|
Youth Violence Initiative
In November 2003, the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) launched a community initiative to explore the issue of youth violence in Anchorage. Over the next several months, the PSAC hosted a number of community outreach events. Details and conclusions of that process are outlined in the documents below.
As a result of the initiative, Mayor Begich proposed several recommendations including a request that the PSAC track action items associated with the final Youth Violence Initiative report. The PSAC members have agreed to this role and will monitor action item progress during monthly meetings. Mayor Begich has pledged the full support of his office to this initiative. A monthly update will be provided via this website.
For more information on this issue or to find out how you can become involved, please call 786-8596.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
Summary August 11th
Attending Members:
- Mike Smulski
- Sam O’Connor
- Tony Piper
- Precyous Council
- Elsa Sargento
- Robyn Birkedal
- Tim Melican
Also attending:
- Heather Handyside
- Pamela Bergman, Anchorage Assembly
- Rick Henderson, Mt.View Boys and Girls Club
- Community Patrol representative
-
Summary:
In anticipation of hosting a community event in November, the PSAC focused upon the following key issues at the August 11, 2004 meeting.
Partnership with the Assembly
Assembly member Pamela Bergman stated that the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee would with the PSAC to ensure the success of the November event. PSAC members are encouraged to attend any future Assembly Public Safety Committee meetings to weigh in on issues.
Top Recommendations
After extensive discussion and a vote from members, four top recommendations were selected from a list of 19 recommendations generated through the Youth Violence Initiative community outreach effort (in no particular order):
Education in the schools – teach respect and alternatives to violence. Provide training and counseling in and out of school to educate on alternatives to violence.
Educate parents about the problem, how to create/enforce consequences, and how to communicate with their kids.
Identify effective programs and support funding of those programs.
Expand multi-cultural programs like Bridge Builders.
Recommendations were NOT selected for a variety of reasons. These reasons include:
The recommendation is already happening
There was not enough information upon which to base a strong recommendation
The recommendation had a slim chance of success
Presentation from Mt. ViewBoys and Girls Club Representative
Rick Henderson, program manager at the Mt. View Boys and Girls Club, weighed in on several Anchorage youth violence prevention programs. Mr. Henderson attends yearly conferences on this issue and has collected literature about best practices around the country. He shared this information with PSAC. As a result of Mr. Henderson’s presentation, PSAC members expressed a strong desire to become more familiar with local programs and to determine which are most effective.
Survey on Youth Violence
In addition to recommendations listed above, PSAC members resolved to push for more
Anchorage-specific data about youth violence. To that end, UAA Justice Center is conducting a study using police data. Though the results of that study are not yet complete, a member of the UAA research team will attend the next PSAC meeting to further explain the methodology of this study and some initial results. The PSAC hopes these results will be made available in time for the November community event.
Windshield Assessment
During the Youth Violence Initiative Community Outreach effort, the PSAC heard many complaints from individuals who feel that Anchorage youth “have nothing to do.” In an attempt to identify more opportunities and activities for youth, the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition has completed a “windshield assessment” of youth-friendly activities. Members expressed interest in finding out more about the assessment and to possibly offer assistance in making the community aware of this valuable resource. To that end, a member of the Youth Development Coalition will attend the next PSAC meeting to provide more information about this project.
November Event
Members agreed to consider the format and content of the November community event and to be prepared to discuss at the next PSAC meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes Summary
August 3, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Precyous Council, Mark Mew, Sam O’Connor, Tony Piper Mike Smulski, Robyn Birkedal
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chair Mike Smulski.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The meetings from July 16, 2004 were approved as presented.
REPORTS FROM PSAC MEMBERS
Tony Piper: Update on Juvenile Justice Working Group
No new items to report.
Mark Mew: Update on Anchorage School District Programs
- Bullying
-
- ASD pursuing anti-bullying curriculum for 2004/2005 school year
- Includes “Sunburst Curriculum,” which offers a different curriculum for each age group and encourages all teachers and administrators to be involved in teaching the anti-bullying curriculum
- Program focuses on the bully, the “bullied” and the bystander
- Goal of the program is to create a culture in schools that prevents bullying
- ASD Emergency Action Plan
- ASD administrators and teachers will receive the new ASD Emergency Action Plan in mid-August
- SRO’s will help teach the curriculum
Robyn Birkedal: Update on Youth Group
- The Youth Group will discuss 24-hour youth center and digital story telling at next meeting at McLaughlin Youth Center.
OLD BUSINESS
Youth Violence Initiative (YVI)
1. Pamela Jennings will attend the August 11th meeting to discuss the YVI. Goal will be to determine ways for the PSAC to partner with the Assembly Public Safety Committee to hold a community follow-up event for the youth violence initiative. Event anticipated occurring this fall.
2. 24-hour Youth Center – Joseph Davis & Ron Bower
- The 24-hour Youth Center is a priority proposal of the YVI Youth Group. A group of interested parties has held ad-hoc weekly meetings to determine the feasibility of this project. The goal of these meetings is to develop a mission statement, project goals and programming.
- The project is anticipated to be open for 2-3 nights per week during a trial period. Will target 17-19 year olds in order to eliminate curfew concerns.
- Is working to ensure that goals and mission are aligned with youth and city agencies.
- Currently working hard to recruit more members.
- Have set an optimistic goal of opening in September.
- Will seek funding from many sources (including Mayor’s office.)
- Have received endorsement from Tim Burgess at the U.S. Attorney’s office.
- Will accurately document pilot program in order to benchmark progress and be eligible for future funding.
- Next meeting (week of August 9th) will focus upon programming and budget. PSAC members are encouraged to attend.
- Project will initially be limited to 50 youth.
- Anticipate 6 staff and 2 volunteers.
- Will operate out of Mt. View community center.
- Will try to utilize existing resources whenever possible.
- Will try to establish relationship with youth based upon their terms.
- Anticipate an initial 6 mo. Program.
- Partnering with re-entry program at McLaughlin.
3. Report Priorities
At the July meeting, PSAC members were asked to review the recommendations of the Parents Report, the Youth Report and the Agency Report identify the most effective suggestions – as well as those that are most likely to be successful. During this meeting, members discussed the items that appeared most feasible. (See attached matrix.)
4. September Event
At the June meeting, the Mayor asked the PSAC to partner with the Assembly to hold another youth violence community event in Fall 2004. In view of the progress made at the meeting, members agreed that the community event should be held in the late Fall, 2004. The community event will be used as a way to demonstrate progress on recommendations and to inspire community involvement in follow-up on specific items. It was agreed that the Assembly would be a good partner in the development of this community event.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSIOn
Meeting Minutes Summary
Regular Meeting
July 14, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION
Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall
ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Also Present:
Precyous Council Audie Holloway, APD
Mark Mew Heather Handyside, MMO
Tim Melican John Kiewik, AFD
Sam O’Connor Tom Preston, AFD
Anthony Piper Donna Langworthy, APD
Mike Smulski
Lynda Zaugg
Excused Absent:
Robyn Birkedal
Unexcused Absent:
Elsa Sargento
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chair Mike Smulski.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The meetings from June 16, 2004 were approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Youth Violence Initiative
Tony Piper is the PSAC liaison with the agencies group. He said he attended the Juvenile Justice Working Group meeting on July 8th. The Anchorage School District will be offering police training this fall at King Career Center for students interested in a career in law enforcement.
Mark Mew is a member of the MYC Board and attended their last meeting. He said three of the MYC residents were in attendance, two of which had been contacted by the Youth Violence Initiative facilitators. They didn’t feel the “good” kids of the Youth Advisory Commission understood the violence problem. He said they had indicated a desire to attend the June PSAC meeting (which they did).
Sam O’Connor said the block party on Reka had been an extreme success. It was packed with people and Tim Burgess of the U.S. Attorney’s office also felt it was successful. Heather Handyside said that this block party is the type of recommended activity Tim Burgess had presented to this group last November. Tim Burgess has also been working with the group of concerned citizens at St. Anthony’s.
Mark asked for clarification of the expectations of the Youth Advisory Commission from the PSAC. Heather said that the PSAC was to look at the three group’s recommendations and decide what is feasible and how to facilitate. The Mayor recommended the PSAC work alongside the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Their chair, Pam Jennings, will be invited to the August meeting. The PSAC is to select 4-6 items they believe are doable to present at a public forum in September.
Heather reported that Joseph Jennings has asked for support from this group to assist the committee researching a 24-hour youth center. Tim Melican thought the center was under the umbrella of the Boys and Girls Club. Audie Holloway said the curfew ordinance may need to be reworked to allow this.
Tim said he and Robyn had discussed the feasibility of forming a student/adult mentor program.
Heather indicated that Reverend Meekins is having a hard time writing grant proposals for the Sanctuary Project and was wondering if anyone could help him. Tony thought the United Way may offer such assistance and Mike suggested AARP. Reverend Meekins is looking for funds to be able to keep the recreation centers open on Sundays.
Heather advised that David Alexander of 9 Star Enterprises had been invited to the last meeting in response to the youth’s allegation that there were no job opportunities for them. This also highlighted the need for better communication between agencies and the public.
Precyous Council said she thought the members were supposed to have picked out feasible ideas from the Youth Violence Initiative report for this meeting. It was decided that Sam would initiate this topic via e-mail to expedite this process and have them ready to present to Pam Jennings at the next meeting. It was agreed that the PSAC should select two recommendations from each group.
NEW BUSINESS
Lynda Zaugg asked if the PSAC should take up the issue of the school crossing on Lake Otis or are there enough others involved. Mark Mew said that unless the Mayor specifically asks us to take this on that it is currently being handled by the Mayor’s staff and there is no reason for the Commission to step in.
Mike asked about training status of bouncers at clubs. Sam said there was still no standardized training and that he had seen a video of civilians being assaulted by a bouncer as they were walking down a street. Audie asked that he provide the date and time of this assault so it can be looked into. He also wanted it put on record that the police department does not want to get involved with training civilians. Mark Mew thought there may be other training available via private companies.
Heather advised that this would be Donna Langworthy’s last meeting and that Nikki Stokoe of the EOC would be assuming her responsibilities. Donna was thanked for her assistance over the years.
The next meeting will be held August 4, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSIOn
Meeting Minutes Summary
Regular Meeting
June 16, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION
Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall
ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Also Present:
Robyn Birkedal Mayor Mark Begich
Precyous Council Audie Holloway, APD
Tim Melican Heather Handyside, MMO
Sam O’Connor RaeShaun Bibbs, MMO
Elsa Sargento Craig Goodrich, AFD
Mike Smulski Donna Langworthy, APD
Lynda Zaugg
Excused Absent:
Anthony Piper
Unexcused Absent:
Mark Mew
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chair Mike Smulski. He thanked the visitors from the Youth Violence Initiative subcommittee for coming and had newest Commission member, Robyn Birkedal, say a few words about herself.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The meetings from May 12, 2004 were approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Youth Violence
RaeShaun Bibbs is the Municipal representative on the Youth Advisory Commission. The Youth Advisory Commission is reviewing the recommendations of the Youth Violence Initiative group. She indicated that any members of the Youth Violence Initiative are welcome to attend the Youth Advisory Commission meetings.
Mayor Begich stated that he felt the reports from the Public Forums on Youth Violence had good information. He would like them to focus on what is achievable. The Assembly Public Safety Committee wants to address youth violence and youth crime. He feels this would be an excellent opportunity for both commissions to combine their efforts.
Mayor Begich stressed that his administration is very sincere in wanting input from the youth of Anchorage. He currently has four interns assigned to his office and eventually wants to have a youth member on each commission. The community needs to develop meaningful opportunities for youth.
Heather Handyside asked for specific roles this group could fulfill. Mayor indicated the members should study the three reports with an eye towards prevention, creating opportunities for young people, and ways to highlight the good things young people are doing.
Mayor Begich suggested the Commission hold another forum in the fall to present a progress report and offer information to the community on how they can get involved. It was suggested that perhaps the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the PSAC could co-host. Youth organizations could talk about what they do/offer.
Mike Smulski asked Heather to set up a meeting with Pamela Jennings, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee to determine four to six items that both groups can work on together.
Heather thanked the Youth Violence Initiative group for coming and sticking with this project. Robyn Birkedal indicated the group had been meeting for over seven months discussing ways to solve youth violence in Anchorage. They presented their priorities, recommendations and questions. The top recommendation was to develop a 24 hour recreation center. Boys and Girls Club is in the process of holding a six month trial of staying open until 4:00 a.m. at the Mt. View Boys and Girls Club. This emphasized the need for an ongoing dialogue between the committees because the youth attending this meeting did not know that this was occurring.
