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Home My WebLink About10192022 PSAB Minutes PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD Virtual Meeting Port Angeles, Washington October 19, 2022 6:00 pm CALL TO ORDER: Chair Andrew Schwab called the regular meeting of the Public Safety Advisory Board to order at 6:11 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Gayle Brauner, Kathleen Graf, John Hauck, Kelsey Lane, Mary Margolis, Michael McGuire, Andrew Schwab, Evan Brown Absent: Rochelle Blankenship, Autumn Hudgins Staff Present: Mike Sanders, Assistant Fire Chief; Brian Smith, Police Chief; Catherine Dewey, Secretary Guests: Deputy Police Chief Jason Viada, School Resource Officer Jackson VanDusen REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC: PUBLIC HEARINGS/OTHER BUSINESS: STAFF UPDATES: 1. Independent Investigative Team (IIT) - Deputy Police Chief Viada noted that this team is established so that when other Agencies call us because they have had a shooting and call us then we are prepared with a team to assist in that investigation. Chief Viada introduced Detective Jackson VanDusen to the Board and asked him to give the Board an understanding of his background and why he is qualified to be a member of the Independent Investigative Team. Detective VanDusen stated with PAPD in 2017 and prior to his employment with PAPD he was a corrections officer in Skagit County. In 2018 he graduated from the Police Academy and began his field training and began working laterally with the REdisCOVERY program until 2021 when he was promoted to Detective. Detective VanDusen is also married with two foster children. Deputy Chief Viada noted that Detective VanDusen meets the training requirements and is a veteran officer with all the required training with no disciplinary issues. Deputy Chief Viada noted that unless there are any objections from the Board, he would like to add Detective VanDusen to the IIT conversation ensued and the Board approved Detective VanDusen being assigned to the IIT. Deputy Chief Viada noted that he will be at the next PSAB Meeting to further discuss what the law requires of the IIT. 2. Police Department Report – Chief Smith announced that on Monday there will be a consortium to meet with one of the state Senators to discuss what may come after the legislation expires next summer. He is hoping to get a sense of what PAPD is doing regarding substance use disorder locally. Chief also noted that they are seeing an increase in criminal behavior and they are continuing to recruit heavily into the Dispatch Center. Moving forward they are considering having a remote option for dispatchers and will have the ability to work from anywhere. They are also considering working with a dispatch center in an opposite time zone so that they can recruit widely without the difficulty graveyard shifts. They will continue to have a dispatch center here locally but will be able to share the workload. Gayle Brauner asked Chief Smith a question regarding a case that she read about where a young man was fatally shot and unnecessarily use of force was found to have been used so the Deputy was let go but once a new sheriff was elected the officer was later reinstated so she was wondering if the IIT could fall into that same situation and Chief Smith explained that they were talking about two completely different things. The IIT is a multi-agency in Clallam and Kitsap County and is prescribed state law and follow the state law, it has nothing to do with personnel or hiring. Gayle noted the need for reentry housing after incarceration and asked Chief Smith if that is something that has been tried locally, Chief said he would do some research and get back to the Board. Gayle had a concern about election intimidation at ballot boxes, Chief Smith suggested speaking to the person who runs the election program and not the sheriff department but that he has not heard of any issues locally. Lastly, Gayle had concern over the attacks on people of Jewish heritage and the prejudices that are on the incline publicly and asked if we are seeing any of these prejudices locally and how can the PSAB help ensure the safety of Jewish people who live here locally. Chief Smith encouraged Gayle to google crime in WA for 2021 and it will give you a detailed report for each city and you can view there how many hate crimes have been reported. Fire Department Report – Chief Sharp announced that a new Paramedic, Cory Mintz will be staring October 31. There is still one vacant Community Paramedic position. The three EMTs that are attending Paramedic school are off to a great start and there are three more slated to start Paramedic School in January. The Assistant Chief Operations/EMS position has b een posted and we are seeing a great response as applications begin to come in. The Department is dedicated to growing their Volunteer program so that we they can enhance their service delivery capabilities throughout the city. The Community Paramedic office was awarded a $35,000 grant which will be used to purchase and ISTAT machine as well as ruggedized computers to allow staff to complete electronic care reports more efficiently. Chief Sharp Announced that the PAFD will be hosing Anthony Kastros for the Mastering Fire Service Leadership Conference. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION: 1. The Board revisiting the Action Plan items that were voted on in May of this year and Chair asked the Board members their opinions on the action plan items and conversation endued . Joe Descala with 4PA will be giving a presentation to the Board at the next PSAB meeting which will address the Action plan item on Cleanliness and safety in the community. Kelsey suggested combining the Code Enforcement and the police presence items together. Chair asked the Board to consider the items and to find which topics the Board wants to focus on and drill down on moving forward. REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS: 1. Gayle noted that she hopes in the future that the PSAB can have further discussions prior to making motions. Gayle also noted that she met a young woman who expressed her appreciation for the services that the Port Angeles area has to support her and her children during their transition and move to town. Gayle provided a link to share with an article called The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and Richard Mack: How Extremists Are Successfully Infiltrating Law Enforcement. 2. Kelsey thanked PD and Fire for coming out to the Career Fair, it was a great success. 3. Mary was asked to bring up Jesse Webster Park and the condition it currently is in. She also wanted to encourage the Board and Community to also consider the elderly community when thinking about those in the community facing homelessness. The services locally are offered but not working for everyone and an elderly man or woman should not have to stay in unsafe shelters or in their car. Mary also noted that it is important that Board members stay engaged during meetings and are not having side conversations, it is very upsetting. 4. Chief Sharp reminded the Board that tomorrow on 10/20 the Great Shake will take place at 10:20. ADJOURNMENT: Gayle Brauner made a motion to adjourn at 8:01 and Michael McGuire provided a second. The motion passed unanimously. The next Scheduled PSAB Meeting November 16, 2022 Resources Book on Human Trafficking from a prior guest of the PSAB can be found here: https://Johnvanek.com/ Link shared by Gayle Brauner: https://www.adl.org/resources/reports/the-constitutional-sheriffs-and-peace-officers-association-cspoa-and- richard-mack Chief Sharp’s book recommendation: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/sean-flynn/3000-degrees/9780446555036/