PSCC Minutes 03/19/2009 R
March 19,2009
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY
PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL
Naples, Florida, March 19,2009
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Public Safety
Coordinating Council, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business
herein, met on this date at 2:00 PM., in REGULAR SESSION, at the Human
Resources Conference Room, Building "B," 3301 East Tamiami Trail, in Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Fred Coyle
Judge Cynthia Ellis, Circuit Court, Designee for Chief Judge Cary
Judge Eugene C. Turner, County Court
Charles Rice, Director, County Probation
David Schimmel, Chief Executive Officer, David Lawrence Center
Christine Holmes, Administrator, Batterers Intervention Program
Rich Montecalvo, Designee for Stephen Russell, State Attorney
Mark Lennon, Supervisor, Designee for Pamela Donelson, State Probation
Chief Greg Smith, Sheriffs Office, Designee for Sheriff Kevin Rambosk
Mike Orlando, Designee for Kathy Smith, County Public Defender
Mark Middlebrook, Collier County Court Administration (non-voting)
Chief Scott Salley, Sheriffs Office (non-voting)
ALSO PRESENT:
James Mudd, County Manager
Robert Zachary, Chief Assistant County Attorney
Skip Camp, Director, Facilities Management
Mike Sheffield, Assistant to County Manager
Collier County
Public Safety Coordinating Council
March 19,2009, 2:00pm
Human Resources Conference Room
3301 E. Tamiami Traii, Naples, Florida
I. Introduction
A. Call to Order- Commissioner Coyle
B. Approval of December 12, 2008 Collier PSCC Meeting Minutes
II. Old Business
A. Approval of Chief Judge Cary's Recommendation of County Court
Judge Eugene Turner to fill the vacancy of "County Court Judge
Statutory Member' on the PSCC
B. Jail "Snap-Shot" Report-Chief Scott Salley
C. Mental Health Care Priorities in Collier County (follow-up from the
12/12/08 PSCC meeting)-David Schimmel
III. New Business
A. Impact of Truancy on the Crime Rate-Sgt. Tom Wedlock, CCSO
IV. Member Comments
V. Public Comments
VI. Adjourn-The next meeting will be held on June 11,2009 at 2pm in the
Human Resources Conference Room
March 19,2009
I. Introduction
A. Call to Order
Chairman Fred Coyle called the meeting to order at 2:03 PM.
B. Approval of Minutes of December 12, 2008 PSCC Meeting
Mike Orlando moved to approve the Minutes of December 18, 2008 Meeting as
submitted. Second by David Schimmel. Carried unanimously, 10-0.
11. Old Business
A. Approval of Chief Judge Cary's Recommendation of County Court Judge
Eugene C. Turner to fill the vacancy of "County Court Judge Statutory
Member" on the Public Safety Coordinating Council (replacing Judge Ramiro
Maiialich)
Chairman Coyle welcomed Judge Turner.
Rich Montecalvo moved to approve the nomination of County Court Judge
Eugene C. Turner, as recommended by Chief Judge Keith Cary, to fill the
vacancy as County Court Judge Statutory Member. Second by Circuit Court
Judge Cynthia Ellis. Carried unanimously 10-0.
B. Jail "Snap-Shot" Report - Chief Scott Salley
(A copy of the Jail Data Report was distributed to the Committee.)
. Immokalee Jail Center remains temporarily closed - without increase in
cnme
County Manager Mudd stated the closing has resulted in a cost savings for the
County. He noted there have been no complaints from Immokalee residents
concerning visitation due to the transportation voucher system.
Chief Salley stated information concerning voucherslCA T bus schedules were
printed in Spanish, Creole, and English, and the Sheriffs Office has issued
approximately sixty vouchers to pay for CAT bus fares.
Chairman Coyle asked ifany of the aversion programs have had a significant
impact on the jail population.
. The GED Program had the best results.
o There are 49 'students' currently enrolled and two are testing for the
SAT through the Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology.
o Inmates are also encouraged to attend vocational training courses.
. The Pre-trial Release Program and pleas at first appearances are other
measures that have helped to reduce the jail population.
Discussion ensued regarding efforts by the Clerk's Office to collect Court costs and
probation fees from paroled inmates.
County Manager Mudd stated the County's General Fund makes up the short-fall
in uncollected fees.
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March 19,2009
Mark Middlebrook stated before an inmate (with the ability to pay) is released from
probation, helshe is signed up for Collections Court. If appearances are not made
before the Court as scheduled, or if payments are not made on a timely manner, the
Clerk's Office can convert the debt to a civil judgment.
Judge Turner stated although former inmates are monitored, there comes a point
when it is not worth the administrative cost/time to pursue collecting judgments.
C. Mental Health Care Priorities in Collier County (follow-up report from the
12/12/08 PSCC Meeting) - David Schimmel
. Emergency ("walk-in") numbers are up by 15%
. First priority is to ensure availability of "Baker Act" beds for law
enforcement to shift population from the jail
o The addition of 10 beds will cost approximately $1.5M
. Second priority is access to medication and treatment
o Institutional care in Florida costs approximately $140,000/year
o Community care is approximately $14,000/year per patient
. The Crisis Intervention Training ("CIT") Program is proceeding and a
number of officers have signed up to attend
Mr. Schimmel stated he does not anticipate receiving any support from the State
Legislature due to further budget reductions.
(Chief Salley left at 2:25 PM)
111. New Business
A. Impact of Truancy on the Crime Rate - Sgt. Tom Wedlock, CCSO
(A PowerPoint presentation was given.)
. Collier County's Truancy Court Program began in February, 2008, and is
an early-intervention effort targeting "at risk" students
. Truancy has been referred to as the "first step to a lifetime of problems"
. Truancy Court focuses on habitual truants (5+ days per calendar month)
. High school dropouts cost taxpayers between $188,000 - $297,000
. Truancy prevention programs costs between $500 - $2,000 per truant
. Collier County's Truancy Court began in February, 2008
o Collaborative effort: Public Schools, State Attorney's Office, the
Department of Children/Families and various Community
Organizations
o An Inter-Agency agreement, signed by the partnering Agencies,
outlined each Agency's responsibilities
. Students are identified as "habitual truants," parents are notified via mail
and phone contact
. An "intervention" (meeting) is scheduled with student, parents and the
school to solve problem and present options regarding available resources
. The Superintendent of Schools authorizes filing a Petition with the Court if
intervention fails
. 150+ petitions have been petitioned filed with Truancy Court since
February, 2008
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March 19,2009
. Juvenile and parents attend Truancy Court
o Juveniles are screened for drugs at first Court appearance
Results:
. 48% reduction in truancy after date of petition
. 54% reduction after first Truancy Court appearance
. 90% of juveniles are no longer habitually truant
. 40% reduction in school discipline referrals after entering Truancy Court
. 1/3 of students made significant improvements in grades
. 81 % reduction in positive drug screens within 2 months after first
appearance
. 53% in arrests for burglaries committed by juveniles during school hours
Sgt. Wedlock stated one of the reasons for the success of the program is because
there is accountability to Truancy Court, and a process has been created to ensure
the needs of the students and families are addressed and met
IV. Member CommentslSuggestions
V. Public Comment
(None)
VI. Next Meeting:
June 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM in the Human Resources Conference Room
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by
order of the Chair at 3:07 PM.
COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY
COORDINATING COUNCIL
Commissioner Fred Coyle, Chairman
These Minutes approved by the BoardlCommittee on
as presented or as amended
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