Police Community Engagement Board

minutes Meeting Title 2-23-2021 6:33 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 Cynthia Neu Angela Brooks Jean Schultz Rev. Eric Hayes Jennifer Conrad (host) Agenda Item 3 Approve January Motion for approval by: Dr. Scott Groesch 2021 Minutes Second by: Angela Brooks Discussion Conclusions Approved Action Items Person Erin Klippi Responsible Action item 1 Send to City for Website Erin Klippi Agenda Item 4 Discuss Board chair nomination from nomination committee and election of new Board Chair minutes Discussion Summary Discussion was had regarding the nominating committee meeting and its conclusion. Kevin Sombart made the nomination of Cynthia Neu as new Board Chairperson Point of Order to retain Katy Miller as Vice Chair Motion to accept Cynthia as Board Chair was made by Angela Brooks and seconded by Katy Miller. Cynthia was approved as new Board Chair by unanimous vote, and the remainder of the meeting was chaired by Cynthia. Action Items Vote Person Responsible In Favor All Opposed None Agenda Item 5 Report on interviews for Webster University Student Newspaper Kevin Sombart and Chief Curtis gave their accounts of Discussion interviews with WU student Emily Craig which included Summary information regarding how and why the board was formed and how individuals were chosen for the board. Katy Miller and Gerry Welch briefly recounted their interviews with Emily Craig and expressed that per Emily, her interest in the interviews was based on public interest in the topic with little knowledge on the subject. Further, she was advised that the WU students are an important piece of the community and the PCEB was interested in their views and suggestions for engagement with young people. Conclusions Action Items Person Responsible None confirmed at this time Agenda Item 6 minutes Update on future presentation to Webster University Students and Facility Dr. Scott Groesch reported on his ongoing meeting with Discussion Professors at WU. Meeting included providing a copy of the Summary PCEB survey for input, possible community events, and PCEB presentation to students tentatively set for April. Off topic discussion was had regarding what changes have been made as a result of the PCEB and a brief discussion was had regarding racial disparity rates and the videos shown in the last PCEB meeting (see 1/26/21 minutes) Conclusion Dr. Groesch will provide feedback from the survey to the Board and update on possible student presentation. Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Communication with the Board Dr. Scott Groesch As Received Agenda Item 7 Discuss possibility of solicitation engagement suggestions from WGPD Discussion Cynthia lead brief discussion regarding the PCEB’s goal to Summary facilitate any needed healing between citizens of Webster Groves and Police Officers. Board members gave suggestions as to what WGPD Officers could do to further engage with the community at large. Suggestions were made (but not limited to) hosting a Zoom “story telling” session with Officers and citizens suggesting this be done by citizen age groups. Further suggestion was made to include requesting Officer feedback to the PCEB, the PCEB’s facilitation of a Q&A with University students and Officers, amending the PCEB charter to allow the youth liaison to come from the University instead of the High School, increase citizen ride-along participation by adding information to the marquee in front of City Hall and renaming the Citizens Academy to sound less intimidating. Conclusions None at this time Action Items Person Deadline Responsible minutes None at this time Agenda Item 8 Determine Methods to expand distribution of PCEB survey Discussion Suggestions were made but not limited to making a definitive Summary decision, agreed upon by the board, regarding to whom the survey should be sent, sending the survey to other City of Webster Groves boards and commissions, providing the survey to WU students at the presentation, and pausing the furtherance of the survey until these decisions are made. Action Items Person Deadline Responsible None at this time Item 9 Discussion on expansion of engagement activities Discussion Katy Miller and Angela Brooks reviewed the discussion they had regarding a possible PBEB “retreat”. The board was reminded that any such event would be considered a public meeting and open to Sunshine law. The suggestion was made that a focused purpose and outcome should be established prior to any scheduled event. Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Further discussion needed on topics, dates, None specifically time, and place are necessary to move forward assigned Item 10 Report on Community Conversations and Implicit Bias/Anti-Racist/Equity/Systemic Racism Training minutes Discussion Gerry Welch will provide more information in March meeting as the contacts through the City of Webster Groves were off work in February. Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Item 11 Remarks of visitors below : Discussion Good morning. I am wondering if there are any plans to get the officers out of their cars & engaging with the public in order to form more personal relationships. If not, why? Have a great day! Sandy Mudd Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible None at this time Item 12 Confirmation Date for next PCEB minutes Discussion Next meeting scheduled for 3/23/2021 @6:30 Via Zoom Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Set Agenda Cynthia Neu Next Meeting Item 13 Adjourn 7:41 p.m. Discussion No motion necessary Action Items Action Items Person Deadline Responsible