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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051398 rm min CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD Minutes Wednesday, May 13, 1998 7:00 P.M. City Commission Conference Room PRESENT: Bernard Brown, Linda Kuhn, Richard Huber, Tom Carpenter, Dean Ray, Rev. Ricky Scott, Joan Campbell, Paul Legge, Cmdr Thomas Bronson, Deputy Police Chief Dennis Whitmire, Police Chief Joe Dillard, and Gracy Posley Public: Virgil Harley (Glass Addicts) Chairperson Mr. Brown is present, but ill; request Vice - Chairperson Mrs. Kuhn chair the CAB meeting. This meeting was called to order by Vice - Chairperson Mrs. Kuhn. Mrs. Kuhn requested approval of CAB minutes for April 8, 1998 if there are no changes or corrections. Motion made by Mr. Legge, seconded by Mr. Brown for the minutes to be approved. Ms. Daliah Laing of formerly Barbara's House of Fun and formerly Tip Top Store - W. 13th St. was not present at the meeting. She did not schedule an appointment with Police Chief Dillard as agreed at the April 8, 1998 meeting. Cmdr Bronson advise the businesses are closed. Barbara's House of Fun activities were brought before the Nuisance Abatement Board several times. Numerous drug arrests were made. Surveillance revealed drug deal activities. Cmdr Bronson advise Ms. Laing's father, owner of the businesses has been sent back to Jamaica due to criminal investigations. Mr. Huber comment owners are responsible for what goes on in and outside their business. Cmdr Bronson state the drug dealers have moved to Kim's Store, W. 13th St. because the other businesses No Loitering is being enforced. Mr. Brown asked if police officer Fred Johnson could tell a citizen to go back into a business and not stand in front of the business even if the citizen gave a legitimate reason? Chief Dillard advise if citizens are committing a crime on the right -of- way they can be removed; if not committing a crime they cannot be forced to move. Mrs. Campbell comment the Sheriff's Office is more visible than the police department in the Goldsboro area. Cmdr Bronson state the deputies in that area do not answer routine calls as the police officers do. The deputies function in Goldsboro is for Community Policing. Rev. Scott state a recent newspaper article (did not state the contents of the article) possibly watered down Community Policing in Goldsboro. Police Chief Dillard advise the officers requested to be transferred due to no longer being comfortable in the assignment; their request was granted. Rev. Scott state the article was blown out of proportion. The community was asking for officers that could be related to. Cmdr Bronson advise the four community policing deputies are White, their supervisor is Black. Rev. Scott's hopes are for barriers to come down to unite as a community. Mr. Carpenter's perspective is the Goldsboro area had a severe problem with crime. The Sheriff's Office was brought in to assist the police department. Mr. Carpenter says things are exceptional and see nothing wrong with the Sheriff's Office and the police department working together. Mrs. Campbell comment if routine patrolling was visible by the police department, the Sheriff's Office would not have had to come in. Police Chief Dillard state the primary focus is to be proactive rather than reactive in providing a better quality of life, rather it's the Sheriff's Office or the police department. Cmdr Bronson state the police department has had setbacks due to retirements and officers leaving for better paying jobs; the police department's objectives will be carried out. Mentioned the CDBG grant initiated by Commr Williams has been approved for four deputies and four police officers in a joint effort to improve the quality of living. Mr. Legge ask the ratio for officers per citizens. Police Chief Dillard advise 3.5 officers /1,000 CAB Minutes May 13, 1998 Page 2 of 2 citizens; the police department is approximately allocated. Mr. Huber ask Cmdr Bronson if the department is presently under staffed? Cmdr Bronson responds yes, we are down nine officers. There is an active recruitment going on thru Sgt Presley/Training Division; SCC recently had a graduating class. The police department would like to hire minority officers, so diversity can be provided in the community. Police Chief Dillard state Sanford's starting salary is still low compared to other local agencies; officers are going where pay is higher. Deputy Police Chief Whitmire state the officer application process is now different and quicker. Now there is a pool of applicants to choose from rather than having a select group for only the dates opened for the position. Mr. Huber state he would like to see only citizens who live in Sanford get the positions. Feels they would be more protective of Sanford. Deputy Police Chief Whitmire responds there is a collective bargaining contract that states the officers must live within 30 minutes driving times of the police department. Officers are encouraged to relocate to the City. Commr Lessard had a strong push to make all City employees reside in Sanford, but was ineffective. Mr. Carpenter mentioned a situation of an acquaintance cell phone that was stolen and use by a drug dealer who charged the phone to a large amount. Says he was advised my officers nothing could be done. Cmdr Bronson advised he could assist Mr. Carpenter. Mr. Huber will have a neighborhood crime watch night at his home May 14. The SMART trailer will be set up at the location. Mr. Carpenter with neighborhood crime watch will be at McKibbin Park June 28, 6:30 PM. Mrs. Campbell advise the "NO PARKING" signs are still up in Academy Manor. Police Chief Dillard advised he put in a request for removal. Mrs. Campbell mentioned the Recreation Department should notify the police department when a big activity will be held at the park. Streets need to be clear for emergency situations. Mrs. Kuhn ask who designate parking time downtown? Police Chief Dillard responds the City Commission /City Ordinance. Mr. Brown state the deputies are visible, but some of the deputies have bad attitudes. Feels for law enforcement officers. Mr. Carpenter, it's tough. Mrs. Kuhn, law enforcement is the most criticized profession. Re the "POLICE" video, Rev. Scott suggest members view the video on their personal time, then relay their views. Mrs. Kuhn state the video should be able to answer a lot of community policing questions. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.