HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-10SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Minutes of Meeting
May 25, 2010
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
Councilmembers present: Claudia Alvarez, and David Benavides.
Staff present: Police Chief Paul Walters, Fire Chief Marc Martin, Deputy Chief Carlos Rojas,
Deputy City Attorney Theresa Judd, Deputy City Attorney Ryan Hodge, Battalion Chief Dave
Thomas, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Marshal Lori Smith, Cmdr. Ken Gominsky, Sgt. Mark Bell, and
Loretta Tafoya, Recording Secretary.
Public sign-ins: John Kelly, Irma Macial, Fabiola Soto, Marianne Codiz, and Carl Banningin
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved Minutes of the March 23, 2010 meeting.
2. DANCE PERMIT REVISION - Chief Walters/C.S.S. Mike McCoy
Mike McCoy stated the last revisions to Chapter 11 were done in 1990. Since then, the
dynamics of Downtown have changed. Under existing regulation, most Downtown
restaurants are prohibited from dancing. The proposed modifications are intended to
address those changes. The new dance permit would be a pilot program and a specific
geographical area will be designated. It will be a two- year permit and a $500 fee will be
assessed on all establishments that obtain a dance permit. Chief Walters suggested
each establishment have a card reader to be able to control clientele. Committee
Member David Benavides asked if there will be limits. Mike McCoy stated there will be
no limits however stated that random inspections will be completed. Committee member
David Benavides recommended inspections every 6 months. Committee member
Claudia Alvarez requested Dance Ordinance be on next agenda.
3. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY - Chief Walters/Sgt. Mark Bell
Sgt. Mark Bell stated since January 1, 2000, there have been 41,383 traffic collisions
reported to the Santa Ana Police Department. There were 2,041 collisions involved in a
vehicle vs. a pedestrian, 51 collisions of all reported pedestrian collisions resulted in
fatalities. The pedestrian was found to be at fault in 33 of 51 cases. Alcohol was present
in over 50% of pedestrian fatality cases. The Traffic Section's strategies to reduce
collisions are to continue to provide bicycle/roadway safety presentations in local
elementary schools; participate in youth education events such as the OC Youth Expo;
work with Traffic Engineering to identify areas where roadway safety can be enhanced
and continue enforcing pedestrian safety laws. Committee member David Benavides
requested that the Traffic Division work with Public Works/Traffic Engineering and
Planning and Building to create a task force on pedestrian safety. Council member
Claudia Alvarez requested Traffic Safety be on next agenda.
4. UPDATE ON HOT SPOT TASK FORCES
Deputy Chief Rojas introduced Ken Gominsky, new Field Operations Commander.
Cmdr. Gominsky reviewed the new changes in Field Operations and addressed the
actions taken for Townsend Street and Bishop Manor. Field Operations is also working
with Crime Analysis to help the officers in the field locating the hot spots with the new
Dashboard system. Chief Walters explained this is an on-going challenge due to retiring
officers, the lack of resources to replace them, and the reduction of overtime.
Cmdr. Gominsky explained how the PSO's, Directed Patrol and "Kids Works" are helping
the Police Department with Townsend Street. All canine officers are currently out in the
field with patrol to cover the shortage of police officers. Committee member Claudia
Alvarez appreciated the officers adjusting their hours to save in overtime. Cmdr.
Gominsky is also attending the neighborhood meetings to help keep officers in the field.
Committee member David Benavides commented on how Community Based
Organizations are a big help and wanted the Police Department to let him know if there is
anything he can do to help.
FOURTH OF JULY ENFORCEMENT PLAN
Fire Chief Martin stated the Fire Department will stick with past enforcement policies
since they have been successful. The City has approved to have 78 booths. He stated
the Police Department will continue to handle the enforcement. Deputy Chief Rojas
stated the Police Department will be working with the Arson Detail and will be activating
the EOC. They will also be issuing admin citations. Each citation will be $100, with
escalating fees. Committee member Claudia Alvarez commended Fire Chief Martin for
his excellent work in organizing the 4th of July enforcement. The representative from TNT
spoke and let the Committee know that he appreciated all their support. Committee
member David Benavides thanked TNT for their sponsorship for the City celebration.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Citizens present spoke regarding the concern in the increase of crime statistics.
10. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Committee Member David Benavides thanked the citizens for attending the meeting.
Committee members David Benavides and Claudia Alvarez thanked Chief Martin for his
leadership and will be missed.
13. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Update on Dance Permit Revision
Update on Pedestrian Safety
14. NEXT MEETING DATE- Tuesday, July 27,5:30 pm, Santa Ana Police Facility, 60 Civic
Center Plaza, 4th Floor conference room, Santa Ana, California.
A URNMENT - 7:20 P.M.
V vv
PAUL M. WALTERS
Chief of Police
2