Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-1986 Minutes City of San Bernardino, California February 5, 1986 This is the time and place set for an Adjourned Regu- lar Meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at their Regular Meeting held at 9:08 a.m., Monday, February 3, 1986, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "0" Street, San Bernardino, California. The City Clerk has caused to be posted the Notice of Adjournment of said meeting held at 9:08 a.m., Monday, February 3, 1986, and has on file in the Office of the City Clerk an Affidavit of said posting together with a copy of said Order which was posted at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 4, 1986, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "0" Street, San Bernardino, California. The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Common Council was called to order by Mayor wilcox at 7:10 p.m., Wednesday, February 5, 1986, in the Empire Room of the National Orange Show, 689 So. "E" Street, San Bernardino, California. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by the Rev. Clarence Good- win, Pastor of Christ Temple Church. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Larry Neigel, a member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board. ROLL CALL Roll Call was taken by the City Clerk with the fol- lowing being present: Mayor Wilcox; Council Members Estrada, Reilly, Hernandez, Marks, Quiel, Frazier, Strickler; City Clerk Clark, Deputy City Administrator Schweitzer. Absent: City Attorney Prince. PUBLIC HEARING - ILLEGAL DRUG SALES AND USE This is the time and place set for a public hearing to consider the problem of illegal drug sales and use within the City. Mayor wilcox opened the hearing, stating that the drug problem is a number one priority with her office and that at this meeting the public would be hearing the prog- ress and accomplishments of the Mayor's Drug Task Force. The Mayor introduced Jeri Simpson, Chairman of the Mayor's Drug Task Force, also known as the San Bernardino Community Against Drugs. Jeri Simpson, Drug Task Force Chairman, distributed a report from the San Bernardino Community Against Drugs, outlining the progress of Task Force meetings beginning with the first meeting on August 14, 1985. The report also included an organizational chart, a proposed ordi- nance for business operators' permits, a needs list, and correspondence. Ms. Simpson pointed out that the problem is not lack of enforcement of our laws, but the need to bring together government and community. Ms. Simpson reported on the progress of each of the task force subcommittees which has resulted in a higher level of cooperation between governmental agencies and has opened channels of communications that were not opened previously. The Task Force has received a commitment from Sheriff Floyd Tidwell that the crime lab is his number one funding priority. The Task Force also has assisted in the asset and forfeiture program, has presented a request to General Telephone Company for assistance in funding of various programs, and has requested the San Bernardino School Board to make lottery money available for drug prevention programs in the schools. Police Chief Paul Bonnano presented an overview of what the Police Department has accomplished since the inception of the Task Force. He used colored maps to show drug problem areas within the City and the expansion of the Vice and Narcotics Unit, and to show areas where drug labs had been taken down. CITY ATTORNEY PRINCE ARRIVED At 7:15 p.m., City Attorney Prince arrived at the Council Meeting. Police Chief Bonnano stated that there are no simple solutions to the drug abuse problem in the City, and listed the various programs that the department has under- taken to deal with the drug problems. In 1985, these programs resulted in an increase of 37% in adult arrests and 10% in juvenile arrests over 1984. Chief Bonnano also stated that in the second half of 1985, there was a 19% increase in drug related arrests and an increase of 166% in search warrants service. During the last twelve months, the department has effected 4,345 arrests for drugs in San Bernardino. Lieutenant Mike Lewis, in charge of the Narcotics Task Force of the Police Department, gave statistics re- garding vice and narcotics arrests. Search warrants in- creased from 54 in the first six months to 144 in the second six months of 1985. Six methamphetamine labora- tories have been taken down during the second one-half of 1985. Arrests by the narcotics detail increased from 60 to 555 in the second six months of 1985, an 825% increase. Lieutenant Lewis pointed out that the real problem is that there is a lot of money generated from the sale of narcotics and it takes a lot of money to combat these sales. Detective Tony Aragon from the Narcotics Division, gave a presentation of the DARE Program, a joint effort between the Police Department and the School District, which is for drug intervention, enforcement and preven- tion. Loretta Middleton, Prevention/Intervention Coordin- ator for the schools, explained the stipulations within a $133,000 drug program grant she obtained. She explained the Insight Program which is a one time alternative to expulsion from school, and the use of peer counselors for drug intervention. Pamela Hemstead, a peer counselor and student at San Bernardino High School, explained what a peer counselor does in the Insight Program, which is a three week drug intervention program. 