Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board

Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Monday, November 22, 2021 6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Lt. Michael Smith PRESENT Dwight Wilson PRESENT Al Goldstein PRESENT Andy Oguntola PRESENT Narvell Peterson PERSENT Tiffany Davis PRESENT AROUND THE ROOM: Narvell Peterson: We need to get the meeting back our around the people where we did before. At the churches or a location where we can meet with the people at our next meeting. Andy Oguntola: Agreed with Mr. Peterson and asked if we need to hold another meeting at the B Street Center. All agreed. Discussion was held of the meeting for December and January. It was agreed to not have a meeting in December. It was also agreed to have the January meeting on January 31, 2022 at the B Street Community Center. Andy Oguntola: Make sure we have agenda items for the January 2022 meeting. One item will be traffic in the Northwest center. We need to have at least three items on the agenda. We also need to give a personal invitation to JJ Pierce and Andre Stoudemire. Chairman Oguntola advised he will reach out to JJ Piece and Mr. Peterson will reach out to Andre Stoudemire. We will also need to make an announcement of the meeting. Al Goldstein suggested we ask the City Manager to attend due to the discussion of traffic and speeding on Highway 27. Discussion was held if the City could put up signs on Highway 27 to have truck stay in the right lane. Traffic on Thompson Nursery Road was also discussed. Narvell Peterson suggested that at the next meeting we share with those in attendance what we are working on including traffic. Lieutenant Smith advised he would look into the schedule of Sergeant William Smith to have him at the next meeting, as he is over the traffic unit. Dwight Wilson spoke on the purpose of this Committee asking what the intention or purpose of this group. Should we have the commission lay out what we are to do. Andy Oguntola advised at the last meeting we asked for each of us to contact our commissioner. In addition, at the last meeting there was a request for a pay study. We can go to the commission with five topics: Traffic, Salary, more officers and more. Maybe a new ordinance about traffic. Tiffany Davis advised that the speed sign stops before the school zone at the high school. Lieutenant Smith stated that the school zones are for elementary. Additionally, between 3:00 and 4:00 where at Bok Academy. That street is closed during school hours. Lieutenant Smith took this matter to the commission, and it was approved to change all speed in NW section to all be 25 mph. The signs are being made. Lieutenant Smith added that after a speed law change, there is an education period to make drivers aware. After that time period, citations will be issued. Dwight Wilson advised that it is not just not the Northwest Section, and it may need staff allocated to traffic. Maybe the Board should be made aware of the zones and the activity that the PD does in the zones. Community is tired of living in the City of Lake Wales and not feeling valued as a taxpayer to their concerns. You should not be able to run a shine house. The City has allowed the establishment to have a liquor license in the neighborhood. Dwight expressed his frustration the PD not at the meeting tonight, and the concern is dwindling for this board, mentioning that Officer Palmer and Chief Velasquez is not here. Judi Gladue spoke to the Board advising that the Chief has been to each meeting since it started. He went hunting in Illinois, and that is why is not here tonight. Andy Oguntola advised he would like to change the order on the meeting agendas. Call to order should be first. Police reports should be second. We should meet with new officers. Then we should talk about data. Since we last met, we should talk about cases and incidents in locations. We want to be informed. Send confirmation if attending the meeting. As each member if they have something for the agenda. Andy Oguntola advised the police reporting on the agenda should include crime updates, how many arrests, new employees, vacancies, new ordinance changes. Chairman Oguntola adjourned the meeting at 7:07 pm