02-18-1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Wade Herrin, a member of the Commission, pointed out that it was difficult to understand why the manpower level of the Police Department was so far below the national average; and that in his opinion it should have been an important priority for this City. Police Chief Ray Davis reviewed the highlights of the report, and commended the Commission for its sincere interest and hard work to search out the facts; he stated that basically the solution appeared to be community involve- ment. In answer to Mayor Evans' request, Chief Davis described briefly the team policing concept that is being proposed, adding that it was proving successful for the 77th Street District of Los Angeles, and for the City of Pasadena. Chief Davis provided commentary for a slide presentation of various charts and graphs, extracted from the Commission's Report, depicting the increase of Part I Crime in the City for the preceding 10-year period, the ratio of police personnel to population, and the ever-increasing workload of the Police Department. The charts indicated that it would require 84 additional sworn personnel to meet the national averages of sworn and non-sworn personnel per thousand population. The Chief stated that the Commission recommended maximum utilization of non-sworn personnel, with a total increase of 88 personnel, 64 sworn and 24 non-sworn. Mr. Richard Miranda, a member of the Commission, said that he wanted to be on the Commission, and was proud to have served; that in his view the Police Department is a very progressive one, wanting to do its job for the City; and that the challenge is now the Council's. Mr. William Lauder stated that he had experienced vandalism of his property; that the young people responsible had been apprehended and were released without having to make restitution of Mr. Lauder's loss. He asked how crime could be stopped when no punishment was required. Mayor Evans noted that Item 7 of the recommendations of the Commission addressed itself to this situation. Mr. Billy C. Hall, Executive Director of City Center Associa- tion, described downtown Santa Ana as a place where women are afraid to shop in the daytime as well as at night; and stated that his Association was in favor of team policing, and that it would recommend that there be a walking patrol. Mr. Paul Blake, a South Main businessman, related crimes that he and his family experienced, and concluded that citi- zens can hardly walk the streets of South Main without being molested. Mr. Zeke Hernandez expressed his support of a Youth Services Unit within the Police Department. He stated that he would like to see police officers attend a seminar on body language to aid them in dealing with citizens; and that police officers also attend in-service training in community awareness. Chief Davis responded to this suggestion by explaining that the program being proposed would necessitate extensive training. City Manager Bruce Spragg suggested that Council continue the matter of funding for study and in-depth discussion. He pointed out that the Police Department budget represents 30 per cent of the City's total operating budget and 25 per cent of the combined operating and capital budgets. He stated CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 71 FEBRUARY 18, 1975