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Home My WebLink About01-26-10SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE PUBLIC SAFETY Minutes of Meeting January 26, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was convened at 5:35 p.m. at Santa Ana Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, 4th Floor, Santa Ana, California. ATTENDANCE Councilmembers present: Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, and Sal Tinajero. Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Marc Martin, Deputy City Attorney Theresa Judd, Cesar Barrera, Mgr. Will Hayes, Jason Weiss, and Loretta Tafoya, Recording Secretary. Public sign-ins: Evangeline Gawronski, Helen Martinez, Carl Benninger, Irma Macias, Connie Hamilton SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approved Minutes of the October 27, 2009 meeting. 2. OVERVIEW ON FBI RCFL Jason Weiss from the FBI explained to the committee the purpose of The Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory. The RCFL Program is a national network of Federal Bureau of Investigation sponsored, full-service digital forensics laboratories and training centers. The FBI provides start-up operational funding, training, staff, and equipment, while state, local, and other federal law enforcement agencies assign personnel to staff the laboratory. RCFL is devoted entirely to the examination of digital evidence in support of criminal and national security investigations, from terrorism to child pornography, fraud, homicide, and more. 3. SWINE FLU VACCINE PLAN Fire Chief Marc Martin stated all fire department employees are now vaccinated. There is no longer a shortage of the vaccine. He gave update on Haiti call out. Hazmat and rescue team did an excellent job and was assembled in 6 hours. Due to the delay on the tarmac, they didn't get to go to Haiti. Fire Chief Martin said it was good practice for them and it was a privilege to be asked to go. 4. UPDATE ON GRAFFITI ORDINANCE Will Hayes stated there was a decrease in hotline calls from last year this time. There were 328 arrests by the Police Department and 362 probation searches. The school police made 106 arrests. The court arranges a payment plan and works with the Police Department. Due to recent rains, there was a delay in the removal of graffiti. Code Enforcement Citations have increased. Decorative walls have helped tremendously in deterring graffiti. Wills Hayes stated that they try and remove the graffiti within 48 to 72 hours. Committee member David Benevides asked why it takes so long to respond. Will Hayes said it's due to the increased workload and less staff. The court referrals help. Committee member David Benavides wants to start keeping track of restitution and stats of new ordinance. Committee member Sal Tinajero asked who decides on the restitution. Will Hayes stated the Police Department decides the amount of restitution and has been enforcing the new ordinance. He also stated Public Works is re-evaluating restitution costs and suggested that letters/citations to sent to violators. Santa Ana has a model program. Representatives from Anaheim and Japan have come to our City to see our program. 5. DISCUSSION ON FELONY CASES/TEEN CURFEW Chief Walters discussed the Police Department's Felony Vandalism Cases. There have been seven felony cases filed with the District Attorney. Five of the cases have involved gang members. In each case, a felony gang enhancement charge was added. He also stated the Santa Ana Police Department participated in a county-wide curfew sweep November 12, 2009. Law enforcement agencies from throughout the county gathered together and detained juveniles that were congregating in public after 10 pm. The detained juveniles were transported to the OC Sheriff's facility on Katella in Anaheim where their parents were required to them up. 6. UPDATE ON DAY LABORERS IN KAISER PAERMANENTE PARKING LOT The Santa Ana Police Department has continued to work with Kaiser Representatives. The Home Depot has identified certain places for the day laborers not block traffic and loiter on their property. Most day laborers take advantage of this; however, some still loiter on the south sidewalk of MacArthur and the east sidewalk of Harbor to the front of the Kaiser facility. The Home Depot has expressed their interest not to participate in the arrest and subsequent prosecution whereas the Kaiser Permanente does. The Southcoast Directed Team conducted surveillance and enforcement on four separate occasions. The day laborers were observed standing on the sidewalks to the front of the Kaiser Permanente. Seven Hours of surveillance revealed only three subjects to be in violation. All three violations occurred on MacArthur Blvd to the front of the Kaiser Permanente and did not cause any motorist safety issues. 7. DIAMOND WATER WELL Cesar Barrera stated the Diamond Park Mutual Water Company is separate from the City. Each property owner has one share. Share holders do not pay for or receive City water. Frequent breaks in water lines and pumping system reported. The state has deemed current water unsafe to drink. The existing water quality is high in nitrate levels. The City has participated in meetings with the community coordinated by the California State Department of Health. Water Engineering has prepared construction plans and specifications to build public water system. On January 12, 2010, the private well pump suffered a complete breakdown and water was unavailable. The City paid for the pump to be repaired and placed back in service. Councilmember Claudia Alvarez told Cesar Barrera to set up meeting as soon as possible with his supervisor to take course of action. 2 8. JESSICA'S LAW STATUS Assistant City Attorney Teresa Judd stated Jessica's Law was voted by the People and adopted in November of 2006. It imposes residency restrictions and authorized local agencies to enact ordinances that further restrict the residency of sex offenders. There are four cases challenging Jessica's Law that are currently pending in California Supreme Court. For these four matters, the Court has issued an order to show cause as to why residency restrictions imposed by the state law should not be found unconstitutional. Oral argument was heard by the Court in November of 2009 and a written opinion is expected shortly. Santa Ana Municipal Code section 10-702 regulates certain conduct occurring within 300 feet of public parks, K-12 schools, commercial daycare centers, and specified children's facilities. The Police Department has no current cases. 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS Citizen's main concern is the graffiti problem. Committee member Claudia Alvarez suggested contact Hotline when they have issues. A citizen complained of house parties and vending trucks on her street which causes problems with graffiti and drugs. Chief Walters suggest getting addresses and contact Area Commander to have officers patrol area. Committee member Claudia Alvarez stated there are pending litigation on the trucks and can't do anything about them right now. A citizen asked if parents could be responsible for taggers. State law requires the parents to be responsible and pay restitution. Councilmember Claudia stated it was unfair to blame Police Department for graffiti problem. 10. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee member David Benavides thanked the citizens for attending meeting. He knows the graffiti issues are frustrating but the City is doing their best. He also stressed to the citizens to contact their area commanders and also use hotlines when they have issues. 13. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING A. Graffiti Update B. Diamond Water Well Update C. Release of Prisoners 14. NEXT MEETING DATE - Tuesday, March 23, 5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police Facility, 60 Civic Center Plaza, 4th Floor conference room, Santa Ana, California. ADJOURNMENT - 8:10 P.M. ~~~-~, PAUL M. WALTERS Chief of Police It