Fort Walton Beach Ordinance — 1212--Amend Conditions for Public Nuisance — reading text

1993 cm/curfew x G - fb | City of Fort Walton Beach Police a 5 Hollywood Boulevard, Northeast John L. Vesey Gout Walton Beach, Worida 32548 Chief of Poltcz [904] 243-766) To: Billy Mikel Date: 01/11/93 City Manager From: Capt. Tom Ruffin Police Department Subject: Drug investigations in the Carson Drive area This is the first of three reports to you at the direction of the City Council regarding the efforts of this Department in reducing the amount of crime and drug sales in the Carson Dr., McGriff St, Kiwi St, and Gibson Place area. This area has long been a known source of drug sales and drug related crimes in the City. Efforts to reduce these types of crimes has been restricted to the use of the Department's "Street Crimes Unit" and the normal uniformed shift officers that are assigned to that particular beat area. Effectiveness of these efforts in the past have been minimal in reducing the amount of drug sales and related criminal activity due in part to the following: A. The majority of drug investigations have been focused on undercover purchases of "crack cocaine" from street dealers. Street dealers are less likely to be placed in prison due to over crowding and early releases. B. The use of juveniles as lookouts and “drug runners" for mid-level suppliers. Juveniles are less likely to be incarcerated. C. The general area that is targeted is conducive for drugs sales and related criminal activity. Minimal and substandard housing, unkept vacant lots, and inability of the resident's to control the area. To Serve and Protect The Police Department at the direction of the City Council began a program addressing the above issues in an attempt to reduce the causes. The following actions have been initiated: A. The establishment of a "walking beat" and uniformed presence during times of high drug sale activity; B. Continued undercover operations targeting "street level sales" in addition to targeting mid-level dealers; C. Utilizing black police officers to pose as "street dealers” in reverse sting operations in an attempt to target the "crack buyers”; D. Increased efforts to locate residences that sell and process cocaine and close them down; E. Increased concentration on enforcement of the building codes to condemn houses that serve as a haven for drug use and related activities; F. Utilizing city crews to clear out over grown vacant lots in the target area to increase the visibility of illegal activities; G. Meeting with community leaders, residents of the target area , and businesses within the target area in an attempt to gain community support in the Department's efforts. Statistically there appears to have been some impact in the target area as calls for service and related criminal activity has slowed. Increased enforcement efforts are noted in the increase in drug cases/investigations which in turn has caused an increase in warrants served. Continued criminal enforcement and code enforcement efforts should cause.a further decline in calls in the target area. . The following page contains the statistical data and analysis that supports the effectiveness of the efforts that have so far been utilized. Based on these statistics and information from the officers that are participating in the program, there have been results. It is recommended that the pilot program be continued. ; ~ A Actual cost of the program in terms of overtime salaries is $2,562.67 as of the payroll ending 01/08/93. Continued efforts by the Police Department and the Code enforcement staff of the City should continue to have an impact on the target area. Additional ordinances are recommended and will be forthcoming for Council action: A. Curfew ordinance aimed at placing a curfew on juveniles under the age of 17 years in specific areas. This ordinance hopefully will interrupt the use of drug suppliers using children as carriers for drugs. B. Public Nuisance and Enforcement authority in order that the code enforcement personnel can condemn vacant and substandard housing and require vacant lot owners to keep their lots free of underbrush. C. The Police Department will continue to establish "community policing programs" aimed at working closely with businesses and residents within the target area in order these individuals will become more actively involved in keeping illegal activities to a minimum. D. The Police Department's K-9 unit is scheduled to begin training within the next 45 days and as soon as this is complete and proper certification is met; the dog will be assigned to the target area. Statistical Data The following figures relate to the actual calls for service in the reporting grid area known as 2005; the target area is included in the this reporting grid. The numbers in parenthesis () relate to the calls and police activities reported on Carson Dr., Kiwi, Gipson Place, and McGriff St. Calls for service Disturbances Drug cases/investigations. July- 80 (26) 23 (10) 2 = (1) Aug- 95 (26) 19 (9) 7 (5) Sep- 92 (25) 17. (3) 17 (15) Oct- 94 (25) 17. (3) 17. (15) Nov- 77 (20) 10 (4) 41 (33) Dec- 61 (16) 15 (4) 8 (8) These figures indicate that the efforts by the Police department and the City are having an impact on calls for service and crime in the target area. Total calls for service in the reporting grid are the lowest in the six month reporting period and indicate a -55.7% reduction. The calls for service in the target area show a - 62.5% reduction compared to July & August. Disturbances indicate a reduction of 150% comparing December to July. * Note: There is a trend that disturbances remained constant for four months. Police presence in the target area may or may not be the cause for the reduction in late November/December. Drug cases/investigations indicate active police intervention of the drug sales in the grid area as well as the target area. Low figures during July/August are