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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-22 City Council Special Meeting PacketAGENDA MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING 8:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 22, 2017 City Hall, Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE C. ROLL CALL D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consider Imposition of Licensing Sanctions and Approval to Additional Operating Conditions for Stargate Night Club, 1700 Rice Street G. ADJOURNMENT THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK MEMORANDUM TO: Melinda Coleman, City Manager FROM: Paul Schnell, Chief of Police DATE: February 21, 2017 SUBJECT: Consider Imposition of Licensing Sanctions and Approval of Additional Operating Conditions for Stargate Night Club, 1700 Rice Street Introduction Staff requests that Council approves staff recommendations of additional operating conditions to address on-going and escalating safety and security concerns and issues related to building code and health violations. It is further recommended that the Council set a public hearing for the purpose of taking testimony, receiving evidence, and considering the suspension of all liquor licenses currently issued to Paul Xiong, doing business as Stargate. Specifically, the licenses being presented for suspension include the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License all issued pursuant to Chapter 6 of the Maplewood City Code. Background The Maplewood Police Department is presenting this issue to Council for their consideration based upon numerous serious incidents, a lack of management response, and an increasing number and severity of violent acts occurring on and adjacent to the licensed premise or having significant relevance to the licensed premise. The Police Department is convinced that serious and fatal injuries have only narrowly been avoided on the licensed premise during the past 12 months and that serious injury or fatality is likely to occur if immediate corrective steps are not taken by the licensee. Below, I will provide the rationale for recommending immediate action, including: Violence: Several violent episodes have occurred at Stargate including the most recent shots fired incident resulting in injury to five people, additional firearms-related calls for service, felony-level assaults, and suspected gang-related activities or hostilities that creates a bona fide threat to public safety. Assault incidents also create a drain on the City’s Emergency Medical Response System. Code Violations: Several observed and alleged violations of City Code are documented. These include probable fire and building code violations, specifically fire code violations stemming from improper electrical connections through the use of extension and multiplex cords. In addition, the kitchen area appears to be unsanitary, and several appliances appear inoperable. Loss of Control: Stargate ownership and management appears unable to restore and maintain order on their premise. The owner’s security personnel are not well coordinated and they often do not operate under his direct control. F1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 1 of 32 Necessity for Direct Police Intervention: The police department previously instituted intensive patrol and a “zero-tolerance” enforcement campaign in the immediate vicinity of Stargate to restore order and prevent further violence and injury. These efforts require substantial City resources. Police department personnel do stepped-up patrols in the lot outside Stargate on event nights. Even with increased police presence, violent acts continue to occur. At the time of the most recent incident, two Maplewood Police sergeants were in their squads directly across from Stargate when the shooting broke out. The following data and attachments provide further information for your consideration and review. Violence The Police Department has noted an increase in assault activity over the past several months. It was this uptick that prompted a February 13, 2017 meeting between City staff and Mr. Xiong. In addition to call for service increases, patrol staff have noted an increase in apparent gang activity and injury to victims. Below is a sampling of calls for service in the years 2015, 2016, and 2017 (year-to-date): 2015: •In 2015 there were 12 clearly Stargate-related incidents: a.Six (6) Alarms b.Two (2) Thefts c.One (1) DWI d.One (1) Disorderly person e.One (1) Homicide f.One (1) Theft from Auto •Three (3) additional DWI reports show the offender stated they were drinking at Stargate prior to their having been stopped for this offense. •Note: The above-listed incidents do not include officer-initiated data, such as pro-active police visits. However, if those proactive visits resulted in an incident generating a report, they would be re-coded to a different call type. 2016: •In 2016 there were 21 clearly Stargate-related incidents: a.Seven (7) Alarms