Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board

Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 1201 Burns Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853 November 30, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Members Present: Andy Oguntola, Tiffany Davis, Narvell Peterson, Dwight Wilson, Deputy Chief Troy Schulze, Moe Moyer Staff Present: Police Chief Chris Velasquez, Community Liaison Officer Ed Palmer, and Executive Assistant Judi Gladue. Narvell Peterson opened the meeting in prayer. 2. SPEAKERS Chairman Andy Oguntola opened the meeting up to citizens to speak, and if there would be no one to speak, would like the committee to talk about on three topics; 1. What is going on in and around our City; 2. What do we want this committee to look like going forward; 3. Decide when and where to meet next. Courtney Fields spoke first expressing a complaint of a few officers who worked a civil service call at her home on September 28 and November 28. Ms. Field described the incident advising that the officers were rude. Chief Velasquez advised he would have this matter looked into and also the involvement of Lake Wales Police Department, for this is a service that is handled by Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies through the Polk County Courthouse. Chairman Oguntola asked Ms. Fields to get with Officer Palmer after the meeting so he can gather more information. Ms. Richards brought to the Committee a complaint alleging her son was “body slammed” by Lake Wales Police Officers. Ms. Richards advised that the incident was looked into, but she felt that the investigation was very poor. Chief Velasquez asked Ms. Richards if he could go through what happened that evening. Chief Velasquez described the incident that evening and advised that under the circumstances and considering the totality, the officers acted appropriately to have her son get on the ground. Terry Christian, Sr. asked if it is automatic to have officers have people get on the ground. Deputy Chief Schulze responded that it is not policy, and further explained the situation of that evening. Deputy Chief Schulze advised that having someone get on the ground is a safety response for the individual and the officer. Further discussion was held with committee members and guests regarding this matter. Chief Velasquez encouraged Ms. Richards to have her son contact the department with any additional concerns, as he was an adult. Ms. Richards responded that he is 51 years but still her baby.  Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 1201 Burns Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853 November 30, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Cassandra Ulyses brought to the committee a complaint she has with an officer and how he handled an on-going issue between her son and her grandson’s mother. Ms. Ulyses advised her son is being harassed by the mother of his child, including making false reports on her son. Ms. Ulyses’ complaint is that her son is being troubled by officers, but they are not doing anything about the child’s mother. Deputy Chief Schulze responded by echoing the conversation he had with Ms. Ulyses regarding this situation. He also advised that this matter is criminal and cannot be discussed in this meeting. Chairman Oguntola asked Officer Palmer to take Ms. Ulyses from the presence of the Committee and speak with her further about this matter. Chairman Oguntola recognized Ms. Gibson as being present, who was there representing her son, Commissioner Curtis Gibson who was unable to attend. Terry Christian, Jr. brought to the committee a complaint he has regarding officers blocking off some streets preventing him from getting home. Mr. Christian explained that there was an event Monday evening he attended that lasted until 2:00 or 2:30 in the morning, and the officers had streets blocked so had to take a longer route to get home. Deputy Chief Schulze responded to Mr. Christian explaining the reason for the streets being blocked. Chairman Oguntola added to the response advising that the police have increased their presence in this area per the many requests from citizens at the meeting on October 26 to assist in reducing traffic and noise, especially during the early morning hours. Chairman Oguntola addressed the committee and members, reminding them of the committee’s job to make sure citizens are listened to, comprehend concerns and find resolution. He added that we do not want anyone leaving sour, and that we want to move in a positive direction. Narvell Peterson asked if they could know of what was looked into of the concerns from the October 26 meeting. Dwight Wilson expressed his thoughts of the concerns that were spoken at tonight’s meeting including that we need to have more understanding of officers and citizens and also that he would like to see young adults come to the meeting for their input of remedies. Chairman Oguntola asked Commissioner Goldstein if at the next Commission meeting there could be a discussion of more signs. Commissioner Goldstein advised he would bring this up to the Commission as well as more lighting in needed areas. Dwight Wilson added that we need to get with a professional in crime prevention by environmental design to look at where we need lighting in the City. We also need to get with City departments to make sure other issues in this City are being addressed.  Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 1201 Burns Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853 November 30, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Deputy Chief Schulze responded to Mr. Peterson’s request for a follow up to the concerns of the October 26 meeting. Deputy Chief Schulze stated the concerns and follow up responses from the October 26 meeting. Commissioner Goldstein requested the minutes of these meetings to be provided to the Commissioners. Chairman Oguntola asked Burney Hayes if he could get pastors from the Northwest community at the next meeting. Narvell Peterson advised he would like to see more recreation opportunities for our youth in the City. Commissioner Goldstein agreed that we do need recreation, and this is being looked into. Dwight Wilson requested Judi Gladue to get the names and E-Mail addresses of those attending this meeting so they can get agendas and minutes. Resident Karen Fewell spoke to the committee and guests expressing her care for this community and her desire to see the community come together. Burney Hayes added that we need to try to improve relationships with officers. Mr. Hayes also added that citizens need to step up and clean up the community. Dwight Wilson suggested we have a clean-up day, cleaning up the entire Lake Wales. Chairman Oguntola asked for input of where and when we should have our next meeting. Discussion was held, and the next meeting will be on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Women’s Club, pending approval to use the building. Tiffany Davis said that she would confirm the availability for that evening. Deputy Chief Schulze commended Chairman Oguntola for keeping the group focused on what we can accomplish. 5. ADJOURN Burney Hayes closed the meeting in prayer. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.