“Our appreciation goes out to you and all the firefighters that serve the city of Santa Paula,” said Mayor Bob Gonzales. “The citizens are lucky to have the quality service you provide.”Councilman John Procter presented the proclamation for Crime Prevention Month to Police Chief Steve MacKinnon - and McGruff, who Procter noted had not been yet introduced to the Council as a new employee. The “vitality of our city depends on how safe we keep our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and communities,” and Procter noted that “crime and fear of crime destroy our trust in others and in civic institutions,” as well as threatening the community’s health, prosperity and quality of life.People of all ages, he added, must be made aware of what they can do to prevent themselves and their families, neighbors and co-workers from being harmed by crime, as the personal injury, financial loss and community deterioration resulting from crime are “intolerable and require investment from the whole community.”Crime prevention initiatives must include self-protection and security and beyond to promote “collaborative efforts to make neighborhoods safer for all ages and to develop positive opportunities for young people.” Adults must invest time, resources and policy support in effective prevention, and intervention strategies for youth, and teens must also be engaged in driving crime from the communities.“Effective crime prevention programs succeed,” noted Procter, “because partnerships among law enforcement, other government agencies, civic groups, schools, faith communities, businesses and individuals nurture shared responsibility and instill pride.” Procter said he wanted to add a “personal note... the SPPD does an amazing job, does so much for so little.”“Obviously, crime prevention we do year round,” said MacKinnon “but it’s nice to enforce it once in awhile” through formal recognition. “Community policing is the heart of what we’re trying to do,” and Chief MacKinnon said McGruff “feels the same way.”“Thank you and thank your officers for all the good you do,” especially, Gonzales noted, “at times it is very, very challenging” when the short-staffed department is tasked with extra duties. “In time,” added Gonzales, “you will have the people you need.”
SPFD & SPPD: Council recognizes public safety efforts with proclamations
October 31, 2008
Santa Paula City Council
Public safety was in the spotlight at the October 6 City Council meeting, where proclamations were presented to the city’s fire and police chiefs, the latter accompanied by the popular Crime Fighting Dog McGruff.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesPublic safety was in the spotlight at the October 6 City Council meeting, where proclamations were presented to the city’s fire and police chiefs, the latter accompanied by the popular Crime Fighting Dog McGruff.Councilman Ray Luna, a retired City of Ventura firefighter, presented the proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week to SPFD Chief Rick Araiza. Luna noted that Santa Paula is “committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our city,” and fire is a “serious public safety concern both locally and nationally.”Homes are the location where people are at the greatest risk of fire, with more than 2,500 people killed in home fires in 2006. “According to the latest research from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association,” Luna said firefighters responded to nearly 400,000 home fires also in 2006. Cooking, he added, is the “leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, while heating equipment and smoking are the leading causes of home fire deaths.”Santa Paula’s fire responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires, utilizing prevention and protection education that Luna said allows residents “to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes.” Residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape route, he added, are more prepared and more likely to survive a fire.“It’s Fire Prevention Week - Prevent Home Fires!” is the theme of the 2008 awareness campaign that “effectively serves to remind us all of the simple actions” that Luna said all can take to “stay safer year-round.”“I’m very proud to say,” noted Araiza, “that the fire department was very active throughout the month of September,” kicking off regular school visits to impart fire safety information to students, and distributing free smoke and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors to seniors and families as part of Emergency Preparedness Month. He added that the SPFD still has “smoke and combo detectors available to the public.”
