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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN MARCH 25 1997 M I N U T E S p CITY OF BEAUM®NT Lulu L.smith DAVID W. MOORE, MAYOR Andrew P. Cokinos, Mayor Pro Tem Guy N.Goodson CITY COUNCIL MEETING Becky Ames John K. Davis MARCH 25, 1997 Bobbie J. Patterson Lane Nichols,City Attorney Ray A. Riley, City Manager Patrice Fogarty, City Clerk The City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in a regular session on March 25, 1997, at the City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, Beaumont, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. to consider the following: OPENING *Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call *Presentations and Recognition *Public Comment: Persons may speak on scheduled agenda items *Consent Agenda Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. The Reverend Danny Wayman, First United Methodist Church, gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. In addition, a moment of silent prayer was observed for the families of the recenity deseased Mr. Elmo Beard, a former mayor for the City of Beaumont, and Mr. Harvey Thomas, a civic leader in our area. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson. Also, present were Ray A. Riley, City Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; Patrice Fogarty, City Clerk; and Barbara Liming, Deputy City Clerk. A proclamation was issued recognizing the achievements of Lamar University's Head Baseball Coach, Jim Gilligan, during the past 20 years and commemorating his 700th victory in the first game of a double header at Northwestern State In Natchitoches, Louisiana on March 5, 1997. Mr. Gene Landry, Chairman of the Drug Free Beaumont Commission, briefly highlighted a report submitted to Council regarding the Commission's activities and achievements and spoke of their goals for the future. Mr. Landry reported that a mobilization training meeting was conducted in November, 1996, that produced four action teams that will be used to promote areas where the Commission wishes to address their energies to students, homes and schools. He announced that on May 6th, a Summit will be held to call attention to the fact that there are problems, but that there are answers to the problems through prevention and treatment. Then, in September a recognition program will be conducted. Mr. Landry commented about businesses taking action to try to remove substances from the work place and from their establishments, and said he looks forward to a productive year. Mayor Moore thanked Mr. Landry and the Commission for their efforts and contribution in helping the City and Police Department make monumental marks against some of the not-so-positive efforts of some members in the community, thanked Mr. Landry for the report and acknowledged looking forward to more progress in the future. I Mr. David Oliver, II(lean Community Coordinator, introduced a group of students from South Park Middle School and Ms. Gail Briggs, their science teacher. Ms. Briggs and the students signed a two-year Operation Clean Street contract with Mayor Moore and Councilmember Ames for Woodrow Street from Highland Avenue to Maddox. By signing the contract, they pledge to systematically pick up trash or debris in that area of Woodrow Street. Ashley Gilmore, on behalf of her fellow students, expressed sentiments of the students for participating in this program. Mr. Oliver reported two additional groups from the South Park area will be adopting two more streets in the near fut4e and commended Ward IV participation in the program. Also, Mr. Oliver announced that on the first Saturday in April, a city-wide cleanup will be held and encouraged all neighborhood associations and individuals to become involved, and announced that on the first Saturday in May, the Clean Community Commission's annual paint-a-thon will be held and that 24 homes for disabled or low-income senior citizens will be painted. Mayor Moore announced that the official opening of Collier's Ferry will be Thursday, March 27th. Citizens were invited to comment on the consent and main agenda items. No one wished to address these items. CONSENT AGENDA The following consent agenda items were considered: Approval Of the minutes of the March 18, 1997 meeting; Confirmation of committee appointments - Resolution No. 97-64 A) Approve a resolution stating the City's opposition to any legislation that seeks to erode the annexation authority of Texas cities or that would reduce our extra- territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) - Resolution No. 97-65 B) Authorize the acceptance of property for the Charlton Pollard Neighborhood Revitalization Project (Sixteen parcels of property in the David Brown Survey purchased at the Jefferson County Sheriff's sale on March 4th for a cost of $14,401.97'--Parcels 2, 5, 6, 11, 15, 16, 17, 22, 34, 46, 67, 71, 257, 259, 285A, B, & C) - Resol tion No. 97-66 Councilmember Smith moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilmember Patterson seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Moore, Mayor Pro Tem Cokinos, Councilmembers Smith, Goodson, Ames, Davis, and Patterson Minutes;3/25/97;Page 2 I Noes: None OTHER BUSINESS * Receive report relating to the Police Department's Street Crimes Unit Police Chief Tom Scofield and Lt. Jimmy Singletary, the narcotics and vice commander, outlined a proposal for a street crimes unit as described in Exhibit A. Chief Scofield said that anti-drug educational programs are in place, but strong enforcement for those beyond educating is needed. In street level crime offenses, he said that crack cocaine is the biggest factor. Crimes of violence such as aggravated assault, domestic violence, robbery, burglary or theft ties in with narcotics. Their goal is to implement the programs already doing well and focus on both dealers and users of narcotics in an effort to curb street crime. Target areas will be prioritized based on information received from telephone calls to the police department, from neighborhood watch groups and street information. Chief Scofield said that surveillance, both visual and electronic, and K-9 units will be employed. All available tools and modern technology will be used for police personnel and citizens to work together. In response to Councilmember Cokinos' inquiry, Chief Scofield said that all tools will be used to effectively operate the unit, even the use of the helicopter. Councilmember Davis expressed appreciation for the new unit and Ward III being a high priority consideration, said his constituents would be receptive to efforts in making their community safer and questioned moving quicker in known areas of crime. Chief Scofield said action would be quick and immediate with zero tolerance, spoke about utilizing the Crimestopper program to receive calls and offer a reward for information used, the need for dedicated manpower resources, and purchasing any additional essential equipment from the department's current grant funds. Lt. Singletary added his appreciation for Council support of narcotics control and relayed a concern for the safety of elderly citizens in their own homes. Mayor Moore applauded the efforts of the police department, Chief Scofield and Lt. Singletary in establishing this unit and thanked the Crimestoppers and neighborhood watches and associations for anticipated assistance. COMMENTS * Public Comment (Persons are limited to 3 minutes) Mr. Owens Davillier, 1320 Caldwell Avenue, thanked Council and City Departments for helpful guidance and assistance with establishment of a Mission in the northend of Beaumont for those recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. Mr. Davillier Minutes;3/25/97;Page 3 reviewed his operation, community assistance and past grants and solicited Council support and help with grant opportunities. Mr. Charles Johnson, 5080 Helbig, addressed Council to complain about administration of Plymouth Village, spoke about failure to receive trash pickup this week because of delinquent payments due the hauler and needed laundry room repairs and gave written information to Councilmember Davis. Mr. Johnny Ray Danrich, 2970 Cartwright, addressed Council to state personal information about spiritual experiences and the divine direction he believes to have received for his life. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:27 p.m. ff� Mayor David W. Moore Y `e1 Patrice Fogarty, City 06rk Minutes;3/25/97;Page 4 Chu o Beaumont Police Department PROPOSAL FOR STREET CRIMES UNIT OBJECTIVES: 1. To lower the crime rate initiated by street level criminals. 2. To make immediate and lasting impact in our neighborhoods concerning criminals who commit their crimes in our streets and in our neighborhoods. 3. To involve more citizens more involved in fighting crime in their.neighborhoods. 4. To inform citizens that we are concentrating a large amount of the Beaumont Police Department's efforts on fighting crime of all types in our neighborhoods. 5. To keep drug dealers off the streets since they are the primary source of drugs for our children. PERSONNEL: There will be three(3)narcotic investigators that will be assigned to the unit; two (2) grade II's and one(1)grade I. One of the grade II's will be the coordinator of the unit and the other grade II will be an assistant coordinator. There will be one grade I patrol officer assigned to the unit on a 60 or 90 day period(time period to be determined by deputy chief of patrol); one officer from Star Unit on rotating basis(length of time to be determined by Lt. of Star);one officer to be determined by K- 9 Lt.;one officer from Housing Unit on rotating basis(length of time to be determined by Housing Lt.). This will make seven(7)officers assigned to the unit at any given time with the understanding that in some situations additional officers may be used to assist the unit on large scale operations. The entire unit will be under the responsibility of the Narcotics and Vice Lieutenant. INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES TO BE USED BY UNIT: 1. Officers will use information given to them by zone lieutenants as the locations of street drug dealing, prostitution, robberies, assaults, burglaries and other crimes. Neighborhood Associations will be a great help. 2. Officers will coordinate their efforts with zone commanders, shift commanders, star team commander, housing unit commander, and narcotics commander when appropriate. 3. Officers will use informants in addition to citizen complaints to target high crime areas. EXHIBIT "A" PROPOSAL FOR STREET CRIMES UNIT 4. Surveillance of suspected locations will be used in most situations. 5. Officers will use undercover personnel whenever possible to make undercover buys in either buy bust situations or buy walks. 6. Officers will use "sweeps" or "jump-outs" for high profile checking of individuals after probable cause has been established. 7. All cases made by the unit will be followed up and filed with the appropriate agency. 8. The unit will target street drug dealers, prostitutes and violent criminals but focus attention on any other crimes initiated by street criminals. 9. Funding for informants and undercover buys will be provided by the Beaumont Police Department's Narcotics Unit and the Beaumont Crime stoppers. 10. The unit will accept the zero tolerance principle when dealing with the aforementioned criminals. 11. Vehicles will be furnished by the officers participating in the street crime unit. 12. Technical surveillance equipment,and all other related equipment,will be furnished by the narcotics unit. 13. The unit will initiate and maintain an intelligence file and data base including suspects, arrests, vehicles, locations, complaints, reports and any other related information. This information will be given the Sgt. R.J. Smith and Officer S. Barton by the unit's coordinator Sgt. R. Roberts. The information will be given to the appropriate divisions within our department to assist the divisions in their respective assignments. CONCLUSION: It is hoped that this unit will lower the crime rate overall,drastically reduce street crime and violent crimes associated with the street criminal. The ultimate goal is to make our citizens,no matter where they live, feel safer in their homes and neighborhoods, Police Chief Tom Scofield Lt. James Singletary