Recommendation to request City Manager to provide an update on how the Long Beach Police Department is responding to the increases in residential crimes being committed in the Eastside Division and to determine what additional funding is needed to deal with AB 109 realignment and the increases in residential and other crimes.
Item 13 is a report from the office Councilwoman Jeri Lipski with the recommendation to request city manager to provide an update on how the Long Beach Police Department is responding to increases in residential crimes being committed in the East Side division and to determine what additional funding is needed to deal with AB 109 realignment and the increases in residential and other crimes. Councilmember said. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As I discussed with the Chief about this and the city manager, the reason I'm bringing this forward is that, yes, we've had an overall city reduction in crime, but unfortunately in certain sections of the east side, well, we've seen a marked increase in the number of residential crimes, too. A couple of things have occurred in my residents reporting these crimes is that our officers have said to them repeatedly and the chief knows this because I shared this with them immediately by email, that you need to talk to your councilperson and get us some more money because we need help out in the field that there are not enough available patrol officers. So it was for that reason. And the other reason that there was some grave concern on another call where my residents were told that the reason that they are seeing such an increase in these residential crimes is because of the realignment and that the you know, a number of prisoners have already been returned to L.A. County and Long Beach. So it's for that reason I bring this forward. I did talk with the city manager this morning. I understand that, Mr. West. I understand, as we talked this morning, that the budget summary and finalization will be in February and that at that point we will know if there's some additional money . Money, yes. Available. Right. So it's for that reason that I ask if, you know, doesn't necessarily have to be today, but we do need some kind of indication that we're going to be able to get some additional funds for overtime for the police, because we are seeing this uptick in the east side about residents crimes. And that's not that's not to ignore the rest of the city. It's particularly of concern, I think, throughout the city. But I think when my residents come to me and I've shared this with Commander LeBaron and I appreciate the responses, you know, when officers are in the field, are concerned that there's not sufficient resources, then I think it's appropriate that I do bring this up to councilman for that reason. If the chief or someone would like to respond, and then we can make a motion to carry this over until February, when you told me that the budget would be relooked at. We can certainly bring that up. There's been numerous requests for overtime, whether it's for gangs, sex trafficking and now extra patrol. So when we come back with closing out fiscal year 13, we'll address the city council on what dollar amount can be allocated to police departments. I appreciate that. And Mr. Mayor, if we could hear from Sheriff McDonald. Oh, I'm sorry. Chief McDonald. All. I hope that didn't jinx it, Chief. Good evening, Mary. Members of council. I'm sorry. Council memberships. Could you give me that question again? Yes, Jeff, as you know, I shared this with you via email that we've had citizens respond and they were not complaining. But when there was call for services, because we we've seen an uptick in the residential crimes over particularly in the east side, the officers indicated that they should go to their council person and request some additional funding because they need they need to get more officers there out on the street. So I want to wanted to bring that back. Thank you. Circle. Thank you. We have had an uptick in in the area that you're referring to on the east side. When we talked about the crime stats at year end, we were very, very happy with most of the numbers that we have. Overall, as in any city, we see upticks in certain neighborhoods. We come in with strategies of enforcement, strategies for prevention and education and have an impact on the problem for a period of time. And we have limited resources, so we move them around as strategically and efficiently as we can for the period of time. You're talking about, though, we have seen an increase in property crime. And I'm just wondering, Mr. Mayor, if and Mr. West, if by February, I'm sure, perhaps I know we've had the request on the sex crime trafficking in things. If the Chief can can come to the council with some indication of what additional funding might be needed in terms of overtime, obviously we can't put new more officers on the street right now because that's a function of getting people through academy and get trained. But, you know, overtime seems to be a big solution. Sometimes when we see these problems. We'll have a recommendation in February and certainly the chief can address that. I appreciate that and I appreciate the job that the department is doing. And I'm glad that, you know, we'll be able to talk about this more in February. So I'd just like to make a motion to resume file and wait for the report both from the chief and the manager in February about what additional funding we might look at. Thank you. Councilmember Lowenthal. Was the motion to receive and file. Mr. Mayor. Okay. Thank you. Okay. We have motion to second aid public comment on item 13 saying the. Coming up for this. Hmm. Let's see. I waited. How long through a here hearings? Yes. Okay. Thank you. What I really felt compelled to talk about is the fact that it's kind of interesting that Rand did a an independent study that that actually showed. Well, let me let me start up. One of the myths touted as a reason to close medical marijuana clinics is that they create crime. Well, that's a myth. In fact, the Rand study, the independent RAND study, proved otherwise. Now, isn't it interesting when you consider that there are no dispensaries over in the on the east side? So perhaps if they were allowed, as the RAND study shows, we actually might have less crime because they have security measures, etc.. I'm just saying this is independent study, so it all fits in. You know, it's very contrary to what was what what has been presented by the police before. So I'm just saying there's there's good reason to perhaps have access on the on the east side also. Thank you very much. All right, members, cast your votes on 13. Motion carries nine votes. Yes, I am 14. And 14 is communication from the Office of the Council Member. I lost the recommendation to direct the City Clerk to place an advisory question on the April eight, 2014 citywide election ballot, asking Long Beach voters Should the City of Long Beach allow the sale, use and possession of state approved fireworks within the city limits?