the result of undercover operations. The high figures in November are indicative of “street crimes" latest undercover operation. The figures noted in December relate directly to the "foot patrol" operation currently being utilized. City of Fort Walton Beacn Police INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM To Serve and Protect TO: Captain Tom Ruffin DATE: 010693 FROM: Lt. Michael Coup Trust Fur Evaluation SUBJECT: L2¥ Enforcement Trus nd Utilizing law enforcement trust fund monies, for intensifying police presence, became effective under the direction of the investigative division November 25, 1992. Monies from this fund were to be used solely in a predesignated high crime area. Since inception of the program officers have adopted community oriented policing principles walking within the high crime zone. Initially, officers walked primarily the weekend in the late evening. However, computer analysis and reports from participating officers have modified those times to coincide with criminal activity. Just prior to initiating the LETF program an undercover operation concluded. This operation concentrated on the street level narcotic salesman and prepared the area for community based policing. Throughout: the course of this investigation a total of sixty-four cases were generated against thirty-five individuals. The department has arrested twenty-seven offenders on multiple charges. Of the twenty-seven arrested, seven were considered mid-level suppliers of "crack cocaine" in the Fort Walton Beach area. Officers participating in the LETF program have compiled a total of two-hundred and twelve (212) man hours. This figure is inclusive of 12 January 1993. Officers have established contact with area residents, business owners and legitimate patrons, clergy and church members. Officers have made three self-generated arrests. Charges in these arrests range from possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of concealed weapons, and sale and possession of "crack cocaine." Arrests on two warrants were initiated and officers assisted the sheriff in apprehending wanted persons. Additionally, officers have provided substantial information to the investigative division regarding criminal activity. The investigative division, specifically the street crime unit, has initiated eight residential search warrants within the last thirty days. Seven offenders were arrested with a quantity of drug paraphernalia, "crack cocaine," and firearms: one short-barreled shotgun and two stolen firearms from Okaloosa County burglaries. The uniform component of the unit has arrested four individuals for drug possession, two of the offenders were charged with intent to distribute due to the quantity possessed. page:2 06 Jan 93 Ruffin memo cont.. Since the implementation of community oriented policing, in the high crime area utilizing LETF funds for direct interaction, some improvement has been observed. Statistical data indicates a reduction in violent crime and narcotic activity. The division is encouraged and optimistic that the reduction of activity can be maintained. However, some of the activity has been displaced or continues during a different time frame. This is reflective in the number of residential search warrants executed since the program began. Continued effort through the use of various enforcement methods such as: arresting street level drug salesman, searching known drug havens, continued presence of an officer, modifying enforcement technics, and applying city codes and inspection (to repair or remove derelict structures), can an overall determination be made. . 2 6 0 1-12-93 ORD. 1211 VACATE PORTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY 33 ROBINWOOD DR. FLORIDOME - HAYES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HUMANA HEALTH CARE PVC PIPE/FIXTURES/ FITTINGS BID STARTER BUILDING BID GOLF CART BID SCLC - RECREATION PROJECT DRAFT PUBLIC NUISANCE ORD. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH RELATING TO VACATING, ABANDONING, DISCONTINUING AND CLOSING A PORTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY IN FRONT OF 33 ROBINWOOD DRIVE, N.W.; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR VACATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The City Attorney read the ordinance by title only. Mr. Campbell moved the adoption of Ordinance 1211 on first reading. Motion was seconded by Mr. Nicholson and carried unanimously with Nicholson, Campbell, Deal, Gibson, Maney, and Hambleton in favor (Wyninegar absent). Larry Hayes, of Floridome, was not present to give his presentation to develop 5 of 6 acres downtown. The Mayor read the Committee of the Whole of January 11, 1993 recommendations: 8A. The Humana Health Care Plan (city employees health insurance) contract be renewed with a 7.4% adjustment effective 2-1-93, for a 12 month period. 8B. The PVC Pipe/Fixtures/Fittings Bid be extended with Hughes Supply, Inc., Tallahassee, Florida, for a period of 180 days, from January 10, 1993, through July 11, 1993, for an approximate total cost of $13,617.48 (total cost will depend upon usage during the bid period). 8C. The Starter Building Bid be awarded to the low bidder, Bucran Corporation, Fort Walton Beach, for a total cost of $39,585.00. 8D. The Golf Cart Bid be awarded to Potter Motor Company, Inc., Albany, Georgia, for a total cost of $86,075.00 for forty nine (49) carts, including options and trade-in allowance for thirteen (13) City carts. 8E. The Acting City Manager work with Okaloosa County Commissioners and the Okaloosa County School System to improve the playground equipment at the Combs New Heights School, and to explore the possibility of providing transportation for the children from that area to a City recreation facility 5 days a week after school. 8F. The draft Public Nuisance Ordinance be forwarded to the Municipal Planning Board for their prompt action and recommendation back to Council.