HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2017 Minutes - Public Safety Task ForceSaratoga 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.
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.
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