b.Three (2) Disorderly Conduct c.Two (2) Assist Fire d.Two (2) Assist Medics e.Two (2) Assaults f.Two (2) Shots Fired g.One (1) Investigate – which resulted in a report summarizing other calls/information from that night. h.One (1) Occupied recovered stolen auto i.One (1) Theft •Note: The above-listed incidents do not include officer-initiated data, such as pro-active police visits. However, if those proactive visits resulted in an incident generating a report, they could be re-coded to a different call type, such as one listed above. F1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 2 of 32 Jan. 1 – Feb. 21, 2017: • For 2017, year-to-date there were 7 clearly Stargate-related incidents: a. Four (4) Assaults b. One (1) Shots Fired – Current incident, from 02/18 – will likely be re-coded to Assault. c. One (1) Weapons d. One (1) Theft • Two (2) additional reports (with incident locations other than the area of 1700 Rice St.) show relation to Stargate. One was a DWI where the driver was observed leaving Stargate operating a vehicle. The other was an Assault where the complainant/victim indicated the assault took place at Stargate. Code/Health Violations The Police Department is aware of violations of City Code occurring at Stargate. Observed code and or health violations include the following: Of considerable concern is evidence observed at the club that patrons were sold full bottles of hard liquor. Empty and partially full bottles of liquor could be found at various locations and on the floor in the club. In addition, a number of bottles that were believed to have come from the club were found strewn about the parking lot. When liquor is sold in this manner it is nearly impossible for alcohol servers to monitor clientele for over-service issues. Maplewood City Code Section 6-106 establishes the requirement for single serving alcoholic beverages. On February 18, 2017, police staff observed and documented that the club’s kitchen was unsanitary and therefore unacceptable for use in food preparation. Documentation of the observations has been submitted to the City’s health officer. Police staff also observed and documented obvious use of strung extension cords to power various appliances, lighting and fan systems in various locations throughout the club. In previous inspections, Mr. Xiong was advised that he could not utilize this method of powering various implements throughout the club. Documentation of the observations has been submitted to the Fire Marshal. Loss of Control Police Department officials have met and communicated with Stargate management several times during the past 15 months concerning our concerns over the threat to public safety posed by their patrons and concerning alleged code violations. Of note, City Clerk Andrea Sindt, Business Licensing Specialist Regan Beggs and I met with Stargate owner Paul Xiong on February 14, 2017 to discuss the escalation in serious and violent incidents. After providing Mr. Xiong with a description of serious calls, staff presented several suggestions to help them restore order to the establishment. These suggestions included ensuring that all video surveillance cameras are operational. The other suggestion included a significant increase in security personnel to be especially focused on the parking lot. Other suggestions included a change in musical format, changing business focus targeted at food service, coordination of club security staff with promoter security staff, and expansion of the club’s existing video surveillance equipment. Mr. Xiong did agree that expansion of his camera system by seven additional cameras would hold merit for F1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 3 of 32 solving the problems at his establishment. Mr. Xiong said he plans to attend a security conference in March to look at the latest in security equipment offerings. Staff believes that based upon the ongoing serious incidents, and the apparent escalation of the level of violence, Mr. Xiong has lost control of his establishment, his staff, and his premise. Most concerning at present time are allegations that Stargate does not have direct control over security staff. While security staff are supposed to be overseeing the operation of a wand metal detector, it’s clear that firearms were allowed inside the club. Need for Police to Restore Order It is worthy to note that even though we have worked to increase police presence, felony-level assaults resulting in injury to patrons have still occurred – at times within the direct sight of on-duty police officers. The police department is simply not capable of maintaining this increased effort indefinitely. Within the past month, Mr. Xiong requested to hire off-duty Maplewood police officers to provide onsite security services. As you may know, for a host of reasons, the Maplewood Police Department prohibits officers from working for licensed liquor establishments. Such arrangements can lead to conflicts of interest as one of the police department’s