September 12, 2012
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
JUVENILE PROBATION COMMISSION
JUVENILE PROBATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
5:30 p.m.
City Hall, Hearing Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Commissioners
Julian Chang, President
Dirk Beijen, Vice President
Katharine Albright
Joseph Arellano
Susan Jones
Sarah Ching Ting Wan
Rebecca Woodson
Meeting Minutes
1. Roll Call
• The Commission Vice President called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m. Commissioners Albright, Arellano, Beijen, Jones, Wan and Woodson were present. Commissioner Chang was excused.
2. Public comments.
• No public comments.
3. Review and Approval of the Full Commission Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2012 (ACTION ITEM)
• Motion to approve the June 13, 2012 Full Commission Meeting Minutes by COMM Albright, second by COMM Arellano, and approved by the rest of the Commission.
• No public comments.
4. Report to the Commission (DISCUSSION ONLY)
a. Chief’s Report:
Welcoming New Director of Log Cabin Ranch (LCR), Daniel Prince
• Chief Siffermann introduced Mr. Prince and stated it took two years to find the new LCR Director that will advance JPD’s mission. Mr. Prince has a background in Juvenile Justice; served as Director of Juvenile Hall in Nevada County in California; worked in Arizona; and served as Director of Youth Camp in Nevada, which encompasses the LCR vision.
Mr. Prince started on September 4th.
• Mr. Prince introduced himself and said that he felt privileged to be a part of JPD. He is looking forward to working with such a progressive department addressing the needs of young people facing significant challenges in their lives. His background consists of creating opportunities for youths to learn and grow in a supportive environment. Mr. Prince said that he directed a 100-bed facility in Las Vegas, which focused on work and education programs, and feels LCR has these in place with the Missouri Model. He looks forward to providing the commission with updates. As a former member of the Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission, he is familiar with the hard work the commission does in advising the department and community, and looks forward to being part of the process as Director of LCR.
• Chief Siffermann commended Assistant Chief Nance for his leadership and guidance during the past two years while they searched for the new director.
JPD's Role in the City's Plan to Reduce Violence in SF
• Chief Siffermann discussed JPD’s response to the summer’s spike in firearm violence and homicides in SF. JPD responded in a vigilant and swift manner. Many youths involved in the acts of violence have had significant history at Juvenile Hall.
• JPD instructed Probation Officers to have in-depth interviews with their case load youths with firearm or violent offenses; review probation rules, specifically to discuss police searches at any time; and the need for youths to abide by these rules for their safety and the safety of the community.
• Chief Siffermann constructed the “Probation Officer Directive,” which youths are required to initial at each point and sign the statement. JPD also signs the statement, which verifies that youths have been served with this notice, and the affidavit is then placed in their court file. This document also offers services for kids who have difficulties following probation orders and offers remedies that would allow them to comply with probation terms. Eighty youths participated in these sessions, over 50% from the serious offenders' program, and thus far, 92% have not violated probation.
• JPD participates in other citywide initiatives. Members of the serious offenders’ unit meet twice a month to discuss public safety with the gang-task force: the Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, and Sheriff’s Department. Probation Officers also go on special details with the police to search homes, which allow police a greater opportunity to obtain weapons and firearms. This special detail has brought in a number of handguns and automatic weapons.
COMM Beijen commended the Chief and the department on this initiative.
• No public comments.
b. Committee Reports
5. Future Agenda Items (ACTION ITEM)
Announcements:
• COMM Beijen confirmed that the next Full Commission meeting will be held on October 9th at Northern Police Station, 1125 Fillmore Street, in the Community Room, at 6 p.m.
10. Adjournment (ACTION ITEM)
• The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
