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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-25-2010 PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting February 25, 2010 Convened: Adjourned: 3:32 p.m.4:05 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chief Judge Levin called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. in Conference Room # 3, 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken. Members Present: Suzanne Caudell, CORE Program Mike Davis for Thomas Mark, Department of Corrections Ken Mascara, Sheriff of SLC th Chief Judge Steve Levin, 19 Circuit Major Pat Tighe Janet Collins, Bail Association th Judge Philip J. Yacucci, 19 Circuit Members Absent: Bruce Colton, State Attorney - Excused Commissioner Chris Craft - Excused John Romano, New Horizons - Excused Diamond Litty, Public Defender - Excused Others Present: Mark Godwin, SLC Criminal Justice Coordinator Ethel Rowland, Taxpayer Broderick Underwood, SLC Analyst Lisa Savage, SLC Pre-Trial Program Becky Bleyman, CORE Program Theresa Bailey, SAMH John J. Baeza, Law Enforcement against Prohibition Gary L. Robinson, PSL PD Trevor Morganti, SLC SO Toby Long, SLC SO Cheri Sheffer, DCF APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from January 25, 2010 were unanimously approved with one amendment made to Mark Godwin’s Criminal Justice Update. Public Safety Coordinating Council February 25, 2010 Page 2 UPDATE by SLC Sherriff’s Office- Sheriff Mascara: Sheriff Mascara gave an update on one of the topics discussed at last month’s meeting, which was th the medical cost associated with inmates at the jail. On the 12 of February Prison Health Services (PHS) along with: Toby Long, Major Tighe, County Administrator, Faye Outlaw and Sheriff Mascara met. Information was put together in a collaborative effort to address some issues in regards to medical costs. The Sheriff also announced that a meeting is scheduled with Lawnwood Medical Center to hopefully get them on board with the group’s effort. Sheriff Mascara recently attended the Florida Sheriff Association Conference. A topic that was discussed at length was Senate Bill 782 and House Bill 445. These Bills deal with Pretrial release which is a Program we have in SLC. The Sheriff mentioned he found it ironic to return home from the Conference and see on the cover of TC Palm that SLC is opposing both bills. If legislation is passed it could affect 75% of 640 individuals who were in the Pretrial Program in 2009. The Sheriff explained and felt that all would agree there would be a terrible effect if these Bills passed. The reason is because of what we have been trying to accomplish within our jail, which is to reduce overcrowding. He informed the group that the Bill seems to want to address Bondsman’s inadequacies they feel in Pretrial verse what they are trying to do. The Sheriff mentioned that we have heard Janet and Mitch (bondsman) talk about how they feel that they are not getting their share of the business and that Pretrial is getting the cream of it, leaving junk in the jail that they have to deal with. After the Sheriff heard a lot of that testimony at his meeting in Tallahassee, he tended to concur with that. He felt that it appeared that there was a rush to get people out of jail on Pretrial. He went on to explain that Pretrial is an expense that the County absorbs and yet we have a private entity that is willing to do it and they are fee driven. Although he did not feel this legislation would pass this year, he felt that we should make an effort to address the Bondsman’s concerns. Sheriff Mascara shared some of the language he heard in Tallahassee. One suggestion was a “cooling off period” of 72 hours in jail before Pretrial has the ability to kick in. After hearing the Bondsman’s side and the Sheriff’s side, he felt that this would be a great resolve to the situation both sides are facing. The last thing the Sheriff would want to do is lose the Pretrial ability with some of the inmates. He reiterated that if we lose Pretrial, we would lose 75% of 640 inmates that are currently outside the jail that they would have to bring back. Janet Collins, bail bondsman shared her thoughts about what the Sheriff had to say. Ms. Collins added when our Pretrial Program was put together, all the different parties as usual were involved and so she feels that we have a pretty good program here in St. Lucie County. She thinks we are all kind of shocked that there are not as many indigent people on the Program as they hoped there would be. Ms. Collins continued that there are a lot of people that would have privately bonded out of jail and would not have to be on the tax payers rolls if we did not have the Pretrial Program. However, she does realize that a lot of their people are on the Pretrial Program in conjunction