Police Community Engagement Board

minutes Meeting Title 1/26/2021 6:34 Zoom Meeting Meeting called by Kevin Sombart Type of meeting Police Community Engagement Board Facilitator Kevin Sombart Note taker Erin Klippi Timekeeper Erin Klippi Roll Call/Speakers Kevin Sombart In Attendance Dr. Scott Groesch Chief Dale Curtis Katy Miller Mayor Gerry Welch John Thomas Cynthia Neu Angela Brooks Jean Schultz Rev. Eric Hayes Jennifer Conrad (host) Agenda Item 3 Approve October Motion for approval by: Dr. Scott Groesch Minutes Second by: Rev. Eric Hayes Discussion As corrected Conclusions Action Items Person Erin Klippi Responsible Action item 1 Send to City for Website minutes Agenda Item 4 Selection of New Board Chair Discussion Kevin Sombart said a few words before offering to step down Summary as Chair. Suggestion was made by Mayor Welch to have a nominating committee. It was agreed upon that Dr. Scott Groesch, Katy Miller, Kevin Sombart, John Thomas, and Eric Hayes would meet at a date TBD to discuss nominations. Item was tabled to next meeting. Action Items Person Responsible Schedule Nominating Committee Meeting Kevin Sombart Agenda Item 5 Recap and Discussion of November 19, 2020 Alliance for Interracial Dignity Presentation and Meeting Katy Miller discussed the presentation and testimonials from Discussion the Alliance for Interracial Dignity meeting she attended on Summary 11/19/2020 Discussion was had referencing materials from the AID meeting and not presented to the Board in this meeting. Further discussion was had referencing the AIDs involvement with the PCEB. Reference was made to a letter presented in the AID meeting that is not a part of this record. Cynthia Neu, Angela Brooks, Dr. Scott Groesch, and Jean Schultz expressed personal accounts and feelings regarding the afore mentioned letter. Further discussion was had regarding various Board members interaction with Police, both within Webster Groves and beyond. Limitations to interactions due to the Covid19 pandemic were acknowledged. Rev. Eric Hayes expressed need for dialog directly with WGPD Officers. Discussion was had among the Board as to the possibility of a “retreat” to further discuss personal experiences and minutes feelings regarding interaction with police. Kevin Sombart reminded the board that any such action would need to be fully documented and open to the public to comply with Missouri Sunshine Law. Conclusions Action Items Person Responsible None confirmed at this time Agenda Item 6 Recap and Discussion of December 4th 2020 Webster Groves Rotary Club Presentation and Meeting Kevin Sombart gave a short description of the Rotary Club Discussion meeting he attended and expressed that it was a positive Summary event where he presented information from the PCEB and the PCEB Survey. Chief Curtis gave a short description of the impact the Board has made thus far. Conclusion Action Items Person Deadline Responsible None Agenda Item 7 Update of future presentation to WU Students and Facility Discussion Dr. Scott Groesch gave an overview of a meeting he has Summary scheduled with 8 WU professors on 2/9/2021 Anticipation of Student presentation in March or April minutes Conclusions Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Dr. Groesch will send out further information Dr. Groesch As regarding meeting once available. Practical Agenda Item 8 Review and Discuss documented body camera observances of Officer behavior related to traffic stops and de-escalation tactics Discussion Chief Curtis presented multiple BWC video clips of actual Summary WGPD interaction with the public to give the Board a feel for how Webster Groves LEOs conduct traffic stops and reduce escalation in various situations. Action Items Person Deadline Responsible None Item 9 Discuss Tentative Report on 2020 State Vehicle Stop Data and Disparity Index Discussion Chief Curtis reviewed the preliminary 2020 disparity index and gave an overview of the number of training hours officers received in Anti Bias and Racial Profiling in 2020. Percentage of vehicle stops to residents and information regarding the break down of traffic stops by unit (Traffic/General Patrol/Grants) was presented. Chief Curtis acknowledged that through actions taken by the WGPD, at the suggestion of both the Board and WG residents, the disparity rate is trending down. minutes Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Item 10 Review Latest PCEB Survey Results Discussion Tabled Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Item 11 Determine methods to expand distribution of PCEB Survey Discussion Kevin Sombart and Mayor Welch led discussion of ways to drive people to the survey. Suggestions included but were not limited to Advertising in the WKT Adding a link to the Friday Page Adding information to the sign at City Hall Adding Links to Facebook Pages Action Items minutes Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Mayor Welch will explore internal options Gerry Welch N/A Item 12 Report on Community Conversations and Implicit Bias/Anti-Racist/Equity/Systemic Racism Training Discussion Mayor Welch discussed that the City is in the process of a DEI audit and that training for the City would follow. Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Item 13 Remarks of Visitors Discussion None Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible minutes Item 14 Confirmation of Future meeting Schedule Discussion 4th Tuesday of the Month Action Items Meeting Scheduled for 2/23/2021 Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Item 15 Adjourn 8:35 p.m. Discussion Motion by Jean Schultz Second by Dr. Scott Groesch Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible