HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-2017 Public Safety Task Force Agenda Packet
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 1 of 2
SARATOGA
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 24, 2017
6:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
City Hall, Administrative Conference Room | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
ROLL CALL
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 18, 2017.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Any member of the public may address the Public Safety Task Force for up to three (3) minutes
on matters not on the Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Public Safety Task Force from
discussing or taking action on such items. However, the Public Safety Task Force schedule the
item for discussion at a future meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve draft minutes from the July 27, 2017 meeting.
2. Public Safety Metrics
Recommended Action:
Review monthly update to public safety metrics.
3. Mobile App with Public Safety Information
Recommended Action:
Continue discussion on mobile app and provide recommendations for desired mobile app
content.
4. Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
Recommended Action:
Receive update on the Task Force’s request for funding for Neighborhood Watch Leader
Gathering and continue discussions to plan the event.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 2 of 2
5. Scheduling Saratoga Safety Fair and CERT/Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
Recommended Action:
Consider potential dates and timing of the Saratoga Safety Fair and CERT/Neighborhood
Watch Leader Gathering.
6. Rescheduling November and December Meetings
Recommended Action:
Confirm cancelation of the November and December meetings and scheduling a meeting on
November 30, 2017.
7. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA
PACKET, & COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
I, Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the
meeting of the Public Safety Task Force was posted and available for review on August 18, 2017
at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's website at
www.saratoga.ca.us.
Signed this 18th day of August 2017 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials
provided to the Public Safety Task Force by City staff in connection with this agenda are available
at the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070.
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in
this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 408.868.1269. Notification 24 hours prior to the
meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this
meeting. [28 CFR 5.102-35.104 ADA title II]
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE AGENDA PLANNER
MEETING DATE AGENDA ITEMS
March 27, 2017 Nomination of Chair/Vice Chair
Overview of State/City Laws & Policies
Review Public Safety Task Force Objectives, Development of Work Plan
Meeting Schedule
Future Agenda Items
April 27, 2017 Review/approval of Minutes
Review of Public Safety Statistics
Proposed Public Safety Task Force Work Plan
May 25, 2017
Review/approval of Minutes
Solved Crime/Arrest Data
Proposed Public Safety Task Force Work Plan
Future Agenda Items
June 22, 2017 Review/approval of Minutes
Public Safety Metrics (Arrest Data: on-view vs warrant, Calls for Service)
Work Plan Implementation Council Priorities & Implementation
Timeline
City Budget Overview
Work Plan Item: Improved Public Safety Webpage
Work Plan Item: Mobile App that Includes Public Safety Information
Future Agenda Items
July 27, 2017 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
Work Plan Item: Mobile App
Rescheduling November and December Meeting Dates
CERT Overview
Future Agenda Items
August 24, 2017 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Work Plan Item: Mobile App
Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
Scheduling the Saratoga Safety Fair & CERT/Neighborhood Watch
Leader Gathering
Rescheduling November and December Meeting Dates
Future Agenda Items
September 28, 2017 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Work Plan Item: Public Safety Webpage
Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair
Future Agenda Items
October 26, 2017 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Process/Guidelines
Work Plan Item: Guidelines for Keeping Neighborhood Watch Groups
Active
Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering
Future Agenda Items
November 23, 2017 * Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Work Plan Item: Increase Neighborhood Watch Groups
Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch/CERT Collaboration
Future Agenda Items
December 28, 2017 * Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
January 25, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
February 22, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
March 22, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
April 26, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
May 24, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
June 28, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
July 26, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
August 23, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
September 27, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
October 25, 2018 Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
November 22, 2018 * Review/approval of Minutes
Monthly Public Safety Metrics
Future Agenda Items
* Meeting falls on City Hall holiday/closure. Meeting to be rescheduled or canceled.
RESOLUTION 17-010 - PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE ROLE/DUTY:
“The Public Safety Task Force will serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters related to
public safety and is charged with providing recommendations that can be considered and utilized by the
City Council to enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga.”
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP
FIRST NAME LAST NAME NOMINATED BY CITY EMAIL
Ray Cosyn Vice Mayor Bernald rcosyn@saratoga.ca.us
Sudip Ghosal Council Member Kumar sghosal@saratoga.ca.us
John Hirokawa Chair Council Member Cappello jhirokawa@saratoga.ca.us
Rebecca Jepsen Mayor Lo rjepsen@saratoga.ca.us
Chuck Page Vice Chair Council Member Miller cpage@saratoga.ca.us
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE WORK PLAN
Approved June 7, 2017
MISSION: Enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga.
GOAL: Bring greater awareness to public safety through outreach and education; strengthen partnerships between residents and their neighbors, the City,
and public safety agencies; and monitor and track progress of City efforts.
PROPOSED ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION
1. Outreach and Education:
A. Create an improved public safety website Review existing content and provide staff with recommended changes before the launch of
the new City website, scheduled for late summer/early fall 2017.
B. Create a mobile app that includes public safety
information
Provide staff with recommendations for desired content and functionality to be
implemented in mobile app available through CivicPlus.
Review effectiveness of mobile app after implementation.
C. Increase public safety communications on a broad range
of public safety topics and provide regular
communications on public safety (as needed or on a set
schedule)
Create a public safety communications plan that identifies the audience, strategies for
communicating (including priority messages/information and communication frequency),
format for communications (such as email), and measure for success.
Include schools in communication efforts to target parents.
D. Hold a Saratoga Safety Fair that provides residents with a
variety of public safety resources, including information
on domestic violence reporting/prevention, identity theft
prevention, and burglary prevention
Identify event objectives and create an estimated event budget
Request event funding from the City council
Schedule event date and time
Work with staff to create outreach strategy
Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future
years
2. Strengthen Partnerships:
A. Host a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders Schedule event date and time
Work with staff to create outreach strategy
Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future
years
B. Increase the number of Neighborhood Watch groups Identify areas without a Neighborhood Watch
Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in Neighborhood Watch,
including CERT members that may not be part of an existing Neighborhood Watch
C. Encourage collaboration between Neighborhood Watch
and CERT by working to have 1 CERT member per
neighborhood
Identify Neighborhood Watch groups without active CERT Members
Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in CERT
D. Review process and guidelines for forming Neighborhood
Watch groups
Recommend changes to the City’s Neighborhood Watch registration process, if necessary
E. Establish guidelines for keeping Neighborhood Watch
groups active
Survey or solicit input from Neighborhood Watch groups to better understand what has
worked well and should be avoided when forming Neighborhood Watch groups or keeping
them active
Draft a guide for keeping a Neighborhood Watch group active
3. Monitor and Track Progress:
A. Develop a metric for measuring success of public safety
efforts, such as arrest rates
Work with Sheriff’s Office to identify effective measures for tracking progress, including
crime rates, calls to 911, and arrest rates or case solved rates
Identify regular review period (such as annual or quarterly) to monitor success
B. Measure/monitor engagement of Neighborhood Watch
groups
Create Neighborhood Watch survey for leads to inquire about activities and engagement
Regularly review Neighborhood Watch registration and grant applications (such as annual
or quarterly)
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES & DIRECTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
- Improve Public Safety Website
- Communications and Outreach
o Include schools in outreach to target parents
- Gathering of Neighborhood Watch Leaders
- Development of metric(s)
- Present any budget requests that may be needed to achieve work plan items to the Council by the December 6, 2017 City Council Meeting
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 3
MINUTES
JULY 27, 2017
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
Chair John Hirokawa called the regular meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. in the City Hall
Administrative Conference Room at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Members John Hirokawa, Rebecca Jepsen, Chuck Page
ABSENT: Members Ray Cosyn (excused), Sudip Ghosal (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Lieutenant Marc Lehmann, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
Michael Taylor, Recreation & Facilities Director
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly
posted on July 21, 2017.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve draft minutes from the June 22, 2017 meeting.
JEPSEN/PAGE MOVED TO APPROVE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 22,
2017 MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: COSYN, GHOSAL.
2. Public Safety Metrics
Recommended Action:
Review monthly update to public safety metrics.
Task Force Member Jepsen requested that the data show change between quarters, months or
years as a percentage.
Task Force Member Page further suggested that this information only be provided for more
common crime types.
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Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 3
The Task Force discussed perceptions of crime and how communications and messaging can
impact those perceptions. They also discussed the impact of having messages from the City
sent directly to Neighborhood Watch leads compared to sharing public safety messages with
the public through all the City’s communication channels. Messaging Neighborhood Watch
leads directly gives them the opportunity to share information with their neighbors and keep
residents excited about Neighborhood Watch.
Task Force Member Page suggested more proactive communications. In particular, it would
be beneficial to send a message to the community if notable trends emerge, tips for avoiding
crimes that may have recently spiked, or when things are going well.
