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06/26/1997NORTH GREENWOOD COMMUNITY TASK TEAM CITY OF CLEARWATER June 26, 1997 Present: Muhammad Abdur-Rahim Sepia, Inc. Wallace Smith Elks Ron Ogdin Senator Jack Latvala’s Office Chafala Siryrae NGCFC/Outreach Workers Nikki Anderson Dept. of Juvenile Justice L. Duke Tieman So. Clearwater City for Progressive Action Bilal Habeeb-ullah African-American Leadership Council, Inc. Onesimus Al-Amin Munln Citizen Beth Goodgame Old Clearwater Bay Neighborhood Maurice Mickens Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Rev. William Sherman Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Gloria E. Bailey Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Connie F. Caldwell Juvenile Welfare Board Deborah Turner Resident Jonathan R. Wade North Greenwood Association Annette Faison Sickel Cell Disease Foundation Lois B. Martin NAACP Steve Bell North Greenwood Community Family Center Rev. William Graham North Greenwood Task Team Willa Carson Black Nurses Association Ernest L. Carson Greenwood Health Center Mayme Hodges North Greenwood Task Team Ed Hooper City Commissioner Bob Clark City Commissioner J. B. Johnson City Commissioner Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager Sid Klein Police Chief Lt. Jeff Kronschnabl Community Response Team Scott Shuford Director of Central Permitting Alan Ferri Clearwater Housing and Urban Development Director Al Hinson Recreation Supervisor II Janet Skinner Administrative Support Manager I Carole Ciokiewicz Special Assistant to City Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center, 1201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Clearwater. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Moment of Silent Prayer A moment of silent prayer was observed. 2. Introduction: Muhammad Abdur-Rahim Mr. Abdur-Rahim asked everyone to introduce themselves. He explained that this is a community organization meeting that has been in operation for some time. Some issues concerning the Weed and Seed Program are needed, and a presentation will be given by Chief of Police Sid Klein. It was noted that Ms. Libby Lane and Ms. Julie Evans from the Urban Partnership Initiative were unable to attend tonight’s meeting. The new City Manager, Michael Roberto, and City Commissioner Karen Seel also sent their regrets in not being able to attend the meeting. 3. Presentation A. Sid Klein, Chief of Police Chief Klein presented an overview of the Weed and Seed Program. He referred to a handout on Weed and Seed elements. The Weed and Seed Program began as an interagency pilot program in a few cities around the country, and now is firmly established. The program started under the Bush administration and carried over into the Clinton administration. It is currently administered under the Office of the Attorney General. The program is a multi-agency strategy designed to “weed” out violent crime, drug use and trafficking, and gang activity in targeted, high crime areas. The program is designed to “seed” those neighborhoods by restoring them through social and economic revitalization. The strategy recognizes the paramount importance of community involvement. At the North Greenwood Task Team meetings, the Police Department had asked for volunteers to serve as representatives from the 3 targeted neighborhoods. The North Greenwood community is represented by Ms. Mayme Hodges, South Greenwood is represented by Mr. Duke Tieman, and Old Clearwater Bay is represented by Beth Goodgame. Federal strategies of the Weed and Seed elements consist of law enforcement, community policing, neighborhood restoration, and prevention and intervention treatment. Based on input from the 3 community representatives, the City of Clearwater has focused on: 1) community policing; 2) enforcement; 3) jobs for at-risk youth; 4) a geographic information system; 5) a computer learning lab; 6) a job skills training center; and 7) prenatal and early childhood nurse visits. Chief Klein explained each element in detail. He noted there is competition on a national basis for Weed and Seed funds. He refereed to the handout which showed a map of the boundaries incorporating the Weed and Seed Program. Under the federal conditions established for the program it was required to create a Weed and Seed Steering Committee with certain components of the 7 elements as listed. The Steering Committee presently consists of representatives from the Pinellas County Justice Coordination Office, the Clearwater Adult Education Center, Clearwater Housing and Urban Development, the North Greenwood Task Team, the Clearwater Police Department, the City Manager’s Office, the U. S. Attorney’s Office, The South Clearwater Citizens for Progressive Action Committee, the Old Clearwater Bay Neighborhood Association, and the Pinellas County Health Department. Chief Klein explained what has been done thus far, what future plans entail, and what community organizations can contribute for the future. A large component of the Weed and Seed Program involves mobilizing community residents in the targeted neighborhoods to assist law enforcement in dealing with Weed and Seed issues. Neighborhood restoration through economic development, job opportunities, improved housing conditions, increased access to low incoming housing and enhanced social services are the areas of focus. One-half of all Weed and Seed funds must be used for seeding the community, or social services. Each Weed and Seed site must have a safe haven strategy as required by federal law. A safe haven is a multi-service center with a variety of programs that must be secured against crime and accessible