City of Surrey. Police Committee Minutes. Absent: Mayor McCallum Councillor Tymoschuk Councillor Watts

Transcription

1 City of Surrey Police Committee Minutes Executive Boardroom City Hall Avenue Surrey, B.C. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2005 Time: 1:10 p.m. Present: Chair: Councillor Steele Councillor Villeneuve Councillor Priddy Councillor Bose Councillor Hunt Councillor Higginbotham Absent: Mayor McCallum Councillor Tymoschuk Councillor Watts Staff Present: City Manager Chief Superintendent F. MacRae Superintendent K. Gates City Solicitor J. Sherstone, Manager, By-law & Licensing Services S. Palmer, Legislative Services Moved by Councillor Higginbotham Seconded by Councillor Priddy That the matter of bringing forward a by-law dealing with the sale of drug paraphernalia in Surrey stores/business be added to the agenda as Item D.3 under Other Business. A. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 1. Police Committee Meeting October 4, 2005 Minutes of the October 4, 2005 Police Committee meeting to be adopted. Moved by Councillor Higginbotham Seconded by Councillor Priddy That the minutes of the October 4, 2005 Police Committee meeting be adopted. B. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Staffing Chief Superintendent MacRae reported that staffing levels remain the same. He noted that there remains the same vacancy pattern of 20 NCO positions that are in the process of being filled through the promotion process. 2. Crime Trends Chief Superintendent MacRae commented on a SMART (Surrey Methamphetmine Regional Taskforce) Community meeting held November 15, h:\public safety\minutes\open\2005\112205pcmin.doc (Minutes received at the 11/28/05 RCPH) Page 1

2 2005 and provided a copy of the presentation to the committee members. He continued that it was a well-attended forum composed of two segments: parents with children who are concerned about involvement in drugs and those parents/individuals whose lives are already affected by the drug. He noted that the Manager, By-laws & Licensing was also in attendance and that he heads the Bylaws Committee for the task force. The following comments were then provided: The task force is undertaking research and development of a new Controlled Substance by-law that would allow for structural and health remediation for properties/structures involved in the production of methamphetamine to be presented to Council for consideration within 90 days. The Distribution Committee, headed by Corporal John Karlovcec, Surrey RCMP Detachment Drug Section, has as its objective educating the community on the public safety concerns associated with methamphetamine clandestine labs; how to detect and report these labs to police for investigation. The Distribution Committee Action Plan is to: share printed information among all emergency services first responders (i.e. police, fire and ambulance). o provide public with multi-media information on indicators of methamphetamine lab. o revitalize the Surrey RCMP Detachment Drug Tip Line. Intended results included increased public reporting of possible lab locations and increased community and first responder awareness regarding identification and dangers of meth labs. The Manufacturers Precursor Committee s objective is to: o educate retailers to recognize suspicious purchases; o limit quantities of precursor purchases; and o distribution of stickers and posters identifying retailers as Meth Watch participants. The Manufacturers Precursor Committee is headed by Fire Chief Garis and intended results are to promote a greater awareness among retailers of meth precursors and increased participation in the Meth Watch Program. The Judicial Liaison Committee is headed by Dave Jensen, Surrey Crime Prevention Society and its objective is to: o develop a Court Watch Program that will track methamphetamine-related offences through the judicial process through a citizen-based court watch system. o Intended results are to monitor and evaluate the Canadian Criminal Justice system through the eyes of the public; increase public involvement in finding solutions; assist the public (through the volunteer) to better understand the proceedings of court; and represent the community at judicial hearings. Councillor Hunt requested that precursors include such drug paraphernalia as crack pipes and other such devices. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2005\112205pcmin.doc (Minutes received at the 11/28/05 RCPH) Page 2

3 Chief Superintendent MacRae continued that at the end of 90 days, SMART would organize another public forum to provide information back to the community and report successes achieved through prevention, education and treatment. In response to a question from Councillor Villeneuve, the Manager, By-law & Licensing Services commented that the proposed by-law would force property owners, whose property had been the site of a grow operation or meth lab, to fully restore the structure/building, and have the work certified, before anyone can move in. He added that some people moving in to properties that were formerly the site of a grow operation or meth lab are suffering health problems due to mould and mildew. As well, he added there are safety issues concerning electrical problems. He noted that grow operations can be attended within 48 hours under the Fire Inspection Code and emergency personnel do not require a warrant. He stated that the new by-law would ensure a full cost recovery to the City associated with fire safety team, police, building/electrical inspection and certification, and by-law resources. Councillor Villeneuve made the suggestion that information be provided in the CityPage and other media for a period of time clarifying the responsibilities of landlords and property owners and the strong action the City will take if there is a grow operation or drug lab dismantled. She also noted that the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board should be made aware of these issues and educated on the signs of grow operations and meth labs. The City Solicitor commented that realtors are required by the Real Estate Board to disclose history of grow operations or meth labs to potential buyers. Councillor Hunt noted that the Mayor Elect for the City of Maple Ridge is advocating for regulating hydroponics equipment as part of the precursor to marijuana grow operations. The Manager, By-law & Licensing Services noted that the new by-law would deal with precursor sales and stores would have to identify and record people purchasing actual materials used to make crystal meth. He noted this would include hydroponics equipment and stores are required to notify the local drug squad when any large purchases of such equipment are made. The City Manager commented that the City is taking a broad approach to the bylaw as a result of the Fire Safety Team requiring some authority to gain entry in dealing with grow operations. He added that they are taking that experience, and building a new by-law around the following five main elements: 1. make Council s authority as broad as possible; 2. Building Code compliance once unsafe situation within house is determined; 3. health specific consideration for health of future inhabitants; 4. cost recovery; and 5. fines, penalties, and revenues. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2005\112205pcmin.doc (Minutes received at the 11/28/05 RCPH) Page 3

4 He continued that the first section of the by-law would refer to methamphetamines and would pay special attention to looking at what could be prepared ahead of time, so that implementation would proceed smoothly and expediently. He added that it would also be an important consideration to promote education, awareness and proper strategy. Councillor Priddy left the meeting at 1:35 p.m. A brief discussion ensued with respect to contaminants dumped down drains with in the homes and City sewer system. noted that a certified company must be hired to authorize the dwelling has been fully restored and would be safe to occupy once again. Chief Superintendent MacRae commented that Surrey RCMP has a three member team dedicated to the proceeds of crime and that 33 properties have been constrained. He noted that Surrey RCMP is the only detachment with a dedicated team. Councillor Priddy returned to the meeting at 1:40 p.m. Statistics: Action Item Chief Superintendent MacRae stated that he would arrange for a presentation to the next Police Committee by a member of the Surrey RCMP Clandestine Lab Team to discuss associated hazards, police and first responder strategies. The following statistics relative to crime levels in Surrey as compared to other municipalities within the Greater Vancouver Regional District were provided: Crime Category Ranking (based on per 1000 population) Robberies 7 th Break and Enter Commercial 15 th Break and Enter Residential 10 th Motor Vehicle Theft 3 rd Theft from Motor Vehicle 8th Councillor Villeneuve asked if this information could be posted to CityPage to illustrate the City s statistics in comparison with other Greater Vancouver Regional District cities in order to reshape Surrey s image and provide a better sense of security to its residents. The City Manager responded that if this is Council s wish, the information would be better coming from the Surrey RCMP from a credibility point of view. He added that this proposal would be kept in mind for the next Police Committee meeting. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2005\112205pcmin.doc (Minutes received at the 11/28/05 RCPH) Page 4

5 Councillor Bose suggested that statistics for motor vehicle theft and theft from motor vehicles be based on number of vehicles rather than population for a more accurate depiction. A brief discussion ensued and the following points were raised: There are plans to add a full-time Emergency Response Team. The Emergency Response Team would be rolled out over a three year phase-in period and consist of 68 police officers and 3 public service support staff. Funding would be allocated as follows: o 50% municipal o 30% provincial o 20% federal Surrey s contribution would be based upon the IHIT funding model. There would be three 24 police officer teams and three 24 part-time teams covering the North Fraser, South Fraser and Headquarters 20 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Crime Lab is not an integrated unit and is provided through the Canadian RCMP. Councillor Priddy left the meeting at 2:10 p.m. 3. Community Policing Superintentent Gates commented that they will be securing a helicopter and an integrated, tactical force team has been formed to deal with such issues as crowd control. Councillor Villeneuve commented that it would be helpful if the RCMP would continue to keep an eye on acts of random violence against seniors in the Fleetwood area, and to notify schools that the RCMP are on top of the situation. C. OUTSTANDING ITEMS D. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Letter from Tim Land, Manager, Pacific Cabs File: Correspondence requesting delegation request be withdrawn Moved by Councillor Higginbotham Seconded by Councillor Hunt That the correspondence be received. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2005\112205pcmin.doc (Minutes received at the 11/28/05 RCPH) Page 5

6 Meeting Schedule It is in order for the committee to consider and adopt the 2006 Meeting Schedule. schedule be adopted as follows: Moved by Councillor Hunt Seconded by Councillor Higginbotham That the 2006 Police Committee meeting January 31, 2006 July 25, 2006 March 28, 2006 September 26, 2006 May 30, 2006 November 28, Drug Paraphernalia in Surrey Stores/Businesses The comment was made that this matter had been discussed under Item B.2 and that the proposed by-law would address the issue of drug paraphernalia in Surrey Stores/Businesses. E. NEXT MEETING The next scheduled meeting of the Police Committee has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. in the Executive Boardroom. Please note that a light lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. F. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Hunt Seconded by Councillor Higginbotham That the meeting do now adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 2:14 p.m. Certified as true and correct: City Clerk: Margaret Jones Chairperson: Councillor Barbara Steele Police Committee h:\public safety\minutes\open\2005\112205pcmin.doc (Minutes received at the 11/28/05 RCPH) Page 6