Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee met Aug. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference on August 02, 2023, at 11:30 am.
District Board and Committee members present: Starla, Ralph Rieger, Cindy Chapman, Sheri Cortez, Steve Moore, Ronnie Plotkin, Marsha Fisk
Staff members present: Xavier Herrera, Cosme Garcia, Victor Beserra, Alan Bernstein Public safety present: Commander Hassig, Officer F. Meza Jr. – HPD, Sgt. Cedric Nickerson – HPD, Mike Laster – HCAO
Public present: Stephen Polnaszek – Neighborhoods to Trails, Marcy Williams, Sylvester Reeder III – Houston One Voice, Brenda Jackson, Barbara Richards, Carolyn Riley – Rep. Gene Wu 137, Aimee Turney – Rep. Gene Wu 137, Barbara Richards, Adrian Herrera – Rep. Gene Wu 137, Michael Gallo, Mike Weingart, Lauren Nemeth
Director Starla Turnbo called the meeting to order at 11:32 AM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 1:29 PM.
THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING:
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
a. Public comment was not given.
3. Minutes of 07/05/23 Public Safety Committee Meeting
a. Committee meeting minutes provided for reference.
4. Report from HPD (S. Gessner & Southwest) for the month of July.
a. Southwest
i. Commander Hassig reported District 15 crime stats. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.
ii. Mr. Phillips inquired about police activity in a specific area at a specific time. Commander Hassig advised that he would need to research the issue.
b. S. Gessner
i. Officer Meza reported District 17 crime stats. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.
ii. Director Moore advised that he would like to see BOMD stats compared to the rest of the city. Officer Meza referred Director Moore to the city’s website for the requested data.
iii. Chair Rieger inquired into the increase in burglary buildings. Officer Farmer advised that one suspect is good for multiple burglaries which may be contributing to the issue. Director Cortez inquired if the individual is responsible for the July increase; Officer Farmer advised that he believed so. Additionally, Director Cortez advised the committee of an area business that has been a target of burglaries.
Director Cortez inquired if the aggravated assaults were domestic violent assaults. HPD did not have additional information regarding the aggravated assault statistics. iv. Director Fisk inquired if DRT / HPD has a presence in the apartment complexes. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that as an owner – her properties contract off duty officers to provide security services. Officer Meza advised that most apartment managers will e-mail DRT directly with issues.
c. Bike & DRT
i. Officer Meza gave a report on DRT activities. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.
5. Receive report on HPD Overtime Program
a. Consider distribution of approved support funding for HPD Overtime Program.
b. Sgt. Weiche provided a report on the crime initiative overtime program. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.
6. Consider the purchase of a table at the Houston Police Department’s “H-Town’s Rising Stars” Fundraising Gala not to exceed $1800
a. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that the district should investigate buying its own table. Executive Director Herrera will investigate the issue. The committee agreed to forward the agenda item to the board for consideration.
7. Receive HPD emergency preparedness program presentation
a. Officer Ayala presented the committee with a list of supplies that would benefit tactical operations during a natural disaster. The committee agreed to forward the agenda item to board for consideration. Officer Ayala has approached SBMD and they have agreed to contribute $4,000.00.
b. Director Fisk inquired what was included in the modular kitchen. Officer Ayala advised that propane tanks, warming trays, and a stovetop are included.
c. Director Rivas inquired how many the kitchen could serve and if a warranty is included. Officer Ayala advised that the equipment is Army surplus and there may be a 1 year warranty included, additionally the kitchen will serve 150. 100 officers are housed at the tactical operations location. Director Rivas supported funding a portion of the list.
d. Director Moore advised that the approval of this item will create a precedent of approving items that benefit greater Houston. He felt that BOMD assessment payers expect the district to pay for programs/projects that directly impact the district.
e. Director Cortez supported the initiative with a cap of $4,000.
f. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that the district could commit to provide support funding for some of the perishable items if needed in the future, however, should consider support funding for some of the more durable items. The board should consider the amount of support funding.
g. Chairman Rieger inquired if grants can be used to fund this project. Officer Ayala advised that she was not aware of any grants that would fit the project. Additionally, any grants would be handled through CoH, not HPD. Chairman Rieger inquired if the district could receive reports on how the Flock cameras have benefitted the district.
8. Consider Support Funding for HPD S. Gessner Gang Division attendance to the 2023 RIOT Convention
a. Officer Farmer advised the committee that HPD is seeking support funding to send 4 officers from the crime suppression team to the conference in Dallas to improve their investigative / crime solving skills. The knowledge, skills and abilities learned at the conference will directly impact BOMD as most of their cases are worked in the area. All the officers are from 17 district.
b. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that the item will be forwarded to the board for consideration.
9. Receive report from Harris County Attorney’s Office
a. Mr. Laster reported that HCAO currently has 6 active Chapter 125 cases. Mr. Laster anticipates reporting more details of two cases next month.
10. Update from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office
i. Ms. Cortez advised the committee that the latest PSA is focused on not leaving children in hot cars. Additionally, she discussed the gun safe distribution at the SN 36 meeting.
11. Discussion & Recommendations
a. July Graffiti & Light Outage Report
i. Graffiti
1. Executive Director Herrera reported that 26 sites have been abated for the month of July.
ii. Light Outage Report
1. Executive Director Herrera advised a light outage report will be given at the next committee meeting.
12. Receive RCR Report
a. Executive Director Herrera advised that Toro Place at 12101 Fondren is now being managed by Nord Group
13. Adjourn
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Consider distribution of approved support funding for HPD Overtime Program.
• Consider the purchase of a table at the Houston Police Department’s “H-Town’s Rising Stars” Fundraising Gala not to exceed $1800.
• Consider support funding for HPD emergency preparedness program.
• Consider support funding for HPD S. Gessner Gang Division attendance to the 2023 RIOT Convention.
https://www.braysoaksmd.org/who-we-are/board-materials/