HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - - Additional Documents - 9/19/2017TRAYLOR, MARIAN
Subject: City of Costa Mesa Talbert Park Bike Trail Resource Mgt Plan
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR CC -6
From: Brodeur, Susan [mailto:Susan.Brodeur@ocoarks.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2017 2:02 PM
To: ANDERSON, GRANT <grant.anderson@costamesaca.gov>
Subject: RE: City of Costa Mesa W. 19th St./Talbert Park Bike Trail Project
Hi Grant,
We do not have a Resource Management Plan that includes South Talbert. It is on our FY 17-18 work plan to initiate
that effort this year. We don't have a schedule yet. We anticipated the bike trail in our Habitat Restoration Plan and I
assume it will be included in the Resource Management Plan.
Susan
From: ANDERSON, GRANT [ma ilto:arant.anderson@costamesaca.gov]
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2017 12:28 PM
To: Brodeur, Susan <Susan.Brodeur@ocoarks.com>
Subject: FW: City of Costa Mesa W. 19th St./Talbert Park Bike Trail Project
Susan -
Subsequent to our Aug 2"d meeting here at City Hall, on August 9t1, the City and our environmental consultant met with
US Fish and Wildlife to discuss our trail project within Talbert Park. I've attached the meeting minutes from that meeting
to provide you some background of what we discussed. One of the major impediments to moving forward with
environmental approvals is the current lack of a Resource Management Plan for Talbert Pk.
I don't remember having much of a discussion about the RMP at our Aug 2 meeting. Can you provide some background
on what, if any, efforts the County is currently making towards preparing a Resource Plan. If such a plan is being
prepared, do you have a time -line for its completion and is the bike trail going to be an anticipated use?
Thank You,
Grant Anderson
Project Manager
City of Costa Mesa - Transportation Services
(714)754-5183
grant. andersongco stames aca. gov
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR N13-1
City of Costa Mesa Police Department
Memorandum
DATE: July 14, 2017
TO: Chief Robert N. Sharpnack
Captain Mark Manley
Lieutenant Greg Scott
Lieutenant Joyce LaPointe
FROM: Sergeant David Casarez
RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
The following is the After -Action Report for the deployment of public safety and City resources for the
five-day period from July 1St through July 5t", 2017. The stated goals of the Police Department's
operational plan were to maximize the Police Department's ability to effectively handle routine and
emergency calls -for -service (CFS) through the Fourth of July holiday. In addition, the operational plan
was intended to provide a highly visible and proactive approach to illegal fireworks enforcement and an
enhanced customer service response for the anticipated increase in Fourth of July holiday related CFS.
The Fire Department partnered with the Police Department on many fronts, including community
outreach, public education, social media, and operational enhancements. The Fire Department allocated
one Battalion Chief (Arson Investigator) specifically to firework enforcement on July 4t". The City
Attorney's Office, Finance and Public Services Departments also played important roles in preparing for
the holiday weekend, as noted later in this report. Finally, the City Manager's Office and the City Council
provided the necessary financial resources to support substantial outreach efforts that served the City's
clearly stated position on safety within the community.
Public Education / Community Outreach / Social Media
Considerable efforts were made to inform and educate the general public of the City's fireworks -related
policies leading up to July 4t". On July 11t, July 2nd, and July 3rd, Police Explorers and advisors, two police
bicycle officers, a Fire Department engine company, as well as several CERT Volunteers, canvassed and
distributed informational Fourth of July fliers within "hot spot" neighborhoods previously known to have
a higher volume of illegal firework CFS. Approximately 5,000 bilingual door hanger fliers were ordered for
distribution. The door hangers were printed in both English and Spanish. They included language advising
of a "zero tolerance" policy, the identification of illegal fireworks, hours to discharge "safe and sane"
fireworks, a 24-hour Police Department contact phone number to report illegal firework use or suspicious
activity, and the declaration of possession and/or use of illegal fireworks being a crime being punishable
by up to a $1,000 fine and/or imprisonment. Informational flyers were distributed at firework stands and
posted on the Newport -Mesa Unified School District website.
The City Council authorized a citywide mass distribution of letters to approximately 44,000 residential
households emphasizing a "zero tolerance" approach to illegal fireworks and being a good neighbor
RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
during the Fourth of July holiday. The letter was printed in both English and Spanish and was authored by
Police Chief Sharpnack and Fire Chief Stefano, on behalf of the City.
Approximately 22,000 informational firework fliers were sent out to households via the Mesa Water
District billing cycle in June.
Social Media — including Instagram, Nixle, the City's webpage, and the respective CMPD and CMFD
Facebook pages, were utilized extensively to inform the public of the City's stance on illegal firework
usage and enforcement.
Also, electronic LED message boards were placed strategically throughout the city along major
thoroughfares advising the same. The City's LED message boards were placed at the following locations:
• Southbound Newport Blvd, north of Mesa Drive
• Southbound Fairview Rd, north of Adams Avenue
• Northbound Newport Blvd, north of 19th Street
• Northbound Harbor Blvd, south of Victoria Street
• Eastbound Adams Ave, west of Placentia/Mesa Verde Drive East
• Eastbound Victoria St, west of Canyon Drive
Additionally, a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) was completed by CMTV featuring Police Chief
Sharpnack and Fire Chief Stefano. The PSA was posted on a variety of the City, Police and Fire Department
social media pages and websites. The web link is listed below.
http://www.costamesaca.gov/index.aspx?page=1909
Police Department Staffing & Deployment
Police Department patrol staffing remained at normal levels on July 1st and July 5th. In order to manage
the anticipated increase in CFS leading up to July 4th, normal patrol staffing was augmented with
additional firework Directed Enforcement teams July 2nd through July 41n
Enhanced staffing was achieved through utilization of voluntary Directed Enforcement overtime on
Sunday, July 2nd, and 3/12 shift officers working their monthly payback day on Monday, July 3rd, and
Tuesday, July 4th. Throughout this period, officers assigned to the firework Directed Enforcement teams
were tasked specifically with firework -related CFS and proactive "hot spot" patrols and enforcement.
Furthermore, on July 4th, officers from the 4/10 AM shift volunteered to work five-hour overtime shifts
during peak firework enforcement hours prior to their regularly scheduled nighttime shifts. This was the
first year where a dedicated Communications Bureau dispatcher and police radio frequency was utilized
to allow for more efficient radio communication between Directed Enforcement teams and the
Communications Bureau. Directed Enforcement teams were able to work more independently of the
normal patrol field operations, yet be available to assist patrol officers if a major incident occurred.
Directed Enforcement teams were assigned to each of the two Police Department geographic patrol
areas. Directed Enforcement strategies included uniformed officers in both marked police vehicles and
unmarked police vehicles.
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RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
Supplemental firework Directed Enforcement teams worked the following schedules:
• Sunday, July 2nd 1330-0130 hours
• Monday, July 3rd 1600-0200 hours
• Tuesday, July 4th 1600-0200 hours, with additional Directed Enforcement personnel staffing
between 1700 — 2200 hours
Breakdown of supplemental firework Directed Enforcement personnel (does not include normal Field
Operations staffing):
Saturday, July 2nd
• Three marked units with two police officers each
• One marked unit with a sergeant
• One marked fire unit with a solo CMFD Battalion Chief
• Two Park Rangers
Sunday, July 3rd
• One marked unit with a sergeant and a police officer
• Two unmarked units with two officers each
• Two park rangers
Monday, July 4th
• One marked unit with a police sergeant and a CMFD Battalion Chief
• Six unmarked units with two police officers each
• Four marked units with two uniformed officers each
• Two park rangers
Enforcement Strategies
The Costa Mesa Police Department utilized the criminal citation process for enforcement of firework -
related violations of the California Health & Safety Code (H&S) and for violations of the Costa Mesa
Municipal Code (CMMC). In most cases, violators were cited and released in the field for the applicable
misdemeanor charges and were issued a court date to appear at the California Superior Court, West
Justice Center in Westminster. Prior to the Fourth of July holiday, the Police Department collaborated
with the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) to apprise them of the City's educational and
enforcement strategies and to work closer in the prosecution of these cases. OCDA agreed to assign a
sole Deputy District Attorney to handle all of the Police Department's misdemeanor state Health & Safety
Code firework arrests in order to have a single source of case review and potential prosecution.
