HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-2018 Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 1 of 4
MINUTES
JANUARY 25, 2018
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
Chair John Hirokawa called the regular meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Members Ray Cosyn, John Hirokawa, Rebecca Jepsen, Chuck
Page
ABSENT: Member Sudip Ghosal
ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Captain Rich Urena, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda was properly posted on January
19, 2018.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve draft minutes from the November 28, 2018 meeting.
Hirokawa/Cosyn moved to approve draft minutes from the November 28, 2018 meeting.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. ABSENT: GHOSAL, PAGE.
2. Public Safety Metrics
Recommended Action:
Review monthly update to public safety metrics.
Captain Rich Urena provided an overview of the public safety metrics, including a year-end
totals.
Task Force Member Jepsen recommended showcases successful arrests of the Sheriff’s
Office.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 2 of 4
Task Force Member Page thanked Captain Urena and his staff for their quick response time
to his home security alarm being activated.
The Task Force discussed some of the reasons why residential burglaries may have increased
during the month of December.
3. Task Force Work Plan and Status Update
Recommended Action:
Review work plan, consider any work plan changes, develop status report, and discuss the
presentation for the March 5, 2018 Work Plan Study Session with the City Council.
Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio presented a report on the Task Force Work Plan.
Task Force Member Jepsen requested that the number of Neighborhood Watch groups before
creation of the Public Safety Task Force and the current number be included in the progress
for Work Plan Item 2.B Increase the number of Neighborhood Watch groups. She also asked
that the progress for Work Plan Item 2.D Review process and guidelines for forming
Neighborhood Watch reference the Task Force’s review of the registration process as well as
the Task Force’s recommendation to maintain a simple registration process and outreach to
make residents aware of the easy process.
PAGE/COSYN MOVED TO APPROVE THE WORK PLAN WITH A NOTE ON THE
NUMBER OF NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUPS BEFORE FORMATION OF
THE TASK FORCE AND NOW UNDER WORK PLAN ITEMS 2.B PROGRESS AND
THE ADDITION OF THE TASK FORCE’S REVIEW OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH REGISTRATION PROCESS AND RECOMMENDATION TO KEEP THE
PROCESS SIMPLE AND ALSO MAKE RESIDENTS AWARE THAT THE PROCESS
IS EASY UNDER WORK PLAN ITEM 2.D. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN,
HIROKAWA, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: GHOSAL.
4. Saratoga Safety Fair
Recommended Action:
Consider Saratoga Safety Fair, including outreach materials, criteria for resource table hosts,
and desired presentations.
Chair Hirokawa requested a presentation on domestic violence.
Task Force Member Jepsen requested a presentation on personal safety that includes tips for
youth, women, and seniors.
Vice Chair Page requested a presentation on human trafficking.
The Task Force agreed on presentations on: Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking,
Personal Safety, Scams and Identity Theft, and Home Fire Safety and Home Escape Plans.
The Task Force also approved the outreach materials with a request to add yellow police tape
on the flyer and agreed to allow vendors to sell products at the Fair, if they choose to do so.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 3 of 4
Chair Hirokawa left the meeting.
5. Public Safety Postcard
Recommended Action:
Provide feedback on draft public safety postcard and publication schedule.
The Task Force discussed the postcard. The Task Force requested that the back side include a
seasonal message, 6 bullet pointed safety tips, a summary statement, and call to action. They
requested that he front of the postcard include bulleted tips from Captain Urena. The Task
Force also requested that future postcards be brought to the Task Force for review in a two-
step process. First, the Task Force will review content of the quarterly postcard and at the
subsequent meeting review the draft postcard and provide feedback to staff.
6. Neighborhood Watch Brochure
Recommended Action:
Provide feedback on draft Neighborhood Watch brochure.
The Task Force requested condensed content in a bulleted format. The Task Force requested
the brochure come back at the February meeting.
7. Joint Meeting with Saratoga CERT Leadership
Recommended Action:
Prepare discussion topics for the Task Force’s joint meeting with Saratoga CERT on
February 22, 2018 and the Neighborhood Watch/CERT gathering.
The Task Force agreed to hold the reservation for a Neighborhood Watch/CERT gathering
on April 21, 2018 at the Saratoga Prospect Center, Friendship Hall. The group also identified
the following discussion topics for the Task Force and CERT joint meeting:
- What is CERT?
- How do residents identify and get in touch CERT members in their neighborhood?
- How can CERT and Neighborhood Watch leaders partner?
- How can Neighborhood Watch leaders help CERT?
- Should CERT be better promoted? If so, how can CERT be better promoted?
8. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The next meeting is on February 22, 2018.
The Task Force agreed to discuss the Neighborhood Watch Brochure at the February
meeting.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 4 of 4
ADJOURNMENT
COSYN/JEPSEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:47 P.M. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: COSYN, JEPSEN, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT:
GHOSAL, HIROKAWA.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
City of Saratoga