Loading...
2022 09 20 BPAC Minutes MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BAYTOWN POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN September 20, 2022 The Baytown Police Advisory Committee (BPAC) met in a Meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 6:03 P.M. in the Baytown Conference Room of the Baytown City Hall, located at 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance: Dr. Marissa Moreno Vice Chairperson Dr. June Stansky Committee Member Richard Hunsinger Committee Member Cpl. Steve Ocanas Committee Member Eric Bolenbaucher Chairperson Angela Jackson Assistant Secretary John Stringer Police Chief Chairperson Eric Bolenbaucher convened the September 20, 2022, Baytown Police Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting with a quorum present at 6:03 P.M., all members were present with the exception of the absences of Committee Member Lt. Rodney Evans, Committee Member Michael Springer, and Committee Member Athena Greene. 1. MINUTES a. Consider approving the minutes of the Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting held on August 23, 2022. A motion was made by Committee Member Richard Hunsinger and seconded by Committee Member Dr. June Stansky to approve the meeting minutes of the Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting held on August 23, 2022, as submitted. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairperson Eric Bolenbaucher, Vice Chairperson Dr. Marissa Moreno, Committee Member Dr. June Stansky, Committee Member Richard Hunsinger, and Committee Member Cpl. Steve Ocanas Nays: None Other: Committee Member Lt. Rodney Evans (Absent), Committee Member Michael Springer (Absent), and Committee Member Athena Greene (Absent) Approved 2. CITIZEN INPUT Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 20,2022 Page2of6 a. Receive citizen input concerning police outreach, community policing, officer training, as well as policies and procedures. No citizen registered to speak. • 3. COMMUNITY INPUT a. Receive community input obtained by the Baytown Police Advisory Committee Members. Committee Member Dr. Stansky wished to address the sexual assault at Jenkins Park. She noted not having a sketch or a more detailed description of the assailant, other than "a black male," opened up the targeting and profiling of black men. Police Chief John Stringer assured her the Baytown Police Department ("BPD") trained against profiling and was not tolerated. However, there were certain things that if the media were to request, BPD had to give by Texas law. For example, BPD would have to provide descriptors (e.g. approximate age, race, sex, etc.). Nonetheless,he understood the concern and proposed BPD would find a better way to get that out. Committee Member Dr. Stansky further noted a sketch was done a week later,but that had not hit the news. Chief Stringer explained BPD did put out a media release being as sensitive to the victim as they possibly could. Upon further discussion, Vice Chairperson Dr. Moreno questioned if BPD would change how they would give descriptors and Chief Stringer replied not necessarily. He noted their approach would be to look at things and question how they could do better. Also, BPD could reach out to other agencies and see what their best practices were.The BPAC Members and Chief Stringer proceeded to deliberated over their ideas and concerns regarding BPD providing descriptors. While discussing racial profiling, Committee Member Dr. Stansky believed news agencies were partially responsible for accepting reports like those with only the race and gender. Unlike the media, Committee Member Hunsinger noted the information released by police departments were driven by regulations. Vice Chairperson Dr. Moreno mentioned it would be helpful to know the law to see what BPD was responsible for. Chairperson Bolenbaucher advised press statements and descriptors be further discussed, and perhaps be formed into a bucket of concern. 4. BUSINESS ITEMS a. ' Discuss the presentation of the Baytown Police Advisory Committee's quarterly report to the City Council on September 22,2022. Chairperson Bolenbaucher presented to the BPAC the presentation of their quarterly report that would be given to the City Council. The report included a summary of their Committee's focus, buckets of concern, community involvement, and effort to seek venues to meet outside of City Hall. He wished Council to be aware that their highest attended meeting as well as their highest level of citizen input had been given at their Lee College meeting. On citizen input, Vice Chairperson Dr. Moreno wondered if the presentation would note how the public directly talked to the Police Chief and that he did respond. Chairperson Bolenbaucher noted he would add that to Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 20,2022 Page 3 of 6 the presentation. In addition, Vice Chairperson Dr. Moreno recommended Lieutenant Rene Hinojosa's effort with UNIDOS be included. Furthermore,Chairperson Bolenbaucher inquired if the BPAC Members had any other suggestions for the presentation. Committee Member Hunsinger wondered if the BPAC's participation with the Citizen Appreciation Event should be added. Vice Chairperson Dr. Moreno corresponded that could be a part of their Committee wanting to be more visible to the community. Committee Member Dr. Stansky added they wished to be accessible to the community as well. Lastly, Chairperson Bolenbaucher relayed the report would acknowledge