Ventura County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
Oxnard Harbor District: Port Security and Safety
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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 17 findings
F01
District management states the Port is a Tier 3 port operating in a region subject to a Tier 1 security risk.
No recommendations for this finding
F02
The District employs a State of California certified contract security service whose primary responsibility is main gate access to the Port.
No recommendations for this finding
F03
The District employs eight Wharfingers who generally work 10 hour shifts. At least one Wharfinger is required to be on duty each shift; these shifts are round-the-clock 7 days a week.
No recommendations for this finding
F04
District management states Wharfingers perform thirty-one essential functions; eleven of these relate directly to the security and safety of the Port. [Att-01]
No recommendations for this finding
F05
Wharfingers are designated port security officers who patrol District properties on foot, in a vehicle, and when required, in a patrol boat. [Att-01, Item 2] Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 3
No recommendations for this finding
F06
Wharfingers wear distinctive uniforms with shoulder patches and a metal badge stamped Wharfinger/Oxnard Harbor District.
No recommendations for this finding
F07
Wharfingers are unarmed.
No recommendations for this finding
F08
The Proprietary Security Services Act in Chapter 11.4 of Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code, (§§7574-7574.7) requires private security officers to register with the California Department of Consumer Affairs. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F09
District Wharfingers are not required to comply with the Proprietary Security Services Act as a pre-condition of employment, nor are they required to have a California Security Certificate, commonly known as a Guard Card. [Att-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Once employed, Wharfingers are not required to receive training by the District to obtain their Guard Card.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The District has an administrative manual for all employees; it does not have a specific Operations Manual for Wharfingers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R03
The District should develop a Field Operations Manual for Wharfingers. (C-01)
F12
The District has a twenty-four hour security camera and recording system.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
According to District management there are periods when the camera is not observed by a District employee.
Related Recommendations (1)
R06
The District should provide 24-hour uninterrupted observation of the port security camera system. (C-08)
F14
Wharfingers carry a portable two-way radio that is used for internal communication and ship traffic. The radios are not programmed to directly communicate with local public safety responders. When a public safety response, i.e., police, fire, is required at District facilities, the Wharfingers call 911 using the nearest telephone or cell phone.
Related Recommendations (2)
R04
Wharfingers' radios should provide direct two-way communications to primary public safety agencies. (C-06)
R05
The District should develop backup systems of communication with responding public safety agencies. Additional methods of communication may include devices such as a dedicated telephone circuit, commonly known as a "ring down phone". (C-06)
F15
Over the past four years, the District has received approximately $1.3 million in DHS grants to strengthen port security.
Related Recommendations (1)
R07
The District should continue to pursue strengthening and upgrading Port security without regard to funding sources. (C-09) Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 5 Responses Responses Required: Board of Harbor Commissioners, Oxnard Harbor District (R-01 through R-07) Responses Accepted: United States Coast Guard Station Channel Islands (R-01 through R-06) Commanding Officer Naval Base Ventura County (R-01 through R-06) References Ref-01 http://www.tsa.gov/join/grants/ipp_faqs.shtm Ref-02 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi- bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=85675516723+1+0+0&WAISac Attachments Att-01 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Job Description Att-02 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Recruitment Flyer 6 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Attachment-01 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Job Description Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 7 (This page intentionally blank) 8 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 9 10 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 11 (This page intentionally blank) 12 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Attachment-02 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Recruitment Flyer Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 13 (This page intentionally blank) 14 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 15 (This page intentionally blank) 16 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security
F16
Ports in the United States are eligible to apply for DHS port security grants which total $400 million. The State of California has $40 million available for port security grants state-wide. The District intends to apply for these grants.
Related Recommendations (1)
R07
The District should continue to pursue strengthening and upgrading Port security without regard to funding sources. (C-09) Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 5 Responses Responses Required: Board of Harbor Commissioners, Oxnard Harbor District (R-01 through R-07) Responses Accepted: United States Coast Guard Station Channel Islands (R-01 through R-06) Commanding Officer Naval Base Ventura County (R-01 through R-06) References Ref-01 http://www.tsa.gov/join/grants/ipp_faqs.shtm Ref-02 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi- bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=85675516723+1+0+0&WAISac Attachments Att-01 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Job Description Att-02 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Recruitment Flyer 6 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Attachment-01 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Job Description Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 7 (This page intentionally blank) 8 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 9 10 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 11 (This page intentionally blank) 12 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Attachment-02 Oxnard Harbor District Wharfinger Recruitment Flyer Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 13 (This page intentionally blank) 14 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security 15 (This page intentionally blank) 16 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security
F17
In December 2007, the White House Office of Management and Budget proposed a nationwide $1.4 billion reduction for the fiscal 2009 DHS grants, some of which specifically target port security. Conclusions C-01. A Wharfinger position, as utilized by the District, is a multi-faceted position because of the variety of assigned duties to be performed. (F-03 through F-08) C-02. Even though Wharfingers perform many sensitive security functions, they are not subject to security officer certification as outlined in the Proprietary Services Act. (F-04, F-05, F-08 through F-10) 4 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security C-03. Wharfingers perform security functions, although they are not subject to a comprehensive background evaluation, such as fingerprint checks, as required of private security officers under the Proprietary Services Act. (F-04, F-08) C-04. Wharfingers would be better prepared to perform safety and security functions if they received similar certified training as outlined in the Proprietary Security Services Act. (F-08) C-05. The lack of certified training, as outlined in the Proprietary Security Services Act, could raise liability issues for the District. (F-08, F-09) C-06. Wharfingers' ability to contact emergency pubic safety responders is limited by primary reliance on the 911 system. Reliability would be strengthened by the development of additional means of communication. (F-14) C-07. Port security is not optimal when only one Wharfinger is on duty. (F-02, F-03, F-13, F-14) C-08. Port security is compromised by the failure to provide 24/7 observation of the Port security camera system. (F-12, F-13) C-09. The proposed reduction of DHS funding will adversely affect future security enhancements at the Port. (F-17) Recommendations
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 2
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CL1 Page 4C-01. A Wharfinger position, as utilized by the District, is a multi-faceted position because of the variety of assigned duties to be performed. (F-03 through F-08) C-02. Even though Wharfingers perform many sensitive security functions, they are not subject to security officer certification as outlined in the Proprietary Services Act. (F-04, F-05, F-08 through F-10) 4 Oxnard Harbor District: Safety & Security
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CL2 Page 5C-03. Wharfingers perform security functions, although they are not subject to a comprehensive background evaluation, such as fingerprint checks, as required of private security officers under the Proprietary Services Act. (F-04, F-08) C-04. Wharfingers would be better prepared to perform safety and security functions if they received similar certified training as outlined in the Proprietary Security Services Act. (F-08) C-05. The lack of certified training, as outlined in the Proprietary Security Services Act, could raise liability issues for the District. (F-08, F-09) C-06. Wharfingers' ability to contact emergency pubic safety responders is limited by primary reliance on the 911 system. Reliability would be strengthened by the development of additional means of communication. (F-14) C-07. Port security is not optimal when only one Wharfinger is on duty. (F-02, F-03, F-13, F-14) C-08. Port security is compromised by the failure to provide 24/7 observation of the Port security camera system. (F-12, F-13) C-09. The proposed reduction of DHS funding will adversely affect future security enhancements at the Port. (F-17)
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Channel Islands Beach Community Services District
Special District
County of Ventura
Agency
Oxnard Harbor District
Special District