functions is to ensure compliance with various state and local laws and requirements through enforcement. In 2015, the police department ran a low tolerance enforcement detail called “Westside Priority 25.” This low-tolerance enforcement effort is a recognized police strategy to address trouble areas, zones, or locations through increased patrols and enforcement of all traffic laws and ordinances, regardless of seriousness. Citations for vehicle equipment violations, public urination, theft, disorderly conduct, and liquor violations are examples of citations issued during such efforts. The goal of low-tolerance enforcement is to reduce criminal activity, and in this case lessen the likelihood of serious assault and injury, through highly visible and concentrated police presence. Low-tolerance works through three methods: 1.Greatly increased visibility and presence of police – basically, several squad cars are on traffic stops with lights flashing at all times. It is immediately obvious to any passerby that the area is saturated with officers enforcing laws. This provides a deterrent to persons considering committing a crime in that area at that time. 2.Interdiction of criminals, contraband, and weapons – persons not deterred by police presence are stopped by police for observed violations. During the citation process, warrants, drugs, and weapons may be (and have been) discovered. Removing those persons and their contraband prevents them from committing a crime at that time. 3.Creating an “atmosphere of compliance” out of climate of disorder – police officers issuing citations for minor infractions sends a message that the department has the resources to deal with minor offenses, imagine what attention we would pay to major violations. Adherence to all laws and ordinances is the expected result. It is important to re-emphasize that low-tolerance enforcement and increased patrols are expected to reduce likelihood of serious or fatal injury, not prevent it. Historical Information The issues currently present at Stargate are not new to the Night Club. In fact, a review of Council action from June of 2016 which established a variety of conditions on the club, stemmed from F1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 4 of 32 growing concerns about violence and a shots fired incident. A copy of the June 2016 requirements are attached to this document. Conclusion With the ultimate goal of reducing the likelihood of serious injury or death resulting from a climate of disorder and uncontrolled violence occurring on and immediately adjacent to the licensed premise, staff present a range of recommendations, which can be separately imposed or Council can choose the implement Option One and at the same time implement Option Two by ordering a public hearing to consider suspension and/or revocation of Mr. Xiong’s liquor license. Option One Stargate ownership and management has demonstrated an inability to restore order to the property, necessitating that Stargate Night Club cease all business pending city verified implementation the following requirements: • Inspection of the night club by Maplewood’s building official, fire marshal, health inspector, and code enforcement officer • Full compliance with city building code requirements • Full compliance with city and state health inspector requirements • Full compliance with city and state fire marshal requirements • Full compliance with city’s code requirements • Club’s video surveillance system must be fully operational • Club’s video surveillance system must be expanded to capture multiple angles of patrons entering and exiting the club • Club must employ use of ID swipe technology • Patrons without a government issued ID shall not be permitted access to the club • All employees shall complete a responsible service course • Club shall discontinue the use of glass drinkware and glass bottles • Club will under no circumstances sell or distribute alcohol by the bottle • Security personnel will immediately intervene when a patron(s) are observed using controlled substances • Random re-inspection of the facility by City inspections staff on a quarterly basis in 2017 and 2018 • Based on crowd size, occupancy requirements, and event type security protocols shall include the placement of security resources in the parking lot. • Club security personnel will hold and produce for inspection proof of incorporation, applicable licenses or permits, and proof of insurance • Club security staff will coordinate security efforts under the direction and control of one primary security manager as designated by the licensee • Prior to licensee receiving clearance to re-open form the City’s various inspections staff, licensee’s designated security manager shall meet with police staff to establish a written security protocol • In the event of a police incident at the club and upon request of the Maplewood Police Department or other authorized investigating law enforcement authority, the licensee shall produce