Score: +3 (5/0/2)

Ventura County Grand Jury • 2014-2015

Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues

Published: June 01, 2015 30 pages

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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 55 findings

F01

The Grand Jury rated all holding cells or equivalent physical facilities in the County as satisfactory or better for the areas reviewed, except for the lack of raised seating in the Oxnard police station holding cells, lack of tamper proof lavatory fixtures at the Moorpark police station area serving detainees, and an inoperative water tap in one holding cell in the Port Hueneme police station. (FA-01, FA-23, FA-25, FA-31)

No recommendations for this finding

F02

Realignment has put more demands and stress on public safety workers and County facilities. Changes in the inmate population, including gang complexity, mental health issues, and increasing average stays and headcounts, as well as the amount of multiagency coordination and documentation, pose major challenges to the County corrections community. Overcrowding at the Todd Road and Main Jail facilities is one of these challenges, which could be mitigated by the construction of the proposed mental health facility at Todd Road. (FA-02, FA-03, FA-04, FA-08, FA-09)

No recommendations for this finding

F03

At the Ojai police station, the lack of an accessible AED log precluded verification of its operational readiness. (FA-28)

No recommendations for this finding

F04

The Santa Paula Police Department is significantly understaffed in sworn officers and operating with an inadequate and deteriorating physical facility. This limits its ability to respond to detainee and city needs. (FA-33, FA-34, FA-35, FA-36)

No recommendations for this finding

F05

The Port Hueneme Police Department officer availability is below authorized levels, which limits its ability to respond to detainee and city needs. (FA-32)

No recommendations for this finding

F06

The space limitations of the Oxnard police station have affected the Police Department’s ability to efficiently carry out its functions and responsibilities. (FA-26, FA-27)

No recommendations for this finding

F07

Proposition 47’s consequences, both intended and unintended, are only beginning to be evaluated. Early indications are that it may be successful in reducing the State prisoner population, but the effects on local law 12 Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues enforcement agencies and communities are yet to be understood. (FA-47, FA-48, FA-49, FA-50, FA-51, FA-52)

No recommendations for this finding

F08

The County has made a major effort to cope with the consequences of Realignment with some success. Overcrowding continues to be evident at the Main Jail and Todd Road Jail. (FA-01, FA-02, FA-03, FA-04, FA-05, FA-08, FA-09)

No recommendations for this finding

F09

Electronic data communications improvements are needed between the Fillmore police station and the Sheriff’s communication center. (FA-22)

No recommendations for this finding

F10

The City of Ventura Police Department is operating with staffing and infrastructure constraints, which may be contributory factors in dealing with that city’s crime rate. (FA-39, FA-40, FA-41) Recommendations

Related Recommendations (1)

R12

The Grand Jury recommends that the Ventura City Council improve the Police Department information systems infrastructure and increase staffing levels consistent with that city’s needs. (FI-10) Responses Responses required from: Board of Supervisors of Ventura County (FI-02, FI-07, FI-08) (R-01, R-02) City Council, City of Camarillo (FI-07) (R-02) City Council, City of Fillmore (FI-07, FI-09) (R-02, R-05) City Council, City of Moorpark (FI-01, FI-07) (R-02, R-11) City Council, City of Ojai (FI-03, FI-07) (R-02, R-06) City Council, City of Oxnard (FI-01, FI-06, FI-07) (R-02, R-03, R-04) City Council, City of Port Hueneme (FI-01, FI-05, FI-07) (R-02, R-09, R-10) City Council, City of Santa Paula (FI-04, FI-07) (R-02, R-07, R-08) City Council, City of Simi Valley (FI-07) (R-02) City Council, City of Thousand Oaks (FI-07) (R-02) City Council, City of Ventura (FI-07, FI-10) (R-02, R-12) Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (FI-02, FI-03, FI-07, FI-08, FI-09) (R-01, R-02,

F11

The Juvenile Justice Facility (JJF) houses Providence High School, which is managed by the Ventura County Office of Education. Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues

No recommendations for this finding

F12

The JJF staff facilitate Aggression Replacement Training (ART) for the inmates. Other programs include Baby Elmo (a teen parenting program), Boys and Girls Club, Computer Repair/Robotics, construction trade skills, journaling, and the Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP).

No recommendations for this finding

F13

The JJF is clean and well maintained. It has a bed capacity of 420. Although its current staff can support 150 inmates, at the time of the inspection the facility had 80 inmates.

No recommendations for this finding

F14

The Work Furlough facility provides low-risk offenders the opportunity to work, attend school, and/or receive job training while serving a jail sentence. The facility has a capacity of 235 inmates but current staffing would accommodate 100 inmates. At the time of this inspection, only 67 inmates were housed at the Work Furlough facility and enrolled in the Work Furlough Program. Inmates are carefully screened prior to admission to the program, so the population is limited to the number that meet the screening criteria.

No recommendations for this finding

F15

The Work Furlough’s JOBS training curriculum is designed to improve inmates’ chances of success after leaving the program.

No recommendations for this finding

F16

The State’s Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF) has a housing capacity of over 800 wards. Current staffing levels support 600. At the time of this inspection, 234 were in residence: 209 males and 25 females. Several buildings on the grounds appeared to be unoccupied. In accordance with the proposed 2014-2015 State budget, the average annual cost to incarcerate a ward is estimated at $274,000. [Ref-32]

No recommendations for this finding

F17

The VYCF has implemented the IBM program for all wards. This program employs individualized behavior modification and positive reinforcement/rewards to teach wards attitudes, behaviors, and skills that will help them reenter society upon release and reduce their chances of recidivism.

No recommendations for this finding

F18

The VYCF provides vocational instruction, including construction skills, dog grooming, and computer skills, as well as online training in various trade areas.

No recommendations for this finding

F19

The East Valley Facility serves as the Thousand Oaks’ Police station, including a holding cell, booking cells serving multiple incorporated and unincor- porated areas of the East County and the Highway Patrol. It also serves as a post-sentencing jail for inmates from the County referred to as trusties. The trusties participate in a work program involving duties on site and off site during the day. The East Valley Facility does not house women, juveniles, or those with psychiatric or serious physical health issues.

No recommendations for this finding

F20

The East Valley Facility has a bed capacity for 20 trusties and had a population of 10 trusties at the time of inspection.

No recommendations for this finding

F21

The Fillmore police station is undergoing a significant facility reconfiguration to make better use of available space. All recommendations made in the 2013-2014 Grand Jury report have been completed. [Ref-18] Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues 9

No recommendations for this finding

F22

The data transmission rate between the Fillmore police station and Sheriff’s Headquarters is reportedly very slow, resulting in communication delays and observed staff frustration.

No recommendations for this finding

F23

The Moorpark Police Service Center has no holding cells per se. It uses supervised interview rooms instead. The one toilet facility used by detainees is not equipped with tamper proof fixtures commonly found in holding cells.

No recommendations for this finding

F24

The Moorpark police station shares facilities with the California Highway Patrol, creating a unique relationship within the State.

No recommendations for this finding

F25

At the time of inspection, holding cells in the Oxnard police station had no seats or mattress pads, although chairs and pads were available if requested or needed for health reasons. The Grand Jury observed two benches being prepared for installation into the holding cells.

No recommendations for this finding

F26

The City of Oxnard receives one-third of the total post-release offenders sent to Ventura County by the State. [Ref-20, Ref-24]

No recommendations for this finding

F27

The Grand Jury observed dual use of rooms and highly confined facilities for staff and equipment at the Oxnard police station.

No recommendations for this finding

F28

At the time of the inspection of the Ojai police station, the AED log was not available for review.

No recommendations for this finding

F29

The Port Hueneme police station has two holding cells with a total capacity of seven detainees.

No recommendations for this finding

F30

The Port Hueneme police station has limited supplies and equipment to clean up soiled detainees.

No recommendations for this finding

F31

In the Port Hueneme police station, water was not operational in one of the cells.

No recommendations for this finding

F32

The Port Hueneme Police Department officer availability was well below the authorized level due to injuries.

No recommendations for this finding

F33

The Santa Paula police station had an inoperable men’s restroom (red- tagged due to asbestos contamination) and station roof damage due to recent rains.

No recommendations for this finding

F34

The Santa Paula police station has inadequate space for its staff. As a result, detectives are stationed in a trailer adjacent to the police station and use restrooms across an alley in City Hall.

No recommendations for this finding

F35

Santa Paula police officers do not have access to the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) or Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS) in patrol cars. The officers must call in to get key information.