Another goal would be to expand multi-cultural programs such as Bridge Builders. They indicated a need for training and counseling on alternatives to violence both in and outside of schools.
They felt there had been minimal efforts to maintain contacts between the three groups. Robyn could act as a liaison between them and the Commission and wanted to know if anyone was assigned to the other two groups. The Mayor said there was, but they were not as coordinated as they could be. Heather said that Anthony Piper had been working with the Agencies group and Sam O’Connor said he had been keeping in touch with the Parent group. He also has worked with the St. Anthony’s group and their concern with youth violence in the Reka area. He will plan to attend the YAC meetings also.
What has been the progress of coordinating the youth/adult/agencies groups? The answer is this is part of a process. The PSAC will meet at one location from now on to facilitate this coordination.
What progress has the Youth Advisory Commission made on their recommendations? RaeShaun had handed out an informational memo and invited them to attend the YAC meetings.
Where is Youth Violence on the Municipality’s priority list? The Mayor assured them that this is a high priority and the only item on the PSAC agenda at this time.
The Mayor’s web site confused them as to how the Commission will act on this topic. The Commission’s role is to hold the community accountable. The Commission will be the facilitator, not make them happen, and a clearinghouse for ideas.
Craig Goodrich advised the young people that the Commission members may see situations differently than they do and it will be their job to teach the adults. As an example, he asked why do youth need a 24 hour recreation center when there is a curfew law in force. There then was discussion on the scope of what this would entail.
Rev. Meekins said Sanctuary Project is working at refurbishing the Fairview Recreation Center and donating 8 computers. The Sanctuary Project needs to create a board to help it get grants for this project and solicit donations. He will provide a fact sheet to Heather who will forward to the Chair to determine if commission member(s) could sit on the board.
David Alexander of 9 Star Enterprises said their goal is to improve the lot of every resident of Alaska by developing an Alaskan work force through jobs and education. They have job programs for youth and are open to everybody. He said there are 50 different programs running between now and the end of the year and offer professional career assessment counseling.
Kathleen Plunkett is president of the Russian Jack Community Council and has also been involved with St. Anthony’s group. She said the next Project Safe Neighborhoods meeting will be held May 15th. The number one concern is speeding vehicles, followed by gun violence, youth activities and drugs.
NEW BUSINESS
Mike expressed concern about a product that is being sold that claims to be able to control traffic signals (i.e., changing red lights to green). Craig Goodrich said the MOA has 282 intersections which are controlled by a digitized rolling code so this device does not work in Anchorage. He said Fairbanks had problems with it, which have been corrected.
Mike suggested that although the PSAC usually recesses for the summer, that they keep on meeting. Please advise prior to the meeting if you cannot attend but there would be a moratorium on mandatory attendance.
Heather recommended against doing further customer service satisfaction surveys at this time. She said there is already a lot of data available that she will provide to those interested. Overall, people are satisfied with most services.
There will be a picnic from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on June 27th on Reka to involve more neighbors in making the community a safer place.
MADD is holding a picnic at 7:00 p.m. on July 1st at Lynary Park.
The next meeting will be held July 14, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
PSAC Progress Report - April 14, 2004 Meeting
-
PSAC endorsed the Next Generation Youth Ministry national speaker program and proposed suggestions for possible funding.
-
After a presentation by Maureen McGlone of Reclaiming Futures and Fred Jenkins of the United Way, it was determined that the PSAC will direct "Agency Group" efforts toward the United Way Youth Development Coalition.
-
The Youth Development Coalition will work with the Mayor's office to determine possible sources for funding for a full time position to act as a single point of contact for youth agency coordination.
-
The PSAC designated a representative to act as a liaison with the Reclaiming Futures organizations and the Youth Development Coalition and to report progress to the PSAC.
-
The PSAC will make a presentation regarding the Youth Violence Initiative at the next Youth Development Coalition meeting.
-
The PSAC will track the “Youth Group” issues through the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission staff.
-
The PSAC will work with Anchorage School District representatives to determine if the “Parents Group” can find innovative ways to assist the school district efforts.
|
