Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes September 21, 2016 PRESENT: John Tokarski, Michael Medwed, Millie Sass, Peg Sedlack, Julie Reiland, Joyce Lorenz, John Wilds, Kannu Sahni, Officer Sharayah Leff [Point Park University], City of Pittsburgh Officers Thomas Pauley, Shannon Leshen and David Shifren, Commander Daniel Herrmann, University of Pittsburgh Officer Guy Johnson, Rebekkah Ranallo, Laurel Cooper, Alicia Carberry, Maria Bethel, Alexa [Pitt News], Amina Dajhin, Nick Fisher [SGB], Hanson Kappelman, Elena Zaitsoff, Liz Gray, Sophia Koss, David Manthei, Matt Landy, Mark Oleniacz, Joann Slomnicki Co-chairs facilitated introductions, read Oakwatch mission, and thanked Jewish Federation for hosting the meeting. ZONE FOUR POLICE REPORT Officer Shifren reported on the non-traffic citations in August: 11 alcohol consumption on streets, 10 disorderly conduct, 9 underage possession/consumption/purchase, 8 noise, 4 public drunk, 2 urination, 1 interference with official business. Officer Shifren shared an email sent to officers in the zone: give a sense of guidelines for officers to conduct themselves. Oakland impact detail will run for six weeks through Oct 1. The goal is to curb disruptive behavior that impacts quality of life. Warnings are discouraged; citations are encouraged. To send an effective message that disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Exceptions for warnings, this will require a report as to why the warning was issued rather than citation. This will assist to explain to the community about why action not taken. Also, reduces the need to return later. CMU campus has grown as well as the student population. Beeler Street and nearby streets a major concern. Zero tolerance there; cited on first call no exception. N Dithridge St. also zero tolerance area. Immediately show initiative at the beginning of the new semester. Now in close contact with Pitt and CMU police. A: Co-chairs thanked Zone 4 for this complete change in approach. It is remarkable. Q: Asked about the incident at 323 Atwood. A: Officers responded to a party. Upon arrival multiple people, mass exodus out back; climbing over fences. Officers went in and Pitt police assisted. Recognized an underage person. Officers detained people in the house because of underage. Leaseholders identified and will be arrested via summons for providing alcohol to minors. 44 other individuals identified, cited for underage drinking. Pay to enter party. Charged with social hosting. Lots of paperwork involved for all the citations. Residents were cooperative with officers on scene. Assisted with the identification process. Officer Leshen spoke to the owner of the property. She was concerned and will address it. She has a relationship with long-term residents of the neighborhood. Materials to Pitt to go through Judicial Board
process. No other previous incidents or calls at this address. Owner will make phone calls to the parents. Police will monitor address going forward. Q: How many on Atwood lease? A: 3. Q: In response to 911 call? A: Yes. Commended officers for being able to identify that many people. Q: For disruptive property, have to have three citations. It is not disruptive yet. A: Intention of the ordinance was to be three separate dates. City solicitor confirmed this. 311 would not trigger it. Another 911 call at a separate time would trigger a second if the issue meets criteria of disruptive property. Q: After the mass exodus – there were still 44 people, so there is an issue of dangerous condition. Q: What came of the individual who climbed on the roof? A: Charged with disorderly conduct; additional charges Officer Leshen will provide a chart of comparison to us. ZONE FOUR PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT John Tokarksi, Dept of Public Safety: Last week, Zone 4 public safety town hall meeting. Good turnout. It provided an opportunity for people to converse with the Police Chief Mclay and for the council to discuss activities. Commander Herrmann and community officers were there as well. Council meets third Thursday of every month. This year, the meetings will move throughout the zone. Liz will let Oakwatch know the locations. Open to public. October will be the city-wide public safety meeting at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers on South Side, 10 S. 19th Street. Two weeks ago citizens police academy started. 30 people enrolled. Also conducting a student police academy for high school students at Carrick H. S. Next year will be the academy at Obama. The city has a desperate need for crossing guards. Part-time position. PITT POLICE REPORT Office Guy Johnson gave an update: 143 reported incidents for August. 1 aggravated assault, 1 burglary, 3 criminal mischief, 2 defiant trespass, 5 disorderly conduct, 3 marijuana, 2 drug violation, 3 DUI, 2 open container, 3 public drunkenness, 3 urination, 2 simple assault, 19 underage drinking, 5 warrant arrests, 44 Judicial Board charges filed (29 from city), shut down 26 parties in late August, 2 knock and talks, 245 traffic stops. Incidents seem to be down so far this year compared to past years. Matt Landy stated that they are switching to a new system. Don’t know how this compares to last year. More noise, supplying to minors. Many in that time were not first-year students. By shutting down