No recommendations for this finding

F36

The Santa Paula Police Department has 26 officers, 4 below the current allocation of 30 set by the City Council.

No recommendations for this finding

F37

The Ventura City police station has holding cells, but they are not used. Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues

No recommendations for this finding

F38

The Ventura City police station acquired an AED for its holding area and staff has been trained in its use.

No recommendations for this finding

F39

The Ventura City Police Department is staffed at the same levels as in 1976 when the city had approximately half the current population. [Ref-33]

No recommendations for this finding

F40

The Ventura City Police Department depends heavily on a paper-based rather than computer-based system for information management.

No recommendations for this finding

F41

During 2014 the City of Ventura had the highest “Part 1” crime rate (defined by the FBI as violent and certain property crimes) in Ventura County. It had a higher than national average property crime rate and lower than national average violent crime rate. [Ref-34, Ref-35]

No recommendations for this finding

F42

Law enforcement agencies in the County have implemented all but one of the 2013-2014 Ventura County Grand Jury’s site-specific recommendations. The installation of raised seating at the Oxnard Police Department is the exception. [Ref-18]

No recommendations for this finding

F43

Juveniles detained in all holding facilities are released to parents/ guardians if the offense doesn’t require transfer to the JJF. Proper juvenile-detention logs were observed at all holding cell facilities.

No recommendations for this finding

F44

At the Ventura Youth Corrections Facility (VYCF), all routine janitorial functions are done by the wards. The facility was not clean.

No recommendations for this finding

F45

The VYCF has many programs for education, rehabilitation, and improving life skills for its wards.

No recommendations for this finding

F46

City police departments and Sheriff’s Office staffs operating the holding facilities affirmed that they conform to their written policies and procedures for processing juvenile detainees.

No recommendations for this finding

F47

California voters passed Proposition 47 on November 4, 2014. [Ref-12, Ref-13, Ref-14, Ref-15]

No recommendations for this finding

F48

Proposition 47 reclassifies a number of crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The retroactive nature of the proposition’s mandate provides the possibility for currently convicted, eligible inmates to have their sentences reviewed and modified. [Ref-12, Ref-13, Ref-14, Ref-15]

No recommendations for this finding

F49

Proposition 47 changes the crimes of shoplifting, theft (including firearms), receiving stolen property, writing bad checks, and check forgery to a misdemeanor if the values involved are less than $950. [Ref-12, Ref-13, Ref-14, Ref-15, Ref-36]

No recommendations for this finding

F50

Depending on the amount and type, Proposition 47 reclassifies possession for personal use of most illegal drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin, and date-rape drugs) to a misdemeanor. [Ref-13, Ref-14, Ref-36]

No recommendations for this finding

F51

As of December 31, 2014, 966 people statewide have been released from State prison as a result of Proposition 47. [Ref-37]

No recommendations for this finding

F52

Proposition 47, by downgrading some felonies to misdemeanors, abolishes the ability of law enforcement to collect DNA from some offenders. [Ref-36] Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues 11

No recommendations for this finding

F53

As a result of its biennial inspections of the facilities under its jurisdiction, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) found no issues of noncompliance with the minimum standards as set forth in Title 15. [Ref-03]

No recommendations for this finding

F54

The BSCC found Todd Road and the Main Jail noncompliant with Title 24. Their useful area for recreation and other dayroom activities was below minimum requirements as a result of the addition of beds in the dayrooms. [Ref-04]

No recommendations for this finding

F55

Personnel at all facilities inspected are aware of the need for disaster preparedness, including plans to manage detainees. Within the limits of resources, they conduct regular training and simulations to prepare for disasters. Often these are done in coordination with other emergency service providers and other city/County resources. Findings

No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 10

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

City of Camarillo

July 23, 2015 • 5 pages • 5 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Agree Score: +1

councils of all cities within the County encourage their respective law enforcement personnel to increase enforcement of bicycle and related motor vehicle laws. 400 Response to Grand Jury - Countywide Bicycle Safety July 22, 2015 Page 3 Response to R-01: The City agrees with this recommendation. The Camarillo Police Department will focus on education and awareness campaigns to educate children and their parents of the requirements for wearing helmets and enforce other laws related to bicycle safety. The Camarillo Police Department will bring back the "Helmet/Scooter Safety Program" that was p...