full and complete copies of all surveillance video not more than 8 hours following an incident • Club’s rear emergency exit must have an alarmed push bar system installed F1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 5 of 32 •Fulfillment of all other previously established requirements that are not inconsistent with the above listed requirements Option Two Based on the determination that Stargate ownership and management has demonstrated an inability to restore order to the property, the Council may set an administrative hearing to establish sanctions on the liquor license granted to Mr. Xiong. The sanctions can range from temporary suspension to a full revocation of Mr. Xiong’s liquor license. Option Two requires that the Council hold an administrative hearing to consider possible liquor license sanctions. Budget Impact No adverse budget impact. Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council direct a hard closure of the Stargate Night Club pending fulfillment of all the requirements established as outlined in Option One and set an administrative hearing at the next regular meeting of the Maplewood City Council, February 27, 2017 to consider suspension or revocation of Stargate’s liquor license. Attachments 1.June 20, 2016 - Memorandum – Operational Action Plan for Stargate 2.April 7, 2016 - Citizen Services Letter to Paul Xiong 3. 2015 Westside Priority 25 Detail Plan and After-Action report 4. 2016 Health Inspection Report 5. 2016 Fire Inspection Report F1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 6 of 32 J1 MEMORANDUM TO: Melinda Coleman, City Manager FROM: Karen Haag, Director Citizen Services – Present Staff Report Paul Schnell, Police Chief – Present Operation Action Plan SUBJECT: Consider Approval of Operational Action Plan for Stargate Night Club, 1700 Rice Street DATE: June 21, 2016 Introduction In April of 2016, the Stargate Night Club located at 1700 Rice Street became under the operating ownership Paul Xiong. Prior to Mr. Xiong assuming ownership of the business and intoxicating liquor license, the Nightclub was under the ownership of Mai Yang. During her tenure from November 2008 to April of 2016, there were numerous incidents requiring a public safety response. Background Maplewood Police and other responders from surrounding communities have expressed concerns with prior incidences at 1700 Rice Street, which include shootings, stabbings, fights, and other criminal activity that impact or degrades the general safety and welfare of the area. On June 16, 2016, Maplewood Police responded to a fight at Stargate with reports of shots fired. Roseville Police made an arrest that is believed to be related to this incident and is currently under investigation. On Monday, Chief Schnell and I met with the current owner regarding the June 16th incident. The individual that performed at the club on June 16th was under contract to perform by the previous owner. Mr. Xiong has indicated that he will no longer honor the existing contract between the promoter and the former owner and will be booking his own music. In our discussion with Mr. Xiong, it appears that he has already taken some cautionary steps moving forward before this incident occurred. It is his intent to change the atmosphere of the Club by, among other things, expanding the kitchen to have a full Asian inspired menu. Even though Mr. Xiong is the new owner of just over two months, there is a concerning history of violence associated with this venue no matter who the owner is. In the interest of public safety, staff has developed an action plan addressing public safety concerns for the Council’s consideration and approval. F1, Attachment 1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 7 of 32 Stargate Nightclub 1700 Rice Street Operational Action Plan To minimize public safety risk, the following action plan is recommended as a condition of continued operation as licensed establishment within the City of Maplewood. The goals of the action plan include: •Enhancement of business security processes and protocols •Review and consideration of business focus: Remodel kitchen to develop into dining establishment. •Review and consideration of event types, musical genre, and performer background •Mandated staff training for security personnel and bartenders •Monthly security staff meeting with Police Chief or designee (first 4-6 months) Enhanced Security: •A security staff member will be posted outside the door who is familiar with gang signs and will control and will advise potential patrons of dress code violations. •Before entering, everyone will be carded and walk through the metal detector door for security and safety. •Every person must be patted down and searched before entering the premises. •Monitor and patrol the inside and inspect/investigate any suspicious activity, and take any appropriate course of action necessary. •All internal and external security cameras shall be fully operational. •On weekends or during special events, access to and egress from the alcohol service areas must be staffed with security personnel at all times during service hours. •Monitor and be on the lookout for any under-age drinking and the appropriate measure. Control and prevent alcohol consumption beyond designated areas preventing any under-age drinking. •Outside security personnel will monitor any unusual/suspicious activity outside in the parking lot. •Security personnel will patrol the parking lot throughout hours of operation for additional monitoring. •At closing, outside security personnel will control and direct patrons leaving the premises to ensure safe, orderly departure. •The owner shall request and secure from the property owner (landlord) written authority for the Maplewood Police Department to deploy its video trailer to the parking lot outside the business on a periodic basis. Security Personnel: •The owner shall engage private security to work special events and weekends as dictated by anticipated event size. F1, Attachment 1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 8 of 32 •Security personnel may be obtained from a private firm that specializes in security services. The private security firm shall be appropriately bonded and insured. •The owner may establish an internal security team or cadre as an alternative to an outside contract. Should this option be selected the owner shall provide the City Clerk with proof of insurance coverage for security operations. In addition, the owner shall provide the police chief with a copy of the businesses written security polices and protocols. •Security personnel need not be uniformed, but must wear some type of shirt/outerwear that readily identifies them as SECURITY. •Regardless of whether the security personnel are contracted or internal, a lead security representative shall be established and known to all Stargate staff. The lead security representative will be responsible for ensuring operational compliance (**) with all security requirements established by internal policy or as a condition of business licensure. The lead security representative shall also serve as the primary security liaison with Maplewood Police personnel on event nights or weekends. (**Nothing in this provision relieves the licensee of overall responsibility for the totality of business operations, including security operations.) •Security personnel are expected to immediately report to the Maplewood Police Department anticipated traffic safety issues, disorderly conduct, or criminal behavior that might affect the safety of employees, patrons, and the surrounding community. Business Focus: •Owner will continue assessment of operational business. Currently operated as a nightclub, the owner is assessing a change or expansion of business focus toward a restaurant and entertainment focus. •Owner will secure all necessary approvals, permits, and/or licenses should business focus or operations be changed or expanded. •The owner shall consider safety and security before booking acts, performers or events when there is known or expected levels of security concern associated with the act or event. •The owner will not hold 18+ (year-old) events unless the event is alcohol. Dress code: •The owner will establish a dress code and publicize dress code in the entryway of the premises. •The established dress code will be strictly enforced. •The owner present a copy of the establishment’s dress code to the Police Chief. Alcohol Service Personnel: •All bartenders and alcohol servers will complete training offered by the Minnesota Liquor and Alcohol Beverage Association to ensure adequate knowledge of Minnesota law pertaining to safe service of intoxicating beverages. •Ensure age appropriateness before serving alcohol. •Compliance with all Minnesota Statutes and/or City Ordinance pertaining of under-age alcohol consumption, and alcohol possession. F1, Attachment 1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 9 of 32 •Establish clear policies and protocols regarding over-service and service to obviously intoxication patrons. Recommendation Upon evidence of substantial non-compliance with the requirements outlined in the above action plan, the chief of police is authorized to order the closure of the business until the next available Council meeting at which time next steps and/or sanctions will be considered. F1, Attachment 1 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 10 of 32 F1, Attachment 2 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 11 of 32 F1, Attachment 2 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 12 of 32 F1, Attachment 2 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 13 of 32 F1, Attachment 2 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 14 of 32 F1, Attachment 2 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 15 of 32 MAPLEW00D POLICE DEPARTPIENT WESTSIDE PRIORITY TWENTY―FIVE AFTER ACTION FEPORT Created by Sgt Dan Busack, Det. Paul Bartz, ard Investigative Aide Cassie Fisher Through a non-technical