Kern County Grand Jury

2016-2017

3 reports

Findings & Recommendations 20 findings
F1: Evidence Based Programming for drug abuse, is a program for rehabilitation, developed by the University of Cincinnati.
F2: Additional funding is received from: • Camps & Ranches Funding • Juvenile Offender Block Grant
F3: The cost per day to house each Ward is $263. Reimbursements to the Camp are adjusted based on the income of the parents.
F4: Emergency medical services are provided by Kern Valley Hospital in Lake Isabella or Kern Medical in Bakersfield.
F5: An Aggression Replacement Program is taught in a group setting. The Program includes: • Social Skills Training – Teaches Wards what to do, helping them replace antisocial behaviors with positive alternatives • Anger Control – Teaches Wards what not to do, helping them respond to anger in a nonaggressive manner and rethink anger-provoking situations • Moral Reasoning – Helps raise Wards’ level of fairness, justice, and concern for the needs and rights of others
F6: Camp Erwin Owen is working with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools to make the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Certification in Welding available.
F7: An automotive shop is available to the Wards, who can earn an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification.
F8: Cerro Coso College provides on-line classes; one Ward is currently enrolled.
F9: A Tattoo Removal Program is provided by PACK (Probation Auxiliary County of Kern).
F10: If a Ward is AWOL (absent without official leave), he will fail the program.
F11: The 2014 report, Recidivism for Releases, indicates: • Escapes 3 • Failed the program 19
Related Recommendations (1)
R3: Statistical reports should be kept up to date. (Findings 11 and 12) NOTES: • The Kern County Probation Department and Camp Erwin Owen should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITH 90 DAYS: PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 CC: TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301
F12: The Camp Director stated that in 2016 there were: • Escapes 8 • Failed the program 15
F13: In the 2014 Releases to Placement report, there were 14 placements. This refers to group or foster home placements in the community, where Wards can continue to receive treatment for drugs and anger management. No statistics were available for years 2015 or 2016.
F14: There are video cameras in the Honor Room, Mental Health Trailer, and the Holding Room. The cost to upgrade the Camp to full coverage, with adequate video storage, is approximately $400,000.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1: More surveillance cameras and increased video storage capacity should be added to the facility, as a budget priority. (Finding 14)
F15: On the date of this visit, there were 75 Wards at Camp.
F16: The Staff-to-Ward ratio is 1 to15 during the day; 1 to 30 at night.
F17: All meals are prepared by the Wards on-site; some products are from animals raised and crops grown at the Camp. The Wards rotate through the kitchen, performing chores such as cooking and cleaning.
F18: According to staff, the six solitary cells now being used for storage, were a component of the original Camp program.
F19: On the date of the visit, one of two washing machines in the Laundry Room was broken. The Director indicated it is scheduled to be repaired. Wards are assigned to laundry duty on a rotational basis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2: Repair of the washing machine should be completed immediately. (Finding 19)
F20: The Wards wear different colored t-shirts: • Blue, maroon, yellow, and white indicate program level • Green indicates a loss of privileges due to poor behavior • Orange indicates Wards are in the Owen Re-Entry Program, which is more restrictive. This program is designed to redirect Wards who are in danger of failing. COMMENTS: The Grand Jury thanks the Camp Director and Staff for the informative tour. The Camp appeared to be well run, stressing education and job skills, to better prepare Wards for a productive future, and to reduce recidivism.
Findings & Recommendations 21 findings
F1: Arvin’s population of over 20,000, according to a 2015 Kosmont Company Report, consists of 93% Hispanic, with over 50% speaking Spanish only. In order to accommodate all citizens, City meetings provide a Spanish translator, and informational literature is printed in both English and Spanish.
F2: City Council members are elected every 4 years. A new City Grant Writer has recently been hired. The City is considering hiring a City Engineer to save money in planning and engineering City projects, which otherwise would be spent for outside services.
F3: The City is financially stable and has a 25% minimum reserve in operating accounts. There are over 4,000 homes subject to property tax collections. Other income is derived from sales tax. Economic development is high on the City’s list of objectives.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2: The City should consider hiring a full-time staff member to be responsible for community and economic development. (Finding 3)
F4: A Retail Leakage report indicates 80% of expendable dollars are leaving Arvin. Residents who work outside of the City tend to spend their money outside the City limits.
F5: The City Council approved infrastructure loans to attract new business. The City Manager is considering options to refinance the Waste Water Management loan to lower the interest rate from 5% to 3%. The City provides sewer service; trash collection is contracted with an outside vendor.
F6: Arvin is looking forward to a satellite Bakersfield College campus which is anticipated to be built within 3 years.
F7: Local schools provide instruction in English. Spanish-only speaking students are provided a bilingual teacher for two to three months, concentrating on English instruction. In grades 9 to 12, there are approximately 30 students dependent on this form of instruction.
F8: Grimmway Farms has a large carrot processing plant employing many of the people of Arvin. Because of seasonal jobs, the unemployment rate is higher than other areas of Kern County (County).
F9: The City has assumed responsibility for the County park. The County contributed approximately 15 acres of land, and will provide maintenance costs for a period of four years. The Arvin Public Financing Authority is considering other revenue streams to raise additional funds to operate parks and recreation. Action Park was financed by funds from: • The State Community Development Block Grant: $400,000 • The California Endowment: $125,000 • The Tony Hawk Foundation: $15,000 • The City of Arvin: $100,000
Related Recommendations (1)
R3: The City should continue looking into hiring a Parks and Recreation Manager. (Finding 9) NOTES: • The City of Arvin should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS: PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 200 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 CC: TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301
F10: The Arvin Police Department has 21 sworn officers with a total of approximately 30 employees. A new Chief of Police has been hired from Tulare County. The Evidence Room was inspected and approved by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
F11: Due to Proposition 64, the City plans to implement safeguards regarding marijuana production: • Ban outdoor growth • Up to six plants per household • Must obtain the appropriate license • After a 24 hour notice, home inspection may occur • Must have homeowner’s permission if occupant is renting
Related Recommendations (1)
R1: The City needs to closely monitor marijuana issues. (Finding 11)
F12: The City owns a building to be used by the Arvin Historical Society for a future museum and tourist information center.
F13: The City is looking forward to the Police Activities League partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to develop plans for a future center. COMMENTS: The Committee believes the City is making huge steps in meeting the needs of the large Hispanic population. The Committee commends the City of Arvin for the information and expertise provided.
F14: The Chief of Police is currently on administrative leave. The Department is authorized: 21 sworn Officers, two Animal Control personnel, six Dispatchers, and two Records Clerks. At this time, there are currently six Officer candidates in background checks. Arrestees are driven to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at Mojave or the Lerdo Facility.
F15: The Animal Control facility boasts a “no euthanasia” policy. Animal adoptions and spay/neuter vouchers are available.
F16: There was a noticeable lack of landscaping on both private and public areas. COMMENTS: The Committee appreciates the information provided by members of the City government. The Committee observed the general condition of the City. There was a noticeable lack of graffiti.
F17: Public transit is provided by Tehachapi Dial-a-Ride, Monday through Saturday, and East Kern Express, which provides intra-city service Monday through Saturday. Passengers may transfer to the Express in Old Town.
F18: The City sewer utility network is comprised of 40 miles of sewer line, sewer collections system and a wastewater treatment plant. Sewer rates for residents are a flat monthly fee. Commercial and industrial rates are based on water usage. The wastewater treatment plant is under the direction of the City’s Public Works Department.
F19: The Walmart Supercenter is expected to hire approximately 250 employees and is anticipated to open late 2017. This may eliminate a substantial portion of the $160 million in retail sales leakage. The City hired a consulting firm which resulted in a dramatic savings during the permit process. Costs for necessary infrastructure improvement, traffic control, roads, gutters, and legal fees will be borne by Walmart.
F20: The City will receive a regional award of merit from KernCOG, for a model water-efficient landscape ordinance.
F21: A $2 million grant, for downtown railroad safety improvements, will be used for pedestrian crossings, fencing, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, gutters and sidewalks. A new bike path will also be added. COMMENTS: The Committee would like to thank the City’s officials for their presentation of information. The City of Tehachapi seems to be well positioned for future economic development and growth.
Findings & Recommendations 17 findings
F1: The Western Interconnection electric grid could fail and service might not be re-established for weeks or months.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4: Create a new Contingency Plan for a widespread and lengthy electrical grid outage. (Findings 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17)
R8: The Board of Supervisors and the Lamont Storm Water District Board should consider forming a joint powers authority that may:  Include an elected board representing local property owners and residents  Increase communication and problem solving  Facilitate project funding (Findings 1, 11, and 12)
F2: It appears that many residents and businesses in Kern County are not prepared for an emergency that lasts for more than a few days. This lack of preparation indicates that many people may not survive a long term outage.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1: Create and implement a plan to inform the public of their need to prepare for a long-term emergency. Consider holding an annual event, like the Great California ShakeOut, to bring attention to the need for residents and businesses in Kern County to take significantly more personal responsibility to prepare for emergencies. (Finding 2)
R2: Complete a review, and update the Emergency Operation Plan within the next 12 months. Listed below are some of the specific areas of concern, but is not a complete list:  Update the Emergency Council membership  Invite knowledgeable support organizations and members of the public to be a part of the review and update process  Define the need for specialized equipment for evacuating those with disabilities, mobility or functional needs  Give consideration to Animal Services’ objective of setting up pet shelters adjacent to the housing shelters  Consider notifying Animal Services along with first responders  Develop a plan to manage members of the public who come to the EOC for assistance during an emergency  Develop a plan to provide security at the EOC (Findings 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13)