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office be persistent in their efforts to build the mental health facility at the Todd Road Jail. (FI-02)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City agrees with this recommendation. The Camarillo Police Department will focus on education and awareness campaigns to educate children and their parents of the requirements for wearing helmets and enforce other laws related to bicycle safety. The Camarillo Police Department will bring back the "Helmet/Scooter Safety Program" that was presented from 2002 to 2006. R-02 The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of all cities within the County that do not already have a Bicycle Advisory Commission/Committee establish one to perform such tasks as: I...

R02

The Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff’s Office, Probation, and city councils closely track and evaluate the impact of Proposition 47 on local law enforcement agencies and communities and report findings to the Board of Supervisors. (FI-07)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City agrees with this recommendation. We are an active participant with the Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC.) which addresses many of these types of concerns at monthly meetings. We will continue to participate with CTAC. R-03 The Grand Jury recommends the County Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of all cities within the County, continually promote bicycle laws and safety to people of all ages, concentrating on school-age children through events such as bike rodeos, bicycle rallies, and other educational activities.

R03

The Grand Jury recommends that the Oxnard City Council direct the Police Department to install raised seating in its holding cells. (FI-01)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City agrees with this recommendation. Our Police Department has set a goal for the upcoming school year to focus on education and awareness campaigns to educate children and their parents of the requirements for wearing helmets and following laws related to bicycle and pedestrian safety. The Camarillo Police Department will bring back the "Helmet/Scooter Safety Program" and provide traffic safety education for school-age children through their school resource officers. Another goal is to conduct a bicycle rodeo at the police Response to Grand Jury - Countywide Bicycle Safety July 22, 2015...

R04

The Grand Jury recommends that the Oxnard City Council obtain additional space for the Oxnard Police Department. (FI-06)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City agrees with this recommendation. Our police department will develop public safety announcements on bicycle safety tips that will be broadcasted on our local television government channel. A news release announcing the Helmet/Scooter Safety Program's dates and times will be distributed to all local media groups and posted on the City's website.

City of Camarillo

July 23, 2015 • 2 pages • 1 response View Details ▾

PDF

1 response to findings and recommendations

R02

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City agrees with this recommendation. In February 2015, the Camarillo Police Department implemented a database to collect crime data for the purpose of analyzing for the potential effects of Proposition 47. A report will be generated for the City Council to review and the Sheriff's Office will forward a report to the Board of Supervisors as they have a committee specifically analyzing Proposition 47 consequences. Signed: Date: July 22, 2015 Bill Little, Mayor City of Camarillo Number of pages attached: ______

City of Moorpark

June 01, 2015 • 4 pages • 1 response • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

City of Port Hueneme

June 01, 2015 • 4 pages • 3 responses • Score: 0 (+1, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

R02

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

This recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. PHPD will develop and implement a procedure by which to collect and analyze the information necessary to accurately track and evaluate the impact of Proposition 47 on the City of Port Hueneme. Their findings will be reported to City Council by January 1, 2016. The Grand Jury recommends that the Port Hueneme City Council increase R-09: police availability consistent with that city's needs.

R09

The Grand Jury recommends that the Port Hueneme City Council increase police availability consistent with that city’s needs. (FI-05)

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

This recommendation will not be implemented because it is unwarranted. PHPD already has in place a mechanism by which to control police availability. Police availability during a shift is largely controlled by the on-duty Supervisor, who can grant or deny planned absences and overtime, as well as authorize staffing levels beyond minimum staffing requirements if warranted. PHPD is also in the process of increasing its Reserve Officer personnel in order to supplement patrol staffing levels. RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY: DETENTION FACILITIES August 31, 2015 Page 3 R-10: The Grand Jury recommends that ...

R10

The Grand Jury recommends that the Port Hueneme City Council ensure that all water fixtures in the holding cells are operational. (FI-01) Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues 13

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has already been implemented. The Interim Chief of Police submitted a Work Request to the Facilities Maintenance Department and a Work Order has been issued to inspect the water tap and make any necessary repairs. This report response was authorized by the Port Hueneme City Council on August 31, 2015. The Council commends the Grand Jury on its efforts in looking into this matter. Sincerely, Sylvia Muñoz Schnopp Cynthia Haas City Manager Mayor

City of Port Hueneme

June 01, 2015 • 5 pages • 4 responses • Score: -1 (+0, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

4 responses to findings and recommendations

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office be persistent in their efforts to build the mental health facility at the Todd Road Jail. (FI-02)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but is anticipated to be implemented by January 1, 2016. Page 3 R-02: The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of all cities within the County that do not already have a Bicycle Advisory Commission/Committee establish one to perform such tasks as: Identify roads in need of bicycle lanes · Research federal, State, and other funding sources for projects related to bicycle infrastructure and use Issue motor vehicle and bicycle public safety announcements · Promote use of bicycles as a viable form of...

