13B - COUNCIL CMT RPT - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

o Councilman Benavides asked on the amount of cameras to be placed in the park. Staff responded the amount and location is based on the park size. o Corporal Barragan provided information on security camera and Code Blue installation and areas it will cover. Code Blue will have a 911 button and an information button. o Corporal Barragan indicated although camera will project current time images, it will not be monitored on a regular basis. It will preserve a recording for a year for review if an incident occurred. It also includes a PA feature. 3. UPDATE ON CALLS FOR POLICE SERVICE AT PARKS o Corporal Barragan indicated there were 63 parks and recreational facilities in the city. Calls includedl) calls for service, 2) officer initiated activity. Calls for service on bike trails were not included. o Councilman Benavides indicated the installation of cameras and security lighting will help reduce calls for service. Asked about the status of the Park Ranger Program. o Corporal Barragan indicated the difficulty in getting qualified candidates. Recently reclassified the position to put individual through the academy. 45 individuals took the test, 39 passed, 11 showed up for the interview and 2 were selected to proceed to the Police Academy in July. They will be fully sworn officers in a Park Ranger vehicle. We currently have one -part time ranger that is assigned on weekends. o Councilman Benavides asked how many officers patrol the.park. Officer Barragan indicate one officer per day. o Director Mouet indicated the calls go to SAPID dispatch, if it is perceived as dangerous other SAPID Officers will respond as backup. The six parks receiving cameras have high calls for service. Cameras should be placed in parks with high calls for service. This is a great program of which other communities are requesting cameras in their park. o Councilman Villegas indicated the community is requesting quicker response time. We need to help expedite the hiring of Park Rangers. o Councilman Benavides indicated at one time there was a discussion to make the Park Rangers a non -sworn position. o Director Mouet explained the history of the Park Ranger Program. Initially the Park Rangers did not carry guns. City Council later approved the Rangers to carry weapons. City had a difficult time hiring rangers and went to hiring retired police officers. The program worked well until the city was faced with the annuitant issue. Because Rangers were caring weapons it made sense to transfer the program to SAPD, so they can be properly trained with the other officers. o Councilman Benavides indicated it would be less costly to have non -sworn officers working with sworn officers. Youth, Rec. & Comm. Svs. Committee Mtg Page 2 April 23, 2018 13B-4