the Baytown Police Department for addressing the BPAC's concerns. Committee Member Hunsinger additionally wanted to acknowledge Council for continuing to support their Committee. b. Discuss participation of the Baytown Police Advisory Committee at the Citizen Appreciation Event to be held at Town Square on November 5, 2022. Chairperson Bolenbaucher opened the item noting Committee Member Dr. Stansky, Committee Member Hunsinger, and Committee Member Springer were tasked to create the Committee's banner. Committee Member Dr. Stansky shared her design, which consisted of four arms holding on to each other to form a square. One arm would be of a black person,a white person, a Hispanic, and also a blue arm for police officers. The Baytown logo would be in the center of the arms and Committee Member Dr. Stansky provided two options to be their catchphrase. The BPAC Members favored Option B, "Serving the Baytown Community Together." A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Dr. Marissa Moreno and seconded by Committee Member Richard Hunsinger to accept Option B, "Serving the Baytown Community Together,"for the Baytown Police Advisory Committee's banner. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairperson Eric Bolenbaucher, Vice Chairperson Dr. Marissa Moreno, Committee Member Dr. June Stansky, Committee Member Richard Hunsinger, and Committee Member Cpl. Steve Ocanas Nays: None Other: Committee Member Lt. Rodney Evans (Absent), Committee Member Michael Springer (Absent), and Committee Member Athena Greene (Absent) Approved Moreover, Committee Member Hunsinger proposed his daughter could create their banner design for free. Next, Committee Member Dr. Stansky stated they would need approval from Council for the cost of their banner. Chairperson Bolenbaucher believed General Council Jerris Mapes was working with them on getting that done. Committee Member Dr. Stansky wondered if their Committee could hand out a survey or form at the Citizen Appreciation Event similar to the Baytown Police Department's (BPD) criticisms and compliments page on their website. Police Chief John Stringer responded there were no issues with the BPAC having that form at the event. Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 20,2022 Page 4 of 6 c. Receive an update regarding the status of police outreach, community policing, officer training and policies and procedures. Police Chief John Stringer opened the item with a training update from the Baytown Police Department (BPD). Chief Stringer reported BPD had three recruits graduate from the Police Academy three weeks ago. One recruit, Mr. Blake Hill, received the second highest score on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Licensing Exam in the Academy's history. The recruits were completing their orientation for BPD policies, procedures, city ordinances, etc. In addition, the recruits would have to take an emergency driving course and BPD's own firearms course. Chief Stringer relayed BPD required 90% for passing, and 80%passing for night-time. As per the BPAC's buckets of concern, Chief Stringer shared there were no federal guidelines nor national minimum standards for police academies. Thus, states set their own standards and BPD did meet all the requirements set by TCOLE. Chief Stringer listed a few of those requirements, such as:the academy must serve a department that meets or exceeds seventy-five full-time officers; have TCOLE certified instructors and lesson plans; and have a governing board of advisers. He additionally noted BPD once had its own Basic Peace Officer course, and announced BPD would have that again. His goal was to have the course in three years and further spoke on that note. On personnel certifications, Chief Stringer reported BPD had ninety-seven Master Peace Officers. Chairperson Bolenbaucher inquired over the minimum standards on that. With a minimum of 1,200 additional training hours as well as time in service, Chief Stringer answered that was about eight years. However, college degrees had stipulations to bring that time down. Moreover, the Advanced Peace Officers in their department were at twenty-nine, which required 800 training hours and time in service. BPD's Intermediate Peace Officers were at sixteen, which had the requirement of 400 hours. Chief Stringer further shared BPD continued to push their lieutenants to receive their advance or masters by developing a plan with them for their career development. The Chief then announced National Night Out was on October 4, 2022, and the Citizen Appreciation Event was on November 5, 2022. He thanked and recognized Committee Member Cpl. Ocanas for his efforts regarding the events. BPD's Community Services Bureau had participated in community outreach and community policing events,such as back-to-school events and Coffee with a Cop. In total, all events provided their department contact with an estimate of 1,770 citizens for the month of August. Also, with school in session, BPD resumed their D.A.R.E. classes for all fifth graders. On a separate note,the UNIDOS Team would attend meetings later that day and the following day in Plano, Texas, with their UNIDOS collaborators. BPD's team would receive on-the-job training and see how Plano's UNIDOS Town Hall Meetings go. Next, Chief Stringer relayed BPD had begun working with local driver education schools by having their officers speak especially to young and inexperienced drivers. He had asked they use the opportunity to have a back-and-forth exchange with a police officer and drivers. In addition, BPD continued to strengthen their partnership with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD) to improve their relationship with students. In fact, BPD was working on a mentoring program that was still underway. Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 20,2022 Page 5 of 6 Furthermore, Chief Stringer listed the following events BPD would participate in: • Grito Fest at Town Square on September 30—October 1, 2022; • Coffee with a Cop at the Chick-Fil-A on IH-10 and John Martin Road on October 15,2022; • The UNIDOS Town Hall Meeting on October 25, 2022, at the Emanuel Church; • A Fall Festival on October 29, 2022, at the Abiding Faith Church on John Martin Road; • A Prescription Drug-Take-Back Event on October 29, 2022, at the Walgreens on 1515 North Alexander Drive as well as the Walgreens on 7216 Garth Road; • Treats on the Trail at Pirates Bay on October 29, 2022; and • The Citizens Appreciation Event at Town Square on November 5, 2022. On policies and procedures, Chief Stringer informed the BPAC that he had asked the Office of Professional Standards to have the Texas Police Chiefs' Association and Accreditation Assessors to come in and conduct a mock assessment. The assessment was requested because BPD had their site assessment on November for accreditation and best practices. Chief Stringer imparted all went well and BPD had identified two areas for improvement on equipment and inventory checks. As a result, the improvements had been implemented the following day. After BPD received their re- accreditation,the department would begin a detailed review of all policies to ensure they meet best practices. Once updated,Chief Stringer wished for the policies to be published online for everyone to be able to read. The initiative would be a part of the City's Strategic Plan as it fit in to transparency, legitimacy, community policing, and outreach. Chief Stringer shared he was finishing his first year with Baytown and looked forward to Phase 2 of the Strategic Plan. As that concluded the Chief's update, Chairperson Bolenbaucher inquired for any comments or questions from the BPAC Members. Committee Member Hunsinger noted a citizen had asked him about a juvenile intervention,or a"scare them straight,"program. He did not believe Baytown had a program for that and inquired for the Chief's thoughts as to how that could be addressed. In response, Chief Stringer shared why he did not believe in"scaring them straight."He would rather their department do as they planned with the high schools which was to sit down and talk with students. Committee Member Cpl. Ocanas communicated his previous experience as a School Resource Officer ("SRO") where students would speak to him even before speaking with a counselor or principal. Chairperson Bolenbaucher suggested having SROs be something to consider for the future. Chief Stringer noted GCCISD was expanding their ranks and hiring more officers. Thus, BPD just needed to make sure that they continue their liaison with the school's police department. 5. NEXT MEETING a. Consider setting date, time and location for the next Baytown Police Advisory Committee meeting, along with any related tasks and processes to include, but not limited to: • Election of Officers for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson; • Conduct a teambuilding exercise with the members of the Baytown Police Advisory Committee to review purpose and buckets of concern; and • Receive training on the Texas Open Meetings Act. Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 20,2022 Page 6 of 6 The BPAC Members deliberated over their next meeting date and agreed on October 18, 2022. A motion was made by Committee Member Dr. June Stansky and seconded by Committee Member Richard Hunsinger to change their regularly scheduled Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting date from October 25,2022,to October 18, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. and tentatively located at City Hall unless otherwise noted. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairperson Eric Bolenbaucher, Vice Chairperson Dr. Marissa Moreno, Committee Member Dr. June Stansky, Committee Member Richard Hunsinger, and Committee Member Cpl. Steve Ocanas Nays: None Other: Committee Member Lt. Rodney Evans (Absent), Committee Member Michael Springer (Absent), and Committee Member Athena Greene (Absent) Approved Vice Chairperson Dr. Moreno wished to note it was Chairperson Bolenbaucher's and Committee Member Cpl. Ocanas's last meeting. She and Committee Member Hunsinger were awaiting to see if they would be reappointed. Chairperson Bolenbaucher expressed his gratitude for serving on the Committee and for getting to know all those that he did not know beforehand. 6. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Vice Chairperson Dr. Marissa Moreno and seconded by Committee Member Dr. June Stansky to adjourn the September 20, 2022, Baytown Police Advisory Committee Meeting at 7:02 P.M. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairperson Eric Bolenbaucher, Vice Chairperson Dr. Marissa Moreno, Committee Member Dr. June Stansky, Committee Member Richard Hunsinger, and Committee Member Cpl. Steve Ocanas Nays: None Other: Committee Member Lt. Rodney Evans (Absent), Committee Member Michael Springer (Absent), and Committee Member Athena Greene (Absent) Approved sp,YTCtt 4, 6i`/ f Angela kson, Ass tar! City of Baytown ;a �� o�'