R02

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

This recommendation will not be implemented because it is unwarranted. The City Engineer's recommendation is that, absent documentation not included in the Grand Jury Report that would support the contrary, that the City's size and population, existing bicycle infrastructure, and current bicycle ADT does not appear at this time to warrant the creation of a Bicycle Advisory Commission/Committee. Such committees appear more suited for larger cities with higher bicycle use, and with an integrated Class I, Class II, and Class III citywide bicycle infrastructure. R-03: The Grand Jury recommends t...

R03

The Grand Jury recommends that the Oxnard City Council direct the Police Department to install raised seating in its holding cells. (FI-01)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but is anticipated to be implemented by January 1, 2016. The Grand Jury recommends the County Board of Supervisors and the R-04: City Councils of all cities within the County use local media (e.g., public service announcements, public events, and government websites) to Page 4 educate the motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle-related laws.

R04

The Grand Jury recommends that the Oxnard City Council obtain additional space for the Oxnard Police Department. (FI-06)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but is anticipated to be implemented by January 1, 2016. This report response was authorized by the Port Hueneme City Council on August 31, 2015. The Council commends the Grand Jury on its efforts in looking into this matter. Sincerely, Sylvia Muñoz Schnopp Robert Albertson Mayor Interim Police Chief

City of Port Hueneme

April 23, 2015 • 3 pages • 2 responses View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office be persistent in their efforts to build the mental health facility at the Todd Road Jail. (FI-02)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has already been implemented. The Police Department website has been updated so that PHPD's criteria for producing police reports and the types of information/reports available to the public is readily accessible to the public. This information has been placed on the Department's homepage in a conspicuous location so that it can be quickly found and accessed without the need to perform a manual search or to browse multiple pages. The Grand Jury recommends that the Port Hueneme City Council direct the R-02: PHPD to update its website to contain information on how to reques...

R02

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation has already been implemented. The Police Department website has been updated and this information has been placed on the Department homepage in a conspicuous location so that it can be quickly found and accessed without the need to perform a manual search or to browse multiple pages. The Request for Information for Records form, in both English and Spanish, is easily accessible as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file by clicking on a link. The form can be downloaded or printed. On June 1, 2015, the Port Hueneme City Council approved this Grand Jury report response and auth...

City of Santa Paula

August 19, 2015 • 4 pages • 2 responses • Score: +2 (+2, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

F02

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff's Office, Probation, and city councils closely track and evaluate the impact of Proposition 47 on local law enforcement agencies and communities and report findings to the Board of Supervisors. In accordance with this recommendation, the City approved a Proposition 47 implementation plan two days after the proposition's passage in November 2014. The impacts, effects and results that Proposition 47 will have on the City are currently unknown. The City anticipates implementing data collection procedures in order to accurately report Proposition 47's imp...

F08

Response: Agree Score: +1

repair/upgrade of the inadequate and deteriorating facilities of the Santa Paula Police Department. The City agrees with this recommendation and has begun to identify and prioritize the necessary improvements and repairs to its police facilities. The City is also aggressively seeking sources of revenue in order to fund the necessary improvements and repairs. ٠ The Honorable Donald D. Coleman August 11, 2015 August 11, 2015 Page 3 We thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Report. Should you have any further questions or desire any further information, please contact me or City Manager...

City of Santa Paula

August 19, 2015 • 3 pages View Details ▾

PDF

City of Simi Valley

August 20, 2015 • 2 pages View Details ▾

PDF

City of Fillmore

July 22, 2015 • 2 pages View Details ▾

PDF

No Responses Found 7

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

County of Ventura Agency

Ojai City

Oxnard City

San Buenaventura City

Thousand Oaks City

Ventura County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office

Ventura County Sheriff Elected County Office