Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee met Sept. 7

Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee met Sept. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference at 11:30 am.

District Board and Committee members present: Starla Turnbo, Ralph Rieger, Sheri Cortez, Steve Moore, Ronald Plotkin, Marsha Fisk, Sylvia Rivas, Cindy Chapman

Staff members present: Xavier Herrera, Alice Lee, Cosme Garcia, Victor Beserra Public safety present: Commander Christopher Hassig, Commander Adrian Rodriguez – HPD, Sgt. Chris Weiche – HPD, Sgt. Jose Juarez – HPD, Sgt. C.B. Nickerson – HPD, Officer Terrance Burrell – HPD, Mike Laster – HCAO.

Public present: Stephen Polnaszek – Neighborhoods to Trails, Melvin Hopkins – District K, Doug Phillips, Mandy Salinas, Tina DeFiore – HAA, Dale Anzalone – Flock, Angelee Rhyne, Mike Bercu, Christan Chavez – CLC Rentals

Committee Chair Starla Turnbo called the meeting to order at 11:31 AM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 1:23 PM.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

a. No public comments made.

3. Minutes of 08/03/22 Public Safety Committee Meeting

a. Committee

4. Report from HPD (S. Gessner & Southwest) for month of August

a. Southwest

i. Commander Hassig reported District 15 crime stats. Detailed report is available in committee packet.

1. Committee Chair Turnbo inquired as to where the auto theft arrest was made. Commander Hassig advised that the theft took place in an apartment complex, the offender was apprehended after a chase. Offender was not from the district.

ii. Director Moore inquired as to if the person that was apprehended was charged. Commander Hassig advised that the person was charged. Director Moore asked what models of vehicles were being targeted. Commander Hassig advised that newer model Kia and Hyundai vehicles are being targeted.

b. S. Gessner

i. Commander Rodriguez reported District 17 crime stats. Detailed report is available in committee packet.

ii. Director Moore suggested HPD normalize all stats by monthly average.

1. Director Plotkin advised he would support the change to a monthly average.

2. Director Chapman suggested Director Moore provide an illustration of what he’s visualizing. Director Moore agreed to markup the existing stat chart and communicate offline with Committee Chair Turnbo on the matter.

iii. Ms. Rhyne acknowledged the passing of Officer Johnson and recognized the work that DRT has been doing in the community.

iv. Chairman Rieger inquired if HPD is providing stats for shoplifters. Commander Rodriguez advised that shoplifting is included in the theft category.

v. Mr. Bercu suggested that the data should be studied to determine the root causes. vi. Director Cortez advised that some stores have a policy of not prosecuting shoplifters.

vii. Director Plotkin advised that most area stores will only do something if loss prevention staff is on duty.

c. Bike & DRT

i. Sgt. Juarez reported DRT activities in August. Detailed report is available in the committee packet.

5. Receive update on BOMD – H.P.D. Overtime Program

i. Sgt. Weiche gave the update on the overtime program. Detailed report is available in committee packet.

1. Commander Rodriguez advised that the report provided did not include the latest contribution to the overtime program.

2. Chairman Rieger noticed an issue with one of the hotspot charts. Commander Rodriguez he would have crime analysis look into the issue.

6. Consider Support Funding for HPD’s Youth League Program

a. Officer Burrell gave a presentation and information was provided to the committee regarding the purchase of tables and individual tickets.

b. Director Moore advised that the program is very effective.

7. Consider support funding for HPD – South Dessner CST Close Quarter Combat Training Event a. Lt. Lou gave a presentation on close quarter combat training and discussed why HPD is seeking support funds to provide this specialized training to officers in the district.

i. Committee Chair Turnbo inquired if Lt. Lou had approached any of the other management districts for funds. Lt. Lou advised that he has not approached any other districts.

ii. Director Cortez advised if there’s a need to please bring it to the committee and to reach out to 5 Corners and SWMD.

iii. Director Moore advised that this particular training seems to be narrowly focused on events that don’t happen as often.

iv. Director Fisk mentioned that BOMD has provided funds for K9 training in the past.

