Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes January 20, 2015 Chairperson Kappelman brought the meeting to order, read Oakwatch mission, and facilitated introductions. Present: Lizabeth Gray, Hanson Kappleman, Rebekkah Ranallo, Gabrielle DeMarchi, Patrick Corelli, Barbara Ruprecht, Matt Landy, Camille Burgess, Wanda Wilson, Dan Hermann, Ron Griffin, Shannon Leshen, Tom Pauley, Barbara Rudiak, Beth Graham, Sally Stein, Emily Brindley, Mark Oleniacz, Michael Medwed, Kannu Sahni, Corey Buckner, Neil Manganaro, Nick Voutsinos, Alicia Carberry, Maria Bethel, Joan Dickerson, Peg Sedlack, Everett Green, Ken Eckenrode, David Manthei, Guy Johnson, Bob Kelly, Ron Jardini, Lawrence Robinson, Sidney Mignol, Zoe Fienstien, William Miller, Joan Dickerson University of Pittsburgh student disciplinary processes and reporting Barbara Ruprecht gave an overview of their process. They respond to referrals from the Pitt community, and usually the Pitt Police. They meet with the student. They have a conversation about their behavior, they are sanctioned, which then leads to alcohol awareness education and community service. Citations are managed at the city municipal court. Citizens cannot give a referral, but residents are encouraged to contact Pitt Police. They can also be referred in collaboration with Zone 4 Police, and they can then be referred via Pitt Police. Q: How can residents know outcome of an incident off campus? A: *Confidentiality. They cannot release information unless the student signs a release. *According to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, (http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html), “The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.” - “Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school.” - “Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
School officials with legitimate educational interest; Other schools to which a student is transferring; Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
Accrediting organizations; To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.”
Q: Is it possible to get a summary of student conduct board activity? A: They think they do this. Repeat offenders get more severe sanctions. For Safety Sake information is public; it is an annual publication. Process of classifying information is tedious. Q: To clarify, Oakwatch is requesting a regular report from student conduct office about your actions. It can be in collapsed form to address the issue of confidential information. A: It will be difficult with a two-person staff. We are suspicious of what you will do with the information. Our office is always addressing behavior. We work with Kannu and John. We are not trying to protect bad behavior. Always open to hearing what issues we have. For alcohol violations, there is a standard set of sanctions. Not a lot of mystery to it. Alcohol education class held by student health services. Fine. Possible community service. Reprimand from university. Possibly write letters. City has its own process. They have the information. BRuprecht will have to think about whether the information could be reported out. They see the violations that we have reported here at Oakwatch. Community service department – goes to Pitt Serves. They would count coming to Oakwatch as community service. MBethel: Could be missing the opportunity to notify the property owner if only Pitt processes. It goes straight to J board. Working with Pitt Police to give incident reports so that they are part of the Disruptive Property system. HKappelman concluded the discussion by stating that the community is requesting something beyond verbal assurance. The information could also help track trends. We want to know that our efforts are working. BRuprecht will look into how she could supply the information. Will bring sanction guidelines. HKappelman: “We certainly appreciate the work on the part of the university. The message to value the community. The university has come a long way. We appreciate the efforts from all parts of the university.” Q: Landlords want to be involved to correct the situation. A: HKappelman: “We appreciate the actions that landlords take.” Community Roundtable South Oakland houses that were reported to Pitt Police seem to be an improvement.
KSahni: Extensive education in fall. Ads in Pitt News re: dangerous and underage drinking. SGB engagement. Parkview resident: quietest fall she’s had in years. Saw an increased police presence – thanks to police. GJohnson: Impact detail 140 houses. Proactive. Shut down or warned those parties about their behavior. Visible on the street. Didn’t stop it in November. Civilians did a ride along - they were impressed. If anyone wants to see, contact him. Look up stats online to compare Pitt to other universities. BRuprecht: Students cited for noise violations state to judicial office that police told them to respect neighbors and keep noise down. MOleniacz: Generally, the roar is lessened. Message is getting out. Isolated locations still an issue, but not as much widespread noise and disturbances. JDickerson: Kennett Square house with big party, lots of people. Police got them all out. The next time there was a party at that house, the tenant got them out at 10 pm and made sure to get them scattered so they didn’t disrupt the street. There were fewer people as well. DManthei: History of Dithridge. Vastly improved. Nothing like it used to be. Q: Trash in neighborhood on properties (McKee Place at Bates) – attitudes need to change about garbage. Landlords can only do so much. If they had a referral, they could address it. What would the specific violation be? They should start to address it. McKee is bad. KEckenrode : Environmental services foreman will knock on doors and also cite them and take them to city court. KSahni: SGB and PittServes – neighborhood liaisons to localize response to issues such as this. Peer to peer. LRobinson: Call houses to health department if there are concerns about trash or vermin. He gets nothing from 311. Need to call him directly. Not replacing 311, but it is an additional source. He has grant funds for low-income residents to give tools to. Property Progress Report 3101 Niagara – additional citations 3616 Parkview – hearing in April 343 Lawn – awaiting decision on appellate court 3421 Parkview – return inspection scheduled 244 Dunseith – court papers filed
