Minutes 1997/04/15
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695G
Special Meeting
April 15, 1997
Gilroy, California
The Mayor Protempore announced that Council had just adjourned from a Closed Session re:
Threat to Public Services, Consultation with Chief of Police, pursuant to Gov't. Code Section
54957, and that no action had been taken.
Mayor Protempore Morales led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Posting
Agenda
The Interim City Clerk noted that the Agenda had been posted on April 11,
1997 - 1 :50 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers: K. A. Mike Gilroy, Connie Rogers, Suellen C.
Rowlison, Thomas W. Springer, Pete Valdez, Jr. and Charles S. Morales; 7:35
p.m.
Mayor Protempore Morales explained the purpose ofthis meeting.
City Administrator Baksa noted the good things that are occurring that need
to be emphasized, and noted we need to continue in this vein. He stated that the
Council and staff will continue to work with the community.
Councilman Springer noted that he recognized that last week's action is not
an acceptable action.
Council Valdez stated that the Council was given an in-depth report on the
incident during the closed session. He noted that Council and Staff are looking to
bridge the community, and take back the neighborhoods in a cooperative manner.
He emphasized that we can't just rely on the Police Department, this must be a
community effort. He stated that the key to this linkage is participation of
residents throughout the City.
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Councilwoman Rowlison expressed sadness in losing a member of our
community and requested that no retaliation be taken.
Mayor Protempore Morales stated that the Council has great hopes for the
Rogers Lane neighborhood, specifically because they do not tolerate crime. He
stressed that we need the community to corne together.
Councilman Gilroy spoke to any gang members that might be watching
tonight that we must stop the retaliation. He stated that there will inevitably be
innocent bystanders hurt if retaliation occurs.
Councilwoman Rogers stated that she supports the statements by fellow
Councilmembers. She noted that several Councilmembers visited Rogers Lane and
want to reassure the residents that the Council will support them. She noted
actions to be taken to help fight crime.
Heard from the following:
Ortensia Vasquez, 8585 Ousley Drive, Mothers Against Gangs, stated her
concerns, and noted that a toll has been taken with the loss of the young man. She
stated that if any gang members or mothers of gang members are watching, to give
her a call at 847-8619 (pager numbers 665-9362 or 815-0211) at home and she
will give them support. She offered to the Police Department and the City Council
to do outreach to Rogers Lane or any other community group or area if it is
needed.
Councilman Valdez asked if she has a means of receiving funds to assist her,
and was told that she does not as she is not affiliated with a non-profit
organization. He stated that she needs fmancial support and he will help her obtain
the status to receive funds.
Councilman Gilroy stated that she can receive funds through the Gang Task
Force. He requested of anyone listening, that checks can be made out to the
Gilroy Gang Task Force and designate Mothers Against Gangs.
Toni Segovia, 290 IOOF Avenue and Roberta Torres, Rogers Lane, noted it
is important not to focus just on the recent incident. They stated that more
intervention, suppression and prevention is needed. They noted pictures from the
Rogers Lane Families. They noted that as parents, it is very hard when your child
gets into trouble. They noted statistics regarding juvenile crime and distributed
information to the Council.
Terry Heredia, noted that her son had been killed at Gilroy High School, and
something has to be done. She stated that she and her daughter are concerned for
everyone in the community - that everyone needs to feel safer.
Councilman Valdez stated that her loss is a loss of the entire community, and
that event was a turning point for our community. He noted that the Stop the
Violence buttons should say for Gilroy, to bring it home.
Councilwoman Rogers stated that it is good that she wants to help the
community.
Annie Tomasello, 1296 Chesbro Way, native of Gilroy, stated that the
tragedy is something that we cannot tolerate, that we need to get the entire
community involved. She questioned that maybe we need to go to the citizens
instead of expecting them to come to us.
Olivia Mendiola, 7508 Stewart Drive, affiliated with MACSA, asked if the
Police Officers could stop by the youth center and walk through to get to know
the staff. She stated that the Police Department needs to be in touch with the
residents. She noted that there also needs to be resident empowerment. She
requested more intervention and prevention.
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Councilman Valdez stated that we have funds that we may be able to use in
support of Olivia's requests.
Ms. Mendiola stated that with the money used to fund one officer - we could
fund an entire program of prevention or intervention. She stated that she would
love to have the police officers volunteer at the youth center, commented that they
have between 40-60 youth a day.