8. Receive report from Harris County Attorney’s Office

a. Mr. Laster advised that the agreement between HCAO and BOMD will be finalized by Commissioners Court by October. Additionally, 7 – 9 properties have been identified by DRT to be evaluated for a Chapter 125 case.

i. Committee Chair Turnbo inquired into Babe’s Cabaret. Mr. Laster said the issue has not gone without notice and he will follow-up with Executive Director Herrera. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that perhaps a letter would be appropriate. Mr. Laster advised he would see how HCAO could fit that request into their Chapter 125 authority.

ii. Director Cortez advised that Sgt. Juarez can provide the owners contact

information and that she has asked Executive Director Herrera to send a letter to the owner.

9. Update from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office

a. Director Cortez advised that HCDA is focusing on hate crime and not leaving children in hot cars for their PSAs this month. Additionally, guns are still being stolen out of vehicles.

b. Mr. Philips advised that he does not see the HCDA PSAs in the media. Director Cortez advised that HCDA is on NextDoor to get the information out, further PSAs are available on major TV outlet websites.

c. Director Rivas requested that Director Cortez send her the PSAs.

10. Discussion & Recommendations

a. August Graffiti & Light Outage Report

i. Executive Director Herrera reported that 27 sites were abated. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.

ii. Executed Director Herrera reported 39 streetlights were reported to CenterPoint. b. Annual National Night Out Event

i. Consider proposal from CLC Rentals

1. Mr. Chavez presented his proposal to the committee in the amount of $7,200.00. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that BOMD would need to review because the district may not need as many of the proposed items and that for the sake of the committee the amount of the proposal would not exceed $7,200.00.

a. Director Rivas agreed that the proposal may need to be modified, because last year didn’t have as many participants as anticipated.

2. Motion was not made to refer proposal, as written, to the board for consideration.

11. Receive RCR Report

a. Ms. DeFiore advised that the Heights at Post Oak is under new management. i. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that this property is on the market. Ms. DeFiore advised that she is in contact with the manager of the property.

12. Receive presentation on Flock Safety Camera System

a. Mr. Anzalone gave a presentation on the system and detailed a plan for BOMD that included 17 cameras. Year 1 cost would be $48,450.00. Total cost consists of an annual fee of $42,500.00 and a one-time implementation cost of $5,950.00.

i. Director Chapman would like to see the costs in a proposal and inquired as to the map used to determine camera locations. Mr. Anzalone advised he’s working from a TCEQ map. Director Chapman suggested that S. Gessner station have some input as to the locations of the cameras. Mr. Anzalone advised that camera locations are open ended and will include the necessary stakeholders before a decision is made.

ii. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that we should have a meeting that addresses cost and camera placement.

iii. Mr. Bercu said he was interested in Flock Cameras in his neighborhood through his HOA. He also inquired as to whether the cameras can provide photos of illegal dumping. Mr. Anzalone advised that cameras would not provide those types of photos, as they are primarily used for vehicle recognition.

iv. Director Cortez stated that Flock cameras are used to located cars though license plates. Further, she clarified that the DA does not do investigations.

v. Director Moore asked if the cameras can provide a query of license plates by time and location. Mr. Anzalone answered in the affirmative. Director Moore inquired as to the resolution of the cameras. Mr. Anzalone stated the cameras are 1080P.

Director Moore inquired if there were any fees for law enforcement to access the cameras. Mr. Anzalone stated no.

vi. Director Fisk asked if cameras could be placed at Willow Waterhole. Mr. Anzalone advised that Flock is meant to cover entrances and exits, however, Flock is able to bring existing IP cameras into the Flock system if the district had some on the property.

13. Adjourn

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

The committee had no recommendations.

https://www.braysoaksmd.org/who-we-are/board-materials/