F3: The strength of the EOC is in the technology available at the facility, and the flexibility within the organizational structure. It is impossible to practice for every conceivable emergency scenario. During an activation, the EOC is staffed with experienced personnel at a location where effective plans and decisions can be made and put into action.
F4: If there is a regional electrical grid failure lasting more than two weeks, the staff at the EOC would struggle to prevent widespread disruption and threats to human life.
F5: The County Emergency Operation Plan was adopted in 2008. This and two other County contingency plans on the Fire Department website have not been updated since inception, almost 10 years ago.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3: Review the Emergency Operation Plan annually. (Finding 5)
F6: The County Terrorism Response And Recovery Contingency Plan was adopted in 2003. It does not include a realistic nor an up-to-date description of the risks associated with cyber-terrorism, such as an attack against computer systems, and methods to respond and recover.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5: Include a realistic and up-to-date description of the risks associated with cyber-terrorism, and methods to respond and recover in the Terrorism Response And Recovery Contingency Plan. (Finding 6)
F7: The Emergency Council recently voted to recommend that the County Ordinance be modified to make the Fire Chief the Chairman, and the Sheriff the Vice Chairman of this Council. The County Administrative Officer would remain on the Council as a voting member.
F8: The Emergency Operations Center has generator fuel on site for several days, and has access to additional supplies from County fire stations. The EOC has no sleeping facilities; food must be provided by outside vendors.
F9: One of the lessons of the Erskine Fire was that specialized equipment, needed to help evacuate persons with disabilities, mobility or functional needs, was not readily available.
F10: In an emergency, Animal Services would like to be notified at the same time as the first responders.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9: The Board of Supervisors should adopt a plan of action for times of flood emergency to mitigate potential damage to property, including County roads, as well as private properties. The plan should designate the County department and position that would have the authority to act. The plan should be communicated to all stakeholders. (Finding 10) NOTES: • The Kern County Board of Supervisors and the Kern County Public Works Department should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 CC: TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 APPENDICES:
F11: The Emergency Operations Plan does not describe setting up pet shelters adjacent to the housing shelters.
F12: The County Emergency Operations Center does not have a plan to manage residents who come directly to the EOC seeking help.
F13: The security of the EOC would be at risk during an electrical grid outage lasting for an extended period.
F14: During an electrical grid outage, public safety would be a significant problem for residents and businesses.
F15: Practice exercises for various scenarios such as fire, earthquake and the failure of the Isabella Dam, are carried out at the EOC.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6: Develop and carry out an exercise centered on a regional power failure lasting for an extended period of time. (Finding 15)
F16: The Fire Department has initiated a dialogue with the National Guard, and has an ongoing association with CERT teams.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7: Work with the California Army National Guard and CERT teams to increase readiness in an emergency. (Finding 16) REFERENCES:  Koppel, Ted, Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath, 2015, Crown Publishers, New York  2014-2015 Butte County Grand Jury, Solar Storms And Electromagnetic Pulses, Butte County Preparedness For Power Outages  October 10, 2015, KRON Television report entitled, “New development in South Bay PG&E substation attack”  April 1, 2015, The Bakersfield Californian article, “FBI investigating break-in at PG&E substation”  May 6, 2006, “Bird flies into transformer, leaving Ridgecrest dark,” The Bakersfield Californian  August 13, 2013, New York Times, “As Worries Over the Power Grid Rise, a Drill Will Simulate a Knockout Blow”  August 13, 2008, Scientific American, “The 2003 Northeast Blackout—Five Years Later”  Grid Security Exercise-GridEx Report – March 2016 – North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)  Kern Economic Development Corporation, Kern County 2012 Labor Market Study, Prepared by Cheryl Holsonbake and Dr. Mark Evans of California State University, Bakersfield NOTES:  The Kern County Board of Supervisors, Kern County Administrative Office, Kern County Emergency Council and Kern County Fire Department should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review.  Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury.  Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 CC: TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 APPENDICES:
F17: State prisons may present a security challenge. Some guards might not be able to report to work, and on-site supplies could run out after two weeks. COMMENTS: The Grand Jury was impressed by the County Emergency Operations Center, and appreciates the significant assistance with this inquiry provided by the Fire Chief and other County staff, as well as members of the community.

Additional documents

Documents found alongside this year's reports — not grand jury reports or responses.