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HAAB Minutes 11/07/1996 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting November 7, 1996 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING November 7, 1996 COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THIRD FLOOR, BCC BOARD ROOM 3301 EAST TAMIAMI TRAIL NAPLES, FLORIDA PRESENT: Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney, BCC Liaison to HAAB David Correa, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Frank Rodriguez, HAAB Member Pedro Vazquez, HAAB Member Mrs. Vazquez Armando Ayala, HAAB Member Victor A. Valdes Edgardo Tenreiro, HAAB Member Mireya Louviere, HAAB Member Manuel Andres Laso, HAAB Member Richard Munoz Arma Rodriguez Tom Davis, Collier County Sheriff's Minority Task Force Recruit Officer Cpl. Dennis Perry ABSENT: Eva Delashmet, HAAB Member The November 7, 1996 regular meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board of Collier County convened at approximately 7:20 p.m. A quorum of eight members was present. The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the October 2, 1986 meeting with the following changes: 1. The designation "HAAB member" was to be placed next to the names of Messrs. Laso, Ayala, Tenreiro and Ms. Louviere. 2. On page 4 of the Minutes, Mr. Victor Valdes requested, and was granted, a clarification stating that discipline in the Sheriff's office was the result of the Internal Affairs investigation. Under the Chairman's report, Frank Rodriguez mentioned that there had yet been no response from Naples Community Hospital to the recent letter of the Hispanic Board regarding the use of foreign languages at the hospital. A brief discussion ensued, and the numbers voiced opinions that follow-up should be done to obtain an official response from Naples Community Hospital. A motion was made by Frank Loney, seconded by Manuel Laso, to send a written request for response to the first letter, with said letter attached. The letter was to be sent Certified Mail, and include a request for any clarifications, if needed. HAAB liaison, Ramiro Mafialich mentioned that he had followed up with Maria Louviere regarding her last absence, and that she had explained that on the occasion of the last meeting, she had to attend to child care. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he thought the excuse was satisfactory, but that an attempt should be made by members to contact the Chairman ahead of time prior to an absence. A motion was made by Edgardo Tenreiro and seconded by Frank Loney to declare there was a satisfactory excuse for Maria Louviere's absence and the motion passed unanimously. Ramiro Mafialich reminded Maria Louviere that she had previously been directed by the Board to prepare a letter to the County Attorney regarding the liaison's continuing attendance at HAAB meetings. With regard to HAAB letterhead, Ramiro Mafialich thought that an in-house letterhead could be prepared for official HAAB communications, without contravening the Advisory Board's ordinance provision prohibiting the creation of business cards for advisory board members. Ramiro indicated that he would check further with the County Attorney and possibly bring back samples for the next meeting. Frank Rodriguez informed the Board that he thought the Collier County Public Health Unit Director, Dr. Polkowski, was leaving her post and that for that reason a discussion regarding Hispanic Public Health Care issues should be deferred. A lengthy discussion was held with Sergeant Thomas S. Davis of the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Youth Relations Department, and with Officer Perry, who is also involved in the Sheriff's program. Frank Rodriguez stated as background, that the need for this discussion stemmed from the Immokalee gathering, at which the need was apparent for Hispanic Youth to have ready access to law enforcement officers to discuss common issues and problems. Sergeant Davis explained that there are a number of officers assigned to Collier County Public Schools as determined by the Sheriff's budget. He mentioned that a Deputy is assigned to a high school and middle school five days of the week with an Open-Door policy. Presentations are made regarding avoidance of drugs, alcohol and crime. There is also the DARE program and the DARE campout. Sergeant Davis commented that there are patrols around the schools for visible presence and to facilitate conversations with the students. Deputies also attend clubs, sporting events, and some are coaches at the schools. There is also the Stranger Danger program, as well as Day Care Visits. All of these programs are designed to build good Youth/Law Enforcement 2 relations in the school system. Sergeant Davis admitted that it is difficult to make contact with children who do not attend school since school is the primary assignment for the officers. Kids who are not in school can meet law enforcement officers at their homes or when they are in school. He stressed that the Sheriff's Department was open to any and all new ideas to foster better relations with youth of the community. He mentioned that on Tuesdays, there are meetings of his staff at Vo-Tech where ideas are presented for programs to reach kids. He further explained that there is a Teen Night offered by Collier County Parks and Recreation and the Sheriff's Department, as well as midnight basketball. These activities after 5:00 p.m. are limited by the constraints of overtime pay. Officer Perry explained that the Sheriff's Department also is involved with the various civic associations and community service programs such as the finger-printing program to better deal with missing children. Sergeant Davis commented that there are two males, one female and several Hispanic officers among the law enforcement staff. There is also the Community Cops program that focuses on a police presence at Community Parks. Member Tenreiro suggested there could perhaps be an advertisement for an "open house" at the lmmokalee Sheriff's station. Officer Perry commented there was a very high truancy rate in lmmokalee, and that it was difficult to establish contact with truants. He mentioned that if the kids are in school, they know how and who to contact if they need to speak with law enforcement. Frank Loney stated that the youth that had gathered at the Board lmmokalee had expressed opinions that there were racial problems and a lack of available help from law enforcement. He said that the youth were trying to reach out to law enforcement, without success. He said that many of these juveniles were looking for lawful activities to be involved in, and resented being labeled as truants and troublemakers. Officer Perry lamented that there was not a good Boy Scouts program in lmmokalee due to a lack of adult sponsors and volunteers. Armando Ayala suggested that there should be recognition awards for good conduct in addition to the negative reinforcement. Officer Perry responded that the Youth Relations Program does stress positive aspects of juvenile behavior, and gave as an example, law enforcement taking kids out to the Collier County Fair. Maria Louviere was concerned that truants were not being reached by law enforcement. She suggested that maybe there should be a meeting in lmmokalee to try to bring together this segment of the youth population and law enforcement. She suggested the Hispanic Board should contact Immokalee businesses to get them involved in youth programs. Officer Davis mentioned that such a meeting could be used to introduce deputies to the kids. He mentioned that he is a native ofImmokalee. 3 Manuel Laso stated there was a need to drop the "Uniform Barrier" for youth access to the police officers. He felt there was a need for mentoring and positive influence and to reduce intimidation factors so that the officers would become personally known to the youth and citizens of lmmokalee. He thought it was important to overcome the "officer mystique" which can interfere with police community relations. Officer Davis stated that there was definitely a different perception as to the role of officers in the schools and in Youth Relations Functions versus officers that patrol the streets. Richard Mufioz spoke regarding a preventive program for youth that he is involved in. He said the program works with churches and juvenile justice. He specifically targets youth who are convicted of crimes and receive community service as a disposition. The so-called "Fourth Option Program" allows the youth to serve their community hours in churches that have good youth programs, counseling and positive family role models. There is no cost to the public. He said he would like to see this program expand, and a facility be built for this program. He admitted that not all k ids will change for the good, but the program does target those who demonstrate a desire to make positive change. He said that each such child who is positively affected, then has a corresponding positive influence on the rest of his or her family. The program is always optional. Marie Louviere suggested contacting new School Board member Arm Goodnight regarding this proposal. Sergeant Davis stated that there is an "Assist program" which is similar to the so-called Fourth Option that Mr. Munoz mentioned. Frank Rodriguez stated that in lmmokalee there is a lack of a bridge of communication between kids who had dropped out of school and law enforcement officers. He also stated that there is a lack of self-esteem activities and that it was necessary to have a youth law enforcement meeting in lmmokalee. He said that there are many unfortunate examples such as a fourth grader that he had seen who was beyond parental control because of manipulation by older kids. Officer Perry agreed that family structure greatly affects the attitude toward law enforcement that Hispanic and other youth develop. Frank Loney thought that the self-esteem of these types of kids is very damaged, and that a meeting would be needed between law enforcement and this target group of youth to serve as an introduction between the two groups. He also thought it was important for police to understand the culture in lmmokalee in which the workers must live Armando Ayala stated that he is from the Immokalee and that many parents cannot engage in parenting full-time because of economic needs that must be addressed. He thought that it was necessary for police officers to be aware of the problems faced by the population of Immokalee, engage in positive reinforcement and that the officers be trained in youth relations. He thought it was a bad mix to have tough patrol officers dealing with street-toughened kids. Officer Davis commented that the COPPS program allows for patrol officers to have discussion with the youth-Relations division officers. He said that the Sheriff's Department would be willing to have meetings on this subject with the Hispanic Board and school officials. 4 Arma Rodriguez commented that lmmokalee is 75% minorities. She said that monthly meetings with the youth of the community would be positive. There is also a need for youth activities in Immokalee, since there was very little for them to do. Officer Perry suggested that such a meeting should have parental participation, even if in separate meetings. David Correa stated that he thought it was necessary for the Hispanic Board to obtain information regarding the number of black and Hispanic officers in the Collier County Sheriff's office. A motion was made by Armando Ayala to set-up a meeting for the youth ofImmokalee to meet deputies. This would also provide an opportunity for the youth to address issues with law enforcement. Frank Loney emphasized the need to follow through on any questions and solutions raised at such a meeting. Frank Loney seconded the motion. A unanimous vote was held in favor of the motion. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that these officers and Mr. Mufioz should attend the meeting in Immokalee on December 5, 1996. Arma Rodriguez suggested a flyer be distributed in the school system. Armando Ayala agreed to contact school officials. There would also be an advertisement of the meeting provided to the lmmokalee bulletin by Ramiro Mafialich. There being no business to further discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~flkaY- Ramiro Mafialich Staff Liaison to the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board APPROVED BY THE HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD ON DECEMBER 5, 1996. Frank Rodrigu z Chairman of the Bo 5