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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-27 PUBLIC SAFETYCITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT MINUTES January 27, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Ross Annex, Room 1600 City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 5:30 PM ATTENDANCE: Council Committee members: David Benavides Roman Reyna STAFF PRESENT: David Cavazos, CMO Carlos Rojas, PD Jim Henry, OCFA Laura Rossini, CAO Jason Viramontes, PD Robert Carroll, PD Alma Flores, CMO Eileen F. Greene, Recording Secretary PUBLIC SPEAKERS: Alfonso Alvarez Connie Hamilton Olivia Arzate Chairman Benavides opens the meeting with item No. 1 on the Agenda. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Approval of Minutes of 12 -8 -14 Meeting Motion: Approve the Minutes of 12 -8 -14 meeting. MOTION: Reyna SECOND: Benavides VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Reyna NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Martinez Motion carries. AGENDA 2. Patrol Deployment/Geographic Policing (Discuss deployment of patrol personnel into smaller neighborhood areas to increase accountability and effectiveness.) - Commander Jason Viramontes {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, if and 1 j} Commander Jason Viramontes gives a Power Point presentation regarding creating police beats within the four large districts of the city. There will be 12 beats total, three beats in each district that cover two square miles. At this time, there will be one officer assigned to a beat, with roving officers assisting as needed. By creating these beats, it will equally distribute the workload throughout the city. This will be a one year assignment so the officers can get to know residents, community members, and business owners. The districts will continue to exist, but each officer will have a smaller geographic area which will promote Community Oriented Policing and allow officers to understand the problems in their area. This deployment model should also improve response times and help officers to respond to specific problems. Assignments will be made by the Watch Commander who will try to match each area with a particular officer's set of skills. This program will become effective on March 81h, 2015. At this time, Chairman Benavides asks for those public speakers who want to comment on an agendized item. PUBLIC COMMENTS Alfonso Alvarez, resident Madison Park area, says that body cameras are the best way to protect our officers against complaints posted on social media sites whereby only snippets of an incident are shown to the public, will also cut down on civil lawsuits. Connie Hamilton, resident and volunteer with Connect -to- Council, says that the volunteer program in Santa Ana is good for college kids who may move on to become police officers in the city. This is definitely a worthwhile program. Olivia Arzate, resident, is Spanish speaking and her comments are translated. Ms. Arzate wanted to know what consequences public servants are given for hitting people or making false accusations. Ms. Arzate believes the public servants are allowed to continue to perform their duties with no consequences. Chairman Benavides speaks to Ms. Arzate explaining that this is the public comment portion of the meeting which allows an exchange or dialog by the public to address issues that will be brought to Council. He explains that if the speaker would like, they can set up a meeting with Committee members at a later date to allow for follow -up. 3. Police Officer Body Cameras (Update on Obama Administration funding for police officer body cameras /introduce the formation of the Intra- Department Exploratory Committee.) — Chief Rojas {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, if and 3b) Chief Rojas has a Power Point presentation reference police officers being equipped with body cameras. The concerns with the use of body cameras by law enforcement are privacy issues, victim's rights. An intra - Department exploratory working group is being established to look at best practices, vetting technology, policies, and limitations as they pertain to the use of body cameras. This group will consist of union representatives, patrol officers, and representatives from the Investigations and Administration Bureaus of the Police Department. Presently, there is no funding for police body cameras for municipalities. The City and Police Department have reached out to federal lobbyists for funding. The body cameras will be useful when looking at events involving uses of force that may cause the City liability. Cost for the body cameras should be around $1 million. The exploratory group will inform Council of all the facts, benefits and limitations and do so in a strategic, systematic way in order to make the best decision for Santa Ana's community. 4. Police Department Special Events Costs (Review Police Department costs related to special events.) — Chief Rojas {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 3a} A handout titled, "2014 Special Event Overtime Services Provided," is distributed to Committee members and members of the public. City Manager David Cavazos requested that this item be put on the Agenda because it is a timely issue. Recently at a meeting the City Manager attended, there was a discussion for more police officers, body cameras and other big ticket items. At the end of the meeting, someone asked about waiving fees for police overtime during special events. Individuals who go through the process apply for special events permits through Bill McGovern. State and Council policy mandate these fee schedules, and they have been approved as part of the budget. 5. Update on Asset Forfeiture Funds (Discuss and review of 2013 Asset Forfeiture Fund Expenditures) — Admin. Manager Robert Carroll {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 3a} Police Admin. Manager Robert Carroll has a Power Point presentation giving an update on Asset Forfeiture Funds. Part of the Strategic Plan is to promote fiscal accountability to ensure financial responsibility at all levels of the organization. Further, to continuously evaluate and assess fiscal aspect of service delivery to ensure that the Police Department provides programs and services efficiently and effectively. Manager Carroll provides tables showing a summary of expenses for fiscal year 2013 -14, a summary of Equitable Sharing Activity for fiscal year 2013 -14, and a cash flow analysis through fiscal year 2018 -19, and gives an explanation of the data. Chief Rojas explains that the Federal Government has new rules regarding seizing asset forfeiture funds. The Santa Ana Police Department's narcotic unit is part of a regional task force which includes agents from FBI and DEA; therefore, the Police Department will not be affected by this change. 6. Santa Ana Volunteer Hourly Contributions 2014 Report (Discuss Santa Ana Police Department's volunteer program.) — Chief Rojas {Strategic Plan Goal No. 1, 111 Chief Rojas has a handout titled "Santa Ana Police Department — 2014 Volunteer Hours." Chief Rojas explains how important the volunteer program is to the Police Department and the City. There are 12 chaplains of various denominations who provide spiritual support to both members of the community and victims of crime, as well as to members of the Police Department. Volunteers in police service (SAVE) donated over 4800 hours of time. The Santa Ana radio teamwork special events, assisting with lost children and other matters. In 2014, over 7100 hours of time was donated by volunteers. Chief Rojas thanks the volunteers for their important service to the City. 7. Homeless Check -In Center (Update on the check -in center and property storage facilities.) — Sr. Management Asst. Alma Flores {Strategic Plan Goal No. 5, 3d} Senior Management Assistant Alma Flores has a handout with the most current information regarding the check -in center for the homeless. There are four options discussed: 1) OCTA indicated that extending restroom hours at the Transit Terminal (SATT) would require an amendment to the existing agreement that is cost prohibitive. 2) The County of Orange will not be seeking an amendment from the Board of Supervisors to extend the public restroom hours until the incoming Board has an opportunity to be briefed on the overall Civic Center plans. 3) OCTA is not in favor of advancing the proposed use of the SATT facility beyond a public restroom at this time, pending sale of the property. 4) City staff approached the owner of 520 W. Santa Ana Blvd. as a possible check -in center. This is located between Everest College and County of Orange offices. The City will continue to evaluate option No. 4. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS On Item No. 2, Geographic Policing: Chairman Benavides commented that this deployment model can enhance Community Oriented Policing. On Item No. 3, Police Officer Body Cameras: Committee member Reyna inquired as to whether a community member should sit on the Exploratory Working group. Chief Rojas says he would like to open the topic to community forums. Chairman Benavides agrees that community forums would be helpful when considering police body cameras. This will be an ongoing agenda item, with a progress report at each Public Safety meeting regarding a timeline and summary. ACTION: Next meeting get confirmation that the committee has been put together. Have preliminary reports or tangibles on funding and best practices from surrounding agencies, including Anaheim PD, LAPD. Also put together FAQ'S. Perhaps start with a pilot program within specific units such as the gang unit who deal with tougher offenders. On Item No. 4, Special Events This item was put on the Agenda as a point of information. The fee schedule is to recover costs. On Item No. 6, Santa Ana Volunteer Hours ACTION: Chairman Benavides directs Communications Manager Tanya Lyon to put something together to thank the volunteers. On Item No. 7, Homeless Check -In Center: Chairman Benavides asked if there are any other possible sites besides the Santa Ana Transit Terminal and 520 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Sr. Management Assistant Flores said there are ten properties which the City owns jointly with the County. However, everything is on standby until the incoming Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to be briefed on this issue. Benavides would like to engage with the new county supervisor reference this item. The Committee engaged in all topic areas, reinforcing and emphasizing their commitment to community safety as a critical goal in the City's Strategic Plan. ACTION: Chairman Benavides asked to see the next report on the Strategic Plan; part of the strategy is to keep the Public Safety committee abreast as to the advances and implementation of the Plan. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ➢ Police Body Cameras ➢ Police Recruitment ➢ Garage Conversion Discussion ➢ Restorative Justice ➢ Transgender Community ➢ Towing Contracts /RFP process. ➢ Myrtle /Townsend, the area around KidWorks ADJOURNMENT — 6:45 P.M. CARLOSROJAS Chief of Police