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Home My WebLink AboutCBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes September 11, 2023 Cape Breton Regional Municipality Board of Police Commissioners Minutes Monday, September 11, 2023 10:00 a.m. Council Chambers 2nd Floor, City Hall 320 Esplanade Sydney, NS Commissioner Eldon MacDonald called the meeting to Order. Present: Commissioner Eldon MacDonald, Chair Commissioner Ken Tracey Commissioner Lorne Green (arrived at 10:06 a.m.) Commissioner Dale Deering-Bert, Citizen Appointee, Vice Chair Commissioner Tom Vickers, Citizen Appointee Commissioner Noelle Gouthro, Provincial Appointee Staff. Police Chief Robert Walsh Superintendent Reginald Hutchings Christa Dicks, Municipal Clerk Demetri Kachafanas, KC, Regional Solicitor Staff Sergeant Joe Farrell Staff Sergeant Keith Power Desiree Magnus, Communications /PR Advisor Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant Kelly McDonald, Recording Secretary Absent: Commissioner Helen Luedee, Citizen Appointee (Regrets) CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes September 11,2023 Approved December 11,2023 Page 2 of 6 Summary of Decisions Land Acknowledtement Roll Call 1. Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve the agenda. Carried. 2. Approval of Minutes: ➢ June 19, 2023 Motion to approve. Carried. 3. Business Arising: 3.1 Council August 22, 2023 a) Street Racine and Vehicle Noise: 4. Summary Statistics Canada: For information only. 5. Divisional Reports: For information only. Adiournment CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes September 11,2023 Approved December 11,2023 Page 3 of 6 Land Acknowledgment Roll Call 1. Approval of Agenda: Motion: Moved by Commissioner Tracey, seconded by Commissioner Vickers, to approve the September 11, 2023, CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Agenda. Motion Carried. 2. Approval of Minutes: Motion: Moved by Commissioner Deering-Bert, seconded by Commissioner Tracey,to approve the CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes of: ➢ June 19, 2023. Motion Carried. 3. Business Arising: 3.1 Council August 22,2023 a) Street Racing and Vehicle Noise: Chief Walsh provided the following: • Resolving this issue requires a multi-department approach, including the CBRM Planning Department and the Public Works & Engineering Department. • Traffic data is currently being collected and mapped to identify priority areas and modifications to infrastructure. • Research is being conducted on various traffic calming measures available for evaluation, while considering provincial regulations and budgets. • The use of photo radar is not allowed in Nova Scotia under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act. • Speed monitoring signs are already in use but researching other models to serve better is an option. • Many road complaints received are in the provincial jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. • Targeted enforcement projects are regularly conducted in the CBRM to reduce vehicle speeding. • An Issue Paper will be prepared for the Police Commission meeting being held on December 11, 2023, regarding recommendations of traffic calming devices for consideration. Continued... CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes September 11,2023 Approved December 11,2023 Page 4 of 6 Business Arising: Street Racine and Vehicle Noise (Cont'd): • Operating a vehicle not equipped with a muffler in good working condition is prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act and drivers can be issued fines. Following the information presented by Chief Walsh, he responded to questions by Police Commissioners. 4. Summary Statistics Canada: Chief Walsh informed of the following: • Each year, the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics releases "Police-Reported Crime Statistics in Canada." • In the year 2022,the police-reported crime rate for the CBRM decreased by 3.51%. • In the year 2022, crime severity in the CBRM decreased by 6%. • In the past year,the weighted clearance rate of all crimes solved by the Cape Breton Regional Police Services increased by 9.27%, which means an increase in the number and severity of crimes solved. • Only 20-30% of the work police agencies do is captured in the Statistics Canada Summary. • Crime stats do not completely reflect the full impact police actions have on community safety and well-being. • Crime rates continue to decrease in the CBRM. 5. Divisional Reports: Staff Sergeant Keith Power noted the call volume comparisons since the last report to the Police Commission. Staff Sergeant Power then reported on the following: Hi2hli2hts and Initiatives • Successfully resolved two extensive homicide investigations resulting in the arrest of two additional persons responsible. One of the individuals was charged in connection to the homicide of David Sheppard and the second individual was charged in connection to the homicides of David Sheppard and Christopher Reid. • Registered two unsolved investigation files with the Nova Scotia Government Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program where cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s)responsible for specified major unsolved crimes. Continued... CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes September 11,2023 Approved December 11,2023 Page 5 of 6 Divisional Reports (Cont'd): • Assigned a Tactical Sergeant to supervise the Emergency Response Team and K-9 Unit, coordinating operations, training and qualifications, and critical incidents requiring specialized personnel and tactics. • Facilitated a Training Workshop for CBRM Police Commission Board Members. Training was led by Department of Justice Executive Director Hayley Crichton. • Participated in the first-ever celebration of Pride in Membertou where a flag was raised at the Police Building in front of Red Dress Park. • Took part in the Pride Parade in support of diversity, inclusion, advocacy, and protection and public safety for all citizens in our community. • Attended India's 761h Independence Day celebrations at Wentworth Park. • Hired two experienced officers from outside agencies as part of the ongoing recruitment campaign to fill existing vacancies and maintain the compliment of front-line officers keeping the communities safe. • Attended Violence Threat Risk Assessment Training at CBU. In attendance were the Executive Director of the Cape Breton Victoria Center for Education, all school principals, Chief Walsh and CBRPS School Liaison Officers. This is the first time this training has been provided in Nova Scotia an the CB Victoria Center for Education and CBRPS were the first to receive it. • Training • Patrols • Lockup • Membertou • K-9 Unit • School Liaison Officers • Community Officer Following the report by Staff Sergeant Keith Power, staff responded to questions by Police Commissioners. Continued... CBRM Board of Police Commissioners Minutes September 11,2023 Approved December 11,2023 Page 6 of 6 Divisional Reports (Cont'd): Staff Sergeant Joe Farrell then presented on the following sections of the Report: Operational Support: • Traffic Safety Unit • Street Crime/Drug Unit • Community Safety Enforcement Unit • Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) • Major Crime/Domestic Violence Unit • General Investigation Section/Arson Investigator • Internet Child Exploitation Unit(ICE)/Computer Forensic Unit • Forensic Identification Unit • Solid Waste • Mental Health Liaison Officer • Polygraph For information only. The Chair noted that there being no further business on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned. Adiourned at 11:15 a.m. Commissioner Eldon MacDonald Christa Dicks Chair Municipal Clerk /km