City Council hears of SPPD needs during preliminary budget discussions

May 13, 2015
Santa Paula News

The City Council heard from citizens that the top concern of the public is safety and funding for same should be a priority.

At the May 4 preliminary budget session Gabrielle Muratori and Kevin Beyer commented on crime and the Santa Paula Police Department.

The November ballot Measure F, which would have raised the sales tax by 1 percent and garnered about $1.6 million annually, $800,000 for the SPPD and the balance split between fire and street maintenance, received a majority vote but still fell short of the supermajority needed for it to pass.

With shooting incidents on the rise Muratori said the public wants safety; the council must prioritize police spending, “As they say, first things first…”

Kevin Beyer, who with Muratori is a member of the Citizens for a Safer Santa Paula committee that sponsored the Limoneira Co. funded ballot initiative, told the council safety remains a top concern.

“We need more police…you guys can find money somewhere to address our highest priority,” and Beyer said the city must “suppress gangs then move on to youth programs,” that would prevent gang activity.

Police Chief Steve McLean told the council that the SPPD has 47 total staff members and 30 officers, 10 more than when he was hired in July 2013.

With two potential officers on the horizon—one is in the academy while the other is in background check—McLean said the force would have 32 officers, still below what he would prefer.

In 2010, the SPPD had 34 officers.

Dispatch also suffered deep cuts through attrition but McLean said more have been hired: during the staff shortage McLean said dispatchers “worked their butt off, they did a tremendous job.” 

Volunteers help in records and the Police Reserves are an active and valuable asset that donated 17,000 hours last year.

The department lacks an administrative sergeant and has 22 officers on patrol.

“Of the 30 officers I said we have four are out, that’s been the case for some time,” noted McLean.

The SPPD has nine detectives—one is out due to an injury—and the gang enforcement unit has been reduced by one investigator.

The SPPD and SPUSD have an agreement for two School Resource Officers at Santa Paula High and Isbell Middle schools.

Said McLean, “We’ll have a commitment hopefully for elementary schools, the district is also talking about funding the SROs in the summer months which I think is very generous of them.”

Graffiti removal costs about $94,000 annually; revenue included a $12,000 matching grant for vests; other grants include COPS, which helps fund the Las Piedras Park Police Storefront and a DUI enforcement grant administered by Oxnard Police. 

While at the same time looking for cost-cutting McLean said due to increased caseloads and the rising number of arrests—about 23 percent more than last year—he needs to add two full-time records clerks and a part-time evidence technician. 

Councilman Jim Tovias asked how many officers the SPPD should have and the average cost of an officer.

McLean said optimally the city should have about 70 officers: “I need to double my gang unit,” as well as hire a community relations officer and an officer to conduct an intervention program.

For now, the SPPD should have “38 officers, minimum…”

And, he added, an experienced officer cost more than a rookie and a veteran officer could not be hired for Santa Paula salaries.

Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi asked how many vehicles the SPPD has; Commander Ish Cordero said all vehicles for all functions and uses, number approximately 15 to 20.

Gherardi said grants should be examined to pay for maintenance for police and fire vehicles.

And she urged “some policies” be crafted by the council for spending of the Limoneira grant, an infusion of $250,000 for three years to be matched by the city for a total of $1.5 million.

Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez asked how many officers are assigned to patrol.

McLean said there are 22 patrol officers but “There’s a lot of supervisors so it’s a lot more like 16…and a lot of our force barely have one-year,” policing experience.

“About half on the streets,” noted Hernandez. “You’re the chief, it’s your department,” but more officers on the streets would be a “better deterrent” to criminal activity.





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