San Luis Obispo County Public Safety Services and the Oceano Dunes Are We Doomed by the Dunes?……not So Much! Each year

Conclusions 1

• CL1
  California Park Rangers do an excellent job at enforcing the law at the Oceano Dunes. Considering the number of Rangers on patrol and the significant numbers of campers and day use visitors to the Oceano Dunes, public safety is well maintained. The 2019 calendar year was an unusually bad year for fatalities at the Dunes. The Rangers state that “inexperience, speed and inattention” were the main causes for the injuries and fatalities. Due to its proximity, Arroyo Grande Hospital takes the largest number of injuries occurring at the Oceano Dunes. Cal Fire Station 22 paramedics respond to the Dunes on a frequent basis. Twenty one percent of Station 22 calls are to the Oceano Dunes and San Luis Ambulance responds to nearly every call that Cal Fire makes. San Luis Ambulance, through its billing system, has determined that over 90% of the Dune transports are from outside the county. San Luis Obispo County resources play a large role in keeping local residents and visitors safe at the Oceano Dunes. They act as vital support to the Rangers. Although the Sheriff’s Department plays a minor role in actual enforcement, their support role with the County Jail, the Coroner’s Office and special investigative departments are essential to the law enforcement activities of the Rangers. The County’s District Attorney and Public Defense teams actively prosecute and defend individuals that were arrested by Park Rangers at the Dunes. If the SVRA was closed to off-road vehicles there is no indication that there would be a significant reduction in service provided by Cal Fire, Sheriff’s Department, or San Luis Ambulance. Changes could include reduction of some personnel or overtime, and some specialty equipment may be reassigned. There is no evidence that an SVRA closure would impact response time to south county residents. Submitted June 24, 2020 18 The State of California and the County of San Luis Obispo financially benefit from the Oceano Dunes. Millions of dollars are brought into the general funds of the State and County because of the existence of the SVRA and the tourists that flock to the dunes for recreation.

Commendations 4

• CM1
  If the respondent disagrees wholly or partially with an item, the respondent must elaborate on the portion of the item that they disagree with, and provide an explanation.
• CM2
  If a respondent notes that an item will be implemented in the future, the response must include a timeframe for implementation.
• CM3
  If a respondent notes that an item requires further analysis, the agency must include in the response an explanation of and the scope of what will be studied and the timeframe needed for the study. The timeframe for follow-up from the agency cannot exceed six months.
• CM4
  If the item will not be implemented or is not reasonable, the respondent is required to provide a detailed explanation. 933.05. Findings and Recommendations (a) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding. (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. Presiding Judge Grand Jury Presiding Judge Jacqueline H. Duffy San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Superior Court of California P.O. Box 4910 1035 Palm Street Room 355 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Submitted June 24, 2020 21

No Responses Found 1

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