416 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
City of Fort Bragg
Meeting Minutes
Public Safety Committee
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 3:00 PM Via Video Conference
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Meeting Chair Peters opened the meeting at 3:10 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: 2 - Bernie Norvell and Lindy Peters
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1A. 22-617 Approve Minutes of the Public Safety Committee Meeting February 16, 2022.
Moved by Chair Peters and seconded by Committee Member Norvell that the minutes be approved as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments made by:
Nick regarding bicycle safety
3. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
3A. 22-618 Discussion Regarding Flock Cameras
Chief of Police Cervenka presented the topic of Flock Cameras and their potential asset to the Police Department for the safety of our community. Flock Cameras are a self contained, solar powered, stand alone unit that read vehicle license plates which can alert law enforcement agencies of any wanted vehicles in the area. Chief Cervenka went on explaining the benefits of installing these cameras within the City of Fort Bragg especially since staffing is on the decline and crimes is on a rise. The cameras are biased, based on to the fact that they only read vehicle license plates and do not focus on drivers and or passengers. They will not be used as traffic enforcement either since they are not meant to be used for that purpose. The retention of information for the cameras is a 30 day retention period, after that the data is automatically deleted.
Chief Cervenka made it clear that the Police Department wants to be transparent with public and inform the public of the purchase and installment of the Flock Cameras in the City. The proposed locations of cameras would be a at Pudding Creek Bridge, Grove Street, Walnut Street, Noyo Bridge, and the intersection of Highway 20 and South Harbor Drive.
According to Chief Cervenka the estimated cost for two years for the Flock Cameras is $48,000 City of Fort Bragg Page 1 Printed on 12/22/2022
Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes December 21, 2022 which includes: the purchase of the cameras, the software program, data and transparency portal. Currently, the Fort Bragg Police Department is working with Pacific Gas and Electric to obtain a $5,000 grant to assist with the purchase of the cameras that will be installed next to their substation on Grove Street and service center on Walnut Street.
Chair Peters questioned the fact if these cameras are live feed cameras. Laura Holland from Flock Safety responded that the cameras are still images and no live image is available.
Chief Cervenka reiterates that with these cameras our Police Department will be connecting to other law enforcement agencies within the County and will be very beneficial.
Chair Peters commented that the price for the cameras and software package is reasonable considering you are not able to have the man power in the Department to do what these cameras do. Peters had no objections to the purchase of the cameras on behalf of the committee but suggest to put it before the City Council to be approved in order to keep the transparency.
3B. 22-619 Increase Of Fentanyl In The Community
Chief of Police Cervenka began stating that there has been a surge on overdose cases in the City. The Fort Bragg Police Department have made efforts to contain the overdose cases from increasing further. He mentioned that in the last month there have been four arrest within the City of Fort Bragg connected to fentanyl drug sales. Currently the officers are working towards obtaining more information to where these local subjects obtain their fentanyl from and collaborating with Mendocino County Task Force to attempt in cutting off fentanyl supplies to this area. The Fort Bragg Police Department will be receiving a sophisticated drug testing piece of equipment through the Asset Forfeiture Program from the Mendocino County District Attorney Office in January. The drug testing equipment will be used out in the field by officers to test materials and suspected narcotics without endangering their life.
As of now, only one officer within the Police Department is trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement. Within the next coming year the Police Department will be hosting the same training for the rest of the officers in the department so that they can start identifying drivers under the influence of narcotics.
Chair Peters commented on the danger of fentanyl. Chief Cervenka reiterated that fentanyl is very dangerous especially when the exposure is airborne to a non tolerant person.
4. MATTERS FROM COMMITTEE / STAFF
4A. 22-620 Receive Oral Update From Staff on Departmental Activities Fire Chief Orsi reminded the community on fire safety and to use common sense when it comes to candles and numerous extension cords this time of year. Chief Orsi mentioned that people in the community have been much safer in the most recent years when it comes to fire safety. He had no further updates for the Fire Department.
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Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes December 21, 2022 Chief of Police Cervenka briefly mentioned the recruitments for Community Service Officer, Peace Officer, and Sergeant. He briefly commented that Code Enforcement has been moved over to the Police Department from City Hall and is now settled in. Chief Cervenka commended the Care Response Unit for doing an outstanding job with the Extreme Weather Shelter. Lastly, he mentioned that in May the Police Department will be hosting a training called "Why'd You Stop Me", a program that is very progressive in de-escalation and tactical communication efforts in helping the community and Police Department work better together.
Public Works Director John Smith provided an update on the new signage that will be installed in the areas of the school zones. In addition there will be new signs to keep commercial compressor unit trucks out of residential areas due to the noise level. Lastly, he mentioned the new water meter project that it is currently underway.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Peters adjourned the meeting at 4:05 PM
City of Fort Bragg Page 3 Printed on 12/22/2022