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Minutes 11-04-09 MINUTES OF THE CRIME PREVENTION SUMMIT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4,2009, AT 7:00 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Victor Norfus, Chair Judy Immer, Vice Chair (arrived 7:01 p.rn.) Blanche Hearst-Girtman Brian Miller Joyce Mura Phyllis Stern Floyd Zonenstein Lloyd McCoy, Alternate Thelma Lyons, Board Liaison At 7:00 p.m. Chair Norfus welcomed all to the meeting and gave a brief PowerPoint presentation about the Board. The Community Relations Board was established in the 1960s as an intermediary between the community residents and the City Commission to help resolve conflicts and grievances. Advisory in nature, the Board meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers and on occasion, meets elsewhere in the community. The public was welcome to attend the meetings with questions or issues they may have. The Board was comprised of nine members with two alternates appointed by the City Commission. Any City resident could apply for membership, needing only to fill out an application. The Board members were introduced. Some of the Board's responsibilities included contacting the community, listening to grievances and complaints, and then forwarding recommendations and issues to the City Commission. They interact with other Boards/organizations events and projects. They organize or assist neighborhoods with neighborhood watches and lighting issues. They communicate directly with the residents and ascertain what issues and activities were occurring. They participate and sponsor local events that promote harmony and communication. They visit various religious institutions to promote cultural diversity and beautification projects. They provide information to citizens wherever they may be and provide assistance when requested. Some events they participated in were the Heritage Celebration on Martin Luther King Boulevard during Black History Month. They participate in the Youth in Government Day to assist students to experience the internal workings of the City 1 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL November 4, 2009 and how the City Commission functions, as well as the 4th of July event and the Holiday Parade. They hold Community Relations Board Workshops and Neighborhood Leaders Networking events and schedule neighborhood clean-ups, all of which help to promote neighborhood pride and bring residents closer together. The Board hoped to be of service to the public and could be contacted through the Board Liaison, Thelma Lyons or any member of the Community Relations Board. Chair Norfus thanked all for coming. Officer John Huntington, Boynton Beach Police Department Crime Prevention Unit, announced this year in August, the City held its Teen Police Academy, similar to the Citizens Police Academy. The Citizens Police Academy classes were held twice a year. The classes were free of charge and it was a 10-week program running each Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The program creates a stronger bond between citizens and the Police Department by providing a better understanding of police work in general, and the legal system. The classes are held by Police Instructors each week, and participants learn everything about positions ranging from the Chief of Police to civilian employees, such as Evidence Custodians, Crime Scene procedures and Dispatch functions. During the adult academies there were several inquiries if there was a program for teens. Consequently the Department developed an academy for youth aged 14 - 16. The age group was selected because youth were most impressionable at that age and were beginning to experience peer pressures, and possibly gang activities. It was thought the program could steer those youth towards a criminal justice background. Staff created a video of the first Teen Academy. Officer Huntington prefaced the video by explaining it took 14 Police Officers to hold the class of 28 students. Classes were broken down into groups of five and had platoons, with two officers in charge of each platoon to ensure control of the youth, especially during down time when the youth would transition from one instructor to the next. The program hours were 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Academy was held at Intracoastal Park. The participants were bused to other locations such as the Delray Training Center where the Boynton Police Department holds much of their training, as well as to Tequesta, where an instructor taught a course in self-esteem and teamwork. When the students graduated, they received gifts and a certificate of completion from the Police Department. This summer they planned to hold two teen academies during July and August. Families were charged $60 per child to help cover some of the costs of the program such as clothing, lunch and beverage, and transportation and instructor expenses. It was thought the program was very successful. Of special note, Sergeant DiGuillio was recognized for his efforts in helping to plan the program. Another community activity the Police Department provided was the Annual Shop with a Cop program. This program involved young, middle-school aged youth who go with an Officer to shop at Super-WalMart for holiday gifts. The activity was sponsored by local 2 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL November 4, 2009 businesses, and last year, close to $10,000 was raised. The youth who participated in the activities were selected by school principals based on the students needs and financial background. The schools were responsible for busing the youth to Super- WalMart where they would meet with Santa Claus. Twenty to thirty police officers were involved in the program, and last year they sponsored nearly 100 youth from