HomeMy WebLinkAbout081397 rm min ` n
CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
Wednesday, August 13, 1997 7:00 PM
City Commission Conference Room
PRESENT: Bernard Brown, Kevin Hies Richard Huber, Dean Ray, Linda Kuhn, Tom
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Carpenter, Rev. Ricky Scott, Deputy Police Chief Dennis Whitmire, Commander
Willie Harden and Gracy Posley
This meeting was called to order by Chairperson Brown. Mr. Brown requested approval of CAB
minutes for July 9, 1997 if there are no changes or corrections. Motion made by Mr. Huber,
seconded by Mrs. Kuhn; motion carried for the minutes to be approved.
Deputy Chief Whitmire explains the changes of CAB's by -laws suggested by the City Manager.
The Board agreed to the changes recommended and will resubmit by -laws for approval to the
City Manager /City Commission.
Mr. Huber asks in the absence of Ms. Hurley (Glass Addict), what is the status of her complaint
re unauthorized extended 2 hr parking on Park Ave. in the area of her business? Ms. Hurley
pays $65. /month for parking her vehicle at another location so that parking spaces can be
available for her customers. Deputy Chief Whitmire comments Chief Dillard did review and return
Ms. Hurley's video to her re prolonged parking. Chief Dillard advised Ofr Webber to watch this
area specifically.
Mrs. Kuhn inquires of the Public Administration Services (PAS) report. Deputy Chief Whitmire
states some of the negative comments made in the interim report are inaccurate and some
things go unsaid. Does not agree that the Sheriffs Department should be involved with correcting
Sanford Police Department problems. Deputy Chief Whitmire comments he and Chief Dillard has
ideas for reorganizing the police department. Mrs. Kuhn is not in agreeance with disbanding the
police department. And feels the Sheriff will not hire 90 police officers to cover the City of
Sanford. Mrs. Kuhn states citizens may perceive services with the Sheriff's Department will
improve, but she feels services will diminish. Deputy Chief Whitmire states the City Commission
cannot disband the police department without the approval of the citizens. PAS mentioned the
police department's CAD system not being useful to employees. Deputy Chief Whitmire states
before CAD, there was a punch card system re all calls. With CAD employees have information
available almost immediately. CAD came on board at the police department February 1997; with
time the system will be beneficial to employees and the department. Re the issue of calls not
being prioritized; Deputy Chief Whitmire comments the police department had not been prioritizing
calls and officers are dispatched as the calls come in. With the volume of calls the police
department is receiving, he feels it is time to start prioritizing. The Deputy Chief states the police
department does have problems that need correcting and these problems will be corrected to the
best interest of the employees and the department. He would like for the City to get input from
within and from the public. The Deputy Chief feels the assessment progress report has made
employees attitudes change in a positive way; employees are working more together. Mr.
Carpenter had on hand a copy of the August 5 PAS progress report and will mail copies to
Board members. When the final report is received, Board members will be provided a copy.
Mr. Huber asks Deputy Chief Whitmire does the police department have enough officers?
Deputy Chief Whitmire responds, we do need more police officers. But we can only operate with
what the City Commission authorizes. Deputy Chief Whitmire states the police department would
CAB Minutes
August 13, 1997
Page 2 of 2
like to become an accredited agency. If the police department looks toward accreditation, F.O.P.
members and non -union members will have to concur to becoming accredited. Accreditation cost
nationally is $10,000. and for the state is $1,000. Mr. Hipes asks what is the value of
accreditation? Deputy Chief Whitmire advises the department will have standard policies that
coincide with other agencies throughout the state and nation. The Sheriff's Department recently
became accredited and is the only agency accredited in Seminole County. Altamonte Springs
Police Department is in the process of becoming accredited. Accreditation is difficult to obtain
and retain. Accreditation audits are conducted at least once a year or every one and one -half
years.
Mr. Carpenter mentioned an elderly couple in his neighborhood whose home had been broken
into recently; valuables were taken and states the couple was receiving little cooperation from the
SPD Investigations Division. Mr. Carpenter commented citizens offering rewards re burglaries,
thefts, any problems in their neighborhood could help solve some crimes; and the police
department's Investigations Division has to do their part as well.
Mrs. Kuhn comments we're all impacted by crimes that goes on around us; but the police
department is reactive and not proactive. Deputy Chief Whitmire states nationally 68% of crimes
reported to an agency is not resolved. States it is very helpful to the investigator when serial
numbers, identifying marks are placed on items that can be taken to a pawn shop. Even if your
items are found at the pawn shop; the owner has to pay the pawn shop to have your own
property returned to you. Chairperson Brown comments neighborhood crime watch is important.
Mrs. Kuhn states it is an effective tool.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.
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