District 6 Advisory Board

District VI Advisory Board Minutes www.wichita.gov Monday Evergreen Branch Library May 7, 2018 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204 6:30 p.m. Conference Room The District VI Advisory Board meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Branch Library conference room, 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204. There were seven District Advisory Board members, the Council Member, nine staff members and 13 members of the Citizen in attendance. Members Present Staff Present Angela Martinez Officer Carlos Atondo, WPD Denise O’Leary-Siemer Officer Darrin Williams, WPD Lorenza Snyder Officer Nate Schwiethale, WPD Gregory Boyajian Captain Tom Benefiel, WFD Gisela Peña Three WFD firefighters Linda Matney Brandon Findley, Office of Community Services Bill Longnecker Matt Brown Carrington Thom (Youth member) Council Member Cindy Claycomb Members Absent Guests James Deckard Listed on last page Joel Weihe Shaun Rojas Call to Order Council Member Cindy Claycomb called the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes The minutes for April, 2018, were approved. Motion passed (8-0) Citizen Agenda Scheduled items: No items Off-agenda items: Resident- Feels the City has taken a turn for the better on the issue of fireworks. Would like for the City to continue to educate the public about fireworks laws and to point out that other cities use 311 as a call line for fireworks related calls during the 4th of July holiday to alleviate pressure on the 911 system. She also would like to encourage fellow Wichita residents to consider alternative celebrations that do not include fireworks such as light and laser shows to celebrate the holiday. Staff Reports Fire Department Report: Captain Thomas Benefiel – Lieutenant Mark Misek was named Firefighter of the Year. The Fire Department has also acquired some new vehicles. We acquired 3 new engines in June and we are currently switching over to a new optimal deployment operations model and will utilizing a new Community Response Team for non-fire related calls, which will leave engines available to combat fire situations. We will also begin handing out flyers in neighborhoods where we plan on holding trainings, so that neighbors will be made aware we are performing a training scenario ahead of time and won’t think they have a live fire situation in their neighborhood.  April 2, 2018 Council Member Claycomb – I have one thing to add in regards to the new fireworks ordinance. The illegal firework ordinance used to state that a firefighter or police officer had to visually see an individual shoot an illegal firework to write them a ticket for doing so. The ordinance is now written that if an illegal firework is fired on a person’s property they can be written a ticket, whether they were the person to launch the firework or not. This was written this way because of how difficult it is for limited staff to be able to enforce firework law under the old ordinance. I will say that this is not likely the last writing of the ordinance and that it may change again in August after staff has had a chance to review the effect of the new ordinance, but I think this is a step in the right direction and reflects the information we gathered from the District Advisory Boards. Action Taken: Receive and file Community Police Report: Officer Nate Schwiethale- There has been a rise in smash and grab larcenies in the Downtown area, so WPD encourages you to hide your valuables out of sight when leaving your car unattended. He also stated that the downtown camera system is helping to solve these crimes quicker. He also wanted to mention that there is an ongoing public information campaign to educate residents on alternatives to assisting panhandlers with cash donations. He encourages instead to donate to the Union Rescue Mission where funds are utilized to supply the direct needs of the City’s homeless population and will not be spent on products that lend to regressive lifestyles, such as drugs or alcohol. DAB Member – Do we utilize bait cars to catch thieves downtown? Officer Schwiethale – We used to, but it is a difficult resource to use effectively so we don’t use them as much anymore. DAB Member – I often see the same homeless individuals in the same areas on a regular basis, can you tell me why that is? Officer Schwiethale – Many of the people in our homeless population have mental illnesses and like to stay in an area they are comfortable with. If they are not causing problems or breaking laws, then we cannot force them to accept assistance or stay in a shelter. DAB Member – Where can we pick up HOT team panhandling information cards? Officer Schwiethale - You can pick them up panhandling information cards at any police substation. Officer Williams – The Delano Neighborhood Association is having their first Rock the Block this Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Seneca Park. This is a kick off to a series of concerts that will take place in a variety of citizen’s yards in the neighborhood. There was a homicide of a 2 year old that occurred this week. We obviously cannot share much about this but we do have suspects in custody at this time. We also had a homicide in the 200 block of N. Saben and we also have individuals in custody in association with that homicide. We will begin going to Exploration Place once a month to show children the gear we use as police officers so they can become more familiar with what it is we do. Resident – I’d like an education. What is the process to remove a child from an abusive home? Officer Williams – If officers see signs of abuse or neglect, we will do an onsite check of the situation. If we determine there is an emergent situation that needs immediate attention we will take the child into custody at that time. If it seems like something we need to turn into DCF for further investigation than they have their process that they follow and I am not aware of what that process is personally. However it is important that someone tells us if they think this type of situation is taking place, because if we don’t know we cannot help. Resident - So if you cannot legally remove the child while onsite what do you do? Officer Williams – We will document the situation and turn it over to DCF. Officer Atondo – Auto Larcenies are on the rise in the North End of Wichita. Please be aware that thieves are checking for unlocked cars and stealing valuables. If you plan on leaving your car doors unlocked, please remove your valuables. Also please call 911 if you hear shots fired in your area. Often times these shots are not related to a serious crime but we need to know in case they ever are so we can locate the shooter if possible. The Law Enforcement Parade will be this  April 2, 2018 weekend as well, please come out and support your local law enforcement professionals. There will also be a memorial on May 18, for officers that have been killed in the line of the duty. DAB Member - Do you have any information about the graffiti on the big chair at North High? Officer Atondo – We are working on that now and hopefully we will be able to identify suspects. The District Advisory Board and the members of the public in attendance spent the rest of the time participating in a Project Wichita workshop. This workshop is part of a city wide initiative designed to gather input from the community as to how the city should be developed over the next 10 years. Action Taken: Receive and file New Business None ADJOURN Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Brandon Findley District VI Community Service Representative Office of Community Services