1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:13,240
May the 12th, 2024 city council meeting, all of those in favor, any of that oppose, aye, abstain, item 4, approve of the agenda for the February 26th, 2024 city council meeting.

2
00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:18,400
Some of those in favor, any of that oppose, aye, abstain.

3
00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:25,360
We have a few public comments, and the way this works, when you come up, young people,

4
00:00:26,420 --> 00:00:29,400
you have two minutes to say what you want to say.

5
00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:34,800
I actually had the privilege of meeting a few of these young people that are coming up here shortly,

6
00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,340
and they're going to tell you what they're all about.

7
00:00:37,660 --> 00:00:42,300
But when you come, please give us your name and your address, and you have two minutes

8
00:00:42,300 --> 00:00:43,480
after you finish that.

9
00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:46,220
So miss Lisa Lopez, please come on up.

10
00:00:48,620 --> 00:00:56,560
Good evening Mayor I think council members thank you all for having us my husband and I own

11
00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:02,320
seats at Allen agency and I really wanted everyone here today along with us he's a family member

12
00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:08,240
so let you know that there's a black owned and a Latino owned talent agency representing

13
00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:14,940
professional actors models and voice over artists in Spartanburg County right there on

14
00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:16,900
in the city limits.

15
00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:25,560
We take these kids and adults and very few of them have acting credits and we train them

16
00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:32,600
and by the time it's all said and done, they're working with the major studios in the entire nation.

17
00:01:33,140 --> 00:01:40,660
Because of that, they've been able to act opposite, Clint Eastwood, Alfred Woodard, Jeremy Renner,

18
00:01:40,660 --> 00:01:48,120
on Paramount Plus, Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, stars, all of these big things, and all the

19
00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:54,320
training begins in the city of Spartanburg. So we just wanted y'all to know that this is

20
00:01:54,320 --> 00:02:00,080
here, and it's being done right here in Spartanburg. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

21
00:02:03,030 --> 00:02:03,270
Just,

22
00:02:20,100 --> 00:02:20,300
we have

23
00:02:20,300 --> 00:02:20,900
actual address?

24
00:02:21,980 --> 00:02:22,240
Oh.

25
00:02:22,420 --> 00:02:25,140
Before he said, I'll send Warden, Drive, Spartan, Break, South Carolina.

26
00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:33,780
And I'd say, as one of the members of CSa, seeing what CSa has done here in the impact

27
00:02:33,780 --> 00:02:38,840
that it's had for the past seven years, going on eight in June is absolutely incredible.

28
00:02:38,980 --> 00:02:43,160
When you think about that, when I started acting, because I am a sadgafferate, TV and film actor

29
00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:48,620
within American Black Film Festival Award with credits on Netflix, Amazon, Nickelodeon,

30
00:02:48,620 --> 00:02:53,320
you know, pop charts, all of this stuff, but when we started, when I started acting, you know,

31
00:02:53,380 --> 00:02:56,840
with my family, none of that was available here in Spartanburg.

32
00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:02,280
We had to go to Los Angeles or New York or Atlanta and to see that now, because of

33
00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:07,320
the satanicency, those opportunities are being presented to the talent that's right here

34
00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:07,880
in the Upstate.

35
00:03:07,940 --> 00:03:12,400
Since I've come back from Los Angeles, I've seen a lot of people speak about retaining the talent

36
00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,920
that's in, you know, the Upstate and that's in Spartanburg and that's in, you know,

37
00:03:16,920 --> 00:03:19,240
this town and so I think that having places like

38
00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,620
sees a talent agency where, yes, they are local,

39
00:03:21,620 --> 00:03:23,460
but they work with international corporations,

40
00:03:23,620 --> 00:03:26,020
they work with Sony, Marvel, you know,

41
00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,800
all those people have their phone number right on tap,

42
00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,240
and they call on this talent more than you would expect

43
00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:31,840
or believe.

44
00:03:32,060 --> 00:03:33,660
So the fact that Stisa is here,

45
00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:37,120
I think it's absolutely mind blowing and just to see,

46
00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:39,080
you know, really with Stisa has sparked,

47
00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:41,080
as far as entertainment goes for the Upstate.

48
00:03:41,260 --> 00:03:41,640
It's incredible.

49
00:03:42,580 --> 00:03:44,180
Awesome. Thank you.

50
00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:45,940
Tara?

51
00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:56,320
Hello, my name is Tara Olenja, I live at 99B Montague Road in Greenville.

52
00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:04,380
I'm speaking not only as a parent, but also as an educator, an educator who taught through

53
00:04:04,380 --> 00:04:14,120
COVID and who had a child through COVID. Seeing how the impact of having this opportunity here,

54
00:04:14,380 --> 00:04:18,660
so close to where we live and how it's benefited my child.

55
00:04:18,660 --> 00:04:25,740
so many of our youth lost so much during COVID and being connected with

56
00:04:25,740 --> 00:04:31,600
Stisa in the positive impact and just re-igniting her passions and her goals

57
00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:38,000
and being able to connect with other like-minded children and in the

58
00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:44,060
professionalism it has made such a positive impact and I'm so grateful that I

59
00:04:44,060 --> 00:04:48,340
can make this drive from Greenville to Spartanburg and not have to go to Atlanta

60
00:04:48,340 --> 00:04:54,280
or Charlotte, or some other major cities, so I'm so excited to be a part of the

61
00:04:54,280 --> 00:04:54,960
Steeza family.

62
00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:56,100
Thank you.

63
00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:57,100
Thank you.

64
00:04:57,840 --> 00:04:58,100
Bella?

65
00:05:03,690 --> 00:05:05,650
Hi, my name is Bella Ollingerbrand.

66
00:05:05,710 --> 00:05:08,870
I live at 99 B. Montichy Road, Green Blossom, Carolina.

67
00:05:09,570 --> 00:05:10,370
What grade are you in, Bella?

68
00:05:10,730 --> 00:05:11,730
Um, ninth grade.

69
00:05:11,830 --> 00:05:11,990
Good.

70
00:05:13,210 --> 00:05:20,250
Um, I just started at Steeza, and I think it's a great opportunity for you in the

71
00:05:21,030 --> 00:05:27,970
because it's a lot of like, you know, a lot worse places for us to be in

72
00:05:27,970 --> 00:05:34,410
it's a good place to help us build our careers in network and stuff. And they're

73
00:05:34,410 --> 00:05:43,010
very friendly and professional and they make sure you feel like a part of the

74
00:05:47,010 --> 00:05:49,290
like, you're good, you're okay?

75
00:05:49,550 --> 00:05:54,910
Yeah, by firsting you to go forward and, you know, start your career at a young age.

76
00:05:55,490 --> 00:05:55,990
Thank you.

77
00:05:56,090 --> 00:05:57,810
I was, thank you.

78
00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,060
Popeyes, 4707 Warden Dry, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

79
00:06:09,100 --> 00:06:10,400
I just want to let you all know.

80
00:06:10,840 --> 00:06:14,660
A little bit about season, what our vision is was to bring kids and adults

81
00:06:14,660 --> 00:06:17,260
that have a dream to just come up off the couch

82
00:06:17,260 --> 00:06:23,420
And they can get trained and we can show them how show business actually works.

83
00:06:23,540 --> 00:06:28,060
One of the things we say is we bring, you know, Hollywood to Spartan Burke.

84
00:06:28,420 --> 00:06:32,680
Because I mean, it really is, we really are in Oasis in the desert here.

85
00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:37,120
There aren't many agencies like ours that do what we do.

86
00:06:37,220 --> 00:06:45,000
A lot of these kids, they work and, you know, they create a body of work and they can take that to one of the schools of the arts.

87
00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,500
And they can get scholarships,

88
00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:55,980
they'll learn how to work with others, discipline, memorization skills,

89
00:06:56,420 --> 00:06:57,040
just everything.

90
00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:58,260
I mean, we do so much.

91
00:06:59,180 --> 00:07:03,900
And we really take pride in using the children in the Spartanburg County to do that,

92
00:07:03,900 --> 00:07:05,700
because not everybody's in the sports.

93
00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:09,740
So there is an outlet for these folks who have a dream,

94
00:07:10,460 --> 00:07:12,720
and we can put it all together with them.

95
00:07:12,940 --> 00:07:13,680
Thank you.

96
00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:14,640
Thank you.

97
00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:15,540
Alia?

98
00:07:18,930 --> 00:07:23,430
My name is Aliaway. I live at 4 so if you're alive.

99
00:07:24,110 --> 00:07:25,350
I want to tell you.

100
00:07:26,090 --> 00:07:26,910
I'm in 4th grade.

101
00:07:27,110 --> 00:07:28,010
Go ahead.

102
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:38,020
I want to tell you my story. When I was at least 4, I always looked at the TV and said, Mom, I want to be on

103
00:07:38,020 --> 00:07:47,900
there one day. And soon as we found about, as found out about this, my mom got me straight into it. At first, I was a bit shy, and I didn't

104
00:07:47,900 --> 00:07:57,380
really want to talk to anybody. But when I got a little bit more into it, I was a lot more social and for my first show, it's called

105
00:07:57,380 --> 00:08:06,220
shop, it's not out yet, but I really thought it was like a great opportunity and I'm glad

106
00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:11,440
I have Miss Lisa and my mom and my family, which is the CISA family, thank you.

107
00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:12,300
Thank you.

108
00:08:14,980 --> 00:08:21,040
You're not shy anymore. Awesome, awesome. And I think Councilwoman Lodajon

109
00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:22,160
I love your shoes.

110
00:08:24,700 --> 00:08:26,420
I'll leave, no, we just add a link.

111
00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:27,440
Andrew,

112
00:08:30,970 --> 00:08:32,170
and I met you on yesterday.

113
00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:36,620
Oh, my name is Andrew Howell.

114
00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:38,200
I live at 8 o'clock in the Northgate

115
00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:39,760
and be records in Warsaw, Carolina.

116
00:08:42,150 --> 00:08:43,850
I am an eighth grader, a hyphenicademy,

117
00:08:44,170 --> 00:08:47,990
and I'm here to, and I am here with Cecilia Hc to express

118
00:08:48,510 --> 00:08:50,870
my excitement of what they've done for me.

119
00:08:51,490 --> 00:08:52,670
Cecilia has opened the door for me

120
00:08:52,670 --> 00:08:53,710
that would never be closed.

121
00:08:54,370 --> 00:08:55,790
Being with this wonderful Hc,

122
00:08:55,790 --> 00:09:00,850
I have been able to be in a TV series on Paramount Plus, commercials, and short films.

123
00:09:01,410 --> 00:09:06,330
I am so glad to see the growth in the arts, in Spartan-Bershuck Carolina, and I know we

124
00:09:06,330 --> 00:09:07,330
have greater things coming.

125
00:09:07,790 --> 00:09:09,590
Again, my name is Andrew Habwell, and thank you.

126
00:09:09,750 --> 00:09:10,470
Thank you.

127
00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:29,760
Burke, 2108 Cigraz Meal Road, Old Georgia,

128
00:09:32,540 --> 00:09:35,920
I've been active since 2010, I was roughly

129
00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:41,360
18 years old at the time, I've worked with Tyler Perry, Donald Sullivan, Helen Mayor

130
00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:47,380
Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughan, a lot of other people I'm probably forgetting, but I got an agent

131
00:09:47,380 --> 00:09:53,740
roughly 10 years ago in that line of area and it's nothing like this agency. This is

132
00:09:53,740 --> 00:10:00,640
a hands-on, it's the mother and uncle I never had in this industry. Like normally an agent

133
00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:06,820
you can't call them, you can't text them, you email them and wait and hope to hear back,

134
00:10:06,820 --> 00:10:14,500
But it'll not be a stupid question, that's not like that with these people. They're like family that I've never knew that I was meant to be with

135
00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:17,000
And they will get on me when I mess up

136
00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:24,680
They are hurt me when I do good. I am extremely grateful to be part of the South Carolina film

137
00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,820
Tell the vision. Thank you. Was that two minutes?

138
00:10:31,540 --> 00:10:37,340
You know, you good, thank you, Bird Madison, we appreciate you making that dry.

139
00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:43,480
And before we move on, Lisa and Stephen, thank you guys.

140
00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:48,820
I was invited out one Saturday morning, that's what got them here, and they just showed

141
00:10:48,820 --> 00:10:50,160
me a little bit of what they did.

142
00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:55,020
We had a quick little bird blur to Tyler Perry.

143
00:10:55,020 --> 00:11:01,000
They were actually sitting tied up Tyler Perry some information and they actually put the mayor in the middle of it

144
00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,920
I hope I didn't mess anything up. I definitely didn't speak

145
00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:11,780
But just thank you. Thank you for what you guys have done for this community. We really do appreciate it. Thank you

146
00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:13,940
Yes, yes, yes, yes,

147
00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,760
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, we've been all we have a chance to abroad.

148
00:11:33,940 --> 00:11:35,840
Good afternoon. Good evening

149
00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:37,000
Mayor council

150
00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:45,960
city staff, Mitch Kennedy, Chris Story, Jamie Sally, just for you.

151
00:11:47,140 --> 00:11:51,740
Back in January, I spoke about Robert Smalls and I haven't eaten, we still have the same

152
00:11:51,740 --> 00:11:52,440
issue.

153
00:11:52,980 --> 00:11:55,000
160 units without heat.

154
00:11:55,200 --> 00:12:02,040
That's not data that I was presented to Jerome Rice on February 1st at 10.49 a.m.

155
00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:09,020
message. I know Chris Stortman said it's one unit, it's multiple units, it's

156
00:12:09,020 --> 00:12:15,700
followed the issue. I'll dress back on last council meeting. When will we have a set

157
00:12:15,700 --> 00:12:20,860
down with the owner and a developer as a whole? We need that. You promise me that in

158
00:12:20,860 --> 00:12:22,840
January, we still haven't got that

159
00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:31,240
done. Okay, thank you, sir. We usually don't give

160
00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:38,740
responses to these, but the meeting that's coming up March 7th with the 10th is that Robert

161
00:12:38,740 --> 00:12:42,060
Smaller saw throughout the day.

162
00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:42,780
Mitch, go ahead.

163
00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:43,740
If you don't mind.

164
00:12:43,920 --> 00:12:44,240
Miss Kennedy.

165
00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:51,280
Our community really self is working with the management and ownership of Robert Smaller's

166
00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:55,140
and there is a schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

167
00:12:55,300 --> 00:13:00,940
Based upon your building number, you will have opportunity to meet directly with members

168
00:13:00,940 --> 00:13:02,920
of city team, the United Way team,

169
00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:05,300
police department, service providers,

170
00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,200
ownership, about Robert Smalls.

171
00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:12,100
And this is an opportunity for us to really provide

172
00:13:12,100 --> 00:13:13,640
a broader context to opportunities

173
00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,000
for those residents that are there.

174
00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:16,240
Thank you, sir.

175
00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:20,300
Mr. LeBronz, and we definitely don't try to take this lightly,

176
00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,100
this situation, but we're doing all we can.

177
00:13:23,220 --> 00:13:24,800
Thank you, thank you for your comments

178
00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,180
and keeping us abreast of what's happening.

179
00:13:28,560 --> 00:13:38,920
Now we have an item 6, Sponberg high school class of 1973 special presentation.

180
00:13:41,550 --> 00:13:44,950
Let's go white, moving a little slow back there.

181
00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:56,020
Good afternoon.

182
00:13:56,180 --> 00:13:57,240
I still had to put a jayman.

183
00:13:58,220 --> 00:13:59,680
Come on up, class of 73.

184
00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:01,180
Come on up.

185
00:14:40,110 --> 00:14:42,890
Yep, just A at the mic so everybody can hear it.

186
00:14:42,890 --> 00:14:44,350
Go go into the mic.

187
00:14:47,740 --> 00:14:48,440
Good afternoon, everyone.

188
00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:54,220
My name is Richard Schryppelin and we are here at Rutgers in the class of

189
00:14:54,220 --> 00:14:58,220
Sponere High School, class of 1973, in a...

190
00:15:01,140 --> 00:15:03,320
Just had our reunion, okay.

191
00:15:09,610 --> 00:15:28,170
So in honor that we here today to recognize the classmate of ours, you know, we're going to present this award to Ms. K. Lombrandon. She was first by Merit City firefighter. This is K. First female firefighter. First African American firefighter.

192
00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:41,280
We're a her career high-lice include five-fighter, five-captum, sergeant in Lieutenant.

193
00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:47,220
Okay, Ms. Brown and she service farmers said it in his, in his, in his, in his

194
00:15:47,220 --> 00:15:53,560
residence for 23 years, all we lead by examples in respect, in this is from his

195
00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:55,540
primary house to the class of 73.

