Opportunity to vote on Measure F

October 10, 2014
Opinion

By Santa Paula Police Chief Steve McLean

On November 4, the residents of Santa Paula have an opportunity to vote on Measure F, a 1% sales tax to enhance public safety and make much-needed repairs to our streets and roads.    As Chief of Police, I strongly encourage you to educate yourselves about this measure.  I believe your vote represents a defining moment in Santa Paula history.  We have an opportunity to break the cycle of crime that has plagued this city for 30 years.  If Measure F does not pass, your children, grandchildren and all future generations will be left to deal with the same issues: gangs and drugs. 

When I was first appointed as your Chief of Police on July 1, 2013, our violent crime rate had increased by over 50% from the previous year due to Santa Paula Police Department (SPPD) losing almost one third of its officers to other police agencies with better pay and benefits.  Nine officers left SPPD, which represented the loss of an investment of about $1,000,000.  It’s also crucial to understand that many of the officers who left were the most experienced members of our force. 

 In the past year, we have been fortunate to hire seven new officers, which brings our total number of sworn officers up to 28. Sadly, this total remains significantly low for a town the size of Santa Paula.   We do not even have 1 officer per 1000 residents, the minimum recommended for adequate policing.  In fact, we have more criminals on parole in this community than we have police officers. 

Although these facts alone are reason enough to vote “YES” for Measure F, consider these other sobering statistics: 

• The Santa Paula Police Department has far fewer officers than the California average of 2.4 officer per 1,000 people. The population in Santa Paula is at least 34,000 and we only have 28 police officers, including the Chief of Police.

• The police officers in Santa Paula are the lowest paid in Ventura County.  In fact, they are paid about 40% less in base pay than the next-lowest-paid police department.

• Santa Paula has a higher percentage of gang members per capita than any city in Ventura County.

• Santa Paula has one of the highest rates of violent crime in Ventura County. 

Despite these limitations, our police officers have been working diligently and putting in long hours to confront dangerous criminals. And their hard work has paid off.  Our violent crime is down by about 30% over last year and we have tracked down and arrested some very dangerous criminals, including the men suspected of viciously murdering a young pregnant woman in a Santa Paula park and an innocent mother in front of loved ones at her own home.  

I have been your Police Chief for a little over a year now and have put my heart and soul into this community.  I truly love Santa Paula and I’m deeply concerned for the citizens of this town.  We are dealing with gang members who will not hesitate to initiate a gun battle in the middle of the day near where children are playing.  We cannot tolerate this as a community.  We have to protect our children and do whatever it takes to keep our kids safe.  

SPPD does not currently have the resources needed to protect Santa Paula’s citizens in the way you deserve to be protected.  We need more police officers to confront, arrest and drive the criminals out of our community once and for all.  Yes, that will take money and resources.  

Like most of you, I tend to be against taxes because we already pay too many.  That said, I would like to put a 1% sales tax into perspective.  A hamburger that costs $5 today would cost only $5.05 if Measure F passes, an increase of just a few pennies on the dollar.  Now imagine how those pennies can improve our community.

With Measure F funds, Santa Paula will be able to expand its police department, positioning us to rid the community of the dangerous criminals who have preyed upon it for far too long.  We will be able to develop programs for our youth, so they stay on the right track, and do NOT go down the road of gangs and drugs.  

We have been dealing with gangs in this community for almost 30 years.  It’s time to take responsibility and say enough is enough.  If the murder of an innocent mother and a young pregnant woman do not move you to action, I don’t know what will.  We are better than this, Santa Paula.  

In closing, I want to thank you for the support you’ve shown me over the past year.  I am honored to be your Chief of Police.  I believe in this city and I want you to live in a community where your family can be safe.   

Before you head to the polls this November, please ask yourself one important question: what kind of community do you want to leave for your children and grandchildren? Then consider voting “YES” on Measure F” for a safer Santa Paula.  The Santa Paula Police Department has done its part and now it’s time for the community to do theirs.  

God bless you all,

Chief Steve McLean





Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster