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PSC 03-12-2015 -a CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thursday, March 12, 2015, 6:00 p.m. Cupertino City Hall, Conference Room A I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner McCoy called to order the regular meeting of the Cupertino Public Safety Commission at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015 in the Cupertino City Hall, Conference Room A,located at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Robert McCoy Andy Huang Gerald Tallinger Bob Cascone Mike Jerbic Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Captain Rick Sung, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Staff Absent: Battalion Chief Jason Falarski,Santa Clara County Fire Department Others-Present: Pooja Baxi-Monta Vista Green Society, Dave Jahns-City Staff Liaison for the Teen Commission, Pam Reed-The Forum at Rancho San Antonio Roxanne Decker, Catherine Alexander,Joan&Wayne Chin, Sandra James, John Mumy,Ashley Muiny,Manisha Puranih, III.REPORTS 1. Santa Clara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Falarski introduces himself and reviews the February 2015 report. Average response times were very good, slightly better than January averages. Monetary fire loss was very low at$2,000, comprised of a minor vehicle fire and a minor kitchen fire. Of note is an incident that occurred last night, in which emergency crews responded to four victims experiencing a rash and burning sensation. The cause was discovered to be an acidic protein 1 r product on toilet paper in the men's' restroom at a student center. Earlier today, the same event occurred at a different building.The events are under investigation. 2. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Captain Sung reviews the February report. There were 5 Priority One calls for service, averaging 4.97 minutes response time, 324 Priority Two calls averaging 6.05 minutes and 387 Priority Three calls averaging 11.14 minutes.Among selected crimes,robberies remained steady at 2 incidents, auto thefts dropped from 5 to 3, and vehicle burglaries decreased from 33 to 21. Commercial burglaries dropped significantly from 9 to 1,following the targeted enforcement by deputies around the Cupertino Village area. However, residential burglaries have skyrocketed to 42. The Sheriff's Office has formed two burglary suppression teams, covering seven days a week with fluctuating hours based on hot spots of activity. They have already caught many suspects, both right before committing burglaries and right after burglaries have occurred, making many arrests. Traffic citations.have decreased in,relation to deputies focusing more on burglary investigations. Captain Sung discusses the direct correlation between meth addicts and burglars, since it is very expensive to maintain a drug addiction, and mentions a presentation he has prepared for City Council on current crime trends. Commissioner Huang requests that he give a more detailed version of the presentation to the PSC at the next meeting. 3. Commission Reports Commissioner McCoy reports that at the City Council meeting, a major discussion topic was the truck ordinance revision in reaction to the recent bicycle fatality. The proposal indicates extending the distance trucks must stay away from schools between 7:30 and 10:00 A.M. to . either 500 or 1,000 feet. Commissioner Huang reports that City Council adopted the Planning Commission's proposal for the housing element. Commissioner Tallinger asks for the status of the comprehensive list of commissioners and their school liaison contact information. Commissioner McCoy must send the information to Commissioner Jerbic for compilation. Commissioner Tallinger poses the question of whether the PSC should also liaison with the high schools in Cupertino; he would like to work with Homestead, and moves that the topic should be added to the next agenda. He reports no news from the Library Commission, and mentions that Commissioner Jerbic volunteered to speak at an upcoming talk forum. Commissioner Jerbic reports on the Mayor's Meeting. Mayor Sinks talked heavily about communication between the Council and Commissions, expressing interest.in tightening the gap. Council Member Vaidhyanathan is willing to meet with commissions informally without influencing outcomes and Council Member Paul is amicable to the idea, but Council Member Wong is not interested and Council Member Chang's position is unknown.Mayor Sinks intends to set up the process for those Council Members and Commissions that are willing to participate, but it must be conducted informally. Commissioner Jerbic also reports that the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission is actively advocating for more bicycle lanes to be painted 2 1 throughout the City. The commissioners approved a $430,000.00 plan to increase bicycle lane infrastructure at their February meeting. Commissioner Jerbic continues, reporting that Mayor Sinks is pursuing a strategy to negotiate with the school districts at the Superintendent level over time, as modeled by the success in Palo Alto. The Mayor also mentioned the upcoming Superbowl event in Santa Clara next year, asking what Cupertino could offer and being mindful of the attention it will bring to the whole area. Commissioner Jerbic states there was no TICC meeting as they still await new commissioners. Commissioner Jerbic then reports on his meeting with Dave Stillman of Cupertino Public Works, regarding the new bicycle lane improvements. Although there may be a tipping point where increased bicycle traffic will reduce vehicle congestion, there have been no measurable gain in public safety through the painted lanes and barriers in some areas. Mayor Sinks has approved Commissioner Jerbic to conduct a study on the public safety of bicycle lanes, to determine whether the painted lanes give bicyclists a false sense of added safety when there is a true safety risk, or whether the painted lanes help allay the overestimated safety concerns of bicyclists. Commissioner Jerbic moves to add a standing item to the PSC agendas moving forward, regarding how to evaluate the public safety benefits of bicycle lanes. He anticipates giving a formal preliminary presentation in June. IV.ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Sandra James, former Mayor of Cupertino, mentions a few things including: Sand Hill Property, two billion paid by one owner, Whole Foods and Hilton Garden Inn, Public Affairs Officer, mixed- use housing and offices, a Vallco website, and the Fire Department use as training during the demolition schedule. (Notes were unclear as to what the message was.) Roxanne Decker, a resident on Peartree Court, is very concerned about crime in the Blaney Avenue area.A week ago, a neighbor was gone for just one hour and their home was broken into. She states that she often posts pictures of suspicious vehicles on NextDoor. Manisha Puranih adds that her neighbor recently saw a woman pushing an empty baby stroller, going into someone's backyard. When questioned, the woman claimed she was told there was a park entrance. Unfortunately, the neighbor failed to call it in to the Sheriff's Office at the time. Captain Sung explains that law enforcement is prevented from viewing neighborhood sites within the NextDoor system, by design for resident privacy. The Sheriff's Office has their own NextDoor page, and can view only things that are posted directly on it. Catherine Alexander, zone 4 block leader, continues discussing crime in the north east quadrant area. She has observed a big spike in reported crimes,largely burglars entering through rear sliding glass doors. She has also noticed a lot of suspicious people watching houses, to learn resident patterns and what times people are gone, describing it as a well-organized effort. There was a woman parked in Ms. Alexander's driveway who sat there talking on her cell phone, watching the property. She feels the Neighborhood Watch Program is not working and would like there to be a 3 Y community meeting at the Quinlan Center for the whole North quadrant. Residents are fearful and don't know what to do. They need information on security systems, tips on how to detract burglars, and the opportunity to ask law enforcement questions. She adds that many residents are calling in suspicious behavior, taking photos of suspicious vehicles, etc. When Commissioner Tallinger suggests that small venue Neighborhood Watch meetings would be better, she argues that her area has very mixed zoning and the whole neighborhood needs to come together to be vigilant. Commissioner Huang asks her to define the area on a map, and she indicates borders of Wolfe Rd., Stevens Creek Blvd., DeAnza Blvd., and Homestead Rd. Commissioner Jerbic asks why she hasn't set up a community meeting on her own. She reports that she has requested a block leaders meeting but the organizer was busy moving offices, and she approached Stephanie who hosts Neighborhood Watch meetings but she is against a larger format. Captain Sung acknowledges the increased crime and will be presenting updated information to the City soon. He mentions that the Sheriff's Office has formed a special burglary suppression team which is now exclusively targeting burglars and having a lot of success. He also mentions that the Sheriff's Office provides a service upon request to evaluate residents' home security, identifying weak areas and suggesting improvements. Joan Chin speaks next, agreeing that Neighborhood Watch can help, but doesn't offer enough coverage. There are many spots in the neighborhood with no block leaders. Residents need more information and tips to protect themselves against increased crime. She agrees that a larger, more inclusive meeting would be beneficial. John Mumy goes next, discussing his own specific neighbor problem on Linda Vista Drive. The house next to where he lives has too many occupants: around 8 adults and 7 kids in a 3 bedroom house. There is constant turn-over in who seems to live there, and one guy now sleeps regularly in his car in the driveway. He believes it is a flop house for criminals, and they display bully-type behavior to antagonize his family. One man sometimes sits at the mailboxes and gets hostile when approached, they play really loud music to annoy the neighbors, and they let garbage pile up on the property which has caused a rat infestation. The rats even ate through the wiring in Mr. Mumy's truck! He is tired of putting up with this, and the landlord refuses to address the problems. He wants to know what can be done. His young daughter, Ashley, attests to the fact that it has created a negative living environment and she doesn't like being there anymore. Captain Sung suggests installing security cameras and keeping track of the license plates of suspicious vehicles while he follows up with deputies who are more familiar with that neighborhood. Manisha Puranih agrees that crime has increased significantly, as she reads the monthly crime activity reports sent by Stephanie to block leaders in various zones. Her own block is small and well-connected through email,but she has observed lots of suspicious activity and would like more guidance on how to make homes less attractive to potential burglars. She also mentions that her block had a problem house similar to what Mr. Mumy is dealing with, and the neighbors constantly called in all suspicious behavior until the problem individuals eventually moved out. Commissioner Cascone states he will request a copy of the block leaders' monthly crime report to bring to the next PSC meeting. 