local elementary schools. They also sponsored four families - two from the Lord's Place and two families that were brought to them. The families received a gift card from Super- WalMart for $100. The officers let the youth do the shopping but they were encouraged to buy for other family members although it was not a requirement. In most cases, when the merchandise was tallied, the total exceeded the $100 card, and the officer paid the overage out of pocket. This was the fourth year the program was held. Officer Kellman handled the program and was hoping the amount raised would surpass last year's goal of $10,000. The community was encouraged to become involved. Information regarding Shop with a Cop was available. He commented the first year they held the program, WalMart shoppers were so impressed, they donated funds to buy more cards. Applications for the Teen Academy were available in April. The Police Department dropped off hundreds of applications, targeting the middle and high schools. They did not offer it to residents outside the Boynton Beach common area. Several of the youth were from Lake Worth who were part of the Juvenile Justice Program. Boynton Beach was the only agency in Palm Beach County that offered the Teen Academy. Applications would be available at the Library, City Hall Lobby, the Police Department Lobby, as well as those distributed to the schools. An inquiry was made whether applications could be sent to non-profit organizations since they were often in touch with families of students in need. Additionally, although the $60 was a minimal cost, it may be too difficult for some. Officer Huntington was asked if the Chamber of Commerce had or could create a scholarship program. Officer Huntington responded they interview the parents and child after the applications were received to make it clear what the youth would be involved in. It also was to ensure there would no health issues prohibiting some of the physical activities. There was much criteria involved in the program. Participants would be using simulated weapons and part of the activities included role playing within a controlled environment. After the program ended, many of the parents wrote letters to the Police Chief endorsing the program. The program did not target at-risk youth or youth with juvenile histories. They wanted youth whose attention they could hold. Out of the class of 28, 6 youth joined the Police Explorer program. The Police Department has a website regarding Crime Prevention. There are about 500 people who joined the site. Homeowners could view the property crimes in the community or near their home. They try to post crimes daily, and monthly crime statistics for the prior six months are available. The program took the place of an officer teaching the community how to organize a crime watch. A community website that the community 3 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL November 4, 2009 could administer could be set up free of charge and one needed only to sign in. If they did not, not all the tools on the website would be available to them. The current crime trends were travelling or gypsy types of crimes, home improvement and phone scams. Stacey Spence, Director Youth Violence Program, had a DVD about the program; however, due to time constraints, she preferred to introduce the youth involved in the program. The program strived to maintain a safe place in the Heart of Boynton. The following participants were present: . Martavius Barbara . Corey Albery . Ryan Darvil . Crystal Valentine . Brianna Sullivan . Kimberly Ward . Akia Williams The participants conveyed their activities, all of which helped them succeed in school and enriched their lives through other activities. Ms. Spence was very proud to be a part of the program and thought the City should view the program as its crown jewel. The youth were receptive to the adults and Police that work with them at the Center. The youth have many challenges but are willing to strive beyond what other youth would do in order to improve their lives. Ms. Spence recounted they have a student that two years ago was not on track to graduate, and was a "thug". Presently, the student was still in school and would graduate in a year. His first report card this year reflected one "B" and the rest "As". She indicated this was just one success story indicative of what the program could accomplish. There were mentoring programs available; however, most of the youth just needed to be directed to where the resources were. Some of the service providers were present. Captain Rich, Florida Fishing Academy was present. He explained he started at Poinciana Middle School as a volunteer and as word spread of the program, the City approached him to become a service provider for the Youth Violence Prevention Program. He explained the success stories relayed by Ms. Spence were just the tip of the iceberg. Florida was the fishing capital of the world, outnumbering golfers 2-1, yet there was no organized teaching regarding how to be an ethical angler, respectful of the environment and how to treat other people along with the environment. He emphasized the course was also about responsibility. There were avenues to pursue in the recreational boating industry which is a $108 billion industry annually. Florida is #1 in boat sales in the country, having a $28 billion salary line. For 4 Meeting Minutes Community Relations Board Boynton Beach, FL November 4, 2009 students that do not attend college, there were opportunities the participants could pursue. He relayed a short story of how the experience positively impacted the youth. Ms. Lyons closed the program and thanked the presenters and the public for attending the meeting. The meeting ended at 8:02 " (D:lj~JU(~ QlWL~J-- Catherine Cherry 0 Recording Secretary 121609 5