Task Force Member Jepsen recommended factual statements not intended to incite fear.
Lieutenant Lehmann shared the results of LAWttes with Deputies. Members of the public
were invited to join participate in the morning Sheriff’s Office patrol briefing at a local
coffee shop in Saratoga. Approximately 25 people attended and had the opportunity to ask
questions.
Task Force Member Jepsen shared her experience helping the Vickory Place neighborhood
organize and host a neighborhood get together.
3. Mobile App with Public Safety Information
Recommended Action:
Continue discussion on mobile app and provide recommendations for desired mobile app
content.
The Task Force agreed to postpone this item to the August meeting.
4. Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
Recommended Action:
Discuss and develop plan for Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering.
Task Force Member Jepsen presented a proposal for a Neighborhood Watch Leader
Gathering.
The Task Force discussed the possibility of a second lead gathering that includes CERT. The
Task Force agreed to add discussion of the event to the October meeting agenda.
Task Force Member Page suggested adding the question, “What is the most frequent
complaint you hear?” to the list of questions intended to facilitate small group discussions.
PAGE/JEPSEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE PLAN FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH LEADER GATHERING AND RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL
ALLOCATE $1,000 TOWARDS THE EVENT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2017/18
BUDGET. MOTION PASSED. AYES: HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: COSYN, GHOSAL.
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Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 3
5. Rescheduling November and December Meetings
Recommended Action:
Consider rescheduling the November and December Task Force meetings, which fall on
holidays/City Hall closures.
The Task Force tentatively agreed to cancel the November and December meetings and
schedule a meeting on November 30, 2017. The Task Force agreed to take final action on the
change at the August meeting.
6. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Overview
Recommended Action:
Receive overview of CERT from Recreation and Facilities Director Michael Taylor.
Recreation and Facilities Director Michael Taylor provided an overview of CERT in
Saratoga.
7. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings.
- Mobile App with Public Safety Information/August Meeting
- Meeting Schedule/August Meeting
- Neighborhood Watch and CERT Gathering/October Meeting
- Safety Fair/September Meeting
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Hirokawa adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
City of Saratoga
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: August 24, 2017
Subject: Public Safety Metrics
At the June 22, 2017 Public Safety Task Force Meeting, the Task Force requested monthly update to
public safety metrics, including reported crime, arrests, and suspicious calls. This information is now
provided as a monthly agenda item, so that the Task Force may discuss the data if desired.
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Burglary,
Residential
ID Theft,
Forgery, Fraud Vandalism Grand Theft Burglary, Vehicle Domestic
Violence
Burglary,
Commercial Auto Theft
Simple &
Aggravated
Assaults
Sex Crimes Robbery
2014 98 66 24 32 34 21 26 20 8 6 1
2015 123 103 36 29 33 29 24 20 13 9 1
2016 130 107 31 24 15 31 16 9 21 9 6
2017 - July 37 40 8 15 5 10 11 9 6 3 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
CRIMES 2014 -JULY 2017
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Burglary, Residential, 37, 25%
ID Theft, Forgery, Fraud, 40, 27%
Vandalism, 8, 6%
Grand Theft, 15, 10%
Burglary, Vehicle, 5, 3%
Domestic Violence, 10, 7%
Burglary, Commercial, 11, 8%
Auto Theft, 9, 6%
Simple & Aggravated Assaults, 6, 4%
Sex Crimes, 3, 2%Robbery, 3, 2%
CRIMES 2017 (THROUGH JULY)
8
9
2014 2015 2016 2017
Total Arrests 25 7 8 8
Patrol Arrests 14 6 6 6
Detective/Warrant Arrests 11 1 1 2
# Residential Burglaries 98 123 130 36
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY & ARRESTS 2014 -JUL 2017
10
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Arrests 0 4 2 2 0 0 0
Patrol Arrests 0 4 2 0 0 0 0
Detective/Warrant Arrests 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
# Residential Burglaries 7 6 4 10 3 6 0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY & ARRESTS 2017 (THROUGH JULY)
11
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2014 Calls 22 26 27 24 23 21 31 26 15 20 21 23
2015 Calls 15 30 27 26 27 24 16 25 13 22 28 43
2016 Calls 28 25 39 25 29 16 24 37 37 34 33 53
2017 Calls 25 32 24 19 20 22 14
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
CALLS FOR SERVICE/SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2014 -2017 (THROUGH JULY)
12
2014 2015 2016 2017
Calls 279 296 380 156
Res. Burglaries 98 123 130 37
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
CALLS FOR SERVICE & RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES 2014 -2017 (THROUGH JULY)
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Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Crime Definitions
Burglary, Residential The criminal offense of breaking and entering a residence illegally for the purpose of
committing a crime.
