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Home My WebLink About10-04-22 PSCC MinutesX X X X X X X PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2022 A meeting of the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council was held at 3 :30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 via Zoom virtual meeting platform Judge Wells Ashby (Chair) X Nick Lelack, County Administrator (Vice Chair) Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator Phil Chang, County Commissioner Patti Adair, County Commissioner X Anthony DeBone, County Commissioner Shane Nelson , Deschutes County Sheriff X Deevy Holcomb, Community Justice Sara Crosswhite, 9 -1 -1 Operations Dir. X Keith Witcosky, City of Redmond Mgr. John Hummel, District Attorney X Thomas Spear, Defense Attorney Angie Curtis, Court Administrator Roberto Robles, Oregon State Police Mike Krantz, Bend Police Chief X Devin Lewis , Redmond Police Chief Michael Womer, Sunriver Police Chief Jason Van Meter, Black Butte Police Chief Melanie Kebler, Bend City Council X Joseph Mabonga, Oregon Youth Authority Gil Levy, KIDS Center X Donna Mills, Citizen Member Erin Taylor, Citizen Member Also present were : Matthew Nelson, Deputy District Attorney; Julian Duran, Veteran 's Intervention Strategies participant; Nicole Taylor, Parole & Probation Officer; Stephen Lopez, Sunriver Police Department; Kristie Bollinger, Deschutes County Property Manager; Brian Kindel, Bend Police Patrol; Cassi MacQueen, Saving Grace Executive Director; Stephen Gunnel, Chief Deputy District Attorney; Richard Coe; Bill Minnix, Community Member and Veteran; Angie Powers, Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Administrative Assistant. Media present: None . Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Page 1 of 4 1. CALL TO ORDER & I NTRODUCTIONS: Vice Chair Nick Lelack called the meeting to order at 3:34 p .m . 2. APPROVAL OF PSCC MEETING M I NUTES: Action : Motion made by Donna Mills to approve the September 6, 2022 meeting minutes . SECOND : Thomas Spear VOTES : All yes ; Motion carries . Minutes adopted . 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: None presented . 4. VETERAN'S INTERVENTION STRATEGIES: Judge Ashby discussed the program . Matthew Nelson, Deputy District Attorney, gave a PowerPoint presentation on Veteran's Intervention Strategies {VIS). The program started in November 2020 and serves up to 20 veterans at a time. It has a minimum one-year term and provides supervision, support and resources to veterans who have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime {no sex crimes), and who have a diagnosed mental illness or substance abuse disorder. Track 1 participants have lower level criminal charges , and track 2 participants have committed higher level offenses and need additional support . Julian Duran, a graduate of VIS, spoke about his experience in the program . He was a Track 2 participant in the year-long program . When he started, he had a number of alcohol and violence-related criminal charges, and he felt "lost". Transitioning from military to civilian life required overcoming hurdles and navigating many challenges. He worked with Amanda at the Veterans' Resource Center on identifying his mental struggles . He gained tools to work on his alcoholism, bipolar disorder and two divorces. He joined AA and had weekly check-ins with his VIS mentor, Roger. He learned to prioritize his mental health, and has 2.5 years sober. He is an aviation business owner in Madras, and is currently working with his attorney on a reduction of charges . He has his four kids back, and is proud that his two youngest children have never seen him drunk. He now feels like he has his life back . Nicole Taylor, Parole and Probation Officer, commended Ju l ian for his hard work and success in the program. The wraparound support the program provides is crucial. Another important component is having defense attorneys available to the participants. The program cultivates an environment of empathy and mentoring. Graduates reach out to participants and help one another out. Connections are key . Judge Ashby thanked Mr. Nelson, Ms. Taylor and Mr. Duran . Vice Chair Lelack echoed his sentiments, and thanked Mr. Duran for sharing his story. He asked Mr. Duran if he feels that he has the support he needs moving forward . Mr. Duran now meets with Amanda monthly, no longer weekly, but feels comfortable asking for additional help when needed. Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Bill Minnix, a local veteran, thanked Mr. Duran for sharing his experience in the program. He is grateful for the steps Deschutes County is taking to assist veterans who are in the criminal justice system. 5. PRETRIAL RELEASE-PJO CHANGES/WARRANTS Chair Ashby spoke about some changes to the pretrial release process. Disability Rights of Oregon opposed some of the language in the pretrial release policies, and so this language will be changed. We're on the cusp of being able to go live with law enforcement agencies on electronic warrants . The traditional warrant process can take law enforcement officers out of th e field for a long time, so an electronic warrant process is being developed. He credited Brian Beekman, with Bend PD, for working on this electronic warrant process. 6. REDMOND SAFE PARKING PROGRAM: Keith Witcosky, Redmond City Manager, gave an overview and status update on Redmond's Safe Parking Program. This program is modeled after one happening in Bend, and is managed by Mountain View Property Management. City of Redmond used $50,000 in ARPA funds to get the program rolling. He credited Nick Lelack, County Administrator and County Commissioners for their contributions. Mountain View Fellowship and the VFW in Redmond currently have safe parking sites. Individuals participating in the safe parking programs are assigned a case manager, and they must sign a good neighbor agreement -no alcohol, no drugs and no trash accumulation. The program's goal is to give people a pathway out of homelessness . Mr. Witcosky noted that background checks are not done on individuals. Commissioner De Bone expressed his hope to "turn the corner" out of the current homeless situation in the County. Mr. Lelack credited Mr. Witcosky for looping the Board of Commissioners into the conversation, and thanked Kristie Bollinger, County Property Manager, for her efforts. Ms . Bollinger shared that Mountain View Fellowship hosted an Open House for neighbors on October 3, as County-owned property will be used as a safe parking site. Commissioners Adair and Chang were present . Overall feedback was positive, but concerns were expressed by some neighbors. A ground lease is currently being drafted for the County-owned safe parking site. Chief Devin Lewis shared that the two sites in Redmond have worked out well, and there have not been a significant increase in calls for service related to the sites. Bend City Councilor, Melanie Kebler, shared that there are 5 safe parking sites in Bend. They are always look ing for more, as the demand is there . 100% of their participants report feeling safer. 6 months is the average stay length, and 55 years of age is the average age. The goal is for these to be a stepping stone to stable housing and Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Page 3 of 4 connection to services is crucial. Restrooms, sanitation and case management are important components . There is a funding gap, however. 7. OTHER BUSINESS • None presented. ADJOURNMENT : There being no further discussion, Chair Ashby thanked everyone for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes of PSCC Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Page 4 of 4