under time constraints. Jim Maccoun
gave a detailed report on strategies and enforcement activity over the
past month in the high impact areas that concern us most. The number of
arrest of parolees and career criminals is an encouraging sign and well
supported by the community representatives attending that live there.
Issues of privacy,
use video documentation and the fine line of agents of police vs activism
were covered. The process to shield CI's was covered in some detail. A
number of attendees expressed concern that more time wasn't allotted to
this area and both city officials and SPD agreed that another round-table
style meeting combined with workshops is needed as soon as possible.
Staff has a plan to facilitate it in the very near future. We all agree
that it's risen to a level beyond the standard 'crime prevention' fare
and more on the RCPI advanced training resources along with code enforcement
and revitalization might be considered. Flyers on focused crime prevention
workshop next week were passed out.
Materials provided
at today's session will be posted in a new training section on these web
pages. Follow the progress at: Roundtable Results and Training Room. I
think our expectations of today's new beginning, that proved open, candid,
honest and fresh, were fulfilled, sets the tone for next year and is supported
by a new command in Sector 1. Guests from other areas of the city seemed
interested in taking the concepts explored today back to their communities.
Special thanks again to Jim Hyde, Mike Mc Carthy, Tom Cooper and the other
officers for a job well done.
We'd like to encourage
forum members to pitch in with ideas, suggestions and feedback. |
