Orting Public Safety Meeting

Orting Public Safety Meeting April 2, 2015

ATTENDANCE Josh Penner, Orting City Council Bill Drake, Orting Police Chief Mark Bethune, Orting City Administrator Tod Gunther, Orting City Council Barbara Ford, Orting City Council

The Meeting Opened at 6:33 PM

AGENDA ITEMS

Adopt/Amend April 2015 Minutes

Adopt/Amend May 2015 Agenda

New Business – Josh Penner (014)  Council members have been receiving citizen complaints regarding off-road vehicles being used on Train Street South East. Chief Drake requested the complaints be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Officer for review. In addition, the Orting City Administrator indicated it would be helpful if these citizens were directed to complete a Citizen Action Request Form. This form enables Code Enforcement to know the specific location and nature of the complaint and is the formal process in which to make a complaint. Chief Drake stated that the RCW’s (state laws) are quite clear on the authorized and prohibited uses for off-road vehicles.

Orting Valley Fire & Rescue Update  No report.

Orting Police Dept. Update – Chief Drake (050)  The department is looking at two potential lateral candidates. One of the individuals has 20 years of experience and has already completed the state equivalency academy.  Attention is being focused on additional efforts to board up a former closed drug house to prevent people from gaining entrance. The department is coordinating with Ken Wolfe, from the Building Department, to utilize crime prevention funds for this effort.  The departments new Records Management System (RMS) is up and running. The system is a considerably more capable program that will substantially reduce our paper records, it generates PDF reports that can be sent electronically.

1 In addition, the new program is $3,500 per year which is $200.00 less than our old program.  The department just passed our Washington State Criminal Information Center – Natl. Crime Info Center – A Central Computerized Service System (WASIC NCIC ACCESS) audit. It occurs every three years and is conducted by a Washington State Patrol ACCESS auditor. The system has very stringent requirements that you must abide. The audit is complex and has two phases consisting of a compliance side and a technical IT component. The audit reviews department compliance on 78 centers which covers everything from arrests to how we maintain criminal records. The committee requested that Officer Turner, who prepared the department for the audit, brief the Orting City Council. The committee suggested featuring the audit on Facebook.  The Orting Middle School and High School partnered with the police department and painted over the graffiti on the Calistoga Bridge. The event was well attended and featured on Q13. The committee suggested featuring this event on Facebook as well as Orting News.

Budget/Funding (434)  The police expense budget is currently invested at approximately 21.97%.  The jail budget is at 30.13% which is $3,642 over the anticipated budget.  The police capital budget is invested at approximately 7.15%.  Overtime is at 21.24% of the budget. We will be receiving reimbursement from Officer Taylor attending the police academy.  Gasoline is at 14.8% or $4,386 under the anticipated budget.  The overall police expense budget is currently at approximately 21.97% or $50,531 under the anticipated budget.

Council Committee Goals (550) Levels of Service  The committee discussed how to develop and define expectations with regard to levels of police service. This discussion included possibly looking at the following: staffing levels, having a full-time detective, officer training/continuing education, community oriented policing, community input and bike patrols. The committee decided to collect data on what’s currently being done to assess need and current service levels. In addition, the committee agreed that it would be beneficial to develop questions for the police guild/police staff for input regarding enhancing service levels.

Education Opportunities for Crime Prevention & Public Safety  Discussion was held regarding assessing opportunities to provide education to the community. The following ideas were discussed: developing a brochure regarding what to do about drug houses, offering traffic school and providing self-defense courses such as Rape Aggressive Defense (RAD).

2 Independent Review or Certification (877)  The committee discussed the benefits of certification/accreditation versus having an independent review. The committee requested to be provided with general information regarding all of the recent Orting Police Department audits, such as ACCESS. The committee addressed the time constraints on staff that accreditation can require as well as the expense or necessary budget to achieve independent review or certification.

Funding Strategies for the Police Department (014, 2)  The committee examined funding gaps between public safety strategies and the council adopted budget and discussed possible alternative funding strategies. Some of the alternative ideas discussed were the possibility of a utility, property or BNO tax and “branding” with company sponsors.

Hazard Mitigation Plan  Mark Bethune, City Administrator, reported that the city has 2 big emergency plans the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Hazard Mitigation Plan helps us to mitigate crisis. The city provides information, to the county, who then provides it to the state/federal government. We provide the county with information that outlines what our specific needs are to avert potential crisis. Mr. Bethune provided the committee with the table of contents for the plan and reviewed key points and exhibits.

Public Testimony  An audience member asked how successful the online police survey has been. The Orting City Administrator reported that the city is receiving about 1 survey a day and received 30 the first day of the survey.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:02 PM