to users, provide an environment for community growth, be directed at direction, intervention and treatment activities, and have a management and organizational structure. Clearwater’s designated safe haven is the Safe House Program sponsored by the Sergeant Allen Moore Community Partnership. In response to questions, it was explained that Sergeant Allen Moore received the designation due to the fact that it was thought that they represented the only community organization consisting of multi-agency groups at the time of the initial application of Weed and Seed grants. Another funding avenue, Asset Forfeiture Funds, which are funds made available for reimbursement through federal law enforcement agencies. With the help of this funding, the Police Department has been participating with the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration on some very successful drug enforcement operations, particularly in North Greenwood. Chief Klein explained that in 1996, Clearwater received recognition from the federal government as a Weed and Seed City. The initial award was used for Weed and Seed activities. In 1996/97 a grant was received for enforcement activities, as well as another grant which was utilized for the Safe Haven and Job Skills and Computer Learning Centers. Next year plans are to continue the job skills training program already in place. The Computer Learning Lab currently in the Police Station will be relocated to the new job skills learning lab. It was noted that there is no age limit for the job skills training program. and Pinellas County school system teachers and tutors will be employed for the program. Focus will be placed on at-risk youth and jobs. A computerized job bank, a summer jobs program, job placement services, and publication of available jobs through the City’s C-View television channel will be utilized. A 2-day training program is planned for all community policing officers assigned to the Weed and Seed area regarding the various services and organizations affecting the community. Public input is welcome for any of the City’s programs scheduled. It was noted that some future funds will be utilized for enforcement operations. It was explained that there is often a short period of time between the time the funds are available and the deadline for application for grant funds. Chief Klein noted that every effort has been made to solicit input from various community organizations with regard to common objectives regarding police enforcement. He offered any organization that wishes to participate on the Weed and Seed Steering Committee to contact his office. Questions arose regarding how the grant funds are being applied. Residents want to be better informed about where the money is spent, before it is spent. Chief Klein noted the City is here tonight to try to help the community, any input the community would like to offer is welcome. B. Libby Lane, Bureau of Community Development Ms. Lane was unable to attend tonight’s meeting C. Julia Evans, Department of Community Affairs Ms. Evans was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. 4. Organization Discussion In response to questions, it was explained that by federal mandate, the funding opportunities for job skills training and other grants are must be obtained through the Police Department. Discussion ensued regarding the relationship between the Police Department and the community. It was suggested that this issue and others be discussed at a separate meeting, since the purpose of tonight’s meeting was to discuss the Weed and Seed Program. At some future point in time, the Police Department would like to meet with the community to discuss, and better understand, any existing cultural differences between the community and the Police Department. It was suggested employing an outside mediator to facilitate that meeting. The next Weed and Seed Steering Committee meeting is August 5, 1997 at 11:00 a.m. at the Police Headquarters building. Chief Klein asked that representatives from each community organization attend that meeting. A representative from the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church noted that their organization holds meetings the last Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the North Greenwood Family Center. At that meeting, it will be decided how best to establish and ensure effective community representation from all organizations on the Weed and Seed Steering Committee. Chief Klein asked that the next community be scheduled by community members. Discussion ensued regarding the formation of the North Greenwood Community Task Team and the need for an umbrella agency with representation from all community organizations. It was remarked that rather than forming a new organization or task force, utilizing the current resources and studies that have already been initiated would be preferable. It was suggested that all community organizations regularly keep one another informed of common objectives and community issues. Should one organization, such as the North Greenwood Community Task Team, be chosen to speak for the entire community, each community organization is responsible to ensure that a representative from their respective organizations attend all meetings. Mr. Ron Ogdin, a representative from Senator Jack Latvala’s office, noted he was present to observe and listen. He noted that this meeting has been one of the most educational hours he has spent in a long time. He encouraged citizens to contact his office should there be anything the Senator’s office can do to help the community. 5. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.