Identity Theft,
Forgery, Fraud
Identity Theft: Knowingly transferring or using, without lawful authority, a means of
identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any
unlawful activity
Forgery: The creation of a false written document or alteration of a genuine one, with
the intent to defraud
Fraud: A false representation of a matter of fact—whether by words or by conduct,
by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of what should have been
disclosed—that deceives and is intended to deceive another so that the individual will
act upon it to her or his legal injury.
Vandalism Deliberate defacing or destruction of property
Grand Theft Unlawful taking in any of the following, with the intent to steal:
Money, labor, or property with a value of over $950
Farm products including domestic fowl and crops with a value of over $250
Ocean and agricultural products taken from a research facility with a value of over $250
Money, labor, or property taken by an employee from their direct employer over a 12
month period with an aggregate value of over $950
Property taken from the person of another
When the property taken is a car, firearm, horse, or any other farm animal, regardless of
value
Burglary, Vehicle The criminal offense of breaking and entering a vehicle illegally for the purpose of
committing a crime.
Domestic Violence Abuse or threats of abuse when the person being abused and the abuser are or have
been in an intimate relationship (married or domestic partners, are dating or used to
date, live or lived together, or have a child together)
Burglary,
Commercial
The criminal offense of breaking and entering a commercial building illegally for the
purpose of committing a crime.
Auto Theft Unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle
Simple & Aggravated
Assaults
Simple Assault: Unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent
injury on the person of another
Aggravated Assault: Assault with an "aggravating circumstance" to elevate the
charges against the defendant. For example, use of a deadly weapon is often
considered an aggravating circumstance that can elevate a charge to aggravated
assault.
Sex Crimes Criminal acts involving but not limited to rape, indecent exposure, lewd conduct,
sexual assault, child pornography, child sex abuse, and violations of sex offender
registration requirements pursuant to PC 290.
Robbery The taking of money or goods in the possession of another, from his or her person or
immediate presence, by force or intimidation.
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CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: August 24, 2017
Subject: Mobile App with Public Safety Information
At the June meeting, the Task Force discussed the City’s mobile app and agreed to continue the discussion
at the July meeting to provide additional time to consider uses and content for the app. Discussion was
continued again to the August meeting to include all members of the Task Force.
As part of the City’s agreement with Civic Plus, the City will be developing a mobile app after the launch
of the new City website. The exact timing of the mobile app development is still to be determined. The
mobile app offered by Civic Plus offers the ability to select content from the website to feature on the app.
Using this feature, the City could highlight the public safety information on the City website on the mobile
app. Users can also opt into receiving push notifications and can send messages to the City, including
reports of graffiti or other non-emergency issues.
While design of the app is still several months out, input provided now by the Public Safety Task Force
will be used to guide development. Staff can then return at a later date to confirm that the
implementation of the app is in line with the Task Force’s recommendations.
Attached is additional information about the Civic Plus mobile app.
15
CivicMobile 888.228.2233 CivicPlus.com 302 South 4th Street, Suite 500 Manhattan, KS 66502
The App Your Citizens Are Waiting For
One customizable app. One user-friendly interface.
Endless possibilities.
Apps are used everywhere, for everything, by everyone.
Why a mobile app?
Mobile device ownership is high – and growing. What are users doing on all those devices?
Using apps! Mobile apps are used everywhere for everything by everyone. You use apps, right?
Your citizens do too.
Research shows that the average person looks at their mobile phone up to 150 times a day.
As more and more people adopt mobile devices we’ll continue to see the user demand for
apps increase. Currently, 86% of the time we spend on mobile devices is spent using apps.
This provides a great opportunity for you to connect with citizens. You’ll want to do everything
you can to make sure they can access your site content whenever, wherever, and however they
want – an app makes that possible.
With seamless integration, the
CivicMobile app puts the power
of your CivicPlus® website conveniently
the palm of your citizens’ hands.
Updates to your site are automatically
synced to the app in real-time.
Contact us today to learn more
about the exciting doors a
customized app can open for
your community.