problem, crime, and quality of life data analysis a list of twenty-five Westside targets was identified. The 25 focuses included properties, known problem locations, specific crime indices, given quality of life problems, and known problem offenders. While the pro.iect initially called for a strict "zero tolerance" enforcement effort, it evolved into a very heavy enforcement effort involving education. This was a result ofthe targets being firmly identified and consulting with the City Prosecutor's Office. Strategies utilized, included target hardening, problem reduction strategies, resident fear reduction, as well as, community engagement. The llst of 25 targets was identified through the below means and are listed on the following page: "Problem Properties and Problem Locations" were identified through a review of RMS/CAD data analysis and anecdotal information from regular patrol and supervisory personnel. "Code Problem" were identified through a review of code enforcement complaint data and an aggressive and code violation sweep within the affected detail zone. "Problem offenders" were selected through review and analysls of current record in which a person has been name a suspect in a case more than twice in six months or three or more times in 12 months. iroblem offenders will also include anyone known to have an active warrant living or staying within four blocks of the intersection of Rice Street and Larpenteur. F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 16 of 32 WESTSIDE 25 TARGETS 1. WALGREENS‐Theft 2 FAM:LY DOLLAR‐Theft 3. PANHANDLING 4. DISORDERLY JUVENILES S. MERVVINS‐Underage Liquor purchase Attempts/Disorderly Juvs. 6. CAR:BOu‐Theft 7 BURGERK!NG―Panhandling/00C 8. THEFT FROM AUTO―Genera: 9. THEFT/CDTP‐1728 Rice 10.UNREGiSTERED VEHiCLES‐1734 Rice(Munich Auto) 11.LOUD STEREOS 12.PEDESTR:AN TRAFFiC―Crossing Rice and Larpenteur 13.:LLEGAL DUMPING‐Behind 1700 Rice 14.TOBACCO COMPL:ANCE 15.PAWN ACTiVilγ 16.UNDERAGE DR:NK:NG‐Stargate 17.ASSAULT/CR:MES OF ViOLENCE 18.SALE OF STOLEN MERCHANDiSEIN LOT 19.PARKING ViOLAT10NS 20.UNLICENSED DRiVERS 21 VEHiCLES NOT Y:ELDiNG TO PEDESTR:ANS 22 ALCOHOLCOMPL:ANCE CHECKS 23.104 LARPENTEUR‐Multiple theft suspects affiliated with AddreSS 24.NARCOTICS V:OLAT:ONS 25.WEAPONS V:OLAT10NS F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 17 of 32 The above list oftargets was communicated to and presented to all officers participating in the project. It was additionally communicated to participating officers that they would: Be expected to create activlty to generate contact with people who may be involved in crime or behaviors affecting quality of life, Be expected to take a heavy enforcement approach to the identified problems/offenses/targets Be expected to engage the owners/em ployees/citizens in an effort to further gather intelligence and identify problems. Provided a detailed log sheet identifying their efforts, problem focus, intelllgence, and reco m mendatio ns. ln addition to the list of 25 targets above, Participating officers were provided packets with intelligence on identified offenders and selected statutes and ordinances applicable to the project that had been reviewed by the Maplewood City Prosecutor's Office. Uniformed Response: The primary focus of the project was conducted by uniformed personnel in marked patrol vehicles. This portion of the detail was conducted during various afternoon and evening hours between July 3'd and July 14th. The total of uniformed overtime hours worked during this time period was 141.5 hours. The total number of arrests, citations, and miscellaneous activities totaled 320 and are listed below and in subsequent graphs. FELONY ARRESTS GROSS MiSD ARRESTS MISD ARRESTS ヽAノ ARRANT ARRESTS DWrS MOVING V10LAT10NS MOVING VVARNINCS PEDESTRIAN V10L PEDESTRIAN WARN 182 49 16 F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 18 of 32 PARKING V10LA丁 10NS PARKING IA/ARNINGS PROACTIVE VISITS RAD10 CALLS FIELD INTERVIEWS55 17 Totals of all codes per Day of Week 120 100 80 60 40 200 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 19 of 32 Total Violations/Arrests per Day of Week 60 50 40 30 20 100 I Totals Tuesday Wednesday Thursday F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 20 of 32 Tota:of a∥Codes ヾヾ゛ざがいざび F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 21 of 32 Totals of Moving Violations 40 30 20 10 I Totals Additional components of the detail included: - An undercover detail focusing on retail theft - ldentification of environmental factors contributing to problems - ldentifying strategies to deal with quality of life issues and complaints - The use of "bait" vehicles to target auto theft and theft from autos - Community awareness and knowledge of the initiative. F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 22 of 32 Undercover Operational Plan LOCAT:ON: 1700 Rice Street′Maplewood,MN 55113 DATE: 07-03-2015 TIME: 1400-2000 hours OBJECTIVE: To impact retail crime that is occurring at multiple businesses in the Rice