196
00:16:24,710 --> 00:16:25,150
Thank you.

197
00:16:25,790 --> 00:16:26,010
Thank you.

198
00:16:26,010 --> 00:16:26,310
Thank you.

199
00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:34,020
Ms. Long, and before you go to your seat, thank you for your time.

200
00:16:34,020 --> 00:16:39,800
your service and what you've done for Spartanburg. I know you retired quite some time ago and

201
00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:46,740
you enjoy your retirement. I see you and your family back in the back there but we know that

202
00:16:46,740 --> 00:16:54,900
you also have an honor coming up as well with the Southside Cultural Memorial that will be going

203
00:16:54,900 --> 00:17:01,260
up as well. So I know your pitch will be there. So congratulations to you. Congratulations again to

204
00:17:01,260 --> 00:17:04,340
1973 go Vikings also

205
00:17:32,850 --> 00:17:37,030
to anyone that you know you're more than welcome to stay

206
00:17:37,030 --> 00:17:41,790
and I'm not by any means letting you guys kicking you out but if our young

207
00:17:41,790 --> 00:17:45,470
people need to go home and get some homework done

208
00:17:45,470 --> 00:17:51,720
you just ruined it for me thank

209
00:17:57,230 --> 00:17:59,670
you thank you thank you thank

210
00:18:08,340 --> 00:18:08,780
you

211
00:18:08,780 --> 00:18:09,980
I mean, come on now.

212
00:18:10,420 --> 00:18:10,660
Come on.

213
00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:17,700
I'm gonna get this thing, because we're gonna go right into item seven.

214
00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:20,280
Item seven, we have the word relief.

215
00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,560
Upstate, South Carolina presentation Mr. Brandon.

216
00:18:25,390 --> 00:18:26,650
Bond, director.

217
00:18:27,350 --> 00:18:29,450
Just give him a couple more minutes, Brandon, please.

218
00:18:30,210 --> 00:18:32,450
Mr. Abuse after you're more than welcome the state.

219
00:19:16,580 --> 00:19:19,020
Mayor Rice and Council Member Scrapey here.

220
00:19:19,300 --> 00:19:22,720
And just really appreciate you inviting world-releaved presence.

221
00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:33,360
And my name is Brandon Bonne and I am director for World Relief Upstate South Carolina, and I just want to share today about a growing community in Spartanburg, one that is often

222
00:19:34,220 --> 00:19:46,280
that the broader communities not aware of, and just want to share a little bit about who they are, where they're coming from, and then the services that we provide at World Relief, but also this support that Spartanburg County has been providing to this community.

223
00:19:46,280 --> 00:20:08,140
So, at World Relief, we believe in welcoming the stranger, we believe in, you know, as those who are coming from overseas immigrants and refugees are coming here, we are here to really walk alongside them and to really mobilize the community to kind of come alongside them and help them integrate into life here.

224
00:20:08,140 --> 00:20:15,720
Our office opened actually in Spartanburg and around 2015, we moved more recently to Greenville,

225
00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:23,540
where we're based out of now, but we do continue to settle, we'll see some numbers on who's coming to Spartanburg specifically.

226
00:20:24,580 --> 00:20:31,020
But when we talk about refugees, I do like to just kind of make sure we're talking about, we're on the same page about who we're talking about.

227
00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:35,320
It's a very specific group of immigrants within the broader immigrant community.

228
00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:43,040
And it's a group that meets a definition that was set in 1951, and it is someone who is unable

229
00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:48,160
or unwilling to return to their country of origin, because of a well-founded fear of being

230
00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:48,740
persecuted.

231
00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:53,500
About something about who they are, so their identity, something they cannot easily change.

232
00:20:53,920 --> 00:21:00,180
That typically falls within these categories of their race, their religion, nationality, membership

233
00:21:00,180 --> 00:21:02,860
of a particular social group, or political opinion.

234
00:21:02,860 --> 00:21:13,620
So when we talk about refugees, again, we're talking about people who fit this definition, but also for those coming to the United States, we're talking about a group of people that have gone through a specific process.

235
00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:22,060
So we do often make the distinction between those who have come and are seeking asylum at the border. This would be a different category of immigrant.

236
00:21:22,260 --> 00:21:29,040
These are individuals who typically are in a border country. We'll see some of the quick facts around who refugees are.

237
00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:34,220
But those who have gone through that refugee journey, initially they flee their home country,

238
00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:38,280
typically by foot, they go to a border country, and then they'll apply it to the UN,

239
00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:40,820
or the group within the UN that works with refugees.

240
00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:47,380
And that begins this very long journey where in the beginning they don't actually know where they will end up.

241
00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:51,280
They have no idea if they will get to the United States or they'll get to a different country,

242
00:21:51,620 --> 00:21:53,340
or if they may never be resettled at all.

243
00:21:53,340 --> 00:21:59,620
And so that during that process, then they go through the UNHCR, they get referred if they're

244
00:21:59,620 --> 00:22:04,760
selected, they will be referred to the United States and then USCIS will kind of oversee

245
00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:08,120
that vetting process and that background check while they're still overseas.

246
00:22:09,020 --> 00:22:13,240
If they clear that and they're approved, then the United States will invite them to come

247
00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:15,000
into the United States as a refugee.

248
00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:17,240
So those are the individuals that we're talking about.

249
00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:21,660
Those are the primarily the individuals that world relief works with here in the United States.

250
00:22:24,900 --> 00:22:29,980
Just one, some of the facts that people are not necessarily aware of when talking about the broader globe.

251
00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:37,480
Global refugee crisis, but 85% of refugees are in countries that do border. So, I used to work in Pakistan.

252
00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:42,820
And a lot of the refugees that come out of Afghanistan end up in places like Pakistan.

253
00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:50,380
So, we do get some here in the United States, but the numbers are quite insignificant compared to those who are in those border countries.

254
00:22:50,380 --> 00:22:52,920
78% of refugees are independent.

255
00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:59,460
We often have pictures of refugees who are in these kind of refugee camps run by UNHCR

256
00:22:59,460 --> 00:23:05,340
different agencies, but the reality is that those refugees who do flee their home country

257
00:23:05,340 --> 00:23:10,200
tend to have to kind of work their own way through those transition countries and make their

258
00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:11,940
own way in that journey.

259
00:23:12,580 --> 00:23:16,340
And then roughly half a percent are resettled to a final destination country.

260
00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:19,320
So right now there's over 30 million refugees in the world.

261
00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:25,000
those who have been displaced by war, conflict, and war persecuted, and of that number every year,

262
00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:29,320
less than half a percent get to a place like the United States where they can actually have a long-term

263
00:23:30,820 --> 00:23:36,360
kind of opportunity for citizenship, resettlement, and setting up a new life.

264
00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:44,900
Over 50% of refugees globally are children. We definitely see that in the families that come in.

265
00:23:44,900 --> 00:23:50,760
will often have larger families, will have families of eight or nine even where there are many

266
00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,980
children under the age of 18. And so a big part of what we do is helping them with education

267
00:23:54,980 --> 00:24:00,620
getting them connected to schools here in Spartanburg. A lot of times people are kind of curious

268
00:24:00,620 --> 00:24:05,400
like who are refugees but also what is that process that journey that I just showed you how long

269
00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:14,880
that typically take? And so one of the groups that we work with quite a bit are refugees from the

270
00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:16,340
and look at their case and their file

271
00:24:16,340 --> 00:24:18,260
and see how long they've been in this process.

272
00:24:18,540 --> 00:24:20,060
So from the point where they flee their country

273
00:24:20,060 --> 00:24:21,500
to the point where they get here,

274
00:24:21,820 --> 00:24:23,320
fly into the Greenville Spartan Brewer Airport

275
00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:25,520
and have the opportunity to establish home

276
00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:27,280
is on average over 10 years.

277
00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:29,600
So during that time, they're going through background checks

278
00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:31,720
and vetting before they arrive.

279
00:24:32,140 --> 00:24:33,000
And then once they arrive,

280
00:24:33,020 --> 00:24:34,180
that's when they're actually finally

281
00:24:34,180 --> 00:24:36,940
for the first time able to really look towards their future.

282
00:24:37,780 --> 00:24:41,060
And then the primary countries that come into the United States

283
00:24:41,060 --> 00:24:42,900
and we see some of these populations

284
00:24:42,900 --> 00:24:48,080
coming into Spartanburg as well would be the Democratic Republic Congo, this is, you know,

285
00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:54,320
since between 2017 and 2022. There's also many coming in from Burma. We've seen an increase

286
00:24:54,320 --> 00:25:00,060
in Burmese refugees coming in to Greenville in Spartanburg. You crane. There's a lot of

287
00:25:00,060 --> 00:25:04,660
Ukrainians as you are very well aware who have come in recently since the war that broke out.

288
00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:09,480
We do support and work with them as well. These Ukrainians that come through the refugee pipeline

289
00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:13,560
are in a slightly different category, they're typically persecuted for their faith as Christians.

290
00:25:15,220 --> 00:25:18,720
And then we also have, and this is to the United States, these are not numbers for the

291
00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:22,380
upstate, but to the United States would be also Syrians and Afghans.

292
00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:28,920
So what does that mean for the upstate and those that are coming in through our office specifically?

293
00:25:29,700 --> 00:25:36,360
So this fiscal year, so the year resettlement year follows an October to September calendar.

294
00:25:36,360 --> 00:25:43,320
This fiscal year, the administration has set a cap of 125,000 refugees to come in the United States.

295
00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:49,020
And that is going to be a much higher number than we have done as a country in recent years.

296
00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:54,360
And so we are looking at a record number for those coming into the UF State through our office.

297
00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:57,280
And that will be about 325 for this year.

298
00:25:57,340 --> 00:26:02,420
Already we've seen where we have traveled booked for 187 individuals coming here.

299
00:26:02,900 --> 00:26:08,040
We see that many of them in a growing number actually coming from Central and South America.

300
00:26:08,180 --> 00:26:12,980
This is because of the administration's policies and kind of a shift in focus from some

301
00:26:12,980 --> 00:26:15,600
other countries that have been the primary focus in years past.

302
00:26:15,980 --> 00:26:21,200
But we still have many coming from Asia, so that would be a lot of Burmese, Rohingya and Karin

303
00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:23,520
speaking refugees coming in.

304
00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:27,860
Many coming in from Africa, the majority from Africa would be from the Democratic Republic

305
00:26:27,860 --> 00:26:32,700
Congo and these are typically going again to be Christians that have been persecuted for

306
00:26:32,700 --> 00:26:36,380
elements of their faith or political persecution as well.

307
00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:42,180
Mina or the Middle East North Africa region and kind of having people come in from that

308
00:26:42,180 --> 00:26:46,260
part of the country and then eastern Europe as well. Again for eastern Europe is going to

309
00:26:46,260 --> 00:26:57,840
primarily be Ukrainians and people from those slotted countries. And where are they end up

310
00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:03,900
we've resettled for this year, you can see that we have a pretty even breakdown between Greenville

311
00:27:03,900 --> 00:27:09,540
and Spartanburg, with about 26% in Spartanburg proper, but then also in boiling springs.

312
00:27:10,120 --> 00:27:11,980
We have 14%.

313
00:27:11,980 --> 00:27:16,560
We do have some, not too many, we do have some that end up leaving the state to go to a different

314
00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:20,180
place where they have family or others that might be able to support them as well.

315
00:27:20,580 --> 00:27:25,460
So these are the individuals that we are serving and where we're placing them.

316
00:27:26,100 --> 00:27:35,280
The role of world relief in this process and actually a resettlement agency, we don't handle the vetting the background, that's handled by USCIS and different ones.

317
00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:48,780
But we are the organization we partner with the federal government in this program and they notify us when they're going to be coming in and we'll meet them at the airport and then we'll help them kind of become established and integrate into the community here in these nine different sectors.

318
00:27:48,780 --> 00:27:56,000
And so we really focus on affordable housing, we focus on access to health care, access to education in employment.

319
00:27:56,120 --> 00:28:01,020
These are kind of the big areas that we work in, although we are providing supports in different ways, as well.

320
00:28:04,270 --> 00:28:06,050
And then, let's see here.

321
00:28:07,830 --> 00:28:15,130
I think, so we do have one of our main programs is a 90-day program, but then we also have wrap around services for them as well.

322
00:28:15,130 --> 00:28:21,710
But at the center of this is the support of employment services.

323
00:28:21,970 --> 00:28:24,150
So in Spartanburg, specifically, we have a lot of great partners.

324
00:28:24,390 --> 00:28:30,330
We have groups like Tytex, a contact that are partnering with us, and they actually do tend

325
00:28:30,330 --> 00:28:31,030
to come to us.

326
00:28:31,090 --> 00:28:33,690
A lot of times people will ask if it's hard to find a refugee a job.

327
00:28:34,290 --> 00:28:38,450
The reality is that we rarely have to make cool calls, typically businesses come to us and

328
00:28:38,450 --> 00:28:41,750
ask if we have anyone that can fill these openings in their companies.

329
00:28:42,510 --> 00:28:44,190
We also work with a lot of the school districts.

330
00:28:44,190 --> 00:28:47,450
We have an education specialist who works with a lot of school districts.

331
00:28:47,930 --> 00:28:54,890
We have a lot of people in school districts, six and seven here, where they've been really supportive of the refugee children that we're bringing in,

332
00:28:54,890 --> 00:28:58,030
meeting with the parents, helping them navigate that really difficult process.

333
00:28:58,710 --> 00:29:04,190
And then we are a faith-based organization, so we are a Christian organization, so we have a lot of church partners here as well.

334
00:29:04,230 --> 00:29:11,210
Groups like First Baptist, First Pres, Westminster, where they are coming alongside and they'll help us by providing volunteers,

335
00:29:11,210 --> 00:29:15,890
by providing funding. And that's really when we get excited when we see that community

336
00:29:15,890 --> 00:29:20,650
created where those who are here who are established in the community are able to

337
00:29:20,650 --> 00:29:25,010
welcome them support them and then help them learn how to integrate here. So those are the

338
00:29:25,010 --> 00:29:30,510
services that we're providing in Spartanburg. Some of the challenges that we do face in that

339
00:29:30,510 --> 00:29:35,830
refugees face are not unique to just them, but they do have a difficulty in accessing affordable

340
00:29:35,830 --> 00:29:41,970
housing, which seems to be more and more distant for a lot of people in America, but that

341
00:29:41,970 --> 00:29:47,210
is definitely the case also for refugees who are coming in. Also transportation is difficult

342
00:29:47,210 --> 00:29:51,650
when they come in, they can actually take a driver's test for six months after they arrive and so

343
00:29:51,650 --> 00:29:57,690
to get them to work and to just get those basic things covered, can be a huge obstacle to that.

344
00:29:57,690 --> 00:29:59,970
and so we work with different partners to be able to meet.

345
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:09,840
That need and support them. That's what we're doing. In one of the ways that we would love for more participation, we do have quarterly meetings, consultations.

346
00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:27,640
These are required by PRM, our federal partner. But there are also ways where we find we're able to share the word about who's coming in, who are these new individuals coming in to Spartanburg and Greenville, how can different sectors and communities support them, how can we make needs known.

347
00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:31,720
And so we would love to add anyone to that email list for those invites.

348
00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:33,280
They happen every three months.

349
00:30:33,900 --> 00:30:37,740
They're virtual meetings, so they're easy to kind of plug into, so if anyone is ever interested

350
00:30:37,740 --> 00:30:42,560
in joining those and learning more about what's going on in the community here amongst refugees,

351
00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:44,160
we would love to have you.

352
00:30:44,380 --> 00:30:45,020
Thank you.

353
00:30:46,670 --> 00:30:46,970
Any questions?

354
00:30:47,690 --> 00:30:48,130
Mr. Mayor.

355
00:30:48,570 --> 00:30:56,170
Thank you, Brandon, for coming back in 2015 when Spartanburg first became a refugee site,

356
00:30:56,170 --> 00:30:59,250
of first refugee lived with my family for a summer.

357
00:30:59,530 --> 00:31:02,330
And we had a wonderful time getting to know him.

358
00:31:02,330 --> 00:31:04,290
He was from the DRC.

359
00:31:04,950 --> 00:31:07,370
So this is a topic very close to my heart.

360
00:31:07,610 --> 00:31:10,330
And I think Spark worked as a good job in talking

361
00:31:10,330 --> 00:31:12,350
about equity and racial equity.

362
00:31:12,550 --> 00:31:17,410
And I think sometimes we can expand that conversation

363
00:31:17,410 --> 00:31:22,030
beyond what it traditionally has been to include newcomers

364
00:31:22,030 --> 00:31:24,370
to our country and language barriers.

365
00:31:24,370 --> 00:31:31,750
and all of the type of things that this particular population faces, two questions for you.

366
00:31:32,670 --> 00:31:38,010
How many since 2015, would you say, are living here in the upstair?

367
00:31:38,230 --> 00:31:41,330
I know many have become naturalized and are citizens now.

368
00:31:41,710 --> 00:31:47,470
And then the second question is, how can we, as a council, or as a city, better advocate,

369
00:31:47,790 --> 00:31:51,450
or support you all in serving refugees here?

370
00:31:51,450 --> 00:31:52,390
Yeah, absolutely.

371
00:31:53,210 --> 00:31:57,910
So we've had about, we're seeing an increase every year currently under the current administration

372
00:31:57,910 --> 00:31:59,250
every year.

373
00:31:59,310 --> 00:32:03,790
Last year, it was about 225 this year through 125 individuals coming in to the upstate.

374
00:32:04,290 --> 00:32:07,710
There is, it should, I would like to know, there is another agency, Lutheran services.

375
00:32:08,130 --> 00:32:10,450
They're not, they've just rebranded it to global refuge, I believe.

376
00:32:11,090 --> 00:32:15,930
They also are a resettlement agency and they're apart, like we work in collaboration with

377
00:32:15,930 --> 00:32:16,690
them.

378
00:32:16,930 --> 00:32:19,830
They'll be seeing this year about 300 individuals coming in.

379
00:32:19,830 --> 00:32:23,430
and they work from Anderson across through Spartanburg as well.

380
00:32:23,770 --> 00:32:30,490
And so this year alone, we'll probably see around 600 to 650 individuals coming in.

381
00:32:30,650 --> 00:32:37,990
This is not include the 400 or so Ukrainians that will be supporting through our temporary services.

382
00:32:38,030 --> 00:32:42,190
These are individuals that are not here long-term as refugees, the plan is for them to go back,

383
00:32:42,470 --> 00:32:46,370
but we do provide services for them here as well. So over a thousand for this year,

384
00:32:46,370 --> 00:32:52,430
In terms of arrivals, since we first opened, I would say probably we're going to about

385
00:32:52,430 --> 00:32:59,830
16,700 total, we'll probably cross 2,000 here in the near future for that.

386
00:33:00,590 --> 00:33:04,630
And these are, again, individuals that come with permanent legal status, there isn't any

387
00:33:04,630 --> 00:33:05,870
possibility of them being returned.

388
00:33:06,650 --> 00:33:09,070
And so integration into local communities is always that goal.

389
00:33:09,290 --> 00:33:15,210
And so the support of, you know, you all, and just, even that awareness a lot of times when

390
00:33:15,210 --> 00:33:16,650
We mentioned that we work with refugees.

391
00:33:16,810 --> 00:33:19,910
The first reaction is, oh, I didn't know there were refugees here in Spartanburg.

392
00:33:20,310 --> 00:33:24,310
So just that awareness and being able to share in certain circles and communities that

393
00:33:24,310 --> 00:33:29,930
this is a growing population, not huge by some standards, but it is a growing population.

394
00:33:30,710 --> 00:33:34,730
So just that awareness and being able to advocate for them in school systems and in businesses

395
00:33:34,730 --> 00:33:37,350
and in faith groups around here to support.

396
00:33:38,610 --> 00:33:38,910
Yeah.

397
00:33:38,910 --> 00:33:40,090
One more thing.

398
00:33:40,090 --> 00:33:47,250
Our entire police leadership is sitting right behind you, and they're going to present after it's not to put them on a spot.

399
00:33:48,150 --> 00:33:53,210
But if there's any opportunities to better collaborate with our police department,

400
00:33:53,330 --> 00:34:04,070
I know that they would welcome the opportunity as I'm sure many of refugees don't have a positive relationship,

401
00:34:04,070 --> 00:34:07,490
that may be with law enforcement in their country,

402
00:34:07,770 --> 00:34:08,690
their fleeing from.

403
00:34:09,090 --> 00:34:11,250
And I know there's a lot of cultural differences.

404
00:34:12,370 --> 00:34:14,710
And so if we can ever best support you

405
00:34:14,710 --> 00:34:17,830
in whether it's language access or helping them understand

406
00:34:17,830 --> 00:34:21,250
how do you call 911, what does that look like?

407
00:34:21,950 --> 00:34:23,610
I'm volunteering our police department.

408
00:34:24,390 --> 00:34:24,990
I'm going to go like this.

409
00:34:25,270 --> 00:34:25,870
What do you think?

410
00:34:26,550 --> 00:34:29,670
But we would love, in these quarterly meetings also,

411
00:34:29,850 --> 00:34:31,230
would love to just invite you as well.

412
00:34:31,570 --> 00:34:33,950
We have, I believe we have Greenville Police Department

413
00:34:33,950 --> 00:34:39,350
represented, we would love to have Spartan Burke as well. One of the groups that we are really

414
00:34:39,350 --> 00:34:43,930
wanting to be intentional with for many of the reasons that you just said is local law enforcement.

415
00:34:44,970 --> 00:34:48,590
And we've had local law enforcement come to certain events just to be able to meet and

416
00:34:48,590 --> 00:34:52,810
greet and to kind of show them that, hey, we're here to support and encourage where

417
00:34:52,810 --> 00:34:56,450
their experience, where they were coming from, that group may have been the one targeting them.

418
00:34:56,550 --> 00:35:01,170
And so it is, there is that obstacle, but we've found that they're quite receptive, just once they

419
00:35:01,170 --> 00:35:05,050
I've had that, you know, friendly face and have a chance to interact on that level.

420
00:35:06,150 --> 00:35:06,310
Yeah.

421
00:35:06,310 --> 00:35:06,530
Awesome.

422
00:35:06,730 --> 00:35:06,970
Awesome.

423
00:35:07,190 --> 00:35:09,370
Any other questions of Brendan?

424
00:35:10,110 --> 00:35:13,270
Brendan, I just want to thank you for your presentation and thank you for what

425
00:35:13,270 --> 00:35:17,890
you do what we're really, as it is for definitely needed and as we move forward, we are.

426
00:35:17,930 --> 00:35:19,850
We are here to help in any way we can.

427
00:35:19,970 --> 00:35:20,550
I appreciate that.

428
00:35:20,810 --> 00:35:21,650
And thanks again for having us.

429
00:35:21,770 --> 00:35:22,150
We appreciate that.

430
00:35:22,170 --> 00:35:22,890
Thank you, sir.

431
00:35:26,490 --> 00:35:34,550
Item 8 Presentation from the Spumber Police Department, Crime Stats, Updates and Presentation,

432
00:35:34,750 --> 00:35:39,190
Chief Alomso Thompson, as well as Deputy Chief Jennifer Kendall.

433
00:35:40,890 --> 00:35:42,990
Thank you, good evening to all of you.

434
00:35:43,030 --> 00:35:43,550
Good evening.

435
00:35:44,150 --> 00:35:45,650
I'm not Chief Alomso Thompson.

436
00:35:46,350 --> 00:35:52,710
I saw you getting up, but he is going to be the closer this evening.

437
00:35:52,710 --> 00:36:13,530
And I'm going to open by going through the stats and my challenge to each of you as we go through the data is that you look at it with the intent of helping us identify ways that we can enhance safety and livability in our city.

438
00:36:14,050 --> 00:36:20,050
And the chief will echo again to you that safety is whose responsibility?

439
00:36:21,370 --> 00:36:22,090
everyone.

440
00:36:22,870 --> 00:36:23,350
Exactly.

441
00:36:23,970 --> 00:36:25,530
So, thank you.

442
00:36:26,710 --> 00:36:31,190
We are here to talk about our 2023 crime data.

443
00:36:32,630 --> 00:36:39,630
And so, we're going to start by looking at the 27 years of benchmark prize.

444
00:36:40,350 --> 00:36:45,410
And we show you this slide because we want you to get the overall picture,

445
00:36:45,410 --> 00:36:52,750
the broad picture of the decline of criminal incidents overall in our city.

446
00:36:53,550 --> 00:36:57,690
And this shows you what has been happening for the past 27 years.

447
00:36:58,350 --> 00:37:05,290
Although you will see that there was a slight uptick last year in some areas not all.

448
00:37:08,920 --> 00:37:12,720
When we talk about the 27 years of benchmark crimes,

449
00:37:12,720 --> 00:37:21,760
We want to talk about violent crimes and other crimes against persons, and then this slide

450
00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:29,560
shows you the comparison of the reported incidents, the number of incidents, how they

451
00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:29,840
I'm here.

452
00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:37,060
That each other, the crimes, the within persons crimes, compared to other persons crime.

453
00:37:40,820 --> 00:37:55,620
As we look at our 27 years, we also should look at shoplifting, deaf from vehicles and other property crimes, and you will see what the trends have been over the 27 years for that.

454
00:37:58,910 --> 00:38:07,230
When we talk about our 10 years of index crimes, and this really is the number that most people

455
00:38:07,230 --> 00:38:14,550
look to see, and they want to understand, and they want to talk about, as I mentioned our index crimes,

456
00:38:14,550 --> 00:38:41,190
we had a slight uptick in 2023, 3% over above the 10 year average and from 2021 to 2022 we had 59 fewer reported incidents and then from 2022 to 2023 the uptick was 254 reported incidents.

457
00:38:41,190 --> 00:39:01,850
One additional list too many, we want to work to reduce those numbers, as always, and we encourage everyone in our community to think of ways and to embrace ways that we can not only make ourselves safer, but our community as a whole.

458
00:39:03,640 --> 00:39:06,140
There is a density map.

459
00:39:07,380 --> 00:39:13,180
As you look at the density map, 88% of all index crimes are property crimes.

460
00:39:14,160 --> 00:39:18,200
And 21% of those index crimes were shoplifting.

461
00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:24,680
And I know it will not surprise you because we've told you year after year after year,

462
00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:29,900
that there are two areas in our city when we talk about property crimes,

463
00:39:29,900 --> 00:39:37,740
that creates the density, the areas near the Dorman Center, and the Walmart Shop and Center

464
00:39:37,740 --> 00:39:45,740
on East Main Street, and I can remember probably 10 years ago, a saying we have to recognize

465
00:39:45,740 --> 00:39:53,300
that Spartanburg is a destination, and I think we say this probably in every presentation,

466
00:39:53,300 --> 00:39:59,020
what community our size has as many wallmarks as we do.

467
00:40:00,120 --> 00:40:02,540
Some folks built it and guess what?

468
00:40:02,800 --> 00:40:03,320
They came.

469
00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:04,540
They came.

470
00:40:04,740 --> 00:40:09,360
And chief and then I'm glad not deputy chief to that point.

471
00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:12,120
And just since even 97,

472
00:40:14,420 --> 00:40:16,380
the shot lift in his pretty much

473
00:40:16,380 --> 00:40:22,100
stay consistent throughout is just an opportunity because of those.

474
00:40:22,100 --> 00:40:26,020
I don't, ESA didn't come in night before 97 did it.

475
00:40:26,160 --> 00:40:26,400
The long long.

476
00:40:26,420 --> 00:40:27,600
They came after.

477
00:40:27,740 --> 00:40:30,800
Dormon Center was there first, and then I built a one under ESA.

478
00:40:31,260 --> 00:40:33,900
And now we have the one, the C-dismorting.

479
00:40:35,900 --> 00:40:44,820
But those locations continue to be generators of our incident reports for shoplifting incidents.

480
00:40:46,540 --> 00:40:50,940
But later on, in the presentation, you're going to see we're going to talk about, and

481
00:40:50,940 --> 00:40:53,160
And I know you always look for it to this slide

482
00:40:53,160 --> 00:40:56,860
where we talk about where do our arrestees come from.

483
00:40:56,900 --> 00:40:58,820
And we'll talk about that, just shortly.

484
00:40:59,940 --> 00:41:03,320
When we look at the 10 years of crime against property,

485
00:41:03,340 --> 00:41:10,420
property crimes for 20, 23 were 4% above the 10-year average.

486
00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:18,540
Violet crimes.

487
00:41:20,340 --> 00:41:24,560
No one wants their community to be plagued by incidents

488
00:41:24,560 --> 00:41:25,780
of Violet crimes.

489
00:41:25,780 --> 00:41:38,580
But they happen everywhere and so last year our violent crimes were down 11.2% below the

490
00:41:38,580 --> 00:41:50,180
10-year average for 2023 we were up 1% compared to the 10-year average and that equated

491
00:41:50,180 --> 00:41:56,080
to 34 additional incidents, then we're reported last year.

492
00:41:57,940 --> 00:42:03,580
Approximately 75% of our violent crimes reported violent crimes

493
00:42:03,580 --> 00:42:09,900
were aggravated assault, 61% percent involved in a

494
00:42:09,900 --> 00:42:15,100
large involvement of a firearm, and that's critically important

495
00:42:15,100 --> 00:42:18,460
because later on we're going to talk about those firearms.

496
00:42:18,460 --> 00:42:29,160
Councilwoman Smith and 18% of those incidents involve domestic violence or an incident

497
00:42:29,160 --> 00:42:37,720
of often child abuse or neglect and you ask, where are the hotspots? The areas near

498
00:42:37,720 --> 00:42:43,500
the intersections of waffered street and Baltimore street and crescent avenue and

499
00:42:43,500 --> 00:42:44,840
in Pine Needle Drive.

500
00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:47,680
That's the generators of the density.

501
00:42:50,190 --> 00:42:52,590
Firearms, stolen firearms.

502
00:42:53,410 --> 00:42:57,350
This slide shows you the number of reported incidents

503
00:42:58,490 --> 00:43:03,110
and the categories where firearms were reported stolen

504
00:43:03,110 --> 00:43:04,090
in reports.

505
00:43:05,010 --> 00:43:08,810
There were a total of 139 reported.

506
00:43:09,330 --> 00:43:12,450
And I stress reported because oftentimes,

507
00:43:12,450 --> 00:43:22,290
Irresponsible gun owners don't know that their firearms have been stolen and that's that.

508
00:43:23,390 --> 00:43:40,710
So 76 of the 139 were taken from vehicles and I always say they were giveaways and 86% of those incidents based on the information and the investigation

509
00:43:40,710 --> 00:43:48,470
once the officers arrived on the scene showed no signs of forced entry. So the question is,

510
00:43:48,610 --> 00:43:59,210
why are we giving guns away? So we have to be responsible gun owners. 78 were reported in 2022

511
00:43:59,990 --> 00:44:09,430
and 81% of those showed no signs of forced entry. So let's talk just briefly about workflow

512
00:44:09,430 --> 00:44:16,730
what work flow does, you get the monthly report every month, I believe that shows you the work flow.

513
00:44:17,190 --> 00:44:23,250
And this is to help you get an understanding of how are we spending our time.

514
00:44:24,090 --> 00:44:29,850
And when the chief comes, he's going to talk about some of the data that we're looking at now

515
00:44:29,850 --> 00:44:36,560
and offer some suggestions as to what are some things that we can do to free up some of this time

516
00:44:36,560 --> 00:44:44,540
so that officers have more time, more non-directed time to spend in our neighborhoods.

517
00:44:46,520 --> 00:44:54,140
We had 84,000 over 84,000 dispatches from the communication center,

518
00:44:55,760 --> 00:44:59,980
and some of those involved multiple officers.

519
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:11,980
Sir's being dispatched to one particular incident. And then there were 77, almost 78,000 cadvents. The other

520
00:45:11,980 --> 00:45:16,860
thing I want you to look at that box that's highlighted in yellow in the top right-hand corner.

521
00:45:17,940 --> 00:45:28,900
Officers issued 2,391 warnings to individuals. There were 4,425 citations. That

522
00:45:28,900 --> 00:45:37,000
issued, they conducted field interviews, they signed a restaurant and they arrested individuals

523
00:45:37,000 --> 00:45:44,180
for outstanding arrest warrants and we do a ton of writing when you look at the supplemental

524
00:45:44,180 --> 00:45:45,000
reports.

525
00:45:49,380 --> 00:45:58,000
When we talk about when reports so when calls for service to take in place, look back,

526
00:45:58,000 --> 00:46:09,600
look back at our 2022 numbers and the time that they were reported compared to 2023, it's a

527
00:46:09,600 --> 00:46:20,320
little bit later in the day in 2023 than it was in 2022 and you see that the day of the

528
00:46:20,320 --> 00:46:23,840
that crimes are most reported is on a Friday.

529
00:46:25,920 --> 00:46:30,740
Wednesdays was the highest date last year when we did the report.

530
00:46:33,860 --> 00:46:40,220
Accident calls, collisions, something that's very prevalent on all of our minds,

531
00:46:41,100 --> 00:46:43,060
and I will say this to you.

532
00:46:43,760 --> 00:46:52,340
The state of South Carolina, the upstate, not just Spartanburg, many, many collisions, too many.

533
00:46:53,400 --> 00:46:56,780
And I will tell you, we all get excited when we get grants, right?

534
00:46:57,500 --> 00:46:58,900
We have a traffic grant.

535
00:46:59,500 --> 00:47:02,860
And we continue to get that traffic grant because we're a high-crash area.

536
00:47:04,040 --> 00:47:10,780
And there are some things that each of us individually we need to do to address this issue.

537
00:47:10,780 --> 00:47:21,420
But the good thing is, most of the equival accidents were down 3% below the 5-year average.

538
00:47:24,070 --> 00:47:33,010
Calls for service as it relates to psychological calls, there were 13% above the 5-year average.

539
00:47:33,870 --> 00:47:37,830
So that's very telling about what's going on in our community.

540
00:47:37,830 --> 00:47:49,030
We were at 722 of those calls that we could identify last year, I mean in 2022 and 775 for 2023.

541
00:47:50,070 --> 00:47:55,570
And we're going to talk about, or Chief Thompson is going to talk about some meaningful partnerships,

542
00:47:55,770 --> 00:48:03,550
some things that are being done, hopefully to better equip our officers to deal with these types of calls.

543
00:48:03,550 --> 00:48:10,410
And hopefully we get to a point where we're able to do some things, engage in some strategies that are impactful,

544
00:48:11,170 --> 00:48:16,330
where we're not constantly dealing with the same individuals over and over again.

545
00:48:16,670 --> 00:48:18,350
And that's what we see.

546
00:48:21,210 --> 00:48:26,290
Homelessness, something else that's very prevalent on everyone's mind.

547
00:48:26,790 --> 00:48:32,370
We're very concerned about what's going on in terms of the state of homelessness in our community.

548
00:48:32,370 --> 00:48:48,450
Our calls for homeless individuals were 41% above the five year average, as you can see from the slide that I haven't shown you yet, or did I pass it?

549
00:48:49,270 --> 00:48:50,690
There it is, my apologies.

550
00:48:51,450 --> 00:49:02,010
It increased from 405 to 6 calls in 2022 to 695 calls in 2023.

551
00:49:03,130 --> 00:49:07,610
And oftentimes I will tell you when officers respond to these calls.

552
00:49:08,310 --> 00:49:11,690
They are faced with the question of the dilemma of,

553
00:49:12,670 --> 00:49:16,190
what can I do to not put this person in jail?

554
00:49:16,190 --> 00:49:23,490
Because we recognize that jail is not the best solution when we're dealing with these individuals.

555
00:49:24,370 --> 00:49:45,170
But unfortunately, due to an apparent lack of resources oftentimes, it is when we charge them with public disorderly conduct or some low-level misdemeanor to deal with the issue at hand, but it does not solve the problem.

556
00:49:51,670 --> 00:49:58,270
Narcan. Why do we include this information? We continue to include information about our

557
00:49:58,270 --> 00:50:04,010
officers use of Narcan because we recognize this is something that's critically important.

558
00:50:06,450 --> 00:50:06,850
Narcan

559
00:50:06,850 --> 00:50:15,490
has been a blessing for many people in this community. By the same token, it can create

560
00:50:15,490 --> 00:50:25,810
a very impactful situation for officers and you think about an officer responding to a call

561
00:50:25,810 --> 00:50:33,850
where they have to deploy Narcan and they're successful in eating and helping that person

562
00:50:33,850 --> 00:50:39,050
to live through that incident and then a few days later they go back and it's the same person

563
00:50:39,050 --> 00:50:47,290
Again, a few days pass and they go back again and sometimes they're not able to aid in

564
00:50:47,290 --> 00:50:49,450
life-saving efforts for that individual.

565
00:50:51,230 --> 00:50:59,830
So we are very thankful that our officers have Narcan at their disposal, but we do want

566
00:50:59,830 --> 00:51:06,630
to see the need to use it, reduce significantly in our community and that's going to involve

567
00:51:06,630 --> 00:51:09,470
of a holistic approach to addressing the issues.

568
00:51:13,270 --> 00:51:17,590
Over the five years of data that we looked at

569
00:51:17,590 --> 00:51:20,930
where we have used our officers have used NARCAN,

570
00:51:22,610 --> 00:51:26,850
50% on the side are the types of calls

571
00:51:26,850 --> 00:51:30,510
that the officers have responded to.

572
00:51:30,550 --> 00:51:32,870
Three point one, it may have come out

573
00:51:32,870 --> 00:51:36,230
is a report and information report.

574
00:51:36,230 --> 00:51:41,210
they couldn't, the caller perhaps could not identify a specific crime that had occurred

575
00:51:41,210 --> 00:51:48,990
and we respond and then we end up writing an information report and the accidental overdose

576
00:51:48,990 --> 00:51:58,370
50.4 percent. That's a high number and as I indicated previously, sometimes these individuals

577
00:51:58,370 --> 00:52:04,390
die and you see the death numbers at 25.8 percent.

578
00:52:08,100 --> 00:52:29,960
Benchmark often says when we talk about juvenile custody, we've had some discussion about the impact of juvenile arrest on our resources, the chief will talk some about that, I believe, but in 2023, 61.3%.

579
00:52:30,270 --> 00:52:58,070
Of the juveniles that we took into custody were residents of our city, 38.7% were non-residents. And what that says, and we've said this before, they are typically, they typically have fewer resources to get around and to expand where the area, where they're going, the areas where they're going to.

580
00:53:00,370 --> 00:53:07,310
But, I would be remiss if I did not mention that recently we are seeing.

581
00:53:08,310 --> 00:53:13,310
They can travel, they are traveling, because they're installing vehicles.

582
00:53:14,490 --> 00:53:21,550
And so when we leave that car in the driveway to warm up, because it's cold and icy outside,

583
00:53:22,370 --> 00:53:23,130
that's a giveaway.

584
00:53:23,710 --> 00:53:28,050
When we leave the keys in the car, that's a giveaway.

585
00:53:30,650 --> 00:53:34,250
When you look at Major Little John often says,

586
00:53:34,470 --> 00:53:39,070
How does someone with today's modern day technology steal a new car?

587
00:53:40,150 --> 00:53:43,750
Well, I like to leave my key file in the car.

588
00:53:45,550 --> 00:53:46,050
You do?

589
00:53:46,050 --> 00:53:53,210
So, there are some things that we can do to address these juveniles in these stolen cars.

590
00:53:54,250 --> 00:54:09,910
When we look at these numbers in 2022, 53.2% of our juveniles who were taken into custody were residents and 64.8 were non-residents.

591
00:54:09,910 --> 00:54:20,790
When we talk about the adults and the adults that are arrested in our community, 40.65 are residents.

592
00:54:21,750 --> 00:54:27,110
51.30% are non-residents of the city.

593
00:54:27,570 --> 00:54:30,230
Spartanburg is a destination.

594
00:54:32,170 --> 00:54:44,170
And 2022, 308.8% of those adult arrestis were residents, and 54.1% were non-residents.

595
00:54:46,170 --> 00:54:49,570
So those are our numbers for 2023.

596
00:54:50,770 --> 00:54:57,970
I will say to you, we are would be happy if any of you would like to sit down and drill down

597
00:54:57,970 --> 00:55:01,850
to the numbers a little deeper and look at some additional information.

598
00:55:02,710 --> 00:55:06,770
Please notify the story of that and we will be happy to accommodate you.

599
00:55:07,170 --> 00:55:13,310
Now it is my pleasure to turn it over to Chief Thompson and he will conclude this presentation

600
00:55:13,310 --> 00:55:21,430
by discussing some focus areas and some opportunities for 2024 and then will entertain any

601
00:55:21,430 --> 00:55:23,130
questions that you may have.

602
00:55:23,830 --> 00:55:24,130
Thank you.

603
00:55:24,170 --> 00:55:25,970
Thank you, Deputy Chief.

604
00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:33,020
Excuse me, I need to leave you, sir.

605
00:55:33,320 --> 00:55:37,480
On the way, I'm just saying which council it is always a privilege and a pleasure

606
00:55:37,480 --> 00:55:38,840
to come speak before you.

607
00:55:39,620 --> 00:55:43,740
On the first of this month, it brought my 10th year anniversary, and it's been on the

608
00:55:43,740 --> 00:55:48,220
dessert, the citizens of this beloved city, and to serve you all and all that has worked

609
00:55:48,220 --> 00:55:53,760
along with me at the PD, to have had our lowest crime in years.

610
00:55:53,960 --> 00:55:57,500
We've had our 10 lowest crime years, and we're proud of that fact, and this something I didn't

611
00:55:57,500 --> 00:55:58,340
do alone, obviously.

612
00:55:58,340 --> 00:56:04,400
So, I first have to give tremendous gratitude to those that have worked alongside with me

613
00:56:04,400 --> 00:56:06,460
both sworn and civilian and on PD.

614
00:56:07,840 --> 00:56:13,080
I also like to think the council's the president as well as the pass who supported us

615
00:56:13,080 --> 00:56:19,860
and I endeavors, but I'm more important I need to really think the citizens, because it takes

616
00:56:19,860 --> 00:56:25,440
their involvement, their caring, their concern to help make our cities safer.

617
00:56:26,140 --> 00:56:29,580
It's one of those things I've been saying since the day I was sworn in, the public safety

618
00:56:29,580 --> 00:56:34,400
is an entire community's responsibility, with a tip of the spear, but the spear is

619
00:56:34,400 --> 00:56:38,840
only as good as the shaft upon which it sets, and we have a strong foundation in our city

620
00:56:38,840 --> 00:56:39,920
for future growth.

621
00:56:40,180 --> 00:56:42,620
A lot has happened in the short period of time.

622
00:56:43,240 --> 00:56:48,040
As you can tell from the data that was just shown, they have been uptick, well we've had

623
00:56:48,040 --> 00:56:55,140
uptick in our population, both in that intention, it's moving into the high rises and the

624
00:56:55,140 --> 00:57:01,560
that we've had next, but also in our homeless population. So I do not anticipate that trend.

625
00:57:02,140 --> 00:57:06,480
This continuum I think it will increase. We will still be a draw. We will help people more

626
00:57:06,480 --> 00:57:11,220
coming. Which is what we want. We want our city to grow, but with it we'll come growing pains.

627
00:57:11,940 --> 00:57:16,260
You mentioned earlier in there about how to shop this to this kind of state static.

628
00:57:16,860 --> 00:57:20,500
It's kind of a good thing because some of our partners in the business world are taking greater action

629
00:57:20,500 --> 00:57:25,360
an effort in working with us to try to maintain or keep that shrinkage to a lower level

630
00:57:25,360 --> 00:57:29,340
where it's not spiking despite the growth of the people that are moving into the city

631
00:57:29,340 --> 00:57:35,200
and those who come and take part or shop in our areas of our wallmarks and our balls and

632
00:57:35,200 --> 00:57:39,940
we'll have even though unfortunately our malls like a lot in the country are shrinking and not

633
00:57:39,940 --> 00:57:46,040
having as much patriotish. But with all that being said again, I can just say that there's no

634
00:57:46,040 --> 00:57:51,120
success that we have had, or currently having a will have without the collaboration of all of

635
00:57:51,120 --> 00:57:51,640
us.

636
00:57:51,940 --> 00:57:56,620
We'll never have 100% of everything or everybody participating, but we have to have enough,

637
00:57:56,760 --> 00:58:01,020
and I'll tell you there's more than enough in our city, and things done in the positive way

638
00:58:01,020 --> 00:58:04,420
and the proof is already there with the growth that we've been experiencing.

639
00:58:05,240 --> 00:58:10,560
I would like to highlight a few things that when our crime analysts and the co-conz drill down

640
00:58:10,560 --> 00:58:20,460
numbers, just want to say 17% of the CAD events that we have, or we had last year, 17% of

641
00:58:20,460 --> 00:58:26,680
our time was on 9-1-1 hangups. Oftentimes this may be children playing on the phone, or even

642
00:58:26,680 --> 00:58:29,940
the door's calling, and then changing their mind, and then the hangup, and we're trying

643
00:58:29,940 --> 00:58:34,320
to figure out what's widening will find out from maybe the phone call where it isn't will

644
00:58:34,320 --> 00:58:39,240
hear that sense that way. But when it's done accidentally, and people on Barris, they won't

645
00:58:39,240 --> 00:58:44,120
But I really wish they were still online so they can let 911 know that everything is okay

646
00:58:44,120 --> 00:58:45,840
and it was accidental or everything is good.

647
00:58:46,000 --> 00:58:47,800
And if there's something going on, we're going to see a combo.

648
00:58:48,000 --> 00:58:52,480
We detect that the person may be forced to say that, we'll still respond.

649
00:58:53,160 --> 00:58:57,540
But if we have the accidental or the intentional playfulness on the 911,

650
00:58:57,900 --> 00:59:02,520
please let's try to do what we can to discourage that because we need to have those

651
00:59:02,520 --> 00:59:07,100
officers that we have available to be available for calls when we really need it.

652
00:59:07,100 --> 00:59:19,000
Another thing that really consumes a tremendous amount of time from the data show to collisions, over 28% of the incident reports that we wrote last year, pertaining to traffic crashes.

653
00:59:19,860 --> 00:59:30,020
Now it's one of those things that wish people were at 15 minutes to their schedules, to leave a little earlier, say they don't feel rushed to speed or to run red light from things along those slimes.

654
00:59:30,020 --> 00:59:37,120
And but it's our driving behavior and our need for speed I guess to get to where we're going

655
00:59:37,120 --> 00:59:41,400
and sometimes at the expense of others and put others at risk.

656
00:59:41,760 --> 00:59:46,020
But again we have to change that behavior, traffic enforcement could have an impact.

657
00:59:46,100 --> 00:59:49,080
We've talked about some futuristic things that haven't been developed.

658
00:59:49,280 --> 00:59:55,560
We had to look at using perhaps some technology but I will say that I would love to be able

659
00:59:56,740 --> 00:59:59,960
to get our staff from levels to the point where we can do.

660
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:07,000
Increase our traffic uniform for to eight. And where we get the cars that we buy, we have an upfitted with radar units.

661
01:00:07,240 --> 01:00:13,900
Or light our radar on their speed measure devices. And each car that we buy. But I want to have officers trained to use those units.

662
01:00:14,240 --> 01:00:24,900
And hopefully come up with some other means of freeing up a valuable time, where we can run radar in those areas, engage in speed and force them to slow people down on some of those troubled fights.

663
01:00:24,900 --> 01:00:29,960
to reduce the crashes, to property, damage, to personal injury, and yes, to death.

664
01:00:31,440 --> 01:00:36,660
Fifth percent of the theft from vehicles is already reported, and this is all theft,

665
01:00:36,780 --> 01:00:42,660
not just the guns, but over fifth percent of the vehicles that are broken to show no signs of

666
01:00:42,660 --> 01:00:48,960
force entry. And believe it or not, 42 percent of those homes that are regularized. Show no signs of

667
01:00:48,960 --> 01:00:55,660
for people leaving doors unlocked when there's a lot of access points, and I just ask that

668
01:00:55,660 --> 01:01:00,660
all citizens to please secure that belongings, especially the firearms, the persons that

669
01:01:00,660 --> 01:01:05,300
wallets their keys, anything of that you like your doors and you want them on your homes,

670
01:01:05,460 --> 01:01:09,840
your garages, sprinkles coming to your storage building, we'll become targets of attack

671
01:01:09,840 --> 01:01:13,940
for the laundry equipment and things along those lines that you keep in it, so,

672
01:01:18,540 --> 01:01:18,940
and if

673
01:01:18,940 --> 01:01:23,340
really simply say for whatever that's home, security devices that have some nice

674
01:01:23,340 --> 01:01:29,680
cameras with high resolutions that I would ask that you consider buying. And it's

675
01:01:29,680 --> 01:01:34,180
one of those things without real-time crime center and we have if you're willing to

676
01:01:34,180 --> 01:01:38,260
share that video in the and the benefit of incident in your neighborhood of some

677
01:01:38,260 --> 01:01:43,000
suspicious we can tie in to that and maybe we're using some of the technology

678
01:01:43,000 --> 01:01:47,620
we have to determine who our perpetrators are. So that's an opportunity for us. But

679
01:01:47,620 --> 01:02:08,580
When I look at all those just those three categories, and I add the last one of you, that's really kind of taxing or straining the manpower right now, but we're still finding ways to get it done, but this past year we have been tasked with transporting juveniles back and forth to different DJJ facilities all over the state.

680
01:02:08,680 --> 01:02:16,480
I'm talking to the coast and back. Matter of fact, we have a couple of units leaving tonight to go pick up juveniles that need to be back here in the morning.

681
01:02:16,480 --> 01:02:19,100
And we may end up having to take them back.

682
01:02:19,560 --> 01:02:24,120
So between people trying to do it on the clock and paying overtime, that's a test that

683
01:02:24,120 --> 01:02:26,060
we did not have to do until last year.

684
01:02:26,320 --> 01:02:30,160
The county headaches had a responsibility for that, but they no longer do.

685
01:02:30,640 --> 01:02:34,380
And we have the authority to do it, and if they, if it happened and I said it to Juvenile

686
01:02:34,380 --> 01:02:39,000
was involved in crime, if they're out Juvenile's were responsible for going to get them back

687
01:02:39,000 --> 01:02:40,100
and forth to court.

688
01:02:40,100 --> 01:02:44,340
And it is really creating some of it, the

689
01:02:44,340 --> 01:02:48,100
diminishes our availability because we have to go and bring those

690
01:02:48,100 --> 01:02:50,380
to take the kids to the facility where they have been

691
01:02:50,380 --> 01:02:53,680
assigned and they bring them back to court when called.

692
01:02:54,680 --> 01:02:56,720
So a reduction in all three of these areas of

693
01:02:56,720 --> 01:02:58,820
slavery, a tremendous amount of time.

694
01:02:59,460 --> 01:03:01,800
And as you all heard me say before, time saves lives.

695
01:03:02,440 --> 01:03:05,020
If freeze our personnel up to engage in proactive

696
01:03:05,020 --> 01:03:06,900
measure such a traffic enforcement,

697
01:03:07,400 --> 01:03:09,320
pertaining to speeding and red light violations.

698
01:03:09,320 --> 01:03:14,140
It also, it able us to increase our vehicle and foot patrols in areas throughout the city,

699
01:03:14,420 --> 01:03:19,440
but specifically downtown if we can just again change some of our behavior and be more responsible

700
01:03:19,440 --> 01:03:21,340
in those three areas just mentioned.

701
01:03:21,920 --> 01:03:25,720
And we can also engage in some positive community relations build and activities

702
01:03:26,380 --> 01:03:29,380
through increased involvement in our mentoring program.

703
01:03:30,360 --> 01:03:34,480
We're in the process of real establishing a police athletic lead.

704
01:03:34,540 --> 01:03:36,840
I'm working with our Parks and Recreation Department.

705
01:03:36,840 --> 01:03:55,300
I explained in our explore on program and I would like to also develop a cadet program where we have young men and women who 18 years of age that we can perhaps have them attend our community college and working partnership with the community college where they get their associates degree.

706
01:03:55,300 --> 01:03:58,940
where it's been 20 hours there, but also 20 hours with us at the PD.

707
01:03:59,620 --> 01:04:02,360
And then at the end, when they get 21, we can send them to the Academy.

708
01:04:02,600 --> 01:04:05,580
They've already been talking to our culture that we had there invested.

709
01:04:06,160 --> 01:04:09,540
And we can get them on a hook for about three to five years after the system.

710
01:04:10,100 --> 01:04:17,320
It's really a low cost, but it's a way of developing people who we can bring into the program.

711
01:04:17,440 --> 01:04:18,840
A pipeline, if you would.

712
01:04:19,200 --> 01:04:24,240
And even beyond that, I would also, which I'll talk about it now.

713
01:04:24,700 --> 01:04:32,420
I love to be established possibly a police foundation for our PD, where we can get funds coming in,

714
01:04:32,760 --> 01:04:37,460
where again, where we can possibly partner with a couple of universities, where this sub-state,

715
01:04:37,820 --> 01:04:41,720
South Carolina State, Home Ever, and offices on partial scholarships.

716
01:04:42,700 --> 01:04:46,740
Again, where we can help someone go to school, get their degree, and criminal justice, or what have you.

717
01:04:46,820 --> 01:04:49,240
And then, upon graduation, they're sure to have no job with us.

718
01:04:50,060 --> 01:04:53,740
You know, I'm going to send a whole scholarship, but I consider by my own, because I'm

719
01:04:53,740 --> 01:04:54,300
much money.

720
01:04:54,700 --> 01:04:57,720
People want to give us, hopefully, they will give us plenty when they see it.

721
01:04:57,840 --> 01:05:01,680
We're trying to bring in good people's and provide great service to them.

722
01:05:01,960 --> 01:05:05,380
But I think that's all we have for us to again, to deal with one of the other main issues

723
01:05:05,380 --> 01:05:08,640
that we have, which is that we're recruiting and retention piece.

724
01:05:09,240 --> 01:05:15,300
But to be able to cultivate good folks, local, to come to our community or the remaining

725
01:05:15,300 --> 01:05:18,540
and I can be, and I should say, in a survey that can pass, I think we'll be good things.

726
01:05:18,680 --> 01:05:23,580
There's some things in the pipeline that's being thought about and explored, and hopefully

727
01:05:23,580 --> 01:05:27,240
we can formulate an implement in the upcoming year.

728
01:05:28,120 --> 01:05:34,700
A few more of the, I guess, anticipated opportunities, as I foresee, again, is enhancing those partnerships

729
01:05:34,700 --> 01:05:37,260
that we already have and developing some others.

730
01:05:37,920 --> 01:05:43,740
I do want to point out to you that MHA, the Mental Health Association, has provided us recently

731
01:05:43,740 --> 01:05:52,180
with the one clinician, and one outreach specialist to work with us two days a week, about 30 hours, and this is going to be very important to us.

732
01:05:52,420 --> 01:05:58,040
In our response, and this is those suffering mental health issues in our community, especially our homeless population.

733
01:05:59,760 --> 01:06:07,180
And I really do think Mr. Brandon Gaffney and Mr. Green has direct vibrations for making that happen.

734
01:06:07,180 --> 01:06:13,220
That is a partnership that we find extremely important because more and more people that we come in contact with on the street

735
01:06:13,220 --> 01:06:17,120
as I said, especially at home, it's but not only on homeless or sufferings of minor issues

736
01:06:17,120 --> 01:06:20,840
and having that expertise available, we'll be a great benefit.

737
01:06:22,200 --> 01:06:27,260
Another thing that we hope to do to continue on in this year is to research on the

738
01:06:27,260 --> 01:06:32,180
Choir Technologies, to a service force multipliers and to expand our better our capacity

739
01:06:32,180 --> 01:06:33,960
to better serve the community.

740
01:06:34,000 --> 01:06:36,880
I think most of you have seen the real-time crime center.

741
01:06:36,900 --> 01:06:41,400
We're provided information on to the county, but throughout the state, for information

742
01:06:41,400 --> 01:06:48,240
So we've been able to obtain from an investigative standpoint, but it's all help.

743
01:06:48,520 --> 01:06:52,140
For example, we talked about the violence early with some of our children I was in

744
01:06:52,140 --> 01:06:52,480
youth.

745
01:06:52,780 --> 01:06:55,780
We've been able to target where the vehicles are being taken, where they're being dropped,

746
01:06:56,200 --> 01:06:59,820
which is happening to who is probably doing it because they're not going to be too far for

747
01:06:59,820 --> 01:07:03,640
where they live, and we've been able to identify some of those responsible have made

748
01:07:03,640 --> 01:07:09,180
take into account the custody, and we've recovered a number of cars because of the capacity

749
01:07:09,180 --> 01:07:10,760
that we have in the real-time crime center.

750
01:07:10,760 --> 01:07:16,560
Unfortunately, some of them have been damaged, but we have so far many intact before the steering column being damaged.

751
01:07:17,380 --> 01:07:24,980
There are unfortunately on TikTok that teaching people how to break into the key areas in a hundred days, which are the vehicles of choice right now.

752
01:07:25,580 --> 01:07:29,980
But we do see the real-time crimson in.

753
01:07:30,000 --> 01:07:38,360
Hopefully, being able to expand it to other businesses. In fact, we just had one large box store, give us access to their cameras nationwide.

754
01:07:38,980 --> 01:07:41,760
I got like 200 emails, I was saying, you got access to this now.

755
01:07:42,980 --> 01:07:47,120
That's okay, that's very good, but you'll have to keep delivery, right? But it's a good thing.

756
01:07:47,520 --> 01:07:58,240
And we hope other businesses and residences can again, through the fruces platform, which acts on just bought, which is good, because we're integrated with both, so that's a good thing.

757
01:07:58,240 --> 01:08:08,060
It will really help us, again, in our service, in our information gathering in real time where we're able to hopefully not only solve crime but even prevent some.

758
01:08:08,920 --> 01:08:21,460
And with that say at two, another thing we want to do to try to be more efficient and effective is really want to get up the ground, online reporting on certain crimes or incidents that don't need our actual presence.

759
01:08:21,460 --> 01:08:25,380
You know, I lost my wallet at the mall and I have a clue but I need to report it for insurance

760
01:08:25,380 --> 01:08:27,500
purposes, or some of the long-dose lines.

761
01:08:28,080 --> 01:08:31,440
We don't need it off to respond to that much while they have that off to available to respond

762
01:08:31,440 --> 01:08:35,580
to that crash that domestic violence that fights, something where our presence is actually

763
01:08:35,580 --> 01:08:36,020
needed.

764
01:08:36,680 --> 01:08:42,140
So, but getting online reporting and telephone reporting, or telecom unit for a certain or a very

765
01:08:42,140 --> 01:08:46,320
select specific type of caller, would not be including all calls, I absolutely emergency

766
01:08:46,320 --> 01:08:51,440
is a wish to go to respond, but there are category calls that we can take that pressure

767
01:08:51,440 --> 01:08:56,040
are awful of patrol that will hopefully free them up and give them a more proactive time

768
01:08:56,040 --> 01:09:01,180
to engage in some activities that can address some of those issues such as the speeding

769
01:09:01,180 --> 01:09:04,060
and other issues that we've mentioned earlier.

770
01:09:05,520 --> 01:09:10,440
I've already got a touch on the recruiting and retention, and as you already know, we, like

771
01:09:10,440 --> 01:09:14,960
I said, right now, I think we're like 124 out of 134 allocated.

772
01:09:15,420 --> 01:09:21,100
We hover around 10%, which is, and this time is pretty good, but it's not good enough.

773
01:09:21,100 --> 01:09:28,140
we want to be full, but I can tell you as the city continues to grow with the 750, 800 million

774
01:09:28,140 --> 01:09:32,760
dollars of an investment that's going to bring a lot more people into town and our presence

775
01:09:32,760 --> 01:09:40,340
is going to be needed. So I say all that to say that I will, I'm trying to drill down that

776
01:09:40,340 --> 01:09:45,620
in trying to hurt us too bad, but I'm going to be making a request for additional personnel,

777
01:09:45,620 --> 01:09:54,440
are both sworn personnel as well as civilian because I think we're again we're growing

778
01:09:54,440 --> 01:09:58,500
and that's a good thing but we were housing growing pains but they have the type of presence

779
01:09:58,500 --> 01:10:02,740
and they're being provided service that our citizens are deserving of and accustomed to.

780
01:10:04,700 --> 01:10:09,580
As I said, you can expect me to be coming back here but probably in the next month or so

781
01:10:10,420 --> 01:10:38,740
Request an X number of officers, X number of things that I explained to you what each one would be responsible for doing, which I think would enhance our capacity and just help reduce that crime for your crime and that quality of life that we're looking for, because people need to see us downtown and with that being said, some of you already know if you come downtown frequently, but for those that don't, I've recently placed two additional officers downtown and bringing the total number to four.

782
01:10:38,740 --> 01:10:45,900
But we've also sort of off duty planned to increase the presence down there on Thursday and Saturday nights

783
01:10:45,900 --> 01:10:52,840
between 5 and 10 o'clock when most of our families are downtown dining and taking advantage of what our downtown has to offer

784
01:10:52,840 --> 01:10:54,820
there's two additional officers

785
01:10:54,820 --> 01:11:00,840
and we have just completed phase one of a sergeant's promotional process

786
01:11:00,840 --> 01:11:04,720
and once that process is concluded in the selections have been made

787
01:11:04,720 --> 01:11:09,300
We'll put a little sergeant down there. We'll bring the total number of five that's permanently assigned.

788
01:11:10,100 --> 01:11:13,520
But we'll still keep those two additional ones going. 30 to the Saturday because

789
01:11:14,260 --> 01:11:19,500
as the spring comes, we'll have more people come down town. So we want to maintain that presence.

790
01:11:22,220 --> 01:11:36,000
Aside from that, what I'm going to do now is just, let me see this. Because I know that

791
01:11:36,000 --> 01:11:40,200
for officers assigned to work traffic.

792
01:11:41,400 --> 01:11:43,500
And there's one lieutenant who's over to traffic unit.

793
01:11:43,820 --> 01:11:46,620
Again, once we conclude with the promotional process,

794
01:11:47,040 --> 01:11:48,580
we will assign a sergeant, a sergeant,

795
01:11:48,740 --> 01:11:49,540
so they're working for them.

796
01:11:49,700 --> 01:11:51,300
So they will be out and assistant.

797
01:11:51,580 --> 01:11:53,100
They just won't be entitled on this supervisor,

798
01:11:53,440 --> 01:11:56,420
but also be able to help with the work that's needed.

799
01:11:57,440 --> 01:12:01,040
And as I mentioned before, having those patrol vehicles

800
01:12:01,040 --> 01:12:02,920
up fit, it will be measured devices

801
01:12:02,920 --> 01:12:04,360
and getting the training associated

802
01:12:04,360 --> 01:12:11,060
with it would be a benefit but the challenge right now is having the freed up time to be able

803
01:12:11,940 --> 01:12:17,200
to engage in that activity because right now we'll be pulled to do other things and the

804
01:12:17,200 --> 01:12:25,820
biggie right now is definitely the juvenile transport. But with that I will conclude my comments

805
01:12:28,660 --> 01:12:34,000
what I'm extremely proud of. I will say again and I have to just say it's a business trip in this

806
01:12:34,600 --> 01:12:36,880
I'm one of the greatest honors and privilege of my life

807
01:12:36,880 --> 01:12:38,760
to have served here in the capacity of chief.

808
01:12:39,840 --> 01:12:42,060
And because the people that we're finished is them.

809
01:12:42,380 --> 01:12:44,420
It's their beautiful efforts and attitude,

810
01:12:44,840 --> 01:12:47,640
as the attitudes and commitment to go out each and every day

811
01:12:47,640 --> 01:12:48,720
and try to serve this community.

812
01:12:49,420 --> 01:12:51,160
And I think they do a tremendous job.

813
01:12:51,520 --> 01:12:53,140
And I appreciate again all the support

814
01:12:53,140 --> 01:12:56,140
and encouragement in the years past with the budget

815
01:12:56,140 --> 01:12:58,060
adjustments, the market-based studies,

816
01:12:58,340 --> 01:13:00,760
the take-on-car approval, all those things matter.

817
01:13:01,280 --> 01:13:07,280
And I can tell you where our safe, we try to make them a safe, efficient and effective as we possibly can.

818
01:13:07,860 --> 01:13:14,420
With the bottom one, cameras, the less than the less than the loxion, the thing that we pull outside on what I tell you is that it cuts our cameras on.

819
01:13:14,540 --> 01:13:18,400
So it's not left up just trying to, there's very few people to have what we have.

820
01:13:18,520 --> 01:13:21,380
I think we've been doing this through a set of money and try to do things.

821
01:13:21,480 --> 01:13:24,100
We want to make officer safe by a turn, making you safe.

822
01:13:24,740 --> 01:13:26,860
And again, but there's more work to be done.

823
01:13:26,860 --> 01:13:29,740
I'm getting open, I'm still at it, I'm still loving it.

824
01:13:29,940 --> 01:13:31,400
And I've got a lot of great people working on it.

825
01:13:31,400 --> 01:13:33,440
I've got more good people coming in.

826
01:13:33,840 --> 01:13:37,560
Just how the gentleman with the look was already certified.

827
01:13:37,880 --> 01:13:39,500
And then time we can find some already certified.

828
01:13:40,020 --> 01:13:40,420
That's the school.

829
01:13:40,480 --> 01:13:42,500
We're going to make a tile culture out of space.

830
01:13:42,960 --> 01:13:43,920
And we put them on the road.

831
01:13:44,600 --> 01:13:45,860
So, the things are ahead.

832
01:13:46,320 --> 01:13:48,840
And I'll just be quiet and open up and deputy chief.

833
01:13:49,600 --> 01:13:50,340
Sure, got more.

834
01:13:50,620 --> 01:13:53,180
Chief, thank you for those comments.

835
01:13:53,520 --> 01:13:55,520
And man, congratulations on 10 years.

836
01:13:55,520 --> 01:14:02,000
And by far, time does fly, but congratulations on 10 years, really.

837
01:14:02,680 --> 01:14:06,420
I have a couple of questions I'm sure everybody up here would chime in as well.

838
01:14:06,840 --> 01:14:13,360
When you mentioned getting the traffic officers to eight, that's already within your

839
01:14:13,360 --> 01:14:13,740
allocation.

840
01:14:13,760 --> 01:14:17,220
We have six right now, but I'll tell you they need a whole squad with the, I'll tell you.

841
01:14:18,700 --> 01:14:23,540
Like many of you, traffic complaints probably are about as an African as anything we get

842
01:14:23,540 --> 01:14:24,960
to be told out of our team.

843
01:14:24,960 --> 01:14:31,080
Now, I would, I'd differ sometimes because of the data where that traffic need to be enforcement in a place.

844
01:14:31,460 --> 01:14:33,100
But I do know that there's a big deal.

845
01:14:33,140 --> 01:14:36,200
And that's unfortunately any homicide is unfortunate.

846
01:14:36,200 --> 01:14:40,340
But we have traditionally have more fatalities than we have homicides.

847
01:14:40,940 --> 01:14:44,960
And traffic enforcement in and of itself is not going to change it.

848
01:14:45,640 --> 01:14:47,300
It does change your behavior.

849
01:14:47,980 --> 01:14:50,100
But when people don't see us, you know what we do.

850
01:14:51,100 --> 01:14:54,980
I'm going to go a little faster than you do, maybe cut that light a little too quick.

851
01:14:55,500 --> 01:14:57,400
But I would love to get that.

852
01:14:57,460 --> 01:14:59,620
We have six allocated now.

853
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:05,440
I really don't even need to be a force while I ain't where we can put. More bodies out there, more times

854
01:15:05,440 --> 01:15:11,080
at a day, prime time. Because right now, this is the issue we have, but a crash right now, a traffic crash.

855
01:15:12,400 --> 01:15:16,080
You know, we checked what I looked at this morning and it's been pretty consistent over the years on our enforcement.

856
01:15:16,680 --> 01:15:21,000
Simple little bump in the parking lot. It's still going to take you 20 minutes to take care.

857
01:15:21,060 --> 01:15:26,900
That didn't get the right report. So 10, this is 12, close to the 30. You have one where serious property damage and you have to tow a car.

858
01:15:26,900 --> 01:15:28,880
Now you're up to 45 minutes to an hour.

859
01:15:29,220 --> 01:15:32,620
You have someone on this injured or in definitely a fatality.

860
01:15:32,820 --> 01:15:36,320
Now you're talking about an incident that may take you to hours plus.

861
01:15:37,740 --> 01:15:40,820
So when you have that and when you look at the data and you go again,

862
01:15:40,940 --> 01:15:42,360
you see the number of traffic crashes.

863
01:15:42,880 --> 01:15:47,880
You'll see where we average about 11 a day of just wrecks.

864
01:15:48,180 --> 01:15:49,140
And you have four people.

865
01:15:49,420 --> 01:15:52,420
And if they're doing a wrecks, they don't have a lot of time for us to like

866
01:15:52,420 --> 01:15:52,940
different force.

867
01:15:53,100 --> 01:15:54,780
They're going to learn radar a lot or whatever.

868
01:15:55,040 --> 01:15:55,940
They're having the crashes.

869
01:15:55,940 --> 01:16:02,520
So that's why I said the numbers again, and I promise you since day one I said I would never come before counsel

870
01:16:02,520 --> 01:16:06,260
And that's what opinion that we don't need or person. We don't need

871
01:16:06,840 --> 01:16:10,040
But I realize I have to justify to realize sometimes we have our limitations

872
01:16:10,780 --> 01:16:12,600
But but having eight

873
01:16:12,600 --> 01:16:19,960
Really would not be too many, but I do think it would be enough for us to what I think about how and again it goes back to my people

874
01:16:20,740 --> 01:16:24,600
I'm telling you I cannot stress enough the amount of effort

875
01:16:24,600 --> 01:16:31,580
I've been doing this for the pre-40 years come July, and I've never worked with a group of people to work as hard as this group here does.

876
01:16:31,820 --> 01:16:32,580
Awesome, thank you.

877
01:16:32,820 --> 01:16:37,620
Also, you mentioned a real-time crime center.

878
01:16:37,820 --> 01:16:42,680
We had the opportunity to go over to the new nice Taj Mahal of a police station.

879
01:16:42,980 --> 01:16:49,720
Since we get emails from other areas that have visited our police station from Hardyville,

880
01:16:54,020 --> 01:16:54,420
right?

881
01:16:54,420 --> 01:17:04,600
tell me. But really, the ring doorbells, how do I get my ring doorbell hooked up to Spongeburt

882
01:17:04,600 --> 01:17:10,880
PD? There's a thing called Fusus Core. That has to be purchased. But also, because right now

883
01:17:10,880 --> 01:17:15,280
we have people who will come by in that shared their video with us after the fact, but if you

884
01:17:15,280 --> 01:17:21,320
sign it, but if you have one of the cores, we can tap in, kind of like in real time. And that's

885
01:17:21,320 --> 01:17:26,700
we ask for businesses, schools, and again, I do want to reiterate, we're not in private spaces,

886
01:17:26,940 --> 01:17:31,920
we're in public space. Parking lots, like I said, the garages, for example, the garages,

887
01:17:32,140 --> 01:17:38,060
we can see, I'm going to sit at my desk and look at every camera in any of our garages. That's

888
01:17:38,060 --> 01:17:45,160
that's a powerful tool. So, we'll get, matter of fact, we'll be doing an educational campaign here,

889
01:17:45,180 --> 01:17:49,560
a little bit more, we're out there now doing it, but we'll reach out and put the information out

890
01:17:49,560 --> 01:17:56,460
to tell people specifically how they can get grant us access and what access they want

891
01:17:56,460 --> 01:17:57,040
to have.

892
01:17:58,600 --> 01:17:59,540
Council want a little to join.

893
01:17:59,540 --> 01:18:00,480
I know you had your hand.

894
01:18:00,820 --> 01:18:01,280
Yes, ma'am.

895
01:18:01,940 --> 01:18:09,460
First of all, Chief, I just want to thank you all for the work that you do because I have the greatest

896
01:18:09,460 --> 01:18:15,620
respect for our police officers, but if I look around though and I see all of the

897
01:18:15,620 --> 01:18:24,960
That has taken place on the north side, the east side, the west side, the south side, and downtown.

898
01:18:26,380 --> 01:18:32,920
So much growth, yet, you know, that a police force has not increased.

899
01:18:34,740 --> 01:18:41,800
I wish that it was up to me and for me to say, because I have always believed,

900
01:18:41,800 --> 01:18:45,860
And I know that my city manager is probably going to say,

901
01:18:46,660 --> 01:18:47,600
shut up.

902
01:18:47,980 --> 01:18:58,420
But if it was up to me, I would start every police officer out at least $50,000 a year

903
01:18:58,420 --> 01:19:00,840
because I think they are worth it.

904
01:19:01,020 --> 01:19:02,460
They are worth it.

905
01:19:02,520 --> 01:19:11,580
I have always said and I have always believed that our teachers and our police officers deserve

906
01:19:11,580 --> 01:19:19,040
to be paid more than they do because you put your life on the line every day, but you teach

907
01:19:19,040 --> 01:19:20,780
our kids, got the teachers,

908
01:19:23,300 --> 01:19:30,640
and we are not in my opinion, Chris, in my opinion, in my opinion.

909
01:19:30,700 --> 01:19:37,480
I don't think that's what you should be getting, now this is just me speaking, go from

910
01:19:37,480 --> 01:19:44,520
little John's born of you. So I just want you all to know that I appreciate you

911
01:19:45,720 --> 01:19:51,560
a much so much and I keep you all in my prayers too. Thank you very much, ma'am. And I

912
01:19:51,560 --> 01:19:56,880
would just say again, as far as our personnel, like men turn this real big for us.

913
01:19:56,880 --> 01:20:01,720
You know, in trying to engage our young folks to help kind of curve some of the violence

914
01:20:01,720 --> 01:20:06,640
and some of the kids that kind of lose their way. We saw the citizens police academy.

915
01:20:06,640 --> 01:20:11,960
You're a youth citizen, we can't even over at Carver, one of my S.H.R.O.s, the Church, right?

916
01:20:12,080 --> 01:20:19,200
She coaches ball there, wrap a day in coaches at Spartanburg Prepp, we had over the Taj Mahal,

917
01:20:19,440 --> 01:20:27,460
they didn't quite did nice, but over to our PD, about three weeks ago, we had supplemental groups come

918
01:20:27,460 --> 01:20:34,540
over, and did a tour, and we broke ready together, and they had hot dogs, and whatever else, we had

919
01:20:34,540 --> 01:20:36,920
So the capital members at the capital league,

920
01:20:37,860 --> 01:20:39,620
the capital out besides the opportunity.

921
01:20:39,940 --> 01:20:43,380
And then we also had the delges with the group.

922
01:20:43,600 --> 01:20:47,800
They have a joint effort that they do with my mentor

923
01:20:47,800 --> 01:20:51,980
and I use, and again, because I made the South Iowa

924
01:20:51,980 --> 01:20:55,000
Bridge Builders, which were our pretenders involved with.

925
01:20:55,020 --> 01:20:56,280
And it was a great event.

926
01:20:57,120 --> 01:21:02,280
And internally, I will say this to further engage our youth.

927
01:21:02,280 --> 01:21:07,200
We, Mr. Kennedy, had approached about seven

928
01:21:07,200 --> 01:21:11,780
Chicago community liaison officer, and we have someone in mind in the spring.

929
01:21:12,200 --> 01:21:15,180
We were developing this position, and we hope that we implement it.

930
01:21:15,240 --> 01:21:19,340
Because what it is, we have a lot of well-intentioned people and organizations

931
01:21:19,340 --> 01:21:21,680
in our community trying to do some good things.

932
01:21:22,180 --> 01:21:26,280
But being able to align everyone, coordinator, one's effort.

933
01:21:26,500 --> 01:21:28,560
We get a little more synergy and we have my impact.

934
01:21:28,960 --> 01:21:31,340
But we hope to work with, you know.

935
01:21:31,340 --> 01:21:38,020
And we do already, but my brothers keep us for example, which is another tremendous mental group that we're working with in this past.

936
01:21:38,100 --> 01:21:43,220
But just trying to get out here and work with Parks and Reg and re-establish pal, that's just one aspect.

937
01:21:43,440 --> 01:21:46,400
But those things are so important that we do.

938
01:21:46,920 --> 01:21:50,060
And that's in addition to our regular policing.

939
01:21:50,920 --> 01:21:51,960
And like I said, that's what I'm saying.

940
01:21:52,080 --> 01:21:55,300
I'm really proud of the fact that I appreciate your comments, man.

941
01:21:55,500 --> 01:21:57,200
And I agree with your 50s, not bad.

942
01:21:57,780 --> 01:22:00,780
I was going to rain, I got some rain.

943
01:22:01,180 --> 01:22:02,880
Chief Thompson, thanks for being here.

944
01:22:03,060 --> 01:22:04,960
Thanks for the Cheetahs, too.

945
01:22:06,300 --> 01:22:14,960
When Debbie Chieff Kendall was going through the stats, the one that stuck out to me as a

946
01:22:14,960 --> 01:22:23,360
big change was the, I think it was homeless calls up, 44%, I think it's, and I maybe miss, but

947
01:22:23,360 --> 01:22:24,660
something like this.

948
01:22:24,660 --> 01:22:29,980
How do we, and that's the that was out of all the different categories that was a one

949
01:22:30,000 --> 01:22:37,000
That was up a lot more than the ten year average and a lot more than last year. How do we deal with that?

950
01:22:37,920 --> 01:22:44,100
I wish I had the total answer, but I can tell you what we're doing up to this point, but like I said, that's a work in progress.

951
01:22:44,460 --> 01:22:49,560
Our homeless population, at least what we've identified, like I said, I think the number is growing.

952
01:22:52,020 --> 01:22:59,640
But most of the people are local, whether they're coming back home or whatever else, but the gravitate, people gravitate to where the stuff is, where the health can be.

953
01:23:00,200 --> 01:23:06,720
and where the charitable giving it, whether it's formalized or not, you know, but, you know,

954
01:23:06,920 --> 01:23:10,620
the heart team I think does a tremendous effort, and that's our homeless engagement,

955
01:23:11,580 --> 01:23:15,900
that response team, and we here right now, we currently have one of our offices just a lot of,

956
01:23:16,100 --> 01:23:20,580
and that's, that's it's so responsible to help in that effort, to identify our homeless

957
01:23:20,580 --> 01:23:25,120
find those that we can get services to, and again, it's almost the one,

958
01:23:29,620 --> 01:23:29,620
you know, you've got

959
01:23:29,620 --> 01:23:32,680
where they can live off the street, one on on that's fantastic.

960
01:23:34,120 --> 01:23:41,620
But it's a lot of people out there all around today, and I don't have a good answer

961
01:23:41,620 --> 01:23:46,200
other than the fact that I know that the heart is a collective, and I think we're going

962
01:23:46,200 --> 01:23:50,560
down the right path by bringing non-profits and other city entities and other businesses

963
01:23:50,560 --> 01:23:52,100
together to address it.

964
01:23:52,260 --> 01:23:59,320
But I think unless we have a place this issue, when people in public spaces, and if there's

965
01:23:59,320 --> 01:24:03,860
involved in disruptive or criminal behavior, moving them. We have to move them somewhere.

966
01:24:04,340 --> 01:24:08,880
I understand that some places are not desirable for them to be, but the question is

967
01:24:08,880 --> 01:24:12,920
where do we move them for the help that they may receive and move them from homelessness

968
01:24:12,920 --> 01:24:18,040
to where they can again improve their station in life. And as I mentioned for this a lot of

969
01:24:18,040 --> 01:24:23,540
mental health out there and those clinicians and that outreach specialists will be a big help

970
01:24:23,540 --> 01:24:27,040
to us where we can maybe pour the right level and move some of the people out of that position.

971
01:24:27,040 --> 01:24:33,520
We have a young man now, Mr. Knuckles, that we have removed from the street, have an

972
01:24:33,520 --> 01:24:38,300
emphasis, and hopefully we're gonna have him placed. But again, it's almost like one

973
01:24:38,300 --> 01:24:45,360
person at a time. Because wholesale, unless we went out and built had a, like the opportunity

974
01:24:45,360 --> 01:24:49,700
center with the rapper-iron services. In place for daytime shelter, Mr. Well, there's

975
01:24:49,700 --> 01:24:53,760
night that people, unfortunately, are going to go to our parking garage decks. They're

976
01:24:53,760 --> 01:24:59,060
to the cubbies and whatnot that businesses and places where we have had business owners

977
01:24:59,060 --> 01:25:07,520
to we taught them how to post signage and how to trespass people through there and then

978
01:25:07,520 --> 01:25:15,380
some come to bus them for us that which we do. But again the numbers and I think the good

979
01:25:15,380 --> 01:25:23,320
nature or a lot of people want to help but they're kind of helping feed the problem to.

980
01:25:24,660 --> 01:25:28,820
It kind of goes what I want to say and what I go about alignment, coordination, the synergy

981
01:25:29,280 --> 01:25:30,520
for a great impact.

982
01:25:31,340 --> 01:25:35,960
But when we have people that will feed at different places, at different times, that's

983
01:25:35,960 --> 01:25:41,480
going to, because the people needs to be in that, the drive to move or do better is in

984
01:25:41,480 --> 01:25:44,260
there because it needs to be, and it's difficult to do them better there.

