Public Safety Committee

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · September 26, 2023

Minutes

COLUMBIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 CALL TO ORDER The Columbia Public Safety Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr. called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Howard E. Duvall Chair Present Tina N. Herbert Member Present Peter M. Brown Member Present COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Proposed Amendments to the Fireworks Ordinance – The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr. Councilor Duvall proposed that Sec. 14-108(d) be amended to reflect the following penalties: first offense at $100; second offense at $250; and third offense at $500. Amend Sec. 14-108(b) so that no fireworks can be discharged between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. On January 1 and July 5, fireworks cannot be discharged between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Ms. Teresa Knox, Esq., City Attorney agreed to clarify the language in Sec. 14-108(b). She also recalled the request to include additional holidays in the ordinance. There was consensus of the Committee to amend the current fireworks ordinance as outlined by Mr. Duvall so that it closely mirrors Richland County's ordinance. PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATES 2. Office of Violent Crime Prevention Update - Mr. Trevon Fordham, Director of Violent Crime Prevention Mr. Trevon Fordham, MSCJ, M.Ed., Director for the Office of Violent Crime Prevention provided an overview of the Office of Violent Crime Prevention. Work is being done in three stages: assessment (where we were), forming (where we are), and planning (where we are going). Next steps range from hiring staff to assist with coordination to creating an external framework for addressing violent crime. Highlights include creation of the office’s aim, goals Page 1 of 2 COLUMBIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 and summary; submission of a JAG grant; hosting a youth symposium; increased collaborations with Richland One; and near completion of the assessment. There was a request to discuss the definition for individuals who lawfully carry firearms, exposing youth to other career opportunities, and notifying council members of events held within their districts. Ms. Pam Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services added that through the One City Future Ready Program with Richland School District One and the Premiere to Career Program with Richland School District Two, the city’s Human Resources Department has placed students in various city departments during the school year and during the summer. Mr. William “Skip” Holbrook, Police Chief said Trevon is making his rounds. He is typically where we are and he is reaching those touchpoints where we don’t. Giffords Law Center estimates that fatal gun crime costs over $800,000. The community impact is far reaching. We appreciate the investment and confidence you have in us. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 2 of 2

Agenda

Packet

COLUMBIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 The Columbia Public Safety Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting. The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr., Chair The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I  The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV Prior to entering the meeting please turn all electronic communication devices to the silent, vibrate or off position. All presenters are asked to speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes. CALL TO ORDER COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. Proposed Amendments to the Fireworks Ordinance – The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr. PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATES 2. Office of Violent Crime Prevention Update - Mr. Trevon Fordham, Director of Violent Crime Prevention ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1 1 MEETING DATE: September 26, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to the Fireworks Ordinance – The Honorable Howard E. Duvall, Jr. FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: ATTACHMENTS:  #a: 2023-093 - Firework Ord (PDF) Updated: 9/21/2023 5:31 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 2 1.a ORDINANCE NO. 2023-093 Amending the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, Chapter 14, Article IV, Sec. 14-108, Discharge of Fireworks BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council this _____ day of _________________, 2023, that Chapter 14, Article IV, Sec. 14-108, Discharge of Fireworks of the 1998 Code of Ordinances of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, is amended to read as follows: Sec.14-108. Discharge of Fireworks. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to use, discharge, shoot, or ignite fireworks or similar explosives within the city between the hours of 1011:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This section may not be construed to prohibit the discharge or lighting of sparklers or similar pyrotechnic products which generate no appreciable noise at any time. For the purposes of this section, "fireworks" is a term as defined by S.C. Code 1976, § 40-56-20. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the permitted hours for the use of fireworks must be extended on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. Therefore, it is only unlawful for a person to use, discharge, shoot, or ignite fireworks or similar explosives within the city between the hours of 1:0012:30 a.m. and 79:00 a.m. on July 5th and January 1st. (c) It is unlawful to: (1) Negligently, recklessly, or intentionally direct the discharge of fireworks towards a structure, animal, or person; (2) Intentionally detonate fireworks upon the land of another without express prior consent; (3) Offer for sale or sell permissible fireworks to children under the age of 1614 years unless accompanied by a parent; (4) To ignite or detonate fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, public school; (5) To ignite or detonate permissible fireworks within a motor vehicle or discharge a permissible fireworks from a motor vehicle; and (6) To place or throw an ignited firework into or at a motor vehicle:.and (7) Intentionally dump, throw, drop, deposit, discard, or otherwise discharge fireworks onto another’s property without express prior consent. (d) A violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty of up to $5100.00 for a first offense, $750.00 for a second offense and $1,000.00 for a third or subsequent offense. Each violation of this section may be punished as a separate offense. Second, third, and subsequent violations are those occurring within a period of five years from the date of a previous violation. (e) After three separate violations in a single location over a period of six months, the location can be declared to be a public nuisance and subject to the nuisance provisions of Chapter 8, article II of the Columbia City Code. (f) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit within the city the use of flares or similar devices necessary for the safe operation of railroads, buses, trucks, or other vehicles within the city or that is necessary during emergencies. (g) Nothing in this section shall be read to supersede or otherwise be exempt from the requirements of Columbia City Code Chapter 9, Fire Prevention and Protection. Last revised: 7/20/2023 23017665 Packet Pg. 3 1.a (h) Any firework display permitted by the city and state fire marshal is exempt from subsection (a), (b), and (c)(4) of this section. This ordinance shall become effective upon second reading. Requested by: Councilman Howard Duvall __ ________________________________ Mayor Approved by: _________________________________ City Manager Approved as to form: ATTEST: __________________________________ ________________________________ Deputy City Attorney City Clerk Introduced: Final Reading: Last revised: 7/20/2023 23017665 Packet Pg. 4 2 MEETING DATE: September 26, 2023 DEPARTMENT: City Clerk FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk SUBJECT: Office of Violent Crime Prevention Update - Mr. Trevon Fordham, Director of Violent Crime Prevention FUNDING SOURCE & ORIGINAL BUDGET: Updated: 9/21/2023 5:05 PM Page 1 Packet Pg. 5