City of Surrey Public Safety Committee Minutes Executive Boardroom City Hall 14245-56 Avenue Surrey, B.C. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2003 Time: 9:00 a.m. Present: Chair: Councillor Tymoschuk Councillor P. Priddy Councillor B. Steele Supt. B. Harford, B.C. Ambulance Services With Regrets: Councillor M. Hunt T. Campbell, Manager, Safe Schools, School District #36 (Surrey) Staff Present: City Manager A/Commr. Forbes, RCMP Supt. R. Bennett, RCMP City Solicitor Fire Chief Garis J. Sherstone, Manager, By-law & Licensing Services S. Palmer, Legislative Services The Chair noted that the agenda order would be varied to accommodate the presentation of Inspector D. Henderson. A. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 1. Public Safety Committee Meeting - October 22, 2003 That the minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting held October 22, 2003 be adopted. B. RCMP 4. Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) A/Commr. Forbes introduced Inspector Doug Henderson who provided an overview of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). He noted that an independent review of IHIT would be provided to the Mayors' Consultative Forum within 2 years, a copy to be provided to the Public Safety Committee at that time. Councillor Priddy left the meeting at 9:04 a.m. Inspector Henderson noted that he has been a member of the RCMP since 1969, had been in charge of burglary, fraud, and auto theft units in Surrey, the street trade workers project, as well as running the Air India and Residential Schools investigations. Councillor Priddy returned to the meeting at 9:06 a.m. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 1
He advised he is in charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team project providing "one-stop shopping" for murder investigations for the Lower Mainland area. Councillor Priddy left the meeting at 9:09 a.m. He continued that IHIT performs murder investigations under the principle of major case management utilizing an automated filing system and reported the operating structure is working well. Inspector Henderson noted that conversations with investigative officers and police chiefs from independent police forces in the Lower Mainland have indicated great interest in getting on board as well. He added that the provincial component of IHIT still operates out of the District Office in Chilliwack, and will continue to operate there in order to deal with murder investigations that are taking place outside the greater Vancouver area such as Abbotsford and Mission. He then noted that the other members of IHIT work in Surrey. Councillor Priddy entered the meeting at 9:13 a.m. He then explained the staffing structure of IHIT, which includes an OIC, 5 S/Sergeants, 5 murder investigation teams, who are called out to investigate each homicide. Inspector Henderson noted that crime trends are changing in that there are more cross-jurisdictional, gang-related murders in the 16 to 28 year old young male population, involving the use of sophisticated weaponry. He also noted that changes in court requirements have significantly added to the cost of policing, in particular, around disclosure requirements. He explained that every action or comment on a file has to be disclosed to the courts, adding 30% cost increases to the investigation both financially and personnel-wise. He added that requirements for admissible statements have changed significantly, resulting in the need for the formation of a provincial government pilot project to provide assistance in planning interrogations and groundwork necessary to gain admissible statements, further increasing costs. Other significant changes include: Part 6 of the Criminal Code of Canada regarding wire tap legislation; DNA sampling; Variety of police records management systems; and Escalating cell phone service charges. In closing, Inspector Henderson commented that IHIT provides consistent management reporting, and is working to obtain charges and analyses of murders faster. He added that the 39 staff members in IHIT have good working h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 2
relationships with all detachments; however, the undercover unit of 12 staff (8 Federal; 4 Provincial) is currently understaffed. As well, there are concerns regarding the use of trained interpreters. A/Commr. Forbes noted that he would like the Strategic Plan for the RCMP placed on the next Public Safety Committee agenda. The original agenda order was then resumed. 1. STAFFING Supt. Bennett reported that Surrey Detachment has provided notice to Headquarters of the request for large numbers of new officers for Surrey and as well, is actively recruiting both provincially and nationally on a continual basis. He added that once financing is in place by April 1, 2004, all those approved officers would be provided to Surrey as soon as possible. Rev. 11/17/03RCPH A/Commr. Forbes noted that they are anticipating that the 35 additional officers would be in Surrey April 1, 2005. He added that he has asked for special consideration for the other 20 officers as well for timely delivery. noted that the contract allows an 18-month delivery time. A/Commr. Forbes added that the delivery time requirement is the reason why it is important to have a long-term plan in place with the City. Councillor Tymoschuk asked the question of how the delivery of officers could be expedited and the response was made that official letters have been sent to the Federal government and that the RCMP is already recruiting and training for April 2006, indicating the process is well ahead of schedule. The comment was made that Surrey's unique approach to resourcing as crime trends happen, addresses future needs, but some problems in the short-term may be experienced. Supt. Bennett noted that the 20 positions approved from 2003 have been filled; however 2 of those new staff members will arrive December 14, 2003, the rest are currently working in Surrey. noted that transferred staff are provided with 90 days notice. Councillor Priddy asked how many new officers are trained at Depot per year to which the response was approximately 1,000 a year through the Federal Government training program and 300 officers per year through the Justice Institute. The comment was made that the Federal government may not be training sufficient numbers of new officers to meet the needs of Canada. Supt. Bennett noted that Surrey has been given priority status for qualified staffing because of its large growth. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 3
