Monterey County Grand Jury
2023-2024
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (3)
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
In 2022, there were 662 sworn officers in Monterey County. Those without the 40- hour CIT training, offered twice a year for 35 first responders per session, are unlikely to be as effective at responding to people in crisis, leading to potentially dangerous outcomes for officers and community members.
F2:
There has not been a comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform County residents of a specific crisis line number and the new 24/7 (as of January 1, 2024) capacity of the Mobile Crisis Team to respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis causing the public to remain unaware of the availability of this resource.
F3:
The Mapping Project found no formal collaboration exists among the various entities that respond to people with mental health difficulties who are in crisis. A case-by- case response is not a consistent or effective strategy and does not serve the community well.
F4:
SPD and MCSO have not prepared annual training needs assessments and plans as required by their internal policies. Consequently, their training plans are out of date leaving officers and deputies less equipped/prepared to respond to crisis calls for service and putting themselves and the public at risk.
F5:
Current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and education and training materials are not conspicuously posted on either SPD or MCSO websites(cid:3) causing them to be out of compliance with California Senate Bill 978 and making it more difficult for the public to obtain such information. 18
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Monterey County Department of Behavioral Health develop a POST-certified, abbreviated in-service training course on CIT by December 31, 2024, designed for law enforcement officers who have not taken the 40-hour course to be facilitated annually by Field Training Officers.
R2:
Monterey County increase its public awareness campaign regarding the Mobile Crisis Team’s 24/7 availability to include more social media posts, news articles, and advertising by July 31, 2024.
R3:
Monterey County appoint a liaison to establish regular meetings among entities such as MCBH, LEAs, 911 dispatchers, hospital ER staff, and relevant nonprofit service providers that respond to individuals with mental health difficulties by July 31, 2024.
R4:
The Salinas Police Chief and the Monterey County Sheriff prioritize the completion of an annual training needs assessment and plan by no later than July 31, 2024, and by the end of each fiscal year thereafter. (cid:3) (cid:3)
R5:
The Salinas Police Department and Monterey County Sheriff’s Office conspicuously post all current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and education and training materials to their websites by June 30, 2024.
Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Current revenues do not provide sufficient margins over expenses to fund community services at prior years' levels. Without operational changes, the Cannabis Program's sustainability is in jeopardy, and future funding for community services from this source will be minimal and/or unavailable.
F2:
The 2020 Cannabis Program Strategic Plan, intended to be updated every two years, was not revised until January 2024, causing delays in assessing key metrics and whether program goals are being met.
F3:
Current tax rates have stabilized. Revenues for FY 2024-25 are projected to be consistent with prior years, contributing to the Program's sustainability if Program expenses are aligned with revenues.
F4:
An internal audit of the Cannabis Program, recommended by the Citygate Report, was not completed, thus risking inefficient operating practices and the potential for inaccurate record keeping. (cid:3) (cid:3) 38 (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3)
F5:
More than 50 cannabis businesses have closed or filed bankruptcy leaving the County with $6M in unpaid taxes, resulting in reduced revenues for community services.
F6:
A community survey indicated that a high priority for cannabis tax revenues should be allocated toward drug education and prevention. However, only a small fraction of the cannabis tax revenues has been allocated toward such programs. The lack of funding for these programs is inconsistent with community priorities and increases the potential for drug abuse and death.
F7:
Illicit activities are one of several major factors contributing to the reduction in funds available for community needs.
F8:
Criminal/Civil penalties for most illicit business activities may be adjudicated as a misdemeanor by the District Attorney’s office with less than a year probation and/or a fine of $1,000 or less, resulting in an ineffective deterrent system.
Additional Recommendations
9
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The BOS direct Cannabis Program staff to analyze ways to reduce expenses within the Cannabis operational system, supplementing best practices identified in the Citygate report recommendations to stabilize and grow the Cannabis Tax Assignment Fund by September 30, 2024.
R2:
Cannabis Program Manager complete a Strategic Plan every year and provide the BOS with status updates at each subcommittee meeting by January 31, 2025.
R3:
The BOS support the growth and sustainability of the Cannabis industry by maintaining the current Program tax rates for the next two budget years by September 30, 2024.
R4:
The Office of the Auditor-Controller's Internal Audit Division (IAD) conduct an internal audit on the Cannabis Program in FY 2023-24 by January 31, 2025.
R5:
The Office of the Auditor-Controller's Internal Audit Division (IAD) conduct an internal audit of cannabis businesses with tax deferral payment plan agreements, including those in tax delinquency by January 31, 2025.
R6:
The Treasurer-Tax Collector Office develop a timely action plan for those growers in arrears and recommend to the BOS to consider phasing out further tax payment extensions by November 30, 2024.
R7:
The Director of Public Health identify projects to assist with youth drug awareness/education/prevention and request funding from BOS as a priority allocation from the CTF by September 30, 2024.
R8:
MCSO increase enforcement of the regulations regarding illicit activity by licensed and unlicensed growers by September 30, 2024. (cid:3) (cid:3) 39 (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3)
R9:
The District Attorney’s office in cooperation with the Cannabis Program and Sheriff/Coroner’s office increase prosecutorial efforts of unlicensed and underreporting cannabis growers to the maximum extent of the law; by using existing resources, potential grant funding, and assistance from the Cannabis Administrative Prosecutor Program (CAPP) by December 31, 2024.