HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-2017 Minutes MINUTES OF THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
OF THE OCOEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEETING HELD MARCH 23, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Santana called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of
City Hall, located at 150 N. Lakeshore Drive. Vice-Chairperson King led invocation and
Chairperson Santana led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the roll was called, and a quorum
was declared.
PRESENT: Member Santana, Member Titus, Member Hill, Member Murray, Member King,
Member Bray, and Member Garone. Also present were Deputy Chief Plasencia and Recording
Clerk Garza.
ABSENT: Member Ball (excused), Member Laney (excused), and Member Vines (excused).
Approval of Minutes from the February 23,2017 Meeting
7:05 PM Member Hill makes a motion to approve the Minutes from February 23, 2017,
seconded by member Bray. The motion passed unanimously.
Update on Spring Fling
Member Titus tells the board members the photo booth was a great hit again and Deputy Chief
Plasencia adds there was a big crowd, about 1500 people attending the event. Member Murray
states that most of the people were interested in the handgun safety class, women's self-defense
class and the Citizens' Public Safety Academy. Discussions ensued. Member Hill thinks next
event the board may want to consider bringing items or maybe holding a raffle to attract more
crowds to the CACOPD booth. Member Garone continues by saying a good idea could be to
get kids fingerprinted. Deputy Chief Plasencia adds maybe having a give-a-way item would also
be a good idea. Discussions ensued. Deputy Chief Plasencia adds this was overall a great
safety event that also included heart screening for kids, Saving Young Hearts, and out of the 121
kids screened, 4 had some heart problem, and 2 had to go to the ER. Vice-chairperson King
says it would be better to get a quote on the giveaways now instead of waiting for next year so
they can be given out during the next event.
Community Picnic
Deputy Chief Plasencia tells the board members this year it will be held at Tiger Minor Park on
May 6th from 11:00 -14:00 and the flyer is posted on the Police Department's Facebook page.
She also says volunteers are needed for this event. Member Hill asks if the CACOPD committed
to having a table at the Community Picnic. Member Murray continues by saying the board
CACOPD Meeting
March 23, 2017
members help with the food and Member Titus adds also with the tickets for the raffles.
Chairperson Santana asks who takes care of the Cemetery; maybe the CACOPD can help clean
it up and take it on as a project. Member Hill believes there is a board that takes care of it and
Vice-Chairperson King says it can still be a good idea and opportunity to help the community.
Deputy Chief Plasencia agrees. Member Hill continues by saying the Cemetery is under the care
of the Parks and Recreation Department and their board, so maybe the CACOPD can reach out
to them.
Update on Pulse Shooting
Deputy Chief Plasencia states there is no date yet for the awards presentation. Chairperson
Santana requests the board move forward with this event. Member Garone asks how many
officers from the Ocoee Police Department responded, to which Deputy Chief Plasencia replies
four. Member Titus says there was supposed to be a get-together at the Police Department but it
nave happened.Vice-Chairperson King states depending on the budget, it can still be done.
Member Hill says there is a balance of$490 as of today, minus $30 for Member Garone's shirt.
Discussions ensued. Chairperson Santana wishes to allocate money for the fans and Deputy
Chief Plasencia suggests the board find a slogan, mission statement, or similar to promote the
CACOPD. Recording Clerk Garza says there are CACOPD brochure templates with the logo
at the Police Department. Discussions ensued.
Coffee with a Cop
Deputy Chief Plasencia tells the board members it took place on March 16th at Carlo's dinner.
There were a lot of people in attendance, including a lady with an issue concerning the outcome
of the red light hearings. The next Coffee with a Cop in not set yet but she will let the board
members know once it is scheduled. She continues by saying she is now over the Patrol Division
and Deputy Chief McCosker is over the Support Services Division so there may be some
changes as to how frequently these events will be taking place but it will be posted on Facebook.
She also tells the board members the School Resource Officers have been holding Spring Break
pop-up events with the kids such as basketball, soccer, corn hole and similar; this is a great
opportunity to engage with the community and the kids. These pop-ups will be held during the
summer too.
General Discussion
Member Bray asks if the Police Department holds career day for kids to which Deputy Chief
Plasencia states yes. Vice-Chairperson King says she saw discussions in Nextdoor about
garage door scanners that criminals can use to open garage doors and asks if this is true. Deputy
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CACOPD Meeting
March 23, 2017
Chief Plasencia replies not here; she continues by saying these are generic, some have codes
that can be changed and others don't but since they are very generic the same garage opener may
be able to open other garages so she advises to keep the inside door locked as a precaution but
Ocoee has no crime reported on garage scanners. Discussions ensued. Deputy Chief Plasencia
tells the board members when she first came to a CACOPD meeting in October, the board was
hoping to be more engaged in the community and now is March, with many opportunities gone
and not taken advantage of She suggests each member can be used as a spokesperson for the
surrounding neighborhoods and bring up any issues that need attention. All of this can be posted
on social media to get the public to attend the CACOPD meetings. Deputy Chief Plasencia
further says a map of the city can be used to distribute neighborhoods among the board members.
The idea is to relay information to the Police Department, not for the board members to solve
problems since the board is an advisory board. Member Hill revisits the idea of having guest
speakers before the meetings to address topics of interest, and have these advertised in social
media to attract people to the meetings. Deputy Chief Plasencia says these need to be
informational and not to gain business; she adds the Police Department will be the guest
speakers. Discussions ensued Deputy Chief Plasencia tells the board members the Police
Department will provide a map and the subcommittee takes care of the division of the
neighborhoods. Vice Chairperson King volunteers to divide the map among the board
members. Chairperson Santana reminds the board members if the fans are needed for
promotional purposes; the board needs to vote now to get them done before the Community
Picnic.
Chairperson Santana makes a motion to have Vice-Chairperson King and Member Garone form
a promotional item subcommittee, seconded by Member Bray. Motion passed unanimously.
Member Bray asks how much money is left in the budget and Member Hill replies $460.
Member Garone suggests the board spend $125. Member Hill thinks maybe up to $200 or up
to $150. Chairperson Santana suggests up to $250.
Chairperson Santana makes a motion to allocate up to $250 to purchase promotional items for
the CACOPD, seconded by Member Bray. The motion passed unanimously.
By-laws Review
Member Garone likes the idea of amending the by-laws to include a mission statement or
values. Vice-Chairperson King thinks it a good idea for everyone to review the by-laws for next
meeting and have a discussion then. Deputy Chief Plasencia reads the CACOPD objectives into
the record.
Set Next Agenda
Update on Pulse Shooting
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CACOPD Meeting
March 23, 2017
Coffee with a Cop
Update on Community Picnic
Promotional items
By-Laws review
General discussion
Cemetery Restoration Day
Essay Contest
Community Map
Officer of the Quarter Award
Set Next Agenda
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
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Madeleine Garza Jose Santana, Jr.
Recording Clerk Chairperson
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