Supt. Bennett noted the average moving costs per officer are approximately $40,000 and there may be time delays due to family issues as well. He added that the total complement is currently 436 members, however Surrey RCMP is billing for 398 positions only, due to maternity and medical leaves. Supt. Bennett continued that there are 6 positions that don t have staffing actions at this time and that management is reviewing the situation. 2. Crime Trends Supt. Bennett provided an update with respect to grow operations investigations and noted a public announcement regarding a multi-disciplined approach would be forthcoming. Supt. Bennett then reported that the Hot Wheels II program kick-off would take place November 17, 2003. He noted the program is a multi-disciplined, multijurisdictional team featuring members from Surrey, Langley, ICBC, and the Integrated Auto Theft team. He continued that Project Clean Sweep in Whalley is working well and to address displacement of criminals; a new project was begun last week in the area of 128 Street and 96 Avenue to provide an enhanced level of service delivery in terms of merchants and residents. In response to a question from Councillor Tymoschuk, Supt. Bennett reported that the Bait Car program would commence early 2004. He continued that statistics for auto theft are up in all communities for the month of October and that statistics indicate a rise from 177 in October 2002 to 293 stolen autos in October 2003. The comment was made that the lack of consequences administered through the Courts has contributed to the rise in auto thefts. noted that stolen auto statistics do not reveal the numbers of stolen vehicles originating from other municipalities and simply dropped off in Surrey. 3. Community Policing Supt. Bennett noted the previously mentioned initiative in the area of 128 Street and 96 Avenue would help to deter some of the crime displaced from the Project Clean Sweep project, but noted that crime has been up in all parts of the community in the form of auto theft, break and enters from homes and businesses. Other initiatives that have taken place regarding community policing is the clearing of underbrush in the area of King George Highway and 80 Avenue, and continued police presence in the area of 135A Street. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 4
Discussion ensued with respect to the numbers of officers involved in Project Clean Sweep. The City Manager advised that priority has been given to any interest to redevelopment in the area as part of the Whalley Enhancement Initiative to encourage additional residential density. Discussion turned to a recent announcement of the formation of a Provincial traffic enforcement unit. A/Commr. Forbes noted that this program would involve provincial officers working with Surrey RCMP on traffic light enforcement, checking of trucks in certain residential areas, the 2010 traffic initiative to prevent death on B.C.'s highways, provision of educational programs regarding seat belt use and jaywalking. The comment was made that ICBC continues to run the Road Safety Program. Supt. Bennett requested that an educational forum regarding chemical drug problems be placed on the December Public Safety Committee meeting agenda. The City Manager left the meeting at 10:40 a.m. C. BY-LAWS/LEGAL 1. Anti-Bullying/Fighting By-law The City Solicitor provided Corporate Report No. PSC004 on table regarding a proposed by-law offence on bullying, harassment and physical confrontation in public places. The City Manager returned to the meeting at 10:44 a.m. Discussion ensued and it was noted that there is proposed provincial legislation similar to the Safe Streets Act in Ontario, which may result in some redundancy for the proposed Anti-Bullying/Fighting By-law. The City Solicitor advised that the proposed by-law is in use by the City of Victoria and has been comprehensively designed to deal with school bullying. He added that the Safe Streets Act in Ontario primarily deals with issues such as "squeegee kids" and panhandling, not applicable to Surrey. He continued that the proposed by-law would provide the RCMP and School District with a more tailored method of dealing with bullying and harassment within the school system through the use of monetary fines. Councllor Priddy asked if there was any empirical evidence that the legislation works. The City Solicitor advised that Edmonton Police Department have stated the by-law has been effective as a deterrent. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 5
The suggestion was raised to table the matter pending further comments or evaluations from the Cities of Victoria and Edmonton as well as further information on the proposed provincial legislation. The City Manager noted that preliminary feedback from the Cities of Victoria and Edmonton indicates that the by-law is not being used in schools, but primarily in nightclubs and high trouble areas in their cities. 2. Status - Methadone Dispensaries The comment was made that there has been an increase in enquiries from other dispensaries regarding the provision of methadone treatment, indicating that treatment programs will be dispersed throughout the community as planned. The City Solicitor advised he would be meeting with the College of Pharmacists regarding compliance and accountability issues surrounding methadone dispensaries. The City Solicitor noted that a report based on first quarter progress would be provided to the Public Safety Committee. 3. Regulating Lighting Pollution The matter of the City Solicitor providing a report on the Richmond Hills, Ontario By-law regarding lighting pollution in residential areas was deferred to the December meeting. In addition, the City Solicitor advised he would ask for input from Planning & Development and Engineering staff with respect to the lighting pollution issue. 4. By-law Respecting the Sale and Purchase of Endangered, Dangerous and Exotic Animals No. 14823 The City Solicitor reported that a stakeholders meeting regarding the Sale and Purchase of Endangered, Dangerous and Exotic Animals, No. 14823, would take place Thursday, November 13, 2003 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. F. OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS 1. 2004 Meeting Schedule The following meeting dates for 2004 to be approved. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 6
That the Public Safety Committee meeting dates for 2004 be approved as follows: January 14 July 14 February 11 August - no meetings March 10 September 8 April 14 October 13 May 12 November 10 June 9 December 8 2. Terms of Reference The statement was made that this item would be deferred to the next committee meeting. G. NEXT MEETING The next meeting has been scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 in the Executive Boardroom. H. MOTION TO HOLD CLOSED SESSION That the Public Safety Committee meeting be held in a "closed session" in accordance with Section 242.2(1) (a), (h), and (i) of the Local Government Act. I. ADJOURNMENT That the meeting do now adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:58 a.m. Councillor G. Tymoschuk, Chair h:\public safety\minutes\open\2003\111203openpsc.min.doc Page 7