HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2009SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
March 9, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was convened at 5:45 p.m. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic
Center Plaza, 4th Floor, Santa Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Council members present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, and Sal Tinajero.
Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Marc Martin, Assistant City Attorney
Paula Coleman, Fire Marshall Lori Smith, Fire Captain Steve Snyder, and Loretta
Tafoya, Recording Secretary.
Public sign-ins: Rene Guzman, Ron Foster, Don & Shirley Harrelson, Rick
Niedermayer, and Roy & Julie Melcher.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the January 27, 2009 meeting.
2. UPDATE ON THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS FROM OTHER COUNTY
FACILITIES
Chief Walters and Committee Member Alvarez met with Sheriff Hutchens and
Assistant Sheriff Mike Jones. Sheriff Hutchens is open to any suggestions. She
is changing the policy to process prisoners before releasing them. The Sheriff's
Department will also provide money for taxi service for the prisoners.
3. UPDATE ONANTI-GRAFFITI DVD
The Police Department sent a memo to the Intermediate and High School
Principals explaining the importance for the "Caught Slippin" DVD to be
distributed to the schools and various community groups. The DVD was also
posted on the Internet website You Tube. Committee Member Benavides stated
how professional the DVD was and would be very good for the schools and non-
profit organizations.
4. FOLLOW-UP IN DNA COLLECTION
Chief Walters stated there is no update. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas is
working with the budget right now and will keep the Police Department informed
of the outcome on how they will update the DNA Databases.
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5. UPDATE ON FIREWORKS HOTLINE
Fire Chief Marc Martin had no update on the hotline. He will be working with
Police Chief Paul Walters on combining the fire department hotline with the
police department.
6. STRATEGY ON VIOLENCE DUE TO ECONOMY
Police Chief Paul Walters presented a homicide report. Overall crime is down
but due to the economy there are more street crimes. The police department is
working close with the media for information and he is taking officers from office
positions and putting them out in the field. Councilmember Tinajero stated it is
important that we keep all after school programs active.
7. REPORT ON GOLDEN GUARDIAN EXERCISE
Fire Captain Steve Snyder reported on the results of the Golden Guardian
Exercise. According to graders at both the Santa Ana Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) and the Operational Area EOC, Santa Ana had the highest marks
of all participating EOCs in Orange County as far as notifications and
communications.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Citizens raised concerns regarding the financial need of support from the
fireworks for the benefit of youth organizations. They also expressed their
concern on the release of prisoners near the stadium when children are present.
The citizens would also like copies of the "Caught Slippin" DVD for presentation
at various youth organizations.
9. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee Members thanked the community for attending the meeting and
thanked the Fire Department for the excellent job on the Golden Guardian
Exercise.
9. ITEM;
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3 FOR NEXT MEETING
Update on the release of Prisoners
Update on DNA Database
Update on Fireworks recorded hotline
Strategy on violence due to economy
Presentation on E-Reporting
10. NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police
Facility, 60 Civic Center Plaza, 4~h Floor conference room, Santa Ana, California.
URNME - 6:40 P. M.
AUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police
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