HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-11 PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENTCITY OF SANTA ANA
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
SPECIAL PUBLIC SAFETY, CODE ENFORCEMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD
EMPOWERMENT MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER:
ATTENDANCE:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
PUBLIC SPEAKERS:
June 11, 2019
Ross Annex, Room 1600
City Hall, 20 Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana, California
5:39 PM
Council Committee members:
Juan Villegas, Mayor Pro Tern
David Penaloza
Cecilia Iglesias
PLY".
Kristine Ridge, CMO
Tamara Bogosian, CAO
Eric Paulson, PD
David Valentin, PD
James Henery, OCFA
Enrique Esparza, PD
Daisy Perez, CMO Hafsa Kaka, CDA
Ken Gominsky, PD
Yessenia Aspeitia, Recording Secretary
Esther Fonseca, concerned constituent
Peter A. Katz, President from Com-Link
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Pro Tern Juan Villegas
11
AGENDAITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes from the April 23, 2019 Meeting
MOTION: Penaloza SECOND: Villegas
VOTE: AYES: Penaloza, Villegas
Motion passes.
2. Loud and Raucous Noise Ordinance Update — Deputy Chief Eric Paulson
Deputy Chief Paulson presented the Council Committee with an update on Loud and
Raucous Noise ordinance, by reviewing updated timeline of milestones accomplishments
thus far. In 2018, Santa Ana PD (SAPD) responded to 5,401 noise complaints with
negligible enforcement due to the lack of intensity of established ordinance. SAPD worked
with City Attorney's Office to review and modify ordinance, and on April 2, 2019,
enhancements to ordinance were adopted. One of the enhancements allows for a warning
to be issued per calendar year and any subsequent response fees will be increased ranging
from $100 - $1,000. On May 3, 2019, implementation/enforcement began of the updated
ordinance with results thus far of 700 calls responded to resulting to 200 noise violations.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Esther Fonseca acknowledge and commended SAPD staff for their work on the
implementation and enforcement of revised ordinance. Particularly thankful to
Commander Claborn, who she worked with in regards to issues of noise complaints. She
is very pleased with new enhancements made and has seen the difference this has made
because of the direct contact violators are having with police officers.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Vice -Chair Penaloza engaged in a discussion with Deputy Chief Paulson regarding
response time and officers' time while on scene of a noise complaint.
2
3. Discuss Fourth of July Illegal Fireworks Outreach — Deputy Chief Eric Paulson
PUBLIC COMMENT
Esther Fonseca thanked PD for comprehensive presentation on outreach efforts to educate
the community on illegal fireworks. She expressed her concerns for the danger of the illegal
fireworks that are used in her neighborhood and would like PD to have an aggressive
approach when dealing with these calls. She also expressed how neighbors are afraid to go
out due to the severity of this problem.
Deputy Chief Paulson presented to Council Committee an overview of the focused efforts
towards community outreach and education of the use of illegal fireworks in the City of
Santa Ana. Beginning July 2 — 4 all hands on deck for enforcement and confiscation of
illegal fireworks. Outreach efforts that have been made are: YouTube PSA, social media
outreach (PD and City), distribution of flyer in schools and community meetings,
advertisement in local magazines and partnership with local grocers to distribute our flyers.
Fire Division Chief Henry recanted an incident that occurred last year in the area of South
Lyon, where palm trees where set on fire by illegal fireworks and a police officer had a
firework thrown at him.
ACTION
Vice -Chair Penaloza would like to meet with PD and City social media staff to look into a
target plan to reach a bigger audience for advertisement of outreach efforts.
4. Police Department Hiring Update — Deputy Chief Enrique Esparza
Deputy Chief Esparza presented the Council Committee with an update on hiring sworn
positions, by reviewing the number of vacancies compared to filled positions year-to-date,
as well as the number of additional officers projected to be hired the remainder of 2019.
Additionally, Deputy Chief Esparza shared efforts of expansion of recruitment efforts
through attendance of recruitment events in other counties, as well as military bases. Social
media has also been increased to promote hiring. Deputy Chief Esparza shared an update
on Hiring Expo where there were 56 attendees interested in our police officer vacancies,
dispatcher and other open positions. Deputy Chief Esparza provided an organizational
chart for PD Human Resources Division to identify the updated restructuring of the
division and duties assigned.
The Council Committee shared dialogue with Staff about recruitment/retainment efforts,
asked questions and offered support of recruitment efforts. The Committee also requested
an explanation of breakdown of the number of separations stated on PowerPoint.
ACTION
Councilmember Iglesias requested a breakdown from PD of frontline officers per resident.
5. Homeless Update — Homeless Services Manager Hafsa Kaka
Homeless Services Manager Hafsa Kaka presented the Council Committee with an
overview of the newly updated homeless data dashboard. This dashboard provides the
public with an active live update of stats — as of today, per point in time count; we have
800 unsheltered and 900 sheltered individuals. In response to a request made in the April
Council Meeting, the dashboard provides a breakdown of services/actions made by QOLT.
In addition, now day 207 from commencement of The Link, 51 individuals have been
placed into permanent housing. Also, Hafsa shared a brief update on efforts/results made
from Santiago Creek cleanup day.
The Council Committee shared dialogue with Staff about concerns on what (if any)
services are provided to sheltered individuals in regards to getting them on track to be self-
sufficient and out of the system. PD provided a breakdown and understanding on
involvement when dealing with individuals that return after cleanup efforts have been
made, specifically in the areas underneath the bridge.
ACTION
Councilmember Iglesias would like an in-depth conversation regarding services provided
by Mercy House when it comes to helping individuals become self-sufficient.
6. Discussion on Family Justice Center — Chief David Valentin
PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter Katz expressed his support on money being invested towards the Family Justice
Center and services that will be provided.
Chief Valentin provided a verbal update on discussion of consideration of implementation
of a Family Justice Center in the City of Santa Ana. Last year, PD staff toured the Orange
County Family Justice Center, formerly known as Anaheim Justice. The Orange County
Family Justice Center was modeled after the successfully established San Diego Family
Justice Center. The City of Santa Ana has a need to provide victims of domestic violence
these services under one stop shop. Chief Valentin provided statics of having 718 cases
that were assigned for follow up investigation in 2018, with staffing of one full-time
Detective and two Police Investigative Specialist. A Family Justice Center would provide
wraparound services to address/assist victims of domestic violence and can include various
other services under this structure.
Chair Villegas shared his continued advocacy for funds to establish a Family Justice Center
in the City of Santa Ana. He_knows that this center can streamline these services and
provide much needed assistance to the growing number of victims in the City. He requests
the assistance and backing of committee members to help ensure funding to move forward
with this project.
ACTION
Vice -Chair Penaloza would like to have a discussion on possible locations to consider for
establishment of a Family Justice Center.
Councilmember Iglesias would like staff to consider the possible incorporation of these
services into substations to ensure we reach all of our community.
FUTUREITEMS
Councilmember Iglesias would like a presentation on costs to have security cameras on all our
parks to include pocket parks. She is aware five parks are in a piolet program with security cameras
and would like have an update on how they are working there.
Vice -Chair Penaloza would like an update on discussion of graffiti ordinance in the last committee
meeting regarding looking into a program that was once established to address this issue. He would
also like to be scheduled to take a tour of the San Diego Family Justice Center.
Chair Villegas would like a complete report on the ten established fire stations in the City. He
stated that current cost for OCFA contract has risen and would like city staff to look into the cost
of considering the reestablishment of Santa Ana Fire Department.
The Committee members thanked staff for their hard work and the public for their attendance.
ADJOURNMENT — 7 P.M.
�-�AVID VALENTIN
Chief of Police
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