23. Detention Committee

Recommendations 11

• R1

  Page 301
  The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors should establish an ordinance creating a mandatory “Package Permit Registration.” The funds collected will enhance the fiscal strength and long term financing needed to allow Weights & Measures to create a “cost neutral” Package Inspection Program which will allow quantity inspections at regular intervals in order to protect the consumers of Los Angeles County. 29 https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 277
• R2

  Page 301
  The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors should direct Consumer and Business Affairs, after consulting with Weights & Measures, to assume responsibility of oversight for consumer outreach and complaints, relative to quantity control and package shortages.
• R3

  Page 301
  Weights & Measures, after consulting with Consumer and Business Affairs, should direct both the County’s Help Line 211 and the City of Los Angeles Information Services 311 to include quantity control and package shortages information as part of their database and referral system and supply supporting information.
• R4

  Page 301
  The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors should amend Los Angeles County Code of Ordinances Section 8.08.040(B) to include package shortages in addition to item pricing violations or, in the alternative, create a new ordinance giving consumers a remedy at law to pursue actions on an individual basis for package shortages.
• R5

  Page 301
  The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors should amend Los Angeles County Code of Ordinances Section 8.08.040(B) raising the financial remedy an individual has against an establishment due to a violation of item pricing laws from $50 to $150, thereby bringing the 1980 dollar amount in line with 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Inflation Rate.
• R6

  Page 301
  Weights & Measures should refer cases which grossly violate IRQ Statements to all prosecuting agencies within the County, including all City Attorneys. This allows maximum exposure of consumer fraud and misrepresentation.
• R7

  Page 301
  Weights & Measures should conduct a cost benefit analysis to ensure and justify the purchase/licensing of a data management system as it relates to their field inspection programs, as this will enhance service delivery and increase efficiency. VII REQUEST FOR RESPONSE California Penal Code Sections 933(c) and 933.05 require a written response to all recommendations contained in this report. Such responses shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the Civil Grand Jury publishes its report (files it with the Clerk of the Court). Responses shall be made in accord with Penal Code Sections 933.05 (a) and (b). All responses to the recommendations of the 2016-2017 Civil Grand Jury must be submitted on or before September 30, 2017 to: Presiding Judge Los Angeles County Superior Court Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 210 West Temple Street Eleventh Floor – Room 11-506 Los Angeles, CA 90012 278 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Responses are required from: Responding Agency Recommendations County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors 18.1, 18.2, 18.4, 18.5 County of Los Angeles Department of Weights & 18.2, 18.3, 18.6, 18.7 Measures The County of Los Angeles Department of 18.2, 18.3 Consumer Affairs VIII ACRONYMS ACT Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act CGJ 2016-2017 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury IRQ Identity, Responsibility and Quantity IX COMMITTEE MEMBERS Regi Block Chair Dorothy Brown Hilda Dallal Ronnie Dann-Honor Marilyn Gelfand Dianne Kelley 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 279 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. 280 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT JURY ROOM Regi Block Chair Hilda Dallal Lucy Eisenberg Marilyn Gelfand CIVIL GRAND JURY SPACE I SUMMARY We, the 2016-2017 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ), have had a wonderful educational experience this year. We have learned a lot about the workings of county government, and seen things we believe could be improved. One thing we do believe should be changed for the benefit of future jurors is the space in which the CGJ meets, works and receives presentations from outside speakers. II BACKGROUND In Los Angeles County, the county provides the budgeted funding and space for the grand jury.1 CA Penal Code § 938.4 (2016) states: “The superior court shall arrange for a suitable meeting room and other support as the court determines is necessary for the grand jury. Any costs incurred by the court as a result of this section shall be absorbed by the court or the county from existing resources.” We would like to emphasize the word “suitable” as stated in the code. The CGJ meeting room, along with the bathroom and lunch/workroom, is far from “suitable” as the code suggests. The CGJ has two rooms:
• R8

  Page 309
  There is no space affording “acoustical privacy” for jurors to conduct telephone conference calls and private investigative interviews without interruptions. Definition – Can people talk in privacy, according to the level of confidentiality required; do noises or conversations make it difficult to hear or understand speech if much of their work involves using the telephone? https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/working_space.html 286 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT V RECOMMENDATIONS
• R9

  Page 312
  If the CGJ determines that a matter is within the legally permissible scope of its investigative powers and would warrant further inquiry, additional information may be requested. If a matter does not fall within the jury’s investigative authority or the jury decides not to investigate, no action will be taken and there will be no further contact with the complainant.
• R10

  Page 312
  Responses may or may not be sent to the complainant.
• R11

  Page 312
  All files are sealed and placed in storage for five years. 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 291 III 2016-2017 CITIZENS’ COMPLAINTS 46 Complaints were processed and divided into the following categories: DISPOSITION BY CIVIL GRAND JURY TALLY Insufficient Information 17 No Jurisdiction over Subject Matter 17 Ongoing Investigation with Another Agency 1 Referred for Further Investigation 0 Reviewed, No Action Taken 9 Unsupported 2 IV COMPLAINT FORM AND GUIDELINES Citizens who wish to submit complaints to the CGJ should do so by using the complaint form and guidelines which are found on the CGJ Website: www.lacourt.org/forms/pdf/CitizensComplaint.pdf The 2016-2017 CGJ included additional information on the Citizen Complaint Form to clarify and help to make the information required from the claimant easier to follow. The attached sample complaint form includes this information: If you need assistance completing this form: Los Angeles County residents dial 211, Los Angeles City residents dial 311. You will be directed to a local legal help center. 292 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT See Following Page for