Apps continue to dominate
the mobile web
86% of time spent on mobile
devices is spent using apps
Mobile views surpassed desktop
web views in 2014 & continue to rise
MARKET INSIGHTS
APPS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE MOBILE WEB
SOURCE: FLURRY ANALYTICS 2013 2014
80%86%
20%14%MOBILE WEB
APPS
Percent of
time spent
using mobile
web vs. apps
16
CivicMobile 888.228.2233 CivicSend.com 302 South 4th Street, Suite 500 Manhattan, KS 66502
One customizable app. One user-friendly interface. Endless possibilities.
Who’s Using It?
San Gabriel, CA
Citrus Heights, CA
Brambleton Community Association, VA
Goose Creek, SC
And many others – take a look:
Android Mobile Apps
Apple Mobile Apps
Product Benefits
■■Cross-Platform Compatibility – CivicMobile is designed to look and work great on both
Apple® iOS and Android® mobile devices.
■■Fully Integrated – The CivicMobile app is seamlessly connected directly to your CivicPlus®
website; your content will always be in-sync with your app.
■■Custom Design – Our designers work hard to make sure that no matter what device your
citizens are on, your brand identity is instantly recognized.
■■Push Notifications – Through integration with Notify Me,® your citizens are able to receive
updates across all of their mobile devices.
■■Custom Content – CivicMobile allows you to choose the most relevant content for your app.
■■No additional resources – Once the app is designed and developed, there is no upkeep
on your end. Our expert team will make sure it stays up-to-date and follows the ever-
changing landscape of mobile apps.
What do you get?
■■Choose to include up to 18 modules
■■Include up to six web links for easy integration with any mobile-friendly web page
■■Link to social media accounts (Facebook,® Twitter,® and YouTube®)
■■Choose your own app name
17
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: August 24, 2017
Subject: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
At the July meeting, the Task Force discussed plans for a Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering and
finalized preliminary plans. Additionally, the Task Force recommended that the City Council allocate
$1,000 to the event from the Fiscal Year 2017/18 budget. The budget recommendation was approved
by the City Council at the August 16, 2017 meeting.
With the allocation of funds, the Task Force can now proceed with organizing and inviting
Neighborhood Watch Leaders to the event. Below is a summary of the event. Given the timing of the
event, staff would like to send out notices as soon as August 28. Consequently, the Task Force has the
opportunity to further refine or adjust the event details at the August 24 meeting, if desired.
Summary of Saratoga Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2017
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Attendees: Total Number of Leaders: 103
Estimated Attendance: 75
Location: Task Force Member Rebecca Jepsen’s Home
Budget Request: $1,000 (includes cost of food and miscellaneous items, such as disposable
cutlery, table cloths, napkins, etc.)
Objective: Provide leads with opportunity to meet each other and the Public Safety Task
Force, gather input from the leads on Task Force initiatives (such as
Neighborhood Watch process and guidelines), and allow leads to share lessons
learned with each other and the Task Force.
Description: The event will be an informal, social gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders
and the Public Safety Task Force. Dinner will be provided during the event.
Depending on the number of attendees, participants will be split into small
groups and a Task Force Member will be assigned to each group to facilitate
discussion.
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Questions to help guide discussion include:
1. How long has your Neighborhood Watch group been together?
2. How many homes are in your group?
3. Was it easy to get the group started? Why or why not?
4. How does your group communicate with each other? What are the pros
and cons of the communication method your group uses?
5. Is there a regular update that goes out? If so, how? And, by who?
6. Do you have regular get-togethers? How often?
7. What do you need from the City? From other Leads?
8. Would a quarterly update with recent incidents/info be helpful? By
email or by mail?
9. What else would you like to share/chat about?
10. Would annual or biannual Lead get-togethers be helpful/desired?
11. What is the most frequent complaint you hear?
Information gathered in the small group discussions will be reported out during
the event or noted by Task Force Members and discussed at a future Task Force
meeting.
Supplies: City will provide chairs and tables to be delivered October 12 or 13 and picked
up October 16.
City will purchase/provide disposable cutlery, table cloths, plates, etc.
Additionally, City will provide paper, pens, large note pads, and easels, if
desired.
Outreach: August 28
Staff will send a Save the Date email to Neighborhood Watch
leaders
September 11 Staff will send an Evite to Neighborhood Watch leaders with
detailed event description and program
October 8 RSVP deadline
October 12 Staff will post agenda and send reminder email to Leaders
that have RSVP’d
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