4 Pam Reed, from The Forum at Rancho San Antonio, invites the PSC to the 12th annual Health and Wellness Fair on June 6th from 10:00am — 2:00pm. The Sheriff's Office and Fire Department have already agreed to send representatives again, and the theme will be "8 Dimensions of Wellness". There are usually about 700 people in attendance from both The Forum and surrounding neighborhoods. Commissioner Huang asks for volunteers; Commissioner Jerbic offers to attend, and Commissioner Cascone might be available. Commissioner Tallinger reports that a yellow bicycle has been chained to a stop sign at Blaney Ave. and Merritt Dr. for some time and is apparently abandoned. Others present verify they have noticed it as well. Captain Sung says he will look into it. Commissioner McCoy reiterates that the abandoned Apple bicycle problem is still ongoing and possibly worsening. Apple employees constantly abandon company bicycles all over the complex where he lives and Apple continues to ignore the problem. His building security personnel are considering fining Apple for all the bicycles they have had to pick up and return. Commissioner McCoy even had 2 bicycles lying in his back patio area for a week! He asks if the Sheriff's Office can take over collection, since they are not locked up but just strewn wherever employees leave them. He also would like to,see a City webpage where residents can post pictures of suspicious people or things, and both the Sheriff's Office and all City residents are allowed to view. He would also like someone to approach NextDoor to knock down the walls between neighborhoods within Cupertino. He states the segregation needs to stop because residents across the City should be able to work together. If someone posts a picture of a suspicious vehicle in one neighborhood, maybe residents in another neighborhood have noticed the same vehicle. Other commissioners and visitors remark how they are also limited on NextDoor to only their own neighborhood, but can somehow see things going on in Sunnyvale,Los Altos, and Santa Clara,just not in other parts of Cupertino. Commissioner Huang proposes an agenda item, to discuss how the NextDoor neighborhood barriers are damaging public safety and the need to open it up so everyone in Cupertino can see posts within the whole city. Commissioner Tallinger seconds the proposed agenda item. Catherine Alexander interjects that she has witnessed Apple employees on the Apple bikes riding in the middle of the street on Merritt Drive, two across, without lights at night. She wishes that Cupertino had city surveillance cameras attached to the light poles just like in Europe. It would take some of the burden off residents regarding security cameras, and she believes it would provide some degree of crime deterrent. Commissioner Cascone adds that the Apple bicycle problem was discussed at the Bicycle- Pedestrian Commission meeting, and they have reached out to the Apple program coordinator to no avail.Perhaps the PSC could join the Bicycle-Pedestrian Commission in a push to open dialogue. V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Tallinger discusses an email from Brian Dong, Dean of Students at Homestead High School. He expressed concern over the traffic situation during drop off and pick up times, and 5 requested a meeting with Sunnyvale Traffic Officers, Sunnyvale Department of Public Works, and a Sheriff's Office SRO. Commissioner Tallinger attended as well. They discussed the bike lanes and student pathways that cross the vehicle entrance and exit points, plus the issue of students' jay walking at lunch time to get to nearby eateries. Sunnyvale agreed to study the issues and address the problems. VI.APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. February 12,2015 ACTION: YES VOTE: YES MOTION: HUANG SECONDED:JERBIC 5 to 0 Commissioner Huang motioned to approve the minutes of February 12, 2015; Commissioner Jerbic seconded the motion; votes taken, all in favor to approve the minutes of February 12, 2015. VII. OLD BUSINESS 1. Discussion of Walk/Bike/Carpool to School (WBC) project(All),the Boltage program (Tallinger), and Surveys to Schools (Tallinger) ACTION: YES VOTE: YES MOTION: HUANG SECONDED: TALLINGER 5 to 0 Commissioner Huang motioned to pass a budget of $4,500.00 total grant for the Spring 2015 Walk One Week events at nine Cupertino schools; Commissioner Tallinger seconded the motion; votes taken, all in favor to pass a $4,500.00 total budget for nine WOW grant applications at$500.00 each. Ms. Pooja Baxi, from The Green Society at Monta Vista High School, confirms receipt of the WOW grant applications by the PSC. Nine schools have submitted grant applications for $500.00 each, towards the WOW event planned March 31 through April 4, 2015. Schools include: Eaton Elementary, Garden Gate Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Regnart Elementary, Sedgewick Elementary,Hyde Middle, Kennedy Middle, Lawson Middle, and Monta Vista High School. Ms. Baxi confirms that they will make one joint presentation of results at a PSC Meeting after the event, and she asks the commissioners to actively encourage their assigned schools to participate. Commissioner Tallinger remarks that there has been a good combined effort from the Teen Commission and The Green Society for the currently planned event. Dave Jahns, the City Liaison to the Teen Commission adds that there will be press coverage in the Cupertino Courier and on the City website, plus he would like to put out targeted CAS messages to the residents surrounding the participating schools, to warn them of the change in 6 ti traffic patterns that week. He mentions that he is glad to see the creation of a set WOW model and information packet, so that future Teen Commission officers can easily continue the program through frequent