Martha Martinez, l020 Ortega Circle, teacher with Gilroy Unified School
District, noted that they had 32 kids on Saturday show up at 8:00 a.m. for a three
hour academy at South Valley Jr. High School. She applauded the City for the
stop signs that have been put up and to the Police Department for the community
oriented policing. She noted that she would like to see an action plan to see what
can be done. She stated that the churches, schools, and the City need to work
together.
Guadalupe Arellano, 325 Old Gilroy Street, stated her belief that
PeaceBuilders is good for the future of Gilroy. She noted that residents are afraid
of what is happening, and also of the Police Department. She noted that some
residents only see the negative side of the Police Department - that she and others
feel harassed and gave examples. She stated that she would like to see the city
work with the agencies, and have the Police Department start a citizen academy.
She stated that she would like to see more police presence. She discussed the
current status of Peace Builders.
Councilman Springer questioned the COPS program and whether the citizen
academy is planned. City Administrator Baksa stated that it is in the goals and
objectives of the Police Department.
Danny Esparza, employee of Social Services, and citizen of Gilroy, stated
that we need to address the residents in a language that they can understand.
Mayor Protempore Morales stated that the Council has discussed adopting
segments of the community.
Councilwoman Rowlison stated that they may need to have meetings in
different areas of the City. Mr. Esparza stated that it can be done here in the
Council Chambers, just reach out in their own language.
Councilwoman Rogers questioned whether small group meetings in
neighborhoods would be less threatening and might encourage participation. Mr.
Esparza stated that this would be a good start.
Councilman Valdez stated that we need to knock on the neighborhood doors
and talk one on one.
Gerry Rodriguez, IOOF Children's Horne, stated that she has seen so many
positive things happen in this community. She noted that peace needs to start from
within - that we can't have negative thoughts or enemies.
Ro bert F. Aguirre, Jr., 1231 Pappani Drive, stated that this is not the fIrst act
of violence. He questioned what the action plan is of the Police Department to
stop any retaliation.
ChiefSumisaki noted that the goal and mission of the Gang Task Force that
has been followed for several years. He discussed community oriented policing,
noting that the police department staff are advocates of prevention and
intervention. He stated that the immediate action after the shooting included
searches and interviews. He explained that they have arrested a suspect. He noted
that they have also deployed additional officers on the streets for the wake and in
the neighborhood. He encouraged residents to be witnesses and testify to these
crimes. He commended the officers for the quick work the officers did in
theapprehension of the suspect. He stated that they have made numerous arrests in
gang fights since the incident, and have made many traffic stops.
Adjrnmt.
695:,]
Councilman Springer noted that full deployment of the officers has occurred,
with some officers working 30 hours without stopping.
Mr. Aguirre stated that we are all responsible as citizens. He questioned
when can we see results as far as meeting with residents with a Spanish translator
or information on Channel 34 in Spanish.
Councilman Valdez asked him what he will do, and Mr. Aguirre noted that
he was on the Gang Task Force previously and is willing to work now.
Tom Joyce, South County Housing, stated that he doesn't know where to
start. He noted that we need to focus on the problems and not get stymied with
blame and accusations. He noted that on May 19 on Murray Avenue and on May
30 on Springdale Court cleanups are planned. He stated that even if the Police
Department had more officers, this could not have been prevented. He noted that
if someone wants to commit a crime, they will find a way to do it. He emphasized
that we need to connect with our citizens, and need to bring resources to focus on
our problem. He stated that we need to look at prevention, since suppression has
not decreased crime.
Ortensia Vasquez stated that for a long time she was in denial and blamed the
Police Department. She questioned how much the Police Department has to take
before we realize that they are doing their best. She stated that we need to stop
pointing fingers, break the barriers and meet one-on-one with anyone you have a
problem with.
Guadalupe Arellano stated that it is not her intention to put down the Police
Department. She noted that the perception is that the Police Department is not
doing their job.
Mayor Protempore Morales, on behalf of the Council, thanked the Police
Department and the community for being here to explain their views.
Councilman Valdez stated that we need a follow-up meeting to agree on
specific activities. He requested a meeting be set up to continue this discussion
before we adjourn this meeting.
Mayor Protempore Morales asked if it is the consensus of the Council to set
a workshop.
City Administrator Baksa stated that we may want to look at the minutes and
review them before a follow-up meeting is set.
The following meetings were noted:
May 8, 1997 - Gilroy Community Collaborative;
May 6, 1997 - Gilroy Gang Task Force at the Senior Center.
At 9:35 p.m., the Mayor Protempore adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
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Rhonda Pellin, Interim City Clerk