Correspondence - #39 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council meeting, July 18: agenda item #39. Good day Mayor Valerie Amezcua, Mayor Pro Tern Jessie Lopez and Councilmembers David Penaloza, Thai Viet Phan, Benjamin Vazquez, Phil Bacerra, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez: First of all, I think we can all agree that individuals abusing drugs on our streets and in neighborhoods are a crisis and we need viable solutions that have an impact for change and safety that protect residents and safety for all those involved. Our children and community are exposed to these devastating and tragic behaviors that significantly impact our mental health, safety, and public health concerns. A new policy must provide long lasting help and support to the individuals engaging in these behaviors. As a long-standing resident of more than 30 years, I am concerned that the implementation of arresting the individuals intoxicated will be a revolving door where those arrested are back on the streets the next day ---just a temporary bandage for removal. As elected officials whose responsibility it is to protect the community; the Council must assure that standards and the budget are in place for the new policy to work effectively. Councilmember Becerra is putting forth Agenda Item #39: "Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Have the Santa Ana Police Department Immediately Implement an Intoxication Detention and Service Offering Policy— Councilmember Bacerra". In Councilmember Becerra's e proposed Item 39 questions and unknowns have surfaced and need to be answered. There is no data presented to support his position and outcomes. Including what are the support services (need to be specific) offered, and costs to the city for those arrested; what is the process/time to access services; how long will the arrested be legally detained; will those arrested be held in a separate unit within the jail that that provide for medical care and services needed to get clean; will the individual be assigned a social worker for follow-up and placement in housing if needed; or a rehabilitation center; will those arrested have access to a public defender and costs involved; once released where will these individuals go if housing is not available or the individual refuses housing; if person arrested is undocumented, will they be reported to immigration — this is against Santa Ana policy as a sanctuary city.