HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-07
SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
October 23, 2007
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 Room, Santa Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Council members present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, and Sal Tinajero.
Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Paula Coleman, Police Chief Paul Walters, Interim
Fire Chief Steve Critchfield, Police Deputy Chiefs Pete Jensen and Tony Harrelson,
Ass!. to City Manager Mark Lawrence, and Recording Secretary Janet Chop.
Public present: Glen and Julie Stroud, Justin Reuter, Nicholas Bisesi, Dan Gleason,
Tish Leon, Pierre Desjardins, Alfonso Bustamante, and Thomas Gordon.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the September 25, 2007 meeting.
2. TOWNSEND AND BISHOP PROJECTS UPDATE
Deputy Chief Jensen reviewed an analysis report of the Bishop Manor Project
that covers 10 acres and has a population of 1,307 people. The Bishop Manor
Inter Agency Gang Task Force has been formed and tasked with utilizing the
systematic problem solving process of the SARA model (Scan, Analyze,
Respond and Assess) to develop and implement strategies that will remediate
the current state of the complex and put into place measures that will ensure the
long term success of the neighborhood. Future updates will be provided as the
project proceeds. The SARA model will also be used on the Townsend
neighborhood.
3. RESOLUTION FOR REDUCTION OF UNDERAGE ALCOHOL USE
Ass!. CA Coleman presented the draft resolution that supports underage drinking
prevention and answered questions from the committee. Mr. Gleason spoke in
favor of the resolution. The committee agreed to have the resolution brought to
the City Councii at a future date.
4. STATUS OF POLICE DEPARTMENT WEB CAST
Chief Walters related that the Police Department Web Cast was ready to go and
the Department is working with the City Web staff to make the policy changes
that are necessary prior to implementation.
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5. INTERACTION WITH SAUSD AND SAPD
Dep. Chief Harrelson reviewed how the School District police and the Police
Department interact, how the school police work and their hours. There has also
been a Memorandum of Understanding between the School District Police and
the Police Department since 2001. They have been assisting on cases
throughout the Department including Graffiti Task Force investigations. The two
agencies will continue to have a close working relationship on any police
incidents.
6. STATUS OF GANG INJUNCTION
Asst. CA Coleman gave an update on the status of the Santa Nita Gang
Injunction and the pending cases. She reported that there has been a 58 percent
reduction of crime in the safety zone. She will keep the committee updated on
the status of the injunction.
7. STATUS OF NEW GANG POSITIONS
Dep. Chief Harrelson reviewed the status of the additional Gang Unit personnel,
which consists of ten detectives and one sergeant. A sergeant and two
permanent detectives have been selected and detectives have been taken from
other sections until additional permanent detectives can take over. To date, they
are making outstanding arrests and developing new informants. The Strike
Force and Career Criminal Unit are assisting the Team as needed.
8. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ASSESSMENT NEEDS
Chief Walters provided the Police and Fire Departments assessment needs to
the Committee for their use.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The citizens present spoke regarding a variety of issues, such as gang
injunctions in other areas of the city, fire personnel fighting wildfires, downtown
issues with graffiti, homeless causing problems in the downtown area, drinking in
public, and panhandling issues.
10. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
The committee agreed to agendize the issues stated above on the next Public
Safety agenda. Committee member Tinajero felt there was a need for a traffic
study surrounding neighborhood schools.
11. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Downtown Issues
B. Panhandling Issue
C. DNA Collection Process
D. Wildfires Report
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12. NEXT MEETING DATE: November 27, 2007, 5:30 PM, Santa Ana Police
Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, 4th floor conference room.
ADJOURNMENT:
7:10 P.M.
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PAUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police
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