2016-073 - Declaring a Public Health and Safety Crisis

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WHEREAS , the City of Santa Ana provides for seven full-time police officers to patrol the Civic Center area; and WHEREAS , the City of Santa Ana provides numerous security guards to patrol the Civic Center area; and WHEREAS , the City of Santa Ana has instituted a regular cleaning schedule to power wash the concrete areas in the Civic Center area; and WHEREAS , since January 1, 2016 the Santa Ana Police Department has issued over 400 citations for violations of laws in the Civic Center area; and WHEREAS , the City of Santa Ana Police Department operates a HEART Program to serve the needs of homeless individuals and families in the Civic Center area; and WHEREAS , by law the County of Orange is provided with funding to deliver specific social services to the homeless population; NOW, THEREFORE, the Santa Ana City Council does hereby resolve as follows: Section 1. The challenge of confronting homelessness requires the active engagement and leadership of all levels of government, including all 34 Orange County Cities, and especially the County of Orange. Section 2. The City Council hereby directs City Manager Cavazos to immediately 1) contact representatives from each of the County's 33 cities to convene a meeting to discuss the homeless situation and 2) prepare a budget and make recommendations to implement all of the following to address public health and safety in the Civic Center area:  Provide Santa Ana employee parking at either the parking structure adjacent to the City library or the parking structure adjacent to City Hall.  Work diligently with the state and county to relocate the needle exchange program from the Civic Center area.  Install improved safety lighting in the Civic Center area.  Work with the County to identify a better location for non-profits and organizations to feed the homeless, such as the former Transit Terminal.  Increase the number of security guards patrolling the Civic Center area such that they are available to members of the public and employees to answer questions or escort individuals throughout the Civic Center.  Continue to power wash the Civic Center area on a regular basis.  Install a kiosk and provide for staffing to offer directions and information to the public.  Increase the presence of Santa Ana Police Officers in the Civic Center area by up to an additional 560 hours and ensure patrols on a 24/7 basis.  Provide additional staffing for departments charged with enforcing code violations or prosecuting crimes committed in the Civic Center area. Resolution No. 2016-073 Page 2 of 6