985
01:25:44,400 --> 01:25:50,120
The end that talks about for a reason, you know, what this alcoholism drug addiction,

986
01:25:50,120 --> 01:25:55,300
of PTSD. Again, that's another issue that we're seeing too. A lot of our men who are

987
01:25:55,300 --> 01:25:59,120
moved served or several like he said, I don't know the percentage, but I do

988
01:25:59,120 --> 01:26:03,140
know we have some vets out there that is out on the tough time, re-aclimating. But

989
01:26:03,140 --> 01:26:06,880
that's your answer. I don't have answer, but I know we're committed to provide

990
01:26:06,880 --> 01:26:12,340
whatever or do whatever we can do. And when there is, we're trying, again, as I

991
01:26:12,340 --> 01:26:20,100
mean before, we're trying to strike that balance between, but I want to

992
01:26:20,100 --> 01:26:28,680
pass it and just, you know, destruction of property and another nasty things, I should say,

993
01:26:28,740 --> 01:26:33,360
to defecate in your nation, you know what you have to come to work and deal with that. But by the

994
01:26:33,360 --> 01:26:39,560
same token, we don't want someone who has had that unwark, unfortunately, that job law also

995
01:26:39,560 --> 01:26:45,660
might have to change or mimic a break to be put in jail, and that's not what it needs to be,

996
01:26:45,660 --> 01:26:48,820
because I think a good number of them need, you know, health assistance.

997
01:26:51,340 --> 01:26:54,800
But that's the best I can get, and we're open to see what else we can do.

998
01:26:56,200 --> 01:26:59,540
And if we see some models that, you know,

999
01:26:59,560 --> 01:27:02,560
I know we built on a tiny house, small depth of,

1000
01:27:02,760 --> 01:27:07,400
what's the green-backed structure over there that will help with some of our female population,

1001
01:27:07,640 --> 01:27:08,780
which seems to be growing.

1002
01:27:12,240 --> 01:27:13,460
And that's where we are.

1003
01:27:13,460 --> 01:27:23,540
And I'll be told honestly with the two hotels that are behind the main, that's kind of been transitional housing for people.

1004
01:27:23,960 --> 01:27:28,500
That doesn't make enough money or enemies are going to run an apartment or buy a house.

1005
01:27:28,920 --> 01:27:32,960
And some of them will get off the street just a little, maybe stay two or three days and they're back out.

1006
01:27:33,460 --> 01:27:39,660
So those properties there is challenging as they be, they're serving the purpose too.

1007
01:27:39,660 --> 01:27:45,100
So when we look at this thing holistically, you know, I think it's a fantastic that we've

1008
01:27:45,660 --> 01:27:50,460
committed, you know, 7500, 100 million, but we really, as a community, are sitting

1009
01:27:50,460 --> 01:27:57,580
on the, possibly, and commit some resources where there are places for people to be, where

1010
01:27:57,580 --> 01:28:02,680
they're not out in the middle of the street or different places where it may not be as

1011
01:28:02,680 --> 01:28:04,500
as I will put them to be.

1012
01:28:04,660 --> 01:28:05,100
Unfortunately.

1013
01:28:05,100 --> 01:28:08,480
Question, Councilman,

1014
01:28:10,650 --> 01:28:16,550
Chief, thanks for your presentation and thanks for all that you do in your team.

1015
01:28:17,070 --> 01:28:24,530
We have a wonderful dedicated staff of men and women throughout our police department, and we should all be very grateful for that.

1016
01:28:26,230 --> 01:28:29,070
The presentation, there's a lot done, Pat, really.

1017
01:28:30,470 --> 01:28:37,790
I think that the numbers present an interesting overview of kind of the state of play

1018
01:28:37,790 --> 01:28:45,390
as it currently is, and obviously staffing needs in part, or the blocking and tackling

1019
01:28:45,390 --> 01:28:52,430
of day-to-day activity, and I noticed in one of the slides, it was sort of a heat map

1020
01:28:52,430 --> 01:28:58,330
the day parts of when you have received the most calls. I think WCF you mentioned

1021
01:28:58,330 --> 01:29:02,790
Wednesday or something. Wednesday afternoon is a time that we've seen a lot of

1022
01:29:02,790 --> 01:29:09,990
calls but that heat map I would think does our staffing levels of officers on

1023
01:29:09,990 --> 01:29:16,010
the street correspond to that heat map? Do we have our most the most officers on

1024
01:29:16,010 --> 01:29:19,330
the street during the times when we're getting the most calls because I would

1025
01:29:19,330 --> 01:29:24,730
think if we don't then that just places added stress on those officers that are on the street

1026
01:29:24,730 --> 01:29:25,330
at that time.

1027
01:29:25,570 --> 01:29:26,810
Well, well, schedule is built.

1028
01:29:26,990 --> 01:29:31,630
We have overlap, which tend to coincide with the best of your time.

1029
01:29:32,290 --> 01:29:36,430
So, but the problem is you can have that overlap, but we're going to just have offices coming

1030
01:29:36,430 --> 01:29:36,710
early.

1031
01:29:36,830 --> 01:29:41,930
Stay late to try to catch that when no time, but we still don't have so many people.

1032
01:29:43,550 --> 01:29:49,270
And this is the thing, if we were to put, say, all our faults where the hotspots are,

1033
01:29:49,830 --> 01:29:55,390
The folks who don't see our cop, I have the right to place us now and cut my lights on because we need to see the cop.

1034
01:29:55,550 --> 01:29:58,490
We never see the police, but that's because we're all over here.

1035
01:29:58,710 --> 01:29:59,970
I agree with the numbers kind of...

1036
01:30:01,020 --> 01:30:25,780
So we do try to, we do tend to spend more time just like while in, how there's only place where we were able to get, quote unquote, grant to have two officers assigned because of their volume. They're there, but that's the only one. So the rest of the communities, we have to protect what comes to the work that's not assigned, it's not grant by the position. So the short answer is, yes sir, we do, the numbers suggest what we play our resources.

1037
01:30:25,780 --> 01:30:35,860
But we have to provide presence citywide so it's either overtime that we employ other folks,

1038
01:30:36,260 --> 01:30:40,100
but the overlapping of the squads or the shift and having people adjust their schedule

1039
01:30:40,100 --> 01:30:43,080
is how we've been able to kind of focus in those areas.

1040
01:30:43,860 --> 01:30:48,780
And then there's we think about the coming budget season.

1041
01:30:48,780 --> 01:30:58,780
And if you have a little, you mentioned the request for additional officers, and I think that is needed, and I'm glad to hear that.

1042
01:30:59,880 --> 01:31:10,880
I also think, I mean, you outline several different priorities and strategies, and some of those will be addressed by additional staffing.

1043
01:31:10,880 --> 01:31:18,520
a lot of it will be addressed from what if I heard correctly, a lot of what you're looking

1044
01:31:18,520 --> 01:31:25,620
to do over the next two, three years has some sort of technological component and there's

1045
01:31:26,180 --> 01:31:34,440
certainly a capitalized cost involved in making those commitments and I personally think there's

1046
01:31:34,440 --> 01:31:40,460
nothing more important that we do in the city than keeping our people safe and so as we look

1047
01:31:40,460 --> 01:31:46,840
allocation of our federal funds that we have available to this. In addition to other grant

1048
01:31:46,840 --> 01:31:52,480
opportunities, I think we ought to really take a hard look at the things that are critically

1049
01:31:52,480 --> 01:32:00,820
essential to make those investments. That's my personal opinion, but we ought to really do

1050
01:32:00,820 --> 01:32:09,200
what we can because so much of what we're doing is based on the world as we know it now, but

1051
01:32:09,200 --> 01:32:24,520
We also all know that our world in Sportman is going to change dramatically over the next 2-3-5 years, and if we delay in making those investments in planning, then I think we'll find ourselves behind, and that's not where we want to fund ourselves.

1052
01:32:24,520 --> 01:32:30,620
Yes, sir. I agree. Oh, Audit Lee. And I will say that we have added a few more people that's being

1053
01:32:32,580 --> 01:32:38,640
coached up in the grant writing world because there's a lot of money to be

1054
01:32:38,640 --> 01:32:43,540
getting out there if you know where to find it and you have people that expertise in a time to do it. So

1055
01:32:43,540 --> 01:32:48,140
expanding our grant the past is huge. And as you said before,

1056
01:32:49,640 --> 01:32:51,320
There's money that's come from the state.

1057
01:32:51,480 --> 01:32:58,360
We were fortunate last year to get 495,000 dollars from the state, and then obviously the

1058
01:32:58,360 --> 01:33:02,360
awful funding that you all provided us has expanded our capacity.

1059
01:33:02,420 --> 01:33:06,180
That's why I can't think you're enough for that because it's already paying dividends

1060
01:33:06,180 --> 01:33:06,580
calls.

1061
01:33:06,740 --> 01:33:09,900
The cameras in order we talked about, it can be places where we can't.

1062
01:33:10,040 --> 01:33:13,820
Even if I had 500 dollars, we could not be everywhere, physically we needed.

1063
01:33:13,820 --> 01:33:24,540
But the cameras are there at all times and then but have a little bit of the house someone who can be accessing those on a more frequent basis or there's some technology looking at the where you're saying someone

1064
01:33:24,540 --> 01:33:33,430
Coz and child parking deck out the certain time if there's something I want to see like they'll know I ended this stuff work, but I want it if I figure out how I could at least let our in-car

1065
01:33:34,520 --> 01:33:36,760
Computers know hey someone's there in the deck

1066
01:33:36,760 --> 01:33:39,540
Where we've been having issues then we can respond

1067
01:33:39,540 --> 01:33:43,020
You know the house on what's it in the room monitor, but if you can

1068
01:33:43,560 --> 01:33:48,100
and it could be a civilian, I have to be sworn, but someone who can alert us in certain places.

1069
01:33:48,200 --> 01:33:49,500
Especially we have all our events.

1070
01:33:50,260 --> 01:33:54,300
You know, like I said, to be able to look at all the cameras, different angles, and see kind of what's happening.

1071
01:33:54,840 --> 01:33:58,460
And we can avoid head off things before even the curve, because eyes are there.

1072
01:33:58,660 --> 01:34:00,040
And then we move asses that way.

1073
01:34:00,260 --> 01:34:03,560
But again, thank you for your comments, and I agree wholeheartedly, because it's coming.

1074
01:34:04,000 --> 01:34:05,760
I mean, everything's going up exponentially.

1075
01:34:06,460 --> 01:34:07,180
Councilwoman Smith.

1076
01:34:07,500 --> 01:34:09,480
Chief, thank you for being here.

1077
01:34:10,620 --> 01:34:17,580
As we've mentioned youth and guns and mental health tonight, several times which tees up my question,

1078
01:34:18,180 --> 01:34:21,720
you all know that I worked in the world of education, data.

1079
01:34:22,300 --> 01:34:29,080
Last week, we had the newest set of the youth risk behavior survey, which comes out through the CDC

1080
01:34:29,760 --> 01:34:33,400
that surveys our night through 12 students, including District 7.

1081
01:34:33,400 --> 01:34:39,800
And in it, we saw that one in five of our females have made a plan to commit suicide.

1082
01:34:40,740 --> 01:34:45,960
And so when we talk about safety, you know, deputy chief started with increasing safety

1083
01:34:45,960 --> 01:34:52,100
in our city and harm, sometimes that means protecting people from self-harm.

1084
01:34:52,860 --> 01:34:59,540
And we've worked together, y'all have been great in indulging me on testing to see if the gun

1085
01:34:59,540 --> 01:35:05,540
bybacks would have any sort of impact and I read an article this week that talked about how

1086
01:35:05,540 --> 01:35:14,220
the most lasting impact on bybacks is decreasing suicide because it removes a gun from

1087
01:35:14,220 --> 01:35:15,340
the home.

1088
01:35:15,980 --> 01:35:21,540
This article, however, talked about rather than doing once a year implementing a permanent

1089
01:35:22,140 --> 01:35:28,080
gun byback policy where at any point, at any time, someone can come and bring their weapon

1090
01:35:28,080 --> 01:35:31,600
to the city, to get it out of the home.

1091
01:35:33,340 --> 01:35:38,440
I asked, I work with several mental health clinicians in my job as well, and I asked them.

1092
01:35:38,560 --> 01:35:43,160
I said, would that be helpful to you as a therapist who might be working with someone or a

1093
01:35:43,160 --> 01:35:48,240
family whose child is having suicidal thoughts that you could bring your weapon to the city,

1094
01:35:48,400 --> 01:35:58,060
maybe you get a small stipend, and every single one of them said, yes, we would want to know

1095
01:35:58,060 --> 01:36:05,300
that we would tell our clients that so as we talk about the upcoming budget season I would love

1096
01:36:05,300 --> 01:36:10,480
for us to have those conversations of how can we better work with the mental health community

1097
01:36:10,480 --> 01:36:16,040
in making it easier for folks who are having those thoughts to get weapons out of their home

1098
01:36:16,040 --> 01:36:18,260
to protect either themselves or their children.

1099
01:36:18,460 --> 01:36:24,080
Yes ma'am. I agree wholeheartedly because to me when I think of gun violence it's not just those

1100
01:36:24,080 --> 01:36:29,600
involved in criminal activity. But except for the suicide or the two children playing in the

1101
01:36:29,600 --> 01:36:33,940
game on and out of here responsible gun owners and leave the gun on attended and a little

1102
01:36:33,940 --> 01:36:38,800
brother shoot a little sister or yeah that's and it happens to often and it's happened close by

1103
01:36:38,800 --> 01:36:45,140
there been here yeah so yeah I'm I'm with you and we'll look at our budget you know whatever

1104
01:36:45,140 --> 01:36:51,020
that's what I said when I think about and again we have some very generous people I think about

1105
01:36:51,020 --> 01:36:56,260
the four non-profits that put together a public safety fund, we have, you know,

1106
01:36:56,360 --> 01:37:00,100
I'm very black, we have some kind of foundation to people and go to, but I really

1107
01:37:00,100 --> 01:37:06,220
would love to have, I really would love to possible that the 501-3C for the PD,

1108
01:37:06,680 --> 01:37:10,020
where we get those funds or we can channel it to things just like that and I have the

1109
01:37:10,020 --> 01:37:11,340
way to go.

1110
01:37:11,560 --> 01:37:15,620
I mean, don't get wrong, I will, I will welcome any cash, we can get from any source, but I would

1111
01:37:15,620 --> 01:37:20,980
love to have that prospect to fund some of those initiatives that you mentioned, and as

1112
01:37:20,980 --> 01:37:26,940
to look at that program, the mental program, buy back, but there's some things we can do.

1113
01:37:27,600 --> 01:37:29,980
Yeah, I'm, like I said, I'll, I get them.

1114
01:37:30,000 --> 01:37:35,920
I'm grateful what I'm hearing and I'm not surprised because I know you're just like we are. We weren't what's best not seen.

1115
01:37:36,340 --> 01:37:38,220
Council on the right. I'm sorry.

1116
01:37:38,540 --> 01:37:41,700
Chief, I was just thinking you'd ask earlier.

1117
01:37:44,680 --> 01:37:48,000
I guess what I want to ask is there anything we can do to help.

1118
01:37:49,540 --> 01:37:58,040
We're talking about the home situation from a code perspective to give, because I think we've talked about on council before.

1119
01:37:58,040 --> 01:38:06,620
There are certainly our residents that are experiencing homelessness that we want to help as a city.

1120
01:38:07,100 --> 01:38:13,120
And then there's also folks that come in from out of town that we don't want to be here.

1121
01:38:14,680 --> 01:38:25,310
But is there anything from a code perspective that we need to do in public places or from vagrancy or whatever that would help equip or give the

1122
01:38:25,310 --> 01:38:29,190
Your officer is the opportunity to deal with the problem.

1123
01:38:29,510 --> 01:38:32,270
I don't know, but if there is, let us know.

1124
01:38:33,110 --> 01:38:38,310
And then the second piece of that, in the past when we've had,

1125
01:38:39,010 --> 01:38:40,650
I think on a couple of occasions,

1126
01:38:42,810 --> 01:38:46,170
where there's been a public safety, a consistent public safety issue,

1127
01:38:46,790 --> 01:38:50,130
somewhere, whether it was a nightclub where we had multiple shootings

1128
01:38:50,130 --> 01:38:57,590
comes to mind. We've worked together either to limit hours or to revoke business license.

1129
01:38:58,250 --> 01:39:02,550
And we cannot certainly do. I don't know if there's a place that fits that right now,

1130
01:39:03,310 --> 01:39:06,830
but I offer that as another thing that Council can work with you on.

1131
01:39:09,070 --> 01:39:12,850
Well, I will look so in the code. I know the biggest thing is, and then again,

1132
01:39:12,970 --> 01:39:17,630
I'll run it by legal goes. We'll fortune that with very brilliant legal mind on staff.

1133
01:39:17,630 --> 01:39:21,750
Mr. Kohler, and I think we need to do the way we, again, know,

1134
01:39:21,830 --> 01:39:27,910
trampling on Constitutional Rights, but that are both in our authority to limit certain behaviors.

1135
01:39:28,150 --> 01:39:32,590
Obviously aggressive and handling things along those lines that we can do.

1136
01:39:32,750 --> 01:39:33,970
There are some things that have been on the book.

1137
01:39:34,110 --> 01:39:37,050
Someone have been challenged, that constitutionality have been challenged,

1138
01:39:37,410 --> 01:39:39,730
but you're not having that conversation to get back to you.

1139
01:39:39,730 --> 01:39:43,930
And if there's anything, we can do for your passage or for consideration.

1140
01:39:44,230 --> 01:39:45,250
We can put that forward.

1141
01:39:46,390 --> 01:40:02,090
Any other questions of the Chief again, congratulations on your 10 years of coming and thank you for what you do for us, our citizens here in Spideonburg City, as well as the county, but again, even the upstate.

1142
01:40:02,790 --> 01:40:04,130
You're seeing that email.

1143
01:40:04,710 --> 01:40:05,830
Well, blessed to be here, sir.

1144
01:40:06,050 --> 01:40:08,570
And like I said, it really goes back to my people.

1145
01:40:09,170 --> 01:40:12,590
I've got a great work for us and every along that I'm alone, but they've been fantastic.

1146
01:40:13,230 --> 01:40:14,910
Thank you, sir.

1147
01:40:18,990 --> 01:40:23,290
Okay. Staff update. Mr. Stewart. Mr. Maker.

1148
01:40:23,550 --> 01:40:30,150
Excuse me. Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, I'll be very brief tonight. One item

1149
01:40:30,150 --> 01:40:37,620
to note is that March 18th will be the first day of our new fire chief, Pierre Bruton, who's

1150
01:40:39,640 --> 01:40:45,680
who's coming to Spartanburg from being the fire chief in Albumar North Carolina and many

1151
01:40:45,680 --> 01:40:52,460
of you know, Chief Bruton is a prior member of our team on Spartanburg resident long

1152
01:40:52,460 --> 01:40:57,860
time to use Spartanburg team member. And so we are excited to welcome him back in the fire

1153
01:40:57,860 --> 01:41:04,600
chief role and he will be with us again on March 18. Second thing to note is I know that due to the

1154
01:41:04,600 --> 01:41:10,540
National League of Cities Conference, we are looking at questions of

1155
01:41:10,540 --> 01:41:16,580
Quorum for the first meeting in March, so I just wanted to publicly state that we'll,

1156
01:41:17,020 --> 01:41:22,100
we may be looking at adjustments based on pending agenda items and that kind of thing.

1157
01:41:22,200 --> 01:41:29,100
I'll be communicating with Council at weeks in about what that pipeline is looking like for items.

1158
01:41:30,160 --> 01:41:39,900
And so, with the option of altering that, you know, scheduling special meeting, if we need to, or things of that nature, based on timelines of activities.

1159
01:41:41,640 --> 01:41:47,780
And those are just the two things I wanted to make sure to publicly address if there are any questions, certainly welcome.

1160
01:41:49,280 --> 01:41:50,480
Councilwoman Louder, John.

1161
01:41:50,680 --> 01:41:51,420
Yes, Chris.

1162
01:41:53,570 --> 01:41:57,830
I thought you were going to address this with that me having to actually do it.

1163
01:41:57,830 --> 01:42:05,450
about the Pepsi plant, would you please give us the status on that because I've gotten a lot of

1164
01:42:05,450 --> 01:42:13,350
calls on that, got from different residents. Also, I got a question about the zoning.

1165
01:42:13,630 --> 01:42:25,410
You go, what is the zoning going to be? So if you could kind of update us on the status of the

1166
01:42:25,410 --> 01:42:32,370
Here today with the developer on the project and he is moving along through the different phases

1167
01:42:32,370 --> 01:42:39,650
of preparation and securing financing and things of that nature due to the way in which

1168
01:42:39,650 --> 01:42:47,470
the project is to be financed, demolition of the existing structures won't occur until they

1169
01:42:47,470 --> 01:42:54,130
are ready to move from demolition into directly in a new construction, so there'll be one mobilization

1170
01:42:54,130 --> 01:43:00,030
time. So I think that's going to be the summer time before we see a demolition activity

1171
01:43:00,030 --> 01:43:09,610
commence there. That is consistent with and common with a number of projects of that

1172
01:43:09,610 --> 01:43:15,110
nature involving multiple different funding sources in a fluctuating interest rate environment.

1173
01:43:16,750 --> 01:43:23,650
And as to the zoning question, I haven't looked at specifically at that if the specific

1174
01:43:23,650 --> 01:43:30,070
uses require a rezoning consideration that will be part of the development application, the

1175
01:43:30,070 --> 01:43:41,130
development review process. That's not controlled by the activity that has occurred to

1176
01:43:41,130 --> 01:43:46,510
date in the form of the development agreement with the City Council. That would be a separate

1177
01:43:46,510 --> 01:43:53,230
process if every zoning is required. And so that would come when the plans are submitted.

1178
01:43:54,390 --> 01:43:56,690
which they have not yet been submit.

1179
01:43:57,850 --> 01:44:01,030
Okay, now he said that the demolition go would take place

1180
01:44:01,030 --> 01:44:02,450
of the summer sometimes.

1181
01:44:02,750 --> 01:44:04,970
Yes, I think it'd probably be late summer

1182
01:44:04,970 --> 01:44:07,670
when that would start and it would be

1183
01:44:07,670 --> 01:44:10,410
one process of beginning with the

1184
01:44:10,410 --> 01:44:13,530
statement, demolition, the new construction, one mobilization.

1185
01:44:16,300 --> 01:44:18,560
Well, thank you for that.

1186
01:44:18,940 --> 01:44:21,880
I'm glad that it's not going to be after he finished

1187
01:44:21,880 --> 01:44:24,280
the project downtown because I didn't think

1188
01:44:24,280 --> 01:44:29,060
the Peters would do us like that. Okay because it still looks like a prison going

1189
01:44:29,060 --> 01:44:33,500
you go down through there. I should not have formed a Pepsi plant. Thank you, Chris.

1190
01:44:33,700 --> 01:44:39,400
Yes, ma'am. Any other questions of city manager? No questions of the city manager?

1191
01:44:41,080 --> 01:44:44,880
City council updates? Thank you for being here.

1192
01:44:48,140 --> 01:44:55,260
Thank you for allowing us to all serve with you and appreciate everyone being here.

1193
01:44:57,550 --> 01:44:58,310
Now some brown.

1194
01:44:59,070 --> 01:44:59,210
Thank you.

1195
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:16,860
The opportunity to attend a couple events, this past weekend, the sneaker ball, widely attended by a lot of folks, you know, struck me when we were pre-gaming, how multiple times.

1196
01:45:19,020 --> 01:45:31,980
So there were so many events over the past week of, you know, nonprofits and community organizations, and it's just so fascinating.

1197
01:45:32,200 --> 01:45:40,540
Given the size of a community that we are, and everyone that's just so engaged and wanting to help in different areas of our community.

1198
01:45:40,540 --> 01:45:48,440
and so it was just and all of the events sold out. I mean, you're talking hundreds of people, you know, attending, you know,

1199
01:45:48,560 --> 01:45:55,880
Sam had their fundraiser on Thursday night. I hadn't had my event. It wasn't a fundraiser.

1200
01:45:56,080 --> 01:46:01,120
We're supposed to have to go see Stevie Nixon Greenville. I was very excited, but it was just like, boom, boom, boom.

1201
01:46:01,140 --> 01:46:07,540
All these events, they had the hopes and efforts children. I think they had an event Saturday night. So it's just really

1202
01:46:07,540 --> 01:46:14,540
wonderful to see how giving this community is and how engaged this community is.

1203
01:46:15,460 --> 01:46:19,840
And I think as we look ahead in the next few years, I mean just the growth itself,

1204
01:46:20,000 --> 01:46:25,740
it's going to continue to grow. And I think that's why it's so important to support the needs

1205
01:46:25,740 --> 01:46:33,580
of our police and fire. And I just look forward to seeing our city grow. Thank you for all for being here.

1206
01:46:36,740 --> 01:46:40,200
Thanks for being here.

1207
01:46:42,580 --> 01:46:44,180
Councilwoman Lujel.

1208
01:46:50,700 --> 01:46:51,280
I changed.

1209
01:46:54,300 --> 01:46:58,660
Ruth, this love and Rob went up to the mic and she thought he was going to say something.

1210
01:46:59,240 --> 01:47:00,680
Thank you for being here.

1211
01:47:02,560 --> 01:47:07,000
I attended the Appalachian Council of Governments meeting on Friday,

1212
01:47:09,160 --> 01:47:10,320
and I was sitting

1213
01:47:10,320 --> 01:47:16,060
manager was a speaker there, and I guess he thought I was going to say something to

1214
01:47:16,060 --> 01:47:21,720
him after the best of, because he took off, he got in his car and left, he didn't

1215
01:47:21,720 --> 01:47:30,960
But anyway, you know, go one of the topics that came up was the lack of work ethics now.

1216
01:47:31,320 --> 01:47:35,960
You know, the people that are hiring people in the lack of work ethics.

1217
01:47:35,960 --> 01:47:49,900
And this is really, really sad because I don't understand reason why parents could do not give their kids chores to do.

1218
01:47:49,900 --> 01:47:53,500
and insist that they do it right.

1219
01:47:53,820 --> 01:47:56,100
Go on, I was coming up in 1700.

1220
01:47:57,160 --> 01:47:58,740
Go on, I was coming up.

1221
01:47:58,740 --> 01:48:00,500
Go on, I was coming up.

1222
01:48:00,700 --> 01:48:03,640
If you did something, question, if it wasn't right,

1223
01:48:03,760 --> 01:48:07,560
could you have to go back and do it up until it was right?

1224
01:48:08,480 --> 01:48:15,560
And so I just regret that there is such a lack of work ethics,

1225
01:48:15,920 --> 01:48:18,700
especially among our young people.

1226
01:48:18,700 --> 01:48:24,560
And you cannot go wait up until they are 19 or 20 years old

1227
01:48:24,560 --> 01:48:27,460
and then tell them to start doing something right.

1228
01:48:28,480 --> 01:48:30,380
So, Gaparinska, please take heed.

1229
01:48:30,460 --> 01:48:33,580
I give you kids little chores while they are young

1230
01:48:33,960 --> 01:48:35,480
and make them do it right.

1231
01:48:36,300 --> 01:48:42,730
And I was invited over to the airport on Thursday

1232
01:48:42,730 --> 01:48:46,950
by a Randy Alexander got to meet the movie crew

1233
01:48:46,950 --> 01:48:52,890
of the people that God you met too. I was excited, and thank you, Randy, if you're listening

1234
01:48:52,890 --> 01:49:02,210
for inviting me. Thank you. Good. Mayor Protein. Thank you, Mayor. My name is Yvonne Short.

1235
01:49:05,090 --> 01:49:11,330
This coming week, well, this month is Black History Month, and we have all activities that

1236
01:49:11,330 --> 01:49:17,910
going on and maybe you didn't attend any of them and if you haven't there's two that's coming up

1237
01:49:17,910 --> 01:49:27,250
at the end of the week. One is at Meetings Street Academy, where they would be having artists,

1238
01:49:29,050 --> 01:49:36,670
entrepreneurs, and vendors located around the arch circle on Friday, excuse me,

1239
01:49:36,670 --> 01:49:41,270
Thursday from 4 to 6. And also, that's what we're

1240
01:49:41,270 --> 01:49:44,090
counting foundation will be presenting their African-American

1241
01:49:44,090 --> 01:49:49,170
Trailblazer with Midas Hampton as their speaker, and that

1242
01:49:49,170 --> 01:49:55,150
will be on Thursday as well from 5 to 7. So if you didn't get to

1243
01:49:55,150 --> 01:50:00,730
attend any activities during the month, please try to attend one of

1244
01:50:00,730 --> 01:50:05,730
these events. Also, thank you for coming, and we look forward to seeing

1245
01:50:05,730 --> 01:50:09,450
the next time. You invited me out to an event and you didn't mention that.

1246
01:50:09,450 --> 01:50:14,770
Oh, that's right. I did have the mayor and because last weekend this past weekend was a very

1247
01:50:14,770 --> 01:50:20,270
very busy and the mayor attended the Mobile Meals Land Cruise with me and I was very, very

1248
01:50:20,270 --> 01:50:27,850
pleased. And you're talking about fundraising and just waiting and helping citizens,

1249
01:50:27,850 --> 01:50:36,790
moment wheels help tremendously in this town. And if you get time, also our Chief of

1250
01:50:36,790 --> 01:50:41,910
Police is part of the moment wheels group with me. And if you get time, please

1251
01:50:41,910 --> 01:50:46,850
share yourself. Please donate. We would appreciate it. Thank you.

1252
01:50:47,070 --> 01:50:53,490
To that, I want to thank congratulations, Pea Bruton. Again, I'm becoming the new fire chief

1253
01:50:53,490 --> 01:50:56,890
here in Spineberg, Pierre and I were class mixed together.

1254
01:50:57,050 --> 01:51:03,330
We would not in 1973, but we did graduate together from Spineberg High School of Graduation.

1255
01:51:03,490 --> 01:51:05,810
I've had enough to talk to him this past weekend.

1256
01:51:06,750 --> 01:51:09,390
April Kelly Drummond received a service award.

1257
01:51:09,450 --> 01:51:15,450
April is one of another Spineberg High School of Graduation, which is, she's VP of Denny's

1258
01:51:15,450 --> 01:51:22,510
and over the inclusion department for all of Denny's and April actually shared with former

1259
01:51:22,510 --> 01:51:30,770
that he wrote her a reference letter in order to get that job, and it's just special that we were

1260
01:51:31,570 --> 01:51:38,430
had the opportunity to present her with a service person of the year award for her, and what she does for Dennis.

1261
01:51:38,970 --> 01:51:46,770
The chief mentioned Brandon Gaffney, New Spineberg Mental Health CEO, Executive Director.

1262
01:51:46,770 --> 01:51:54,710
They are having a U-Banks peer living room, open house tomorrow, from one to four opportunity

1263
01:51:54,710 --> 01:52:02,230
for young people with their having these issues as Megan and the chief we're talking about.

1264
01:52:02,230 --> 01:52:05,030
Give them an opportunity, a safe space to go to.

1265
01:52:05,270 --> 01:52:10,570
So Brandon, I'm sure, will be happy to see us there if and all possible.

1266
01:52:11,490 --> 01:52:17,710
That group, Steesa, Talon agency, a love it, you can see that fourth grader.

1267
01:52:18,610 --> 01:52:22,090
I mean, man, when I went back that Saturday morning, all of them were up, they're just

1268
01:52:22,090 --> 01:52:23,350
blowing, blowing their way.

1269
01:52:24,350 --> 01:52:29,970
So, Outstanding Job, that Lisa and her husband, Stephen, is doing, had the opportunity in.

1270
01:52:30,000 --> 01:52:38,980
A council member arranged district to do the ribbon cutting that the back nine, golf simulator on this past Saturday.

1271
01:52:39,340 --> 01:52:44,360
Just another business that's coming through just opportunity for all people.

1272
01:52:44,700 --> 01:52:53,780
I also had the opportunity, Erica, to have a burger from, is it hippy burger? Habit burger? Habit burger?

1273
01:52:54,660 --> 01:53:02,900
Yeah, my arms and nobody went by and had a burger. It was actually pretty good. So, you know, I know a new place to eat. I don't need many burgers, but I

1274
01:53:02,900 --> 01:53:23,060
Didn't turn it down, but it's just so much going on here in Spideberg and just again to the to the staff all the way around. You guys here on council just enjoy the opportunity to serve with you and to work hand in hand with you guys as well as we continue to make Spideberg

1275
01:53:23,780 --> 01:53:31,120
the great priest to live and play as as my good buddy Kevin says you know the future

1276
01:53:31,620 --> 01:53:36,720
the future of South Carolina comes through Spideonburg. So thank you all for coming and joining

1277
01:53:36,720 --> 01:53:42,740
us tonight. We opportunity to adjourn. Oh, exact session.

1278
01:53:42,740 --> 01:53:43,420
What's your name?

1279
01:53:44,880 --> 01:53:45,160
Good morning.

1280
01:53:45,180 --> 01:53:45,460
Good morning.

1281
01:53:47,880 --> 01:53:49,640
All in favor?

1282
01:53:50,600 --> 01:53:51,200
Let's go.

1283
01:53:51,900 --> 01:53:52,520
We got the time.

1284
01:53:52,960 --> 01:53:53,100
Yes.