and Larpenteur retail area. PERSONNELINVOLVED: ‐Case Agent: DETECTIVE BARTZ ‐Operational Supervisor: SERGEANT DANIEL BUSACK (ThiS OffiCerも exempt from the wear of soft‐body armor because ofthe nature ofthe asJgnment) ‐Undercover: DETECTiVE BARTZ (ThiS OffiCeris exempt from the wear of soft―body armor because ofthe nature ofthe assignment) ‐Undercover Contro1 0fficer: DETECTIVE ALESIA METRY (ThiS OfFiceris exempt from the wear of soft―body armorto avoid compromise ofthe undercover) ―Uniform Off:cer: DETECTIVE DEREK FRITZE ‐Uniform Officer: OFFIC[R BENJAMIN SLATER ―uniforrn Officer:OFFICER ZACHARY SCHOEN ―Civ∥ian Employee: MS KATHLEEN WELCHLIN EQU:PMENT NEEDS: ―Three marked patrol cars, F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 23 of 32 - Two unmarked cars; - computer with computerized criminal history report access; - Citation books; - one USB drive. METHOD: Civilian employee will monitor patrons of Family Dollar Store. Anyone who is reasonably suspected of having stolen item(s) from this establishment will be stopped by plain-clothes Maplewood Police Department detectives or Maplewood Police Department uniformed officers. This has been approved verbally on 07-01-2015 at 1315 hours by the following Family Dollar employees: - Manager SHARIFF HASSAN; - District Manager ANDREW HAZELTON; - Loss Prevention Manager DANIEL LEACH. lf probable cause is established for a theft or related offense, a citation or custodial arrest (if supported by MRCP 5.01) will be executed. A criminal history check will be conducted of suspects will have to determine any aggregating or enhancing possibility. Any suspect who has been properly and currently trespassed from an impacted retail location will booked for Burglary in the Third Degree. It is known that there are criminal or quality of life issues that would not normally ellcit a police notification by area retailers. An Informational flyer will be distributed to all businesses at 1698, f7OO, and 7720 Rice Street will be hand delivered by uniformed, sworn Maplewood Police Department officers. The flyer will include the following information: - Nature of the detail; - Time and date of the detail; - Direct contact information for detectives involved in the operation; - Directions to follow normal channels for calls for service followed by or in conjunction with notifying the on-duty detectives. F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 24 of 32 INTERAGENCY COOPERATION: lt is expected that some subjects encountered will live in the immediate area and these persons will most likely reside in Roseville or Saint Paul. Therefore this operational plan will be shared with the on-duty supervisor for each of these agencies along with the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center. COMMUNICATIONS: - RPOOL 9 is reserved from 1300-2200 hours on 07-03-2015. This will be the primary communications channel for the operation. This will not be dispatched but monitored by the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center. - Officers will monitor Ramsey County East. Any emergency communications will be handled via this cha n ne l. INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES: A civillan employee of the Maplewood Police Department with severalyears of retail crime/loss prevention experience and training has been enllsted for this detail. This employee will monitor cameras inside of Family Dollar Store in order to identify patrons who may be selecting merchandise, passing all points of sale, and exiting the store without paying for the merchandise in question. The civilia n em ployee will relay descriptors and behaviors via RPOOL 9 to detectlves or officers outside of the sto re. Officers or detectives will stop all subjects for whom a reasonable, articulable suspicion exists to believe that a crime has occurred. The subjects will be detained and searched as appropriate (except in exigent circumstances, searches will be conducted by a person the same gender as the suspect). lf probable cause is established that a crime has occurred a criminal history report will be conducted and an enforcement declsion will be made. Video surveillance from Family Dollar Store for the entire time of the operation will be retained as evidence under a master case number. This case number will be referred to in other reports for linking of records. DOCUMENTATION: Normal police reports will be filed for any incidents. Field lnformation card reports wlll be filed as needed. Detail log sheets will completed by all employees involved in the operation. F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 25 of 32 prior to and during the course ofthe detail, several factors were identified that inhibit an office/s ability to take appropriate enforcement action and others that lend the area to be more susceptible to crlme and quality of life issues. ., Soliciting/panhandling" is one of the greatest complalnts to the area and this was made more apparent during the detail when officers regularly encountered the same suspected panhandlers, yet had very limited enforcement ability. several officers were approached by patrons during the detail and told that because of our heavy enforcement and presence this was the first time they have been able to enjoy a cup of coffee on the patlo without being asked for money. A solution in which the problem offenders could be trespassed from the entire property was devised, but dld not come to fruition due to ownership's unwillingness to become involved. ,,parking Violations" are another significant problem and complaint on the property and this subject was reviewed with the Maplewood city Attorney's office. Enforcement of these violations could be greatly aided with additional signage and minimal painting of curbs and handicap spots. The solutions that were developed by the police and city Prosecutor were presented to ownershlp of the property and have yet to be implemented' ,.Lack of lighting" late night was discovered to be a signlficant issue that contributes to criminal activity. The lighting was q uite adequate d uring the majority of the evening while the majority of businesses at 1700 Rice st. were open, but at approxlmately 2200 hours the parking lotllghtsgooutandtheareaisverydark.Thisisprimarilyonlyanissueonnightswhen ,,stargate,, is open and having events and an easy solutlon is havinS the lights on those particular nights until 2:30 am. Thls again would be a matter ofthe ownership having the lights on during those particular nights. 'At a recent large event at ,,Stargate,,, the police department supplied mobilelightinganditgreatlyincreasedvislbilityintheparkinglotandappearedtohavean effect. ,,Auto Thefts/Theft from Auto/criminal Damage" is another identified target that was addressed covertly with the useof "bait" vehiclesforthe duration ofthe detail. Therewasalso a well marked and readily visible police mobile pole camera that was set up on the property as a deterrent and means of capturing evidence of any crlminal activlty. The vehlcle and camera placements are shown on the next page. No activity with the bait vehicles occurred' F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 26 of 32 ANT卜 CRIME INITIATiVE PLACEIⅥENT PHOTOS F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 27 of 32 Community awareness and knowledge of the initiative was an important piece of the initiative and was accomplished through several means and included: - "Police Heavy Enforcement Zone" signage - Posting on the Police Department's Facebook page - Officers conducting "walk throughs" of businesses and talking to employees and owners - Heavy uniformed and marked patrol vehicle presence - Marked Police Pole camera - Literature handed out to all business indicating initiative with contact phone numbers Conclusion: While all aspects of the initiative had an impact, the uniformed presence had high quantitative results and was very effective in the eyes ofthe business owners/em ployees and the patrons of the businesses. Many officers reported being approached by citizens and business owners/employees and being thanked for their efforts and the noticeable impact it was having. Officers even reported businesses across the street in Roseville thanking them for their efforts. The personal connection and "walk throughs" had an impact, as one of the officers whose contact information was handed out on the literature was contacted by two of the businesses two to three weeks after the initiative about suspicious activities that were currently taking place. While the business owners had not in the past called the police and were not calling 911 or the police non-emergency line in this case, there was a connection established on a more personal level that prompted them to call the officer directly. While the heavy level of visible enforcement present during the detail is unsustainable, it is clear that visible presence has an impact. Additionally, ways to strengthen an officer's enforcement abilities and enhance environmental controls were identified and their implementation should continue to be pursued. Finally, it was clearly evidenced that establishing a connection between the police and the business owners/em ployees has an impact on people communicating their concerns and problems to us. This is nothing new that goes back to the very beginning of policing and every officer working that area is capable of doing. F1, Attachment 3 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 28 of 32 F1, Attachment 4 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 29 of 32 F1, Attachment 4 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 30 of 32 F1, Attachment 4 Special Meeting Packet Page Number 31 of 32 Violations Page 1 of 1 lnspection Aasic Supplemental Forms Occupancv Documents nspecrion Type: lnspeclion, Generat O@upancy Name: SrarcaGr'CLub Lalino lnspec0on Number 1603037 nspector GeNars Butch S.hed! ed Date 0380/2016 comp €ted Dater 03/30/2016 ! 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