Alternatives to Incarceration? Get to Work or Go to Jail!

Part 1/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Public Comment & Approval of Minutes - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Meeting Start Time: 5:10 PM Meeting Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

Richmond City Council's Public Safety Committee meeting was held at the Richmond Police Academy on Graham Street near Virginia Union University. Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille [7th District] chaired the meeting in the absence of the regular chair, Reva Trammell [8th District]. Newbille was joined by committee member Councilman Marty Jewell [5th District], and Councilwoman Ellen Robertson [6th District], who was there to support an ordinance she sponsored to establish a "Citizen Advisory Board on Alternatives to Incarceration." That's what it was called at any rate. See Part 3, for more on the proposed Citizen Advisory Board.

[0:50] The meeting opened with the Public Comment Period. Citing a recent car accident, Council regular Melvin Jones spoke to the committee urging them to do something to enforce the speed limit on Fendall Avenue in Richmond's Northside. Mr. Jones also said he still had a problem with drugs in his neighborhood. He said he had called the Police Chief but had not received a call back.

[4:55] Ms. Newbille asked Mr. Jewell to make a motion to approve the minutes, he did so and the minutes were approved 2-0.

[5:37] There were no presentations or Staff Report, though Mr. Steve Taylor, Richmond City Council Policy Analyst, told Council members what was in the works. I was sitting nearby and had a hard time hearing him.

Part 2/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Accepting Money for Emergency Preparedness - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Part 3/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Citizen Advisory Board on Alternatives to Incarceration - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

A hour long discussion on the Citizen Advisory Board on Alternatives to Incarceration.

Read the proposed ordinance, Ordinance 2012-16.

[0:31] Five minutes of introductory comments by the ordinance's sponsor, Councilwoman Ellen Robertson [6th District].

[5:38] Ten minutes of comments by co-author of the ordinance, Joyce Davis, Richmond City Council Policy Analyst.

[15:11] Followed by 17 minutes of Council discussion

Public Comment

[32:21] Comments from Rufus Fleming, Department of Justice Services

[36:31] Comments from Silver Persinger

[41:34] Comments from Melvin Jones

[43:16] Further Council discussion

Part 3/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Board Vacancy & Canceling Dec. Meeting - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver .