San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury
2002-2003
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The complaint is against: a. Provide the name of the individual or organization the complaint is against. Ensure correct spelling of the name(s). b. If the complaint is against an individual in an organization, include the individual’s title or position in the organization. c. Provide the street address (not a P.O. Box), city, and zip code. d. Provide the telephone number of the organization or individual.
F2:
My complaint against the above is: a. Describe the problem in your own words. b. Be as concise as possible; provide dates, times, and names of individuals involved. c. Cite specific instances as opposed to broad statements. d. Attach any available photographs, correspondence, and documentation that support the complaint. e. If you need more space to describe your complaint, attach extra sheets as necessary. Indicate on the last line of the first sheet how many additional sheets you are attaching (for example, “3 additional sheets attached”).
F3:
Complainant (The grand jury will rigorously protect your confidentiality) a. Provide your name, mailing address, city, zip code, and telephone number. b. Sign the complaint. While you may file a complaint anonymously, this may make it much more difficult for the grand jury to investigate the allegations. c. Mail the complaint to the address shown on the complaint form. The grand jury will review and acknowledge receipt of your complaint. The grand jury may or may not advise you whether or not it will undertake an investigation. The grand jury may contact you during the conduct of an investigation. If you have questions, contact the grand jury secretary at (805) 781-5188. 32
F4:
carefully implementing methods to help determine the order in which following implementation of the Qualified Applicant Pool system. We were we serve students.” not able to verify the statement because of time and resource constraints. 16 (20) In June 2002, the Chancellor’s Office wrote that it would provide the com- problems reported statewide may not necessarily apply to the program at Cuesta. munity colleges its recommendations on the findings of the CSS Study. In the last two years, the percentage of students who failed to complete the Cuesta The Chancellor’s Office stated recently that these recommendations would College nursing program has decreased significantly. The percentage of students be ready by the end of April, but officials at Cuesta College say that they who pass the NCLEX-RN test after completing the Cuesta College nursing pro- are not optimistic that this date will be met. gram has started to rise again. The ADN program at Cuesta College is being courageous in not waiting for recommendations from the Chancellor’s Office be- (21) Although they have not received the Chancellor Office’s recommenda- fore acting on the findings of the CSS Study. Given the pressure from both the tions, officials at Cuesta College say that they plan to implement some chancellor and the president of the Academic Senate, Cuesta is doing the best it
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Grand Jury Validation of Testimony. At least five grand jurors inter- viewed each witness except for one interview conducted outside the county. (2) Verification of Facts. We based all findings on official records and/or the testimony by at least two independent sources. (3) Elimination of Hearsay Testimony. We rejected every hearsay state- ment (in person or in writing) unless we could validate it through official records or the testimony (in person or in writing) by at least two indepen- dent sources who were present or directly involved in the incident de- scribed in the hearsay statement. (4) Consultation with Legal Advisors. We consulted with a representative (4) The director of Environmental Health stated in September 2002 that the of the county counsel’s office on legal issues concerning the investiga- RALCCO problem fell into the third and lowest priority of nuisance com- tion. plaints and did not represent a threat to public health. Review (5) In its March 17 letter to CIWMB, the agency characterizes the site as a “threat to public health and safety” because of fire hazard and the danger (1) Throughout the course of the investigation, the grand jury—at its weekly to trespassers. meetings—received reports on the investigation’s progress and issues. Conclusions (2) The chief of police reviewed our findings and provided comment. As of March 17, 2003, some 16 months after RALCCO ceased operations, the site resembled a junkyard. Renewed inspections of the site (see below) evidently persuaded Environmental Health that a cleanup deserved a higher priority. Responsibilities RALCCO RECYCLING SITE IN NIPOMO—CLEANUP DUE
R2:
My complaint against the above is: a. Describe the problem in your own words. b. Be as concise as possible; provide dates, times, and names of individuals involved. c. Cite specific instances as opposed to broad statements. d. Attach any available photographs, correspondence, and documentation that support the complaint. e. If you need more space to describe your complaint, attach extra sheets as necessary. Indicate on the last line of the first sheet how many additional sheets you are attaching (for example, “3 additional sheets attached”).
R3:
Complainant (The grand jury will rigorously protect your confidentiality) a. Provide your name, mailing address, city, zip code, and telephone number. b. Sign the complaint. While you may file a complaint anonymously, this may make it much more difficult for the grand jury to investigate the allegations. c. Mail the complaint to the address shown on the complaint form. The grand jury will review and acknowledge receipt of your complaint. The grand jury may or may not advise you whether or not it will undertake an investigation. The grand jury may contact you during the conduct of an investigation. If you have questions, contact the grand jury secretary at (805) 781-5188. 32
Findings & Recommendations
10 findings
F1:
The Sheriffs’ Departments provide search and rescue services in all fifty-eight (58) California counties.
F2:
Other counties utilize paid law enforcement, a mix of paid and volunteer staff, or all volunteers to provide these services.
F3:
SLO Search and Rescue is composed entirely of unpaid volunteers.
F4:
SAR volunteers are reimbursed for “approved” mileage but, unlike sworn Sheriff’s Department personnel, are responsible for uniforms, equipment, advanced training and some supplies. This report of the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury was approved without the vote of this Grand Jury member. To reduce or avoid any perception of conflict of interest, this Grand Jury member abstained from the final vote on this report.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
SAR should develop a list of needs for inclusion in the Sheriff’s budget in time for consideration of the next county budget hearings, to include: (Findings 4, 5) a. cost of basic equipment which is required for a new volunteer. b. costs of desired advanced training or other anticipated costs. c. a miscellaneous contingency fund.
R2:
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors should, to the extent possible, provide an allowance for uniforms, equipment, training/advanced training and supplies for SAR volunteers, similar to sworn staff in the Sheriff’s Department. (Findings 4, 5)
F5:
SAR certified personnel provide basic volunteer training; often team leaders are not able to attend advanced or multi-county/state trainings due to lack of funding. SAR has not in the past routinely submitted a list of requested trainings for inclusion in the Sheriff’s budget.
F6:
SAR is not permitted to engage in fundraising activities without prior approval from the Sheriff’s Department. Permission for fundraising activities requires the identification of a “justifiable” unmet need that could not otherwise be provided by the Department. The Department is not currently aware of any such unmet needs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
If county funding for #2 is not available, SAR should be authorized, by the Sheriff’s Department, to operate fund raising events and solicit donations or sponsorships to help defray the costs of uniforms, training, equipment, etc. (Finding 6).
F7:
SAR service to the state operated Oceano Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area is not funded. SAR often provides the only on-site medically trained personnel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
SAR, with the assistance of county personnel, should pursue funding from the California Department of Parks to subsidize rescue work in the Oceano Dunes. (Finding 7)
F8:
SAR currently does not have a volunteer(s) assigned for generating funding, administrative functions, recruitment or public awareness; all volunteers are “field trained”.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
SAR, to the extent possible, should recruit volunteers in the following areas: (Finding 8) a. public relations/sponsorship solicitation b. fund raising c. website development d. grant writing e. volunteer recruitment (certified and non certified-operations)
F9:
SAR believes the current number of volunteers (50+/-) is inadequate to handle a major disaster or provide adequate mutual aid to other counties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
SAR should increase membership by up to 50 additional members. (Finding 9)
F10:
The Department’s Sergeant/liaison to SAR does not have a readily available four wheel drive vehicle to transport/tow equipment for call outs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
Necessary SAR equipment should be stored or kept near the Sergeant/liaison’s work station or kept in an available four wheel drive vehicle at his post to reduce response time. (Finding 10) COMMENDATION San Luis Obispo Search and Rescue is composed of a group of dedicated individuals, willing to undergo extensive, time-consuming training, purchase costly equipment, and spend countless, sometimes dangerous, hours in the service of others. The service community they have established consists of volunteers from all walks of life -- from college students to physicians, from firefighters to housewives -- whose task it is to provide rescue services to any one of us. This group of people is as good as their days are long, and their selfless service to the community is highly commended.