3224 Blvd of Allies – development plans 3221 Kennett Square – third notice, proceeding to court 507 Cato – in process on following up on vandalism. No citations for the party. Investigation for the damage on-going with the victim. 3237 Dawson – landlord responded to Oakwatch, and will get more involved. No citations at that party. Removal 204 Robinson – new family there 3219 Kennett Square – no activity at this time 2843 Blvd of Allies– cleaned up and painted Blvd Bridge – keeping an eye out 259/261 Dithridge – quiet 278 Dithridge - Park 7 owns intercultural house. Garbage not put out and is sitting on the porch. Not responding to LRobinson. 367 S Bouquet – certificate of occupancy for two units; landlord says there are only three tenants in each dwelling. Disruptive Property Statistics/Oakland submission breakdown, disruptive property notices MBethel provided update. Working on 2015 report. She will provide report once it is complete. Pitt Police Month of December: 84 incidents/17 arrest/30 citations 46 on-campus, 1 aggravated assault, 2 criminal trespassing, 4 disorderly conduct, 2 marijuana, 2 drug violations, 6 DUI, 1 false ID, 3 panhandler, 6 public drunkenness, 1 simple assault, 11 underage citations - 2 off campus, 1 weapons, 3 warrants, 5 j board, 5 parties shut down Zone 4 Police Report December 2 non traffic
Dec 1 arrest – employee stealing money Dec 1 – DUI at Atwood and Sennott, hit and run, arrest. Dec 2 – a.m. burglary 3200 block of Niagara. Victim was in shower, there was a forced entry, actor stole electronics. A warrant was issued, and an arrest was made. Dec 5 – burglary of gaming systems, etc. Bellefield Presbyterian – stalking and arrest made Dec 7 - 200 block of Meyran. Burglary of a gaming system. A pry tool was used to force open back door. Dec 10 - 300 block of Ophelia. Male subject grabbed victim’s purse. Dec 12 – 200 block of Chesterfield. Criminal mischief and an arrest was made.
Dec 13 – 400 block of Melwood. Armed robbery. Currently is still an on-going investigation. Dec 15 - Three arsons. Oakland square. 3600 block of Dawson. Trash fire at rear of residence. Arson investigation on-going. Dec 18 - two were caught shoplifting. Both were detained and arrested. Dec 19 - 300 block of South Bouquet. Aggravated assault. Altercation between roommates. Dec 22 – two shoplifting Dec 24 - 3400 block of Forbes. Two arrests for criminal mischief and simple assault. A couple were fighting, and they broke a car window. Both were arrested. Dec 24 - 3200 block of Kennet Square. Public intoxication. Detained and arrested. Dec 26 - 3400 block of Forbes. Gun arrest. Officer recognized car. Dec 30 – Forbes and Halket. Drug arrest as result of traffic stop. Robbery – purse snatchings on Fifth and Craig. Other news – Zone 4 public safety meeting, January 21st at 6 pm at the Jewish Community Center – 5738 Forbes Ave Traffic supervisor – traffic enforcement in Central Oakland. Forbes, Craft, and Beeler. Fifth, and Morewood to Craft. Moving violations. Forbes trucks blocking traffic. They will work to get officers on this. Graffiti detectives – many reports and investigations going on. 400 McKee graffiti video on the news. Hoping someone would identify the actor. It is still on-going. Q: Has there been a significant increase in requests for individuals to permit to carry firearms? A: There has been an increase throughout the county. It is not tracked locally. There has been an increase in people applying for permits. A truck on Juliet and Blvd of the Allies – to be towed 1/21/16. News from the Mayor’s Office Update on rental registration. $65 fee. After 9 months, the fee will be assessed. 90 days to implement the program. Passed in December. Gone to court. Can’t talk about the lawsuit at this time. Q: Clarification of fee amount and justification of this amount. A: To enable city to hire more inspectors. News from Pittsburgh City Council
District 3 - Permit zones B, D, and M recertification meeting. Suggested changes to hours at meeting last night. Get word out about process. A survey will be distributed. People want permits to go later with a shorter grace period. Important to respond to be able to adjust. It will be another four years until any changes. District 8 – updated 2016 trash/recycling schedules – extras to share. Announcements -
Oakland Green Team monthly meeting: Thursday, January 21, 6 pm, Oakland Career Center Zone 4 Public Safety monthly meeting: Thursday, January 21, 6 pm, Jewish Community Center – 5738 Forbes Ave. Development in Oakland – a community wide meeting: Wednesday, February 3, 6 pm, Oakland Career Center The Grassroots Green Homes home energy savings program is currently recruiting Oakland Energy Coaches to help roll out the program.
Next meeting: Wednesday, February 17th, 6 pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple Street. RSVP’s appreciated so we know how many will be there.