turn-over without having to reinvent it for each two-year term. He requests extra traffic monitoring by the Sheriff's Office during the week of the WOW events. Commissioner Tallinger emphasizes some important reminders to Ms. Baxi, including: collect survey data for each school before, during and after the WOW event, collect all original receipts separated by school, and verify Payee information so reimbursement checks are made out correctly to each school or PTA organization. Commissioner Tallinger tells Ms. Baxi that the PSC's Survey to Schools will take place the week before WOW, and says he reviewed the approach with a couple Sheriff's Office SROs. They encouraged him to send an initial email discussing the planned survey and previous results, attaching an updated copy of the Survey, then send a reminder email closer to the date. The SROs will deliver the Surveys to the schools in person and request participation. They also suggested that the commissioners call their assigned schools the week of the Survey to further encourage each school to participate. ACTION: YES VOTE: YES MOTION: HUANG SECONDED: TALLINGER 5 to 0 Commissioner Huang motioned to award Ms. Pooja Baxi a PSC Letter of Commendation for leading the Monta Vista Green Society in the Walk One Week Program; Commissioner Tallinger seconded the motion; votes taken, all in favor to award a PSC Letter of Commendation to Ms. Pooja Baxi. Commissioner Cascone suggests trying to get Ms. Pooja Baxi a Letter of Commendation from the City for all her efforts and hard work on the WOW program. The other commissioners all agree and decide to give her one from the PSC directly. Commissioner Tallinger agrees to follow up on securing a grant application from Regnart Elementary School for the planned Boltage installation. He also revisits his belief that the PSC should install a new Boltage unit at Hyde Middle School as soon as possible. Commissioner Jerbic reiterates that not all are convinced of the program's effectiveness. Plus, they agreed to approach these installations serially, to gather data on the impact and effectiveness for those more skeptical. Commissioner Tallinger states that schools want Boltage, but Commissioner Jerbic counters that schools are not willing to help pay for it which speaks to a possible lack of commitment on their end. Commissioner Cascone tries to mediate, saying that he sees both viewpoints and wants to apply money to something with a proven value. Commissioner Tallinger also reports meeting with Dave Stillman, Tim Borden and Aaron Cook from the Public Works Department recently, to inform them of the WBC, WOW and Boltage programs. He explained what the PSC is working on; they expressed interest and may wish to work with the PSC in the future. 7 2. Discuss participation in the Alert SCC Program, the CAS Program, and the Pulse Points App (Huang/McCoy) ACTION: YES VOTE: NO MOTION: N/A SECONDED: N/A Oto0 Commissioner Tallinger states he will manage CAS sign-ups at the Big Bunny event on April 4, but still has to arrange for a table. There is currently no volunteer for the Earth Day faire later in April. VIII. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Cascone discusses the EMS Calendar of monthly safety topics and associated hand-out materials. He recommends using what has already been created and approved by the Public Health Department, to reduce liability and align the PSC Outreach with other agencies. Printing costs and responsibility, and distribution work load are still undetermined. Commissioner McCoy asks whether the Fire Department already distributes this same material, to avoid duplication at events, but Commissioner Huang says they focus on CPR, fire detectors and some fall prevention for the senior population. Mr. Ken Ericksen agrees that aligning calendars is a good goal,but materials from other agencies may be better during some months. Commissioner. Cascone agrees to do more research, and take the lead on possibly adding this form of public safety outreach to PSC activities. Commissioner Jerbic adds that distributing flyers and brochures may have little affect but produce major recycling waste. He suggests the PSC could help streamline existing information to help residents with the problem of information management related to emergency preparedness. Mr. Ericksen agrees, furthering that the PSC could close the gap in sorting information. Commissioner McCoy then suggests organizing a monthly topic discussion meeting, but Commissioner Tallinger recommends starting on a quarterly basis and scheduling guest speakers. They all reaffirm that Commissioner Cascone will take on this project of aligning County material and PSC public safety outreach possibilities. IX. FUTURE AGENDA FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING 1. Discuss Reports from County Fire, County Sheriff's Office and Commission Liaisons. a. Discuss how neighborhood barriers within the NextDoor site may damag public safety (Huang) 2. Discuss the PSC sponsored programs. a. Sub-committee for Walk/Bike/Carpool to School Project and Boltage Program 1. Discuss possibility of establishing high school liaisons (Tallinger) 2. Discuss how to evaluate public safety benefits of bicycle lanes (Jerbic) 8 _j T b. Survey to Schools 3. Discuss promotion plans for CAS,AlertSCC and the Pulse Points App. a. Discuss how to align public safety outreach and established County materials (Cascone) X. ADJOURNMENT This regular meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m. XI. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday,April 9,2015 at 6:00 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Roth Executive Assistant West Valley Patrol Division Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff March 19,2015 APPROVED BY: Robert McCoy, Commission Chair Date S SID 9