PALMDALE ROUTINELY INCREASES SHERIFF CONTRACT - The city of Palmdale has had one of the historically largest contracts with the Sheriff's department. Every contract renewal. annual budget, and mid-year budget adjustment in recent history has added deputies, allocated funds for special enforcement programs, purchased specialized equipment, and augmented law enforcement with special items. This has included civilianizing the Drug and Gang Awareness training program, and hiring additional Commuity Service Officers to free up sworn deputies to fight crime.

IF WE COULD ONLY KEEP THE COUNTY OUT OF OUR POCKET! The Supervisors keep trying to find ways to make contract cities pay more. They keep floating cost increases to try to force us to pay traditionally county budgeted items. We got hit with the phase one increase, but have successfully dodged a massive phase two increase. This is what keeps bringing up the topic of us establishing our own police department! I still think we get great service from some of the best deputies around, as most of these guys live next door to all of us!

MORE COPS NEEDED - The Sup's created a monster by putting on a hiring freeze years ago, and now they wonder why they are short staffed and having a hell of a time catching up. In addition, the Sup's have seen the effectiveness of specialized 2 man "Bomber" cars cities such as ours employ as pro-active resources, and now they want to add them too.. But they have no bodies to do so, due to hiring shortfalls. So they rob the bodies from contract cities, like ours, and the Sheriff backfills the time with overtime deputies. But we dropped to something like 37 positions short, and deputies are limited to 96 hours of OT a month. Most are maxed out, and how effective is tired deputy working forced double shift overtime in the busiest station, vs a fresh body? I can tell you - it's hell. I did it for years as a paramedic until they saw the light and hired more bodies and staffed more units. Recent hires have substantially reduced shortages, and more deputies will be added in the future, as well as various Task Forces depolyed.

PARK RANGERS ADDED AND REASSIGNED TO PUBLIC SAFETY - Our Park Rangers have been reassigned to the Public Safety department, from Parks and Recs, to give them a better focus on the safety aspect of their role. I pressed for additional hours of deployment, after a series of complaints were received about safety issues in our parks. Rangers are helping maintain our parks as family safe environments, and freeing up deputies to fight crime.

TRANSIT FACILITY ORDINANCES PROPOSED/UPGRADED - Many residents are complaining about the hoodlums running rough-shod over the legitemate transit center customers, and others harassing riders at bus stops around the city. My pursuit of these problems are resulting in heightened private security, stepped up Metro-Link sheriff patrols, and school security's assurance to pusue truants and off-site trouble makers. Skateboards are now prohibited in the depot. We are strengthening our transit facilty specific tresspass ordinances.

ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TASK FORCE - As a career firefighter, I made it a top priority my first year in elected office to find the resources to address illegal fireworks. Our fire chief has confirmed that it is the illegal stuff - it flies or explodes - that causes the perponderance of problems each year. The task force's role has expanded each year, and will now include cooperative resources from the State Fire Marshal's office. Read more here...

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND AWARENESS - Shortly after I was elected, one of my tasks was to review our traffic efforts. This is one area I receive a majority of complaints. This includes speed in residential, school and similar zones, and red light runners. My attention to this area resulted in the more routine deployment of the traffic radar trailer into complaint zones. the purchase of addditional radar trailer to share with the CHP, additional lazer speed guns for motorcycle enforcement deputies, and additional motor officers, to concentrate on the high hazard areas around schools. I previously suggested exploring pole mouned solar powered fixed speed radar units for around schools, as well. Lancaster's addition may add some credibility to my request (or not!). We'll see how well they work, and watch vandalism rates.

RED LIGHT CAMERAS? - My inquiries into red light cameras was not met with enthusiasm by staff and other council members, as they tend to be somewhat controversial. With neighboring cities of Lancaster and Santa Clarita realizing their safety and cost effectiveness vs continuing to add motor deputies, and having addded them to high hazard intersections, I will continue to explore their use. I will insist they meet the requirement to be Revenue Nuetral, i.e. they can pay for themselves and the program, but not be money makers. Experts suggest you consider them when you can average 4 red light runners per hour at an intersection. Intersections such as Rancho Vista and 10th West, where you can count an average of 4 red light runners per light (not per hour) at peak traffic times, would be ideal locations to consider.

PHOTO RADAR SPEED VANS EXPLORED - Recent state legislation would authorize the use of photo radar enforcement vans in school and residential zones. These vans would be deployed on a complaint driven basis, and are equipped with calibrated radar, high res cameras, and staffed by a trained civilian operator. The neighborhood would have to be posted with signs in advance, and the van is marked, as well. They are well received in the communities that utilize them, and are much more cost efficient than motor deputies. Unfortunately, in the convoluted state legislative process, only Beverly Hills and Santa Cruz would be authorized to establish pilot programs. We will watch this, and I would appreciate any input as to your thoughts on being added to this.