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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 0607 CC REG ITEM 08KMoorpark Police Department AGENDA REPORT TO: The Honorable City Council, FROM: Marty Rouse, Lieutenant DATE: May 25, 1995 ITC SUBJECT: Resource Center - Six Month Status Report (City Council Meeting 6/7/95) BACKGROUND The Moorpark Police Department Resource Center was established in October of 1994. The focus of the operation was, and still is, to provide community services utilizing selected volunteers. Initially, staffing was going to be the responsibility of police cadets. Due to hiring and turnover problems we decided to explore the potential of utilizing members of our community who wished to support both their police department and the Moorpark community. VOLUNTEERS We have found our average staffing level at approximately 22 volunteers. Four of the volunteers have donated over 200 hours with several others over 100 hours. During the first six months of operation Resource Center volunteers have donated over 2.550 hours. We are accepting applications to volunteer on a on -going basis. Training of volunteers has not only included report writing, fingerprinting, research of applicable codes.. department policy and procedure but has also included EMT (6 volunteers) and narcotics identification. Volunteers serve under the direct direction of Kathy LeClair, herself a volunteer. Kathy LeClair, along with Sergeant Rick Hindman, are responsible for the day -to -day operation. The Resource Center has had a negