HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-2009SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
April 28, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was convened at 7:00 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, City Attorney Joe
Fletcher, Fire Marshall Lori Smith, Commander Doug McGeachy, and Loretta Tafoya,
Recording Secretary.
Public sign-ins: Cathee Brown, Brent Meyerson, Robert Miller, Anthoney Rosales,
Marne Binder, Akili Nickson, Jason Myerson, Don and Marilyn Mehr, Scott Mehr, Scott
Miner, Victoria Narerhnaya, Helen Abrazian, Sean Cook, Anthony Rodriguez, Jimmy
Camacho, Vera Dewitt, Bonnie Merrick, Athena and Talia
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the March 9, 2009 meeting.
2. BAILBOND SOLICITATION
Chief Walters explained to the committee members, the bail bondsmen from
Santa Ana are frustrated with all the solicitation because they are taking away
from their businesses and is reflecting poorly on their reputation. They would like
to get a City ordinance passed to stop the solicitation. Chief Walters stated that
he will be working with the City Attorney, Joe Fletcher to see what the
possibilities are.
3. FOLLOW-UP ON DNA DATABASE
The Police Department has sent over 184 requests to the Orange County Crime
Lab for DNA analysis. They received 251 completed analysis results which
included 45 confirmed profiles.
4. UPDATE ON FIREWORKS RECORDED HOTLINE
Fire Chief Marc Martin did not recommend that a hotline transpire. Without
immediate response it would just cause frustration for the caller. Committee
member David Benavides recommended that the Fire Department have some
type of on-line reporting. Commander McGeachy stated the Police Department
would continue to work special projects, City wide enforcement and education.
The police and fire department had a successful year due to the deployment and
special details.
5. STRATEGY ON VIOLENCE DUE TO ECONOMY
There has been no increase in violent crime due to the economy.
6. PRESENTATION ON BURGLARY INCREASE IN 2009
In February of 2009, the Santa Ana Police Department reported a dramatic
36.48% increase in burglaries throughout the City. Crime Analysis conducted a
study of all reported commercial and residential burglaries in January and
February 2008 as compared to the same time frame in 2009. After a search was
conducted of the records database and evaluation concluded, a total of 156
burglary reports in 2008 and 209 in 2009 were evaluated and a 33.97% increase
was validated.
7. MARSY'S LAW
City Attorney Joe Fletcher explained Marsy's Law helps victims of violent crimes
by means of issuing a Marsy's Rights card. The card explains their rights,
prevents disclosure of confidential information or records to the defendant,
awareness of any public proceedings, and restitution from the convicted
perpetrator in every case.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bailbond business owners wanted to know why the City sells solicitation permits
and would like the City to ban all solicitation.
9. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee Members thanked the Bailbond business owners for attending the
meeting and they would keep them informed on what is being done to help them.
Committee member David Beneviedes wanted to know what the Police
Department was doing to do with the CA Endowment money. Committee
member Claudia Alvarez wanted to know what the City is doing about vacant
homes with swimming pools and she also wanted to know what the City was
going to do to keep the public informed about swine flu.
10. ITEM
A.
B.
E.
F.
G.
FOR NEXT MEETING
Bailbond Solicitation Update
CA Endowment Update
Update on Fireworks recorded hotline
Strategy on violence due to economy
Presentation on E-Reporting
11. NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police
Facility, 60 Civic Center Plaza, 4th Floor conference room, Santa Ana, California.
OURNM NT - 8:30 P.M.
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PAUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police
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