Police Community Engagement Board

minutes Meeting Title 6/22/2021 631 Meeting called by Cindy Neu Type of meeting PCEB Facilitator Cindy Neu Note taker Erin Klippi Timekeeper Erin Klippi Attendees Cindy Neu Dr. Scott Groesch Angela Brooks Kevin Sombart Mayor Gerry Welch Chief Dale Curtis Rev. Eric Hayes Agenda Item 3 Review and Approval of May 2021 Minutes Discussion Conclusions Motion by Dr. Scott Groesch Second by Katy Miller All – With Correction Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Send to Website Erin Klippi Next Meeting minutes Agenda Item 4 Review and discussion of the calls based on areas within the community-Chief Curtis Discussion Chief Curtis presented a short power point providing information regarding calls for service. COJIS mapping and police patrol area mapping was reviewed, showing crime relative to each area of Webster Groves. Kevin S. inquired if crime was higher near Interstate 44 Chief Curtis indicated that crime is spread fairly evenly throughout the City. Conclusions Action Items Person Deadline Responsible None at this time Agenda Item 5 Review and discussion of suggested revisions to the Ordinance by the Alliance for Interracial Dignity--Katy and Kevin Discussion Katy Miller and Kevin Sombart reviewed the proposed revisions to the current charter drafted by the Alliance for Interracial Dignity (no copy provided for minutes). Discussion regarding the document included but was not limited to the following. Katy reviewed the Alliance’s proposal including refocusing the board to be based upon Racial Equity and Inclusion, not the current community outreach model, and the suggestion that the Board be able to review police related incidents. Kevin Sombart referenced some concerns in the following areas that include but are not limited to “section 4.12b” using the term “insure” leads to the perception of setting policy not just advising. Katy inquired about the process of having the charter language updated, and was advised that it would be up to City Council to address potential changes to the Charter. Kevin would like to know how section 2 regarding board member selection will be implemented and what parameters would be used to do so. minutes Angela suggested that the City Council would have to look for people with specific backgrounds to serve on the board. Cindy commented that it is possible not all people would be qualified to serve on the PCEB and that the PCEB should consist of those that are “woke” regarding racial equity and that questions regarding this should be part of the interviewing process. Mayor Gerry Welch advised the board that the interviews and selection to the board are done by City Council, not the PCEB members. Kevin suggested that the use of the word “shall” creates a requirement that may not be able to be fulfilled. The Ex-officio provision in section 10 “at the invitation and the discretion of the board” was questioned by Kevin S., Dr. Scott Groesch, and Mayor Gerry Welch. The disassociation of a board from the City and the consequences as such were reviewed. Comments included the purpose of the board being engagement with the WGPD and citizens and excluding the WGPD would not be in line with the intent and purpose of the board. It was suggested that Section 11 “Citizen Only” can create Mo. Sunshine Violations The suggestion was also made that the age of the youth liaison be either reduced to 16, or that the liaison be a University student. Kevin commented that some of the suggestions have been overly specific and unnecessary. The suggestion was also made that the recommended revisions, as worded, again give the suggestion of a policy board not an advisory board. It was advised that the language of the ordinance should not mandate but only allow certain functions. Cindy and Kevin agreed that a mission and vision statement be created. Dr. Groesch suggested a Google Doc be created for comments by the board. Conclusions Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Unclear if any at this time. minutes Agenda Item 6 Review and discussion of data from the survey. Discussion Cindy presented the results from (47) responses Discussed ways to get the survey out to additional citizens taking in to consideration the many ways people can communicate. Mayor Gerry Welch suggested including the new Public Relations city employee. Angela asked the link to be added to the WGPD Facebook page. Conclusions None Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Agenda Item 7 Planning of the Fall Event: Possible dates, location, P/R. Discussion Suggestions were made including but not limited to Ivory Crockett Park, Porch Fest, painting a mural, Food Trucks, and Spoken Word Poetry. Committee was formed to plan consisting of Kevin Angela Gerry Cindy Suggested dates were October 16th 2021 or September 25th 2021 Conclusions Subcommittee will start preparation. Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Subcommittee will start preparation Gerry, Cindy, Next Kevin, Angela Meeting minutes Agenda Item 8 Remarks of Visitors Discussion None Conclusions Action Items Person Deadline Responsible Agenda Item 9 Confirmation of Next Scheduled Meeting Discussion July 27th 2021, 6:30 pm Conclusions 8:10 p.m. Action Items Person Deadline Responsible