Chapter 2.17
COMMUNITY SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.17.030 Composition and appointment procedure.
2.17.050 Filling of vacancies.
2.17.010 Creation.
There is created a community safety advisory commission (CSAC). The commission is not a review board of specific police actions, whether internal or external, but a forum for discussions regarding community safety concerns and leveraging the experience of persons outside of policing to improve the department and the community relations. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.020 Purpose and intent.
To provide a forum for police-community interaction, enhance public safety, and increase equity in community safety policies.
A. To address public safety and related issues concerning the Seaside police department’s policies, procedures, practices, and community relation strategies in order to enhance our residents’ quality of life.
B. To promote and encourage open communication and the building of a positive relationship with members of the community and those who have sworn to protect them.
C. Recognize that public safety through policing is a shared responsibility. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.030 Composition and appointment procedure.
CSAC shall be comprised of up to eleven community members nominated by the mayor and approved by the city council. Community members who represent a range of interests and life experiences and diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, LGBTQ+, business, education, nonprofits, public relations, and faith community. At least one member must be between sixteen and eighteen years old when appointed. All members must live in the city of Seaside. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.040 Term of office.
All appointments shall be for three-year terms. Terms are renewable at the discretion of the mayor with the approval of the city council. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms. An individual may not serve as chair more than two consecutive years. To be eligible for chair, one must have been elected and served as vice-chair. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.050 Filling of vacancies.
Any vacancy occurring during the term of any member shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner in which regular appointments are otherwise made. Except for the initial appointment, the chairperson must have served as vice-chair immediately before selection to chairperson and must have served on the community safety advisory commission for a minimum of one year. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.060 Removal from office.
Commission members may be removed for any or no reason, at any time, by majority vote of the city council. If a member of the commission does not attend two consecutive regular meetings of the commission, unless excused by a majority vote of the commission, his/her/their membership shall automatically terminate. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.070 Power and duties.
The power and duties of the commission shall be as follows:
A. Adopt, by a two-thirds vote of its members, bylaws governing the conduct of its meetings and activities, the establishment of subcommittees, and such other rules as may be necessary for the performance of its duties; provided, that such bylaws shall specify that a quorum shall at all times consist of at least six members and that any amendment to the bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members.
B. The commission shall act in an advisory capacity to and as a liaison between the community, the Seaside police department, and city council.
C. The commission will have no input or discussion regarding specific employee personnel issues, nor be involved in department decision-making at any level.
D. Assist in educating the community at large about the function and role of the Seaside police department.
E. Act as a sounding board for the chief of police regarding community needs and concerns, as well as community response to proposed police programs, priorities, and policies.
F. Apprise the chief of police directly of the recommendations for improved delivery of police services to the Seaside community. When required, the commission will make recommendations to the city council.
G. In making its recommendations to the police chief, the commission shall not attempt to direct the method of implementation of any resulting changes to police department programs, policies, or procedures.
H. Develop and make recommendations directed toward informing the community of its rights and responsibilities when in contact with law enforcement officers.
I. Annually review the city’s community policing philosophy and strategies for best practices. Review the polices and strategies that reinforce the importance of community engagement in public safety. For relationships with key stakeholders, such as churches, businesses, schools, and polices dealing with “least harm” resolutions, such as diversion programs or warnings and citations in lieu of arrest for minor infractions.
J. Receive a biannual status report from the city’s family and community support team program.
K. The commission shall actively encourage and foster residents’ participation in crime prevention activities.
L. The committee may also discuss problems and strategies for appropriate problem solving in specific neighborhoods.
M. To provide an annual summary report to the city council on the second regular city council meeting in April of each year concerning all the activities of the commission during the preceding twelve-month period and the current fiscal year “work plan.”
N. In the month of May produce a publicly available annual “community safety report.”
O. The commission shall sponsor/cosponsor an annual citywide community safety summit/event, i.e., National Night Out.
P. Each CSAC member is encouraged to attend the Public Safety Citizens’ Academy or similar training.
Q. Each commission member is expected to contribute.
R. The commission shall not be entitled to receive, review, copy or investigate citizens’ complaint(s) against individual police personnel.
1. If a citizen submits a complaint against individual police personnel directly to a member of the commission or the commission as a whole, the commission member or the commission, as the case may be, shall forward that complaint to the police department. The commission may not take any other action, including holding hearings or conducting investigations, with respect to said complaint. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.080 Staff support.
The chief of police shall serve as staff liaison to the commission. The city manager shall provide or cause to be provided adequate staff assistance and sufficient funding as necessary to enable the commission to fulfill its purpose and duties. The city attorney is the commission’s legal advisor. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)
2.17.090 Meetings.
The commission shall meet monthly or when called by the chair. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 2021)