with having bond put up for them as well. In her opinion, other Counties in the State do not have as good of a Pretrial Program as St. Lucie County. Ms. Collins felt that is the reason we are running into problems with Pretrial Programs in several Counties. She went on Public Safety Coordinating Council February 25, 2010 Page 3 to say that it is out of control costing the Tax Payers millions of dollars when there is a private entity that can take care of them. In closing, she thanked Sheriff Mascara for his words. Judge Yacucci shared his views on why our Pretrial Program works well. It is because of what was done here to find a balance on what works well, but not have it be the only priority to reduce jail overcrowding and cost. That is why they were adamant about limiting who was available for the Pretrial Program. They made sure the Program was developed the right way and not let it become too big. Judge Yacucci commented the way St. Lucie County runs the Program should be a model for other Counties to focus on. He added the Program is a tool that Judges can use responsibly along with Bonds and therefore a lot of times you get a combination of Bonds and Pretrial conditions. When used properly the Bondsman is not going to get locked out, yet we get the added security of the bracelet and so forth. When it comes to post sentencing, he felt that CORE should be the ones for misdemeanor cases and DOC should be the ones for felony cases. In closing, Judge Yacucci explained for the right Pretrial cases, he felt it has been an invaluable tool that has benefited everybody. He felt we should maintain a unified position because we would not want to lose it and that is the bottom line. Judge Levin commented that the reason why we do so differently in SLC is because we are all at th the table and we discuss issues and work together. The 19 Circuit is different because we don’t have the problems to the extent that the State has. We need to make sure that when they say things, resolve things and past bills in Tallahassee, we need to have our voice heard that we are different. We need to be careful not to be driven by larger counties and even the State when it comes to resolving issues. We get things resolved and there is a way to resolve this. The Sheriff is right, we need to be aware that this bill is out there even though it may not pass this year. Judge Levin suggested during the year for the Bondsman, Pretrial, Judges and Prosecutors to address the issues in order to be on the same page. The key is how to utilize the Program without anyone giving up the right to their piece of the pie. Sheriff Mascara concluded his report with an article that was published in the Tallahassee Herald on Valentine’s Day. This was about the Governor’s new philosophy on DOC and how they were not budgeting funds for building jails next fiscal year however, they were budgeting for the re- entry of inmates back into our community. In his executive budget, there was no money for new prisons and all funding was diverted for prison work camps to re-entry centers where the State assist inmates transition in the community through job training and Social Service. He went on to read a quote from Sheriff G, Hillsborough County: “The only way to take Public Safety to the next level is through a good Re-entry and Recidivism Program. When people listen to the facts they are starting to understand the Programs.” Sheriff Mascara told the group how St. Lucie County is way ahead of the curve with the Public Defender and what she has done at the jail. He is very thankful for her leadership on that part. Other comments were heard regarding local re-entry initiatives. Public Safety Coordinating Council February 25, 2010 Page 4 UPDATE by Criminal Justice Coordinator- Mark Godwin: Mr. Godwin thanked everyone for the nice comments in regards to the Pretrial Program. He went on to say that it is the Judge’s decision to determine who goes on Pretrial; we do not get in there and make the recommendations. He informed the group of the fact that SLC Pretrial Program is the only program in the State of Florida that does field work. He felt that field work is important and the Judges understand that, especially in domestic battery cases. If there are cases like that the house is searched for weapons and so forth. Lisa Savage, Pretrial Manager added that it is very important to know that they never take cases, what she calls “out the back door.” They have never taken cases prior to a Judge hearing it at First Appearance. That is one of the things she likes about our County is that the Judges have said that it is their job to decide at First Appearance. In closing, Lisa stated that everything they do is by Court Order. Mr. Godwin went on to handout and discuss the Population Report that Mr. Underwood, County Analyst