2 2/5/86 ,- Larry Neigel, a member of the San Bernardino Board of Education, spoke regarding the School District's support of drug prevention programs. Bill Abernathy, Assistant Sheriff for San Bernardino County, stated that the Sheriff's Office is concerned with the drug problem and will do all it can do to help the City of San Bernardino. He also stressed the importance of drug abuse prevention programs. Al County, programs Twine, Drug Administrator for San Bernardino listed some of the drug prevention and treatment which he administers. Sylvia Robles, representing County Supervisor Barbara Riordan, stated that the Supervisors have budget authority over the Sheriff's crime lab and assured all that Super- visor Riordan will give this priority. She also spoke regarding the work Supervisor Riordan has done concerning the drug problems. George Schnarre, a full time student and an employee of Safeway, stated that he is a former drug user and pre- sented several suggestions on how youths may be diverted from drug use. His suggestions included more school coun- selling and college credit incentive programs. Morsell Johnson, Local Chairman of the NAACP, spoke regarding drug problems of minorities, the need for more black undercover officers and the need to cut off the supply. Paul L. Griffith, 1589 West Vine Street, spoke re- garding the lack of law enforcement and leadership on the West Side. Claud Chumley, a West Side resident, also spoke. Marty and Judy Handleton of "Tough Love", a drug prevention parent support group, explained how Tough Love works and spoke in support of an ordinance proposed by the Drug Task Force which would require an operator's permit for businesses in the City, as there are many businesses in San Bernardino that are selling drugs. Dave Livingston, a member of the Mayor's Drug Task Force, spoke regarding the accomplishments and needs of the Task Force. Kevin Kinney, a Third Ward resident and an employee of the Department of Corrections, spoke regarding the need to provide more jobs for youth. Mariane Navarro, a Tough Love parent, spoke regarding drug problems in San Bernardino. Charles Armistead, a West Side resident, stated that jobs are available to the youth and asked if the Police Department is getting convictions. Police Chief Bonnano responded to the question on convictions. West Side resident Harry Jacks spoke regarding the need for a comprehensive plan to take care of drugs and prostitution. 3 2/5/86 Frank Rios, been unable to oranges. an orange peddler, complained that he has get a li c ens e from the C i t Y to sell Mrs. Lee spoke regarding drug sales by children on the West Side from their homes. Detective Tony Aragon responded to Mrs. Lee's remarks. Valerie Pope Ludlum, West Side resident, stated that jobs are not the only solution, complained of a lack of law enforcement in her neighborhood, and that those who report crimes are threatened. Loretta Middleton stated she felt that the community has an obligation to support the Police Department and report cr imes. Sylvia Robles, representing Supervisor Barbara Riordan, asked for a price tag on financing the crime lab, for putting more employees in the probation Department, and for hiring more district attorneys. She stated that drug problems cut across all ethnic and social economic strata. Therefore, there should be balance to enforcement and to giving children the inner motivation not to do drugs. Mrs. Parker, and Fifth Streets, lems generate from a resident stated that adults. from the area near Meridian in her area the drug prob- Jeri Simpson, Drug Task Force Chairman, asked that those present from the District Attorney's Office and the Probation Department, answer Sylvia Robles' questions regarding a price tag for additional staff and equipment. Vivian Nash spoke regarding an incident concerning an arrest that took place in her apartment complex. Police Chief Bonnano addressed Mrs. Nash's complaint and requested a specific date of the incident. Tom Mangrum of the Probation Department, stated that his department's budget has been submitted to the County Administrator's Office. District Attorney Dennis Kottmeier, stated that he does the best he can with the resources that are provided him by the County Board of Supervisors, but he can't give anyone a price tag on what it would take to solve the drug problem in San Bernardino. Francisco "Kiko" Gomez stated he does not expect a solution to the problem, only a reduction, and presented two recommendations to the Police Department: stop allow- ing informers to buy and sell drugs; and conduct an inter- nal investigation. Police Chief Bonnano responded to Mr. Gomez's remarks and requested that any information be brought forward. He stated that the deployment practices of the Police Depart- ment have been to relegate at least 60% of its forces to the areas referred to as the drug problem areas. He also asked for community support. 4 2/5/86 Sylvia Robles, representing Supervisor Riordan, clar~ ified her earlier statements and emphasized that she had not asked for a price tag to solve the drug problem, only to hear the budget requests of the various County depart- ments. Harry Jacks stated he tried to implement a neighbor- hood watch program ten years ago but was not successful. Ruben Herndon, the manager of an apartment complex, spoke regarding the importance of standing up against crime. Jan Barton from the Citizens' War on Crime Commis- sion, urged the community to use the services of WE TIP to report crime. Mayor wilcox closed the hearing. The Mayor and desires to help community. Members of the Council expressed their solve the drug problem within the ADJOURNMENT At 10:00 p.m., Council Member Strickler made a mo- tion, seconded by Council Member Marks and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned to 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, February 13,1986, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "0" Street, San Bernardino, California. ~A"/@~16 /' City C erk 5 2/5/86