Concurrently, the Costa Mesa City Attorney's Office will prosecute all Municipal Code firework related
misdemeanor arrests also through the California Superior Court, West Justice Center.
This was the first year the Police Department utilized undercover detectives from the Special
Investigations Unit to coordinate the purchase of illegal fireworks from suspects selling them within Costa
Mesa. The operation lasted for several weeks leading up through July 4th and netted a total of 32 arrests.
Two of these arrests included handgun charges. Consequently, detectives seized over 2,100 total pounds
of illegal fireworks that were subsequently delivered to the Fire Department for destruction.
3
RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
Police Department Calls -For -Service (CFS)
For the evaluation period of July 1" through July 5t", the Communications Bureau received a total of 703
firework -related calls -for -service (CFS) over the five-day period (1,009 in 2016). Of those, 545 firework -
related CFS were dispatched through general broadcast to area police units (857 in 2016). Further,
officers responded to 158 firework -related CFS (152 in 2016). The firework -related CFS workload leading
up to July 4t" was moderate with a dramatic increase on July 4t". CFS on July 4t" generally peaked
between 1900 hours and midnight. This firework -related workload was in addition to the normal, non -
firework CFS during this same period.
The following table reflects a five-year historical summary of CFS and citations/arrests for the Fourth of
July holiday deployment period:
Police Department
Calls -for -Service (CFS)
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
% Change from 2016 to 2017
Firework GBs
430
428
540
857
545
-36.4%
Officer Response
127
89
131
152
158
+3.9%
Total Firework Calls
504
517
671
1009
703
-30.3%
Citations / Arrests
32/3*
35/0
25/2*
79/0
80**
+1.3%
Evaluation Period
6 days
6 days
5 days
5 days
5 days
--
* These numbers are only indicative of fireworks related arrests. They do not account for other patrol, traffic, or any
other non -firework related arrests.
** In 2017, the use of non -criminal, civil citations was discontinued. All offenders were arrested for criminal violations,
and most were released in the field with a written citation. Previous years reported both civil citations and arrests.
There were 22 "hot spot" locations identified from the previous 2016 Fourth of July holiday. In 2017,
10.1% of the total arrests occurred within these same "hot spot" locations.
Fire Department Calls for Service (CFS)
Battalion Chief Kevin Diamond was the liaison and Branch Director for the Fire Department. On July 2nd
Battalion Chief Diamond patrolled the city in a marked fire department vehicle. On July 4t", Battalion
Chief Diamond paired with a police sergeant in a marked police vehicle and patrolled the city. On both
days, he provided technical expertise and supplemented Directed Enforcement staffing. Fire Department
total CFS during the period of July 1St through July 5t" was 183, which included one firework -related
trash/dumpster fire.
The following table reflects a four-year historical summary of CFS received by the Fire Department over
the Fourth of July holiday period:
Fire Department
Calls -for -Service (CFS)
2014
2015
2016
2017
%Change 2015 to 2016
July 1"
35
39
38
30
-21%
July 2nd
21
43
42
38
-9.5%
July 3rd
29 1
35
1 43 1
41
-4.7%
July 4t"
42
56
40
33
-17.5%
July 5t"
41
41
30
41
+36.7%
Total Firework Calls
168
214
193
183
-5.2%
4
RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
Noteworthy Events / Enforcement by Day
These events were handled solely by uniformed officers assigned to the firework Directed Enforcement
teams and does not include those arrests made during the previously stated undercover operations:
Sunday, July 2nd
• Officers made two firework -related arrests
• Officers made two warrant arrests
• Officers made one arrest for open container
• Officers assisted patrol officers on four priority incidents
Monday, July Yd
• Officers made five firework -related arrests, including a subject on probation
• Officers made one DUI arrest
• Officers made two narcotics related arrests
• Officers wrote two citations for vehicle code violations
Tuesday, July 4th
• Officers made 41 firework -related arrests
• Officers made one arrest for possession of burglary tools
• Officers made two arrests for urinating in public
• Officers wrote one citations for vehicle code violations
The Police Department made a total of 80 arrests for misdemeanor firework -related violations of the
California Health & Safety Code or the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. In most cases, violators were cited
and released in the field for the applicable misdemeanor charges.
City Parks / Permitted Block Parties
There were no noteworthy firework -related issues within public parks or with the seven permitted block
parties. They had no adverse impact on City resources. On July 4th, Park Rangers issued 36 parking tickets
for violation of CMMC 12-26, vehicle in the park after dark. This was largely due to people using park
parking lots for off-site parking for 41h of July events.
Communications / Logistics / Equipment
All Directed Enforcement personnel utilized the Communication Bureau's "Green 3" police radio
frequency. The dedicated Communications dispatcher and radio frequency was ideal, as it did not hinder
regular patrol operations. Communications Bureau personnel performed commendably, handling the
fast -paced and large workload of CFS from the community and related radio traffic from officers.
No vehicle inventory issues were noted, as most Directed Enforcement personnel were paired up in a
single vehicle for efficiency and safety. There were no safety equipment issues noted, as well.
Animal Control
The following is animal impound information during the Fourth of July holiday period:
• July 1St— Two dogs and one cat impounded
• July 2nd—Two dogs impounded
• July 3rd —Two dogs and two cats impounded
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RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
• July 4th— Five dogs impounded
• July 5th— No animals impounded
Some of these impounds were found pets that likely escaped the home due to the discharge of fireworks.
Finance Department
The Finance Department issues firework stand permits every year to qualified applicants in accordance
with City Ordinance and City Council Policy 400-2. For the period of the Fourth of July holiday, the Finance
Department issued 35 permits to eligible applicants; in comparison, 36 permits were issued for the 2016
holiday. The permit fees were waived pursuant to Council Policy 400-2.
Public Services
Public Services staff manufactured and placed firework prohibition signs at all entrances to City facilities
and at all public parks. This contributed to the absence of any noteworthy firework issues on any City
property or in any public parks. Areas of heavy firework debris were swept after July 4th with no added
costs. Fireworks companies also assisted with some cleanup. Public Services material and personnel
costs for temporary signage at public parks and along main thoroughfare streets was approximately
$3,415.
Recommendations
The following are recommendations for future deployments:
• Continue to use the misdemeanor criminal citation/arrest for firework violations
• Modify the existing Municipal Code ordinances relating to illegal fireworks to add a simple
possession violation.
• Consider creating a Municipal Code ordinance mandating that firework stands provide
informational fliers to each patron that outlines laws pertaining to fireworks. Perhaps, these fliers
can be funded through a council adopted fee for organizations with firework stands.
• Continue with all of the previously outlined public outreach efforts.
• PSA to be completed and broadcast during City Council meetings beginning in early June.
• Continue with early, coordinated investigative efforts to root out supply of illegal fireworks
coming into the city.
• Continue to use a dedicated, alternate radio frequency and Communications personnel for
Directed Enforcement fireworks -related CFS.
• Continue partnership with all City departments.
• In addition to supplemental firework Directed Enforcement personnel, consider adding additional
Police Department traffic enforcement coverage throughout the holiday period.
• Continue to be flexible and modify strategic deployment of Police and Fire personnel as necessary.
rnnrh minn
Illegal fireworks were a persistent issue throughout the city leading up to and magnified on July 0
Police Department executive staff received several concerned emails/phone calls from the community
regarding the volume of illegal fireworks being discharged. The above recommendations should provide a
foundation for next year's operational plan.
RE: Fourth of July After -Action Report for 2017
With the significant increase in CFS over a five-day period, the operational plan was able to provide
enhanced customer service to the community. City sponsored educational campaigns, proactive
enforcement efforts to mitigate the flow of illegal fireworks into the city prior to July 4t", increased Police
Department staffing over the Fourth of July holiday, and continued collaboration amongst City
departments, resulted in a net decrease of overall firework -related CFS with a slight increase in the
number of arrests, year-to-date. Furthermore, the Fire Department's dedicated allocation of a Battalion
Chief (Arson Investigator) and the Fire Department's collection and transportation of confiscated
fireworks to the Orange County Sheriff's Bomb Squad provided essential resources that advanced the
operational plan's effectiveness. Contributions from the City Council, City Manager's Office, and all other
City departments, supported the overall success of the City's Fourth of July operations.
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