Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board

Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 230 B St, Lake Wales, FL 33853 October 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Members Present: Dwight Wilson, Narvell Peterson, Tiffany Davis, Moe Moyer, Deputy Chief Troy Schulze, Andy Oguntola Staff Present: Police Chief Chris Velasquez, Community Liaison Officer Ed Palmer, Officer Michael Waldron and Executive Assistant Judi Gladue. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 12, 2020 MEETING As not all committee members received the minutes from the October 12, 2020 meeting, those minutes will be approved at the October 26, 2020 meeting. 3. SPEAKERS Chairman Andy Oguntola opened the meeting up to citizens to speak with a time limit of five minutes each. Mr. Gregory Massey of 304 Pearl Street spoke on concerns of speeding vehicles, a lack of speed limit signs, and ATVs as well as mini bikes speeding. Mr. Massey advised that Washington Avenue has been like a drag strip of vehicles and that has also been a big problem in the neighborhood. He also said the only traffic sign is at Florida's Natural and that it is old and covered up. Mr. Narvell Peterson concurred with Mr. Massey and advised that speed bumps were brought up once and that he will be bringing it up again. Mr. Massey also brought up his concern about a mobile car wash wherein customers and others are gathering at the location of the mobile car wash. He said this is causing problems with traffic and other issues. Chief Velasquez advised that a mobile car wash should go to a location where they are called, not set up at a location and have cars come to them. Code Enforcement needs to be contacted about the mobile car washes being set up at a specific locations. Mr. Pittman spoke that he would like to see at least two speed bumps on Pearl Street. Mr. Wilson spoke of his concern that citizens may end up paying for speed bumps, as it will take a toll on vehicles. Ms. Nellie Mobley of 620 Jackson Avenue spoke on some concerns she has about speeding, parking of vehicles, her property being damaged, and loud music. Ms. Mobley advised that school buses, FedEx and UPS vehicles frequently stopped through the area. Additionally, she said there are many vehicles being parked near her property, turning her area into a parking lot. She has also had instances of her fence being damaged. Ms. Mobley was concerned about the loud music. She did say that the instances of loud music has been lessening over the past few weeks. Mrs. Elsie Wright spoke about the traffic, noise, crowds and mobile car washes that disturb and concern her in the neighborhood. She said she has called to complain and that the area seems to be improving. She hopes the police are able to keep it peaceful and quiet.  Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 230 B St, Lake Wales, FL 33853 October 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Al Kirkland, from the Lake Wales Housing Authority advised they are experiencing the same thing. He mentioned the community meetings that were being held in the area about ten years ago. He said there were improvements; however, the meetings stopped, so the issues increased. He suggested we not stop having the meetings. Mr. Al Kirkland asked police personnel if there are pockets of areas with similar issues and if so, what has been done about them. Deputy Chief Troy Schulze responded that we do have pockets and that it is good to see that the community is looking for something to happen. Ms. Rhonda owns property on F Street and spoke on the concerns she was having with traffic between Jackson and Washington, tearing up the unpaved alleyway, break-ins, theft, fire and gunshots. Ms. Rhonda explained her concerns and advised she wants her tenants and property protected. Ms. Wylene Kimbrough advised she lives in Poinciana Heights and they are having the same problem. She added that she knows police cannot be everywhere, but asked if they could help stop the noise. Mr. Burney Hayes commented on the concerns of the citizens providing suggestions for both the citizens and police. 4. CLOSING COMMENTS Chairman Oguntola reiterated the concerns of the citizens and asked all to trust them and trust this process. Chairman Oguntola asked Community Liaison Officer Edward “Ed” Palmer to introduce himself to the citizens. Community Liaison Officer Ed Palmer shared about himself, his career and his job as a Community Liaison Officer. 5. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.