City of Surrey Police Committee Minutes Executive Boardroom City Hall 14245-56 Avenue Surrey, B.C. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2004 Time: 1:00 p.m. Present: Chair: Councillor Steele Councillor Bose Councillor Watts Councillor Hunt Councillor Higginbotham Mayor McCallum Absent: Councillor Tymoschuk Councillor Priddy Councillor Villeneuve Staff Present: City Manager Superintendent K. Gates, Surrey RCMP Inspector C. Callens, Surrey RCMP City Solicitor D. Jones, Manager, Officer of the Mayor & Council J. Sherstone, Manager, By-law & Licensing Services S. Palmer, Legislative Services A. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 1. Police Committee September 28, 2004 Minutes to be adopted. It was Moved by Councillor Watts Seconded by Councillor Hunt That the minutes of the Police Committee meeting held September 28, 2004 be adopted. Carried B. BUSINESS ARISING C. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Staffing Superintendent Gates reported that staffing levels currently reflect 491 positions and 8 NCO vacancies in the process of being filled. He noted that as of November 1, 2004, there would be a new staffing process in the form of a pilot project for corporals only. He added that the process was designed to speed up the staffing process at the corporal level. The process includes having a pool of identified qualified people enabling the extraction of the names of the best candidates. Discussion ensued with respect to lateral transfers and promotions and it was noted that Surrey RCMP could transfer staff laterally, but not promote. The following comments were then provided: h:\public safety\minutes\open\2004\102604pc.mins.doc Adopted at Regular Council November 1, 2004 Page 2
In order to meet fair and equitable practices, promotion opportunities are advertised throughout the province. In addition, advertising campaigns for the pilot Corporal project are held once or twice a year to encourage interested candidates to apply. A selection committee then reviews those applications and eliminates those not meeting qualifications. The names of qualified applicants are placed in a pool for future vacancies. If there are no suitable candidates for a lateral transfer, Surrey will go outside the detachment and recruit informally. The statement was made that the Finance Committee had approved an increase in the police officer complement. It was then noted that a letter under the Mayor s signature should be conveyed to E Division to allow Surrey to secure additional officers in a timely manner. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION It was Moved by Councillor Watts Seconded by Councillor Hunt That the Police Committee would recommend that a letter be forwarded under the Mayor s signature to the RCMP E Division, advising of Council s approval to hire additional police officers and to request the provision of these officers as quickly as possible. Carried It was noted that the letter should be sent on November 2, 2004 after the recommendations of the Finance Committee are presented to Council for adoption. 2. Crime Trends 1. Whalley Area Superintendent Gates provided copies of a survey undertaken in the Whalley area and advised that feedback from local businesses indicate areas for improvement. He noted that the RCMP would continue to work on improving communication with area businesses and respond to Council member and citizen-driven issues. He continued that bike patrols would concentrate on the City Centre area and high visibility roadblocks (CounterAttack) would be set up in the Whalley area. Superintendent Gates commented that Barry Hickman is going to District Office 1 and would follow up with the Community Consultative group and the Whalley Business Improvement Association to have these key players working together on identified issues to help clean up the area. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2004\102604pc.mins.doc Adopted at Regular Council November 1, 2004 Page 3
2. Halloween 2004 Superintendent Gates stated that Surrey RCMP has an intensive operational plan in place and noted that members had been briefed as to their duties. He added that a full complement would be working in every district, and that police dogs would be used to aid both foot beat and plainclothes officers. In addition, he commented that one helicopter would be available should the need arise. 3. Monster Bash Discussion ensued with respect to an event scheduled to take place Saturday, October 30, 2004 in the area of 133 Street and 73 Avenue. Concerns were relayed regarding the amount of persons attending this event, the lack of parking, and potential traffic problems. Superintendent Gates reported that a full operational plan is in place to deal with this event. It was noted that the event organizers had applied for a beer garden permit and were denied. The statement was made that the organizers had hired security guards of their own, are well-organized, but may be underestimating the size of the crowd that will be drawn to this event. 4. Auto Theft Discussion turned to auto theft and the Mayor noted that there had been an increase in the number of vehicle thefts in the last three weeks. He asked if the Bait Car and Hot Wheels programs were still in operation in Surrey. Superintendent Gates reported that the Bait Car program is still active and achieving positive results. He added that the Hot Wheels program continues to operate and to target known suspects. He went on to explain that some suspects appear in Court four or five times before the Courts place them in custody. He commented that the spike in auto thefts could be a result of the release of known car thieves from prison. He added that people involved in the IMPACT program have noted Surrey s successes in the area of auto theft and other detachments are looking at Surrey RCMP s programs. He reported that over the whole year, there has been a general decline in auto theft and gave assurance that the RCMP would continue to press those persons who have a significant impact on crime in the city. 5. SkyTrain Security Discussion ensued with respect to a report recently released by a Vancouver Police Department member. It was noted that the report had not been made available to TransLink and contained information with h:\public safety\minutes\open\2004\102604pc.mins.doc Adopted at Regular Council November 1, 2004 Page 4
respect to the arrest of numbers of criminals, outstanding warrants, and weapons seizures along the SkyTrain route. It was reported that 85 new SkyTrain police officers would start patrolling the Skytrain effective November 15, 2004. Superintendent Gates commented that the RCMP Exodus program could provide statistics relating to crime on the SkyTrain. A brief discussion took place with respect to security measure devices on the SkyTrain and at stations. The suggestion was raised to add turnstiles to deter freeloaders. 6. Pattullo Bridge The Mayor reported that the recent fatal accident reported in the newspapers was erroneously cited as taking place on Pattullo Bridge, when in fact, the accident took place on King George Highway closer to the Turf Hotel area. 7. Roadblocks It was noted that many positive comments had been received regarding roadblocks and Superintendent Gates reported that they would continue to provide them in the Surrey Centre Area, utilizing extra funding from CounterAttack. 8. Canine Units Discussion ensued with respect to the use of additional canine units in the detection of illegal drugs in Surrey and on the SkyTrain. Inspector Callens responded that there would be no question that the use of canine units would provide a significant physical impact and presence at all sorts of events, however, using dogs to identify drugs may present significant legal implications due to the Canada Charter issues that would arise. Discussion then took place with respect to canine training and the various types of substances dogs are trained to detect. It was noted that it takes four months to train the animals and that the purchasing and training of the dogs costs $60,000. A description of the various types of auto theft prevention/detection programs was then provided as follows: The Hot Wheels program identifies individuals involved in auto theft. This program is an Ad Hoc project borne out of a joint RCMP forces operation involving Surrey, Langley, North Delta, and IMPACT members. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2004\102604pc.mins.doc Adopted at Regular Council November 1, 2004 Page 5
It was initially proposed to run for the months of April to June, but was changed to a permanent target team to provide consistent, proactive, and target-driven operations. There are two teams in Surrey. The joint forces Hot Wheels program ended in July or August, however Surrey is continuing to provide this program in terms of permanent target teams, including 2 to 4 IMPACT members providing daily support. Surrey s resources have not declined, but rather are enhanced with IMPACT resources. Surrey is also engaged in a joint project with Delta, sharing information on individuals working along the Scott Road corridor, and providing joint surveillance and takedown teams. Year-to-date auto theft figures indicate a reduction in auto crime. Recent increases are indicative of certain individuals becoming active again after release from prison. There have been some significant strides made with the Crown on increased remand sentencing, however there are still some incidents where the length of sentences is not sufficient. The Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) used to be known as the Auto Theft Task Force. This program will be reassessed after December 31, 2004 to determine its continuance in Surrey. There are two substantive target teams in Surrey. SkyTrain and bus security is a priority for all passengers. A brief discussion ensued with respect to chop shops and overseas export of stolen auto parts. It was noted that this problem is more prevalent in Eastern Canada. The statement was made that most auto thefts are perpetrated for transportation purposes. 9. Community Policing Superintendent Gates noted that Rosa Takhar has recently been hired to work with Inspector Virk on diversity issues relating to the community consultation process. He reported that a Drug Awareness forum had been held last week at the Bell Centre for Performing Arts, in conjunction with the Surrey School District, for students and their parents. He added that 1,800 students and 300 parents were in attendance to listen to firsthand accounts from reformed users and parents of methadone addicted children of the dangers of illegal drug usage and the damage that can occur. He added that organizations such as Pacific Community Resource Group and Outreach also participated in the forum and provided valuable information regarding drug abuse problems. He noted that the intention is to hold another forum in the spring of 2005. h:\public safety\minutes\open\2004\102604pc.mins.doc Adopted at Regular Council November 1, 2004 Page 6
10. Auxiliary Officers Superintendent Gates reported that they had hired a full-time Auxiliary Officer program coordinator who would commence in January 2005. He added that the RCMP is proceeding with security processing of applications for the first group of Auxiliary officers and reported that 50 new Auxiliary Officers would be on board next year. Superintendent Gates indicated that results have been compiled for the Surrey RCMP Strategic Plan and would be brought forward for Council. D. OUTSTANDING ITEMS E. OTHER BUSINESS F. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Police Committee is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. in the Executive Boardroom. Note: A light lunch will be provided at 12:30 p.m. in the Boardroom. G. ADJOURNMENT It was Moved by Councillor Watts Seconded by Councillor Higginbotham That the meeting do now adjourn. Carried The meeting adjourned at 2:07 p.m. Certified as true and correct: City Clerk: Margaret Jones Chairperson: Councillor B. Steele Police Committee h:\public safety\minutes\open\2004\102604pc.mins.doc Adopted at Regular Council November 1, 2004 Page 7