HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2009SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
January 27, 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 Insp. David Thomas, Janet Chop and
Loretta Tafoya, Recording Secretaries.
Public sign-ins: Rene Guzman, Irma Macias, Evangeline & Ray Gawronski, Ron Foster,
Chuck Kitz, Steve McGuigan, Barbara Lamere, Pat McGuigan, Kathleen Kuilanaff,
Connie Hamilton, Mary Bloom-Ramos, Pete Ramos, John Kern, Thomas Gordon, Jon &
Shirley Harrelson.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the November 25, 2008 meeting.
2. UPDATE ON THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS FROM OTHER COUNTY
FACILITIES
Chief Walters will set up a meeting with O.C. Sheriff Hutchens to discuss an
agreement on the releasing of prisoners. Committee Member Alvarez will attend
the meeting.
3. UPDATE ON ANTI-GRAFFITI DVD
The Police Department plans to partner with Santa Ana Unified School District to
show DVD to students. Committee Member Benavides stated how professional
the DVD was and would be very good for the schools.
4. UPDATE ON EPIC COMMISSION
The EPIC Commission is in the process of finishing their annual report. It will be
distributed to the City Council in the near future.
5. FOLLOW-UP IN DNA COLLECTION
Chief Walters stated the new law is very successful. The jail collects DNA from
every inmate. Database is now being updated with new DNA samples.
Page 2
6. FIREWORKS SURVEY RESULTS
Evangeline Gawronski, COM-LINK President, presented responses from her
survey regarding the use of fireworks. Committee Member Benavides wants to
see actual survey. He also recommended City sponsored fireworks show.
Committee Member Alvarez requested a fireworks hot-line for citizens to call
regarding fireworks. Chief Martin said the Fire Department would facilitate the
hot line.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Citizens spoke regarding the financial need of support from the fireworks for
youth organizations and other citizens said that money would be saved if we
didn't have fireworks. Citizens would like to be more involved with the Police and
Fire Departments regarding fireworks. They would also like to see EPIC report
and wanted to know if EPIC can have public volunteers.
8. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee Member Benavides would like see the public and non-profit
organizations still get involved in community based committees. He sees a need
to develop a strategy for violence due to the economy.
Committee Member Sal Tinajero is concerned about the decline in scholarships,
and businesses closing causing lay offs, which will affect the youth getting into
trouble.
Committee Member Alvarez announced Janet Chop's retirement. Committee
Member Benavides thanked Janet for all her help with the committee.
9. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Meeting with O.C. Sheriff regarding the release of Prisoners.
B. Update on Anti-Graffiti DVD
C. EPIC Commission Report
D. Follow-up on DNA Collection
E. Update on Fireworks hotline
F. Strategy on violence due to economy
G. Report on Golden Guardian Exercise
10. NEXT MEETING DATE - TBA, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police Facility, 60 Civic
Center Plaza, 4th Floor conference room, Santa Ana, California.
A J URNMENT - 6:40 p.m.
~~ c~~
P UL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police