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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Crime Control And Prevention District - 04/18/2001 619 4 • CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING AND MONTHLY BOARD MEETING CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5: 30 P.M. , WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2001 Members Present: Leon Loeb W. L. Hermis Isaac Valencia Larry Baker Linda Bridges John Heldenfels, Jr. Eddie Gamez Others Present : Police Chief P. Alvarez, Jr. Cmdr. David Torres Pat Eldrige Asst. Chief K. A. Bung Steve Zastrow Mike Harty, City of CC Mario Tapia, City of CC Mariah Boone, Assessment Center Danny Noyola, Moody High School Students from Moody High School President Loeb opened the Public Hearing of the Crime Control District fiscal year 2001/2002 budget . Ms. Eldridge told Mr. Loeb that the budget has been published in accordance with the statute . Mr. Loeb asked if there were any members of the public on the signup sheet who wished to address the issue of the budget . Mr. Rene Ramos, 2150 Shirley, and Mr. Noyola, Moody High School addressed the Board as part of the Moody Civic-Minded students speaking in favor of the plan to keep 40 officers as well as 25 civilian jobs . The Moody students stated that as civic-minded students, as well as voters, they believe that substations are the key to obtaining citizen involvement with officers for the betterment of the community. Therefore accepting the 40 officers and keeping the civilian personnel is a major step in showing that people in fact do make that difference in the betterment of the community. Mr. Loeb called on Dorothy Godines, 5930 Rio Grande. She is another Moody Civic-Minded student who wanted to address the Board on crime in their neighborhoods. SCANNED Claudia Robledo, 5725 Palo Verde, spoke of some of the criminal activities being committed in the west-side area, such as drug wars. She expressed a suggestion on reducing the frequency of crimes relating to drugs being tougher laws, destroying the environment in which they thrive, and the most common effort is the installation of police substations throughout the community. Lisa Gonzales proposed a suggestion on behalf of the Moody Civic-Minded students that more attention be focused on truancy. Chris Ramos, 2150 Shirley, spoke of juvenile crime in the Moody area occurring between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. He said one solution to this problem would be to have at least one police vehicle in every neighborhood that is a visible site, then the juveniles would think twice before committing crimes . Other solutions could be added after-school programs, enforcement of truancy laws, and having more police officers on bicycles during the hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. After no further public comment, Mr . Loeb closed the Public Hearing, thanked those attending for their comments, and invited them to stay for the regular meeting. President Loeb called the regular meeting to order. The minutes of March 21 and 27, 2001, were approved. Mr. Loeb asked if any Board member had any comments about the discussions presented by the students. Ms . Bridges thanked the Moody Civic-Minded students for their efforts and congratulated Mr. Noyola for spearheading the project . She stated that the civilian cuts amount to only 12 instead of the 25 previously stated. Mr. Valencia also thanked the students and Mr. Noyola but said he wanted to also correct the civilian positions to 12 (or 13) that are vacant at present . These are vacant positions that are going to be cut . It is true that if a solution does not come up by next year that the positions filled at this moment could face that situation. Mr. Valencia said he has always been a supporter of substations, but the money is not available to build them. Chief Alvarez clarified for those present that there are only four vacant positions, not 13 . There are 21 employees hired at present . Chief Alvarez said under the 40-officer plan 12 positions would be lost and under the 50-officer plan 25 positions would be lost, 21 of those are filled at present . 2 v J J Mr. Loeb said his major concern is the Crime Control District allowing the City of Corpus Christi to inadvertently use its funds to supplant (to pay for activities that the City was already doing before the existence of the Crime Control District) . If this occurs, the Board is going to have trouble asking the voters to reauthorize this expenditure. Ms . Eldridge explained the document distributed to the Board at the joint meeting and at that time there were four vacancies, which are programmed into the 2001/2002 budget as vacancies. They are not carried over to 2001/2002 . She said she believes the discrepancy occurred when the 40-officer was presented as a reduction in force of 12 positions. Mr. Valencia made a motion to approve the 2001/2002 budget as presented to the City Council, Mr. Baker seconded, and the. motion carried. Mr. Harty distributed a revised revenue report for March, which is above the monthly estimate and ahead of year to date. Ms . Eldridge distributed a project review for year three, which was discussed at the last meeting. She said on the evaluation survey, she spoke with Dr. Rhodes and advised him that the Board would like the survey complete in 30 days . Ms . Boone told the Board that the Assessment Center has not heard any news of the Title V grant but it is still looking positive. Cmdr. Torres told the Board that the Directed Patrol officers are being utilized in conjunction with some of the schools . If a school principal has a truancy problem, the Directed Patrol officers will address the issue . Mr. Valencia suggested that on the progress information sheet the additional officers be highlighted as a category. Ms . Eldridge reviewed the budget process. She said the budget would be submitted as adopted to the City Council within ten days . The City Council will post notice of a public hearing and hold the public hearing on the budget during one of their Council meetings, which is tentatively planned for May 29tH Mr. Loeb said that the new City Council would take office next Tuesday and they will have the opportunity to appoint the Board member of their choice . He wanted to take the opportunity to 3 4110 11111 tie thank everyone who has participated as a Board member. He said it has been very rewarding for him. Mr. Loeb said he would open the floor for public comment . Linda Lerma, who attends Moody, spoke of her concern on neighborhood cleanups . She had a suggestion utilizing students that are completing community service hours . Mr. Valencia responded by saying that Ms . Lerma presented good thoughts and asked that they get involved in the Citizen Advisory Councils . He added that when the Board receives the correct information they can make good decisions . Cmdr. Torres gave those present the name of the Directed Patrol officer, Sr. Officer Russell McNorton, responsible for the Moody area. Mr. Loeb addressed the issue of substations. He said that he and the Chief have a differing position. He believes there is a serious question of whether substations are needed with today' s technology and communications system in order to enhance the presence of the police in neighborhoods . He said the issue of substations is of geographic responsibility on a 24 hour, 7-day a week basis for the Police Department . He believes there is no one in the Police Department who has that type of responsibility for any particular point of geography in the city below the level of the commander of the uniform division. He stated that the funding of substations is not a Crime Control activity. It was never a part of their plan. The staffing of community policing was certainly part of the plan, but that never went so far as the establishment of substations . Chief Alvarez said that he agrees with Mr. Loeb that the wrong group is being addressed when substations are discussed. He said his presentation would be to the City Council . He has not requested any funds from the Crime Control District to fund substations . He stated that the concept of community policing has been well proven to work throughout the country. That is why there is a reduction in the crime rate all over the country. He said he believe substations in the City of Corpus Christi are going to become a reality. He said he felt compelled to comment on this issue due to the fact that he is the police administrator for the City of Corpus Christi and he has a good handle on how to run this police agency. He said that substations are a necessity. He has made proposals and will go before the City Council again to ask for police substations . He 4 4 J 44 assured those present that police substations are going to become a reality in our community. Mr. Gamez said he would like to thank the Moody students and Mr. Noyola for attending the meeting. He said he wanted to clarify the Board' s budget is operating with the funds received. It has not overspent . It was created to hire the 50 police officers and the Board is looking at the future. Mr. Valencia commented on community policing. He said he believes the Directed Patrol officers are the ambassadors of the Police Department . They are going to make the biggest difference for the Crime Control District than anything else. He said he is supportive of substations because the citizens need to be targeted to make the Police Department more "user friendly" . No further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 45 p.m. 5