HomeMy WebLinkAbout13A - COUNCIL COMM RPTSSANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
August 26, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was convened at 5:40 p.m. at the Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic
Center Plaza, 4th Floor Conference Roorrfi, Santa Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Council members present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides and Sal Tinajero
Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Paula Coleman, Deputy Fire Chief Steve
Critchfield, Police Chief Paul Walters, Jail Administrator Russ Davis, Police Commander
Dave Jones, and Recording Secretary Janet Chop.
Public Sign-ins: Rene Guzman, Ava Steaffens, Laura Morfin, Don and Sheila Harrelson,
Glen Stroud, and Santa Ana Insight.com.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the July 22, 2008 meeting.
2. EPIC COMMISSION 2008 PROGRESS REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
Laura Morfin, Epic Commission Chair, .reviewed recommendations and
conclusions from the EPIC Commission's Progress Report to the City Council
and answered questions from the Committee members. She also talked about a
City-wide workshop scheduled for January 17, 2009 for the purpose of improving
and mobilizing community participation.
Committee member Alvarez stated that she would like to see a budget and plan
for the workshop.
3. OTHER AGENCY RELEASE OF PRISONERS
Jail Administrator Russ Davis reviewed the practices. of the Orange County Jail
facilities regarding their release of prisoners. The Sheriff's policy on release of
inmates has not changed in many years. With the exception of the Musick
Facility, inmates are released from whatever facility they happen to be housed in
when it comes time for their release. Per a long standing agreement with Irvine,
inmates housed in the Musick facility are transported to the IRC and processed
for release there, with no consideration for what city they were arrested in or
where they reside. Mr. Davis will investigate this agreement. Paula Coleman will
make a Public Records Request for any documents that may exist on the release
of prisoners.
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4. OPERATION RESTORE PEACE UPDATE
Commander Dave Jones reviewed Operation Restore Peace, which was athree-
day operation that took place on August 19-21, 2008. The operation was a
proactive anti-gang enforcement and education program involving the Santa Ana
Police Department, ICE, State Parole, and Orange County Probation. It was also
the first operation where faith-based organizations participated in contacting the
residents in the area.. The three-day operation was a tremendous success and
received strong support from the community. Officers were deployed in the
target .area between First Street, Warner Avenue, Flower Street and the Santa
Ana Riverbed. Overall, 85 arrests were made for various offenses and over 700
citizens contacted with educational information.' _ _ __
Committee members asked questions about the operation and congratulated the
Department for the successful operation and positive media coverage.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Citizens present spoke and also had questions regarding the EPIC Commission
report, the release of juvenile inmates into the community and Operation Restore
Peace.
6. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Benavides commented on the EPIC Commission's Report stating that
the full report is posted on the City's website. He also stated that the Townsend
Street fair was a great way to celebrate Operation Restore Peace.
Member Tinajero thanked the EPIC Commission for the report and commended
the Operation.
7. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Students Loitering in Neighborhoods around Fundamental Schools
B. Release of Prisoners from the Musick Facility
C. Downtown Area and Parking Structure Safety Issues
8. NEXT MEETING DATE:
Police Facility, 60 Civic
California.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:30 p.m.
PAUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police
jc
Tuesday, Se~tember 23, 2008, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana
Center Plaza, 4t Floor conference room, Santa Ana,
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