9 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
A complaint languished in the District Attorney’s Office for 15 months before being investigated. 85
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
The respondent disagrees wholly with the finding. The typical function of the District Attorney's Office is to take completed investigation reports from law enforcement agencies or other agencies, review those reports and determine 103
whether there is any evidence of criminal wrongdoing that can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Our primary function is to enforce the criminal laws of this state and county. However, not every unlawful act is a criminal act. We receive many reports in a typical year that involve acts that may involve civil liability but not criminal. The District Attorney's...
R1
The District Attorney’s Office needs written procedures and policies for handling and tracking complaints in a timely and professional manner.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is unreasonable. The Board of Supervisors can't formulate procedures for the District Attorney's office and has no choice but to respond by saying the recommendation will not be implemented by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors expects the District Attorney to adopt appropriate procedures governing his department. R2. The District Attorney should assign one of his staff to be responsible for community relations to facilitate an open door policy between the public and his office.
F2
Written policy and procedures for handling complaints to the District Attorney’s Office appear to be inadequate.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent disagrees partially with the finding. The District Attorney's Office has procedures in place to deal with complaints received by our office in a traditional manner. As noted in the
R2
The District Attorney should assign one of his staff to be responsible for community relations to facilitate an open door policy between the public and his office.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is unreasonable The Board of Supervisors can't formulate procedures for the District Attorney's office and has no choice but to respond by saying the recommendation will not be implemented by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors expects the District Attorney to adopt appropriate procedures governing his department. R3. All relevant employees in the District Attorney's Office should be fully trained in the DAMION system.
F3
Several staff members, including the District Attorney, mentioned the office is understaffed. It appears to be a waste of taxpayer’s monies for attorneys to perform clerical duties and, as a result, not have enough time to respond to the concerns of the public and their prosecutorial duties.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The respondent agrees with the finding. F4. The DAMION case management system, installed in June 2001, does not appear to be utilized to its full potential.
R3
All relevant employees in the District Attorney’s Office should be fully trained in the DAMION system.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is unreasonable 106
The Board of Supervisors can't formulate procedures for the District Attorney's office and has no choice but to respond by saying the recommendation will not be implemented by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors expects the District Attorney to adopt appropriate procedures governing his department. R4. The Mobile Home Task Force should investigate and mediate mobile home park issues. This would seem to be more cost effective than litigation.
F4
The DAMION case management system, installed in June 2001, does not appear to be utilized to its full potential.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent disagrees partially with the finding. As noted in the Grand Jury Report, the DAMION system was implemented in late June of 2001. Because of staff shortages during this period, we have been slowly exploring the potential uses of the system, and its makeup to ensure that the database program is both useful and "user-friendly". As we experience the program by working with it on a daily basis, we are fine-tuning our use of the system. For example, we have traditionally had difficulty in tracking our numerous case files, creating a situation where a great deal of employee time is use...
R4
The Mobile Home Task Force should investigate and mediate mobile home park issues. This would seem to be more cost effective than litigation.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented. Per direction of the Board of Supervisors, the Mobile Home Task Force will meet at least once annually; the Task Force additionally has determined to meet at least quarterly. Although limited by funding constraints, through the cooperative efforts of its members the Task Force continues to help mitigate mobile home park concerns through its investigative, educational, mediation and service efforts R5. An Ombudsman position for senior issues needs to be established in the Department of Community Services. All matters relating to mobile homes and senior i...
R5
An Ombudsman position for senior issues needs to be established in the Department of Community Services. All matters relating to mobile homes and senior issues should be directed to this office.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is unreasonable. Community Services currently has a state-funded Long Term Care Ombudsman who serves as an advocate for residents of skilled nursing and board and care facilities. The Department also has a range of information, referral and case management services for seniors. The Department does not have resources to provide for ombudsman services for all senior and mobile home park residents of the County. While the need and value of a senior/mobile home park ombudsman is evident, the County's current fiscal challenges preclude action on...