parties, the first year students have fewer places to go, so fewer first years engaging in disruptive behavior. Community service hours can do through OPDC. Please send people there because numbers are down. It can be a source of community clean up. Q: does j board community service replace anything through the courts? How many hours are issued? A: Pitt student conduct office does not tell students that it would count for both. They have heard of that happening. Co-chairs welcomed Officer Leff from Point Park. The issue is that students take the shuttle from Downtown to Oakcliffe to party. Travel in packs from houses to shuttles can be very loud through the streets. A: Try to go to Oakland two times each shift. They can issue citations. Q: Has Point Park police issued citations? Can you bring stats to the next meeting? A: Yes, next meeting. Q: interact with Pitt Police? A: We interact with city police more. Officer Leshen sends reports and citations to Point Park Police. Q: Are there repercussion? A: Yes, they go through Point Park judicial process. Cmdr Herrmann explained jurisdiction abilities. Q: 306 Ophelia St incident early September A: if got in trouble before, they would. Q: Who attends the hearing? A: City police. Present for judgment, through the magistrate. Zone 4 spoke to the landlord and to Point Park student conduct office. DISRUPTIVE PROPERTY REPORT Maria Bethel defined the ordinance; when the city issues citation three times within a one-year timeframe, the property can be declared disruptive. Then the city can charge the owner for public safety service costs. Owners usually take action at first notice. One property owner Downtown has received a bill for $6,000 for public services. The only one actually had to charge because in most cases, owners abate problem in order to avoid these charges. The ordinance is a preventative measure. August 31 three new members for appeals board so now five slots filled. Actual arrests, summons, citations count for the ordinance, not only 911 calls. Maria will be addressing privacy by telling the community how many notices in Oakland area; 16 in Oakland. She will check with law department whether she can give the addresses without a right to
know request. Nuisance Properties received 45 citations including one social host. Need these numbers. At events, residents have told her that Oakwatch and enforcement partners have made a difference; not having as many disruptions as in past several years. Adding Pitt Police citations into the database has been helpful as well to being able to notify more property owners. She will be working on this with Point Park and CMU as well. Thank you. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF FALL SEMESTER SO FAR Co-chair stated fewer parties, but some large ones. At Kennett Square counted 40 out the front door when police came. Q: Is there a regulation of a number of people in a structure for safety? A: No, not for private residence. In general, the lid is back on. Making a difference. A: Mike Medwed - 3310 Ward is becoming a party house, but then cleared out when a police officer came by. Q: what is the relationship of parties and when they disband associated with other public safety issues related to sexual assault and break-ins. A: All the reports in hospitals and other businesses are also in the same zone data so it is hard to parse this data. Generally, proactive work on part of police is making a difference. Making the community happier because of this work. Q: issue with the body found in a house on Frazier Street. Does city have wellness call? A: yes, call 911 for a wellness check. Police could force entry and help someone. Q: what impact are you seeing from Liberty Bridge being closed? A: impacting from the south, adding about 30 minutes. The community is seeing a growth of traffic on Oak Hill Drive. Also, issue with cars blocking the intersection at Craft/Boulevard of the Allies. PLI PROPERTY PROGRESS REPORT Julie Reiland reported that notices were sent to 306 Ophelia regarding trash. 3421 Parkview – recently had summary appeals case on Aug. 13th. Has cleaned up garbage and overgrowth so judge dismissed it. Q: What about the major hole in the roof? A: Not part of that citation. Q: Right now, the wall is falling into the sidewalk. Q: The issue of trash storage on the sidewalk was raised.
A: environmental services. A: 0 Frazier street. Director Kennedy not expediting that. Last inspecting 26th will issue clean and lien papers. Working with Mayor’s office to speed up the process for vacant lots. Pay attention to a number of workers in efficiency. Q: Fifth 3216 Ave. - Secure building, what about parking lot without a permit? A: Julianne will look into that. MAYOR’S OFFICE Ernest Rajakone, Mayor’s Office - Blight Bootcamp Oct 7 – 8. For more information go to Lotstolove.org LGBTQ advisory council – Looking for new council members; pghjobs.net Q: Update on rental registration? A: When we get an update, we’ll pass it along; still in court. Q: can you look into the timeline? A: will research and email Liz. CITY COUNCIL OFFICES REPORT Alicia Carberry, City Council District 8 - Public hearing on housing opportunity fund this evening. 5:30 Council Chambers. Q: We learned over occupancy case fine was paid. Does city council get this information? A: Judicial portal lag on updating it. Q: Is there a trigger to the council? A: Docket can not be updating timely. ANNOUNCEMENT; ADJOURNMENT Prepaid 311 postcards. Seeking a new co-chair. Hanson traveling. To keep Oakwatch responsive to the community, looking at process; seeking community members’ suggestions or comments. Set it up as monthly meeting; should we change to every other month? Looking for input. These are the things we need to think about. A pattern where alternating meeting times; does it make sense to change this? Chairs want to be responsive, please let them know your input.