produced. Mr. Underwood added a new cell that indicates the average weekly increase or decrease based on Major Tighe’s request. JUDICIAL UPDATE Judge Yacucci reported that all the Programs are running smoothly. There has been great cooperation from all the Judges in making sure that the right people are directed to the right places and they have great success with all of the Programs. There have been regular meetings with Clerk Smith and all is going well. There are no issues to be discussed at this time. Chief Judge Levin added that there is a vacancy because Magistrate D. Pierce left. He explained that she handled family post dissolution cases in SLC which was 50 or 60% of her work. In addition to that, she worked on dependency cases to help out Judge Geiger as well as Mental Health Baker Act cases to help out Judge Connor. It is a huge void and she worked 8 to 10 hours a day in an effort to cover that. There is a ninety day hiring freeze so Chief Judge applied for an exception to the State to have the freeze waived because of the crucial cases involved, but it was rd denied. Chief Judge stated he will revisit that on March 23 at a Chief Judge Meeting (TCBC) in Tallahassee to try and shorten the hiring freeze to sixty days. In any event he hopes to have someone on board by the middle of May. The position has been advertised and there were sixteen applicants who applied and were interviewed. They are in the process of narrowing it down and will have a name within the next two weeks. Mr. Godwin offered assistance to Chief Judge Levin from our Analyst in the way of data regarding case flow. Mr. Godwin’s intention was to provide data that Chief Judge can take with him to the TCBC Meeting in order to get more Judges certified to our area. Mr. Godwin said the new construction is about to begin downtown on the first floor for the additional three Court Rooms and will be done by December. Chief Judge Levin appreciated that. Sheriff Mascara added as a note an update from last month’s meeting in regards to the Law Library 24 hour/7 days a week approved access. All he is waiting on now is an approved list of Public Safety Coordinating Council February 25, 2010 Page 5 BAR members who would want access and then the Sheriff’s office will approve it and distribute swipe cards. OLD BUSINESS Chief Judge asked if everyone had their copy of the Sunshine Booklet that was distributed at last month’s meeting. He added that it is a valuable booklet to have and that all should read and comprehend it so there are no problems or issues. Suzanne Caudell from CORE mentioned that they held their first Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner in collaboration with MAD of Martin and St. Lucie County. She wanted to thank the Sheriffs and Chiefs because they had representation from all Law Enforcement in the two Counties and the Officers were excited to be honored. Budget permitting they can make it an annual event. There were close to 100 participants and it turned out very nice. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Caudell from CORE wanted to share good news and addressed Clerk Smith in regards to Court Fines. CORE had their Programmer install the Fines Account Software which enables them to pay out fines and Court cost weekly. Historically CORE had paid out once the fine was paid off which at times took 6 to 12 months or longer if it was a violation. Now they are able to pay the counties every week even if it is a little bit. Sheriff Mascara added during the Florida’s Sheriff Conference a Representative from Crime Stoppers spoke to them. The speaker informed them that the Governor raided all of the Trust Funds last fiscal year and left Crime Stoppers with nothing. Crime Stoppers ensured the Sheriff that there continues to be a funding source through Court Cases. Sheriff Mascara wanted to reinforce that the Judges can impose that fee to the Crime Stopper and it is up to the Clerk to take the fee and put it in the local fund here. It is more important than ever. Janet Collins, Bail bonds had two questions regarding the Annual Pretrial Report. She first asked how the basic medical cost of $60 a day was figured. Toby Long from the SLC Sheriff’s office explained that he provided the figures based on the average daily population divided into the total cost divided by 365 days a year. Ms. Collins read that 50,000 bed days were saved as a result of the Pretrial Program. She wanted to know if the days were counted from when the person was released from jail until their actual case is disposed of. Lisa Savage, Pretrial Manager answered yes. ADJOURNMENT: Chief Judge Levin adjourned the meeting at 4:05 p.m. Submitted by, Public Safety Coordinating Council February 25, 2010 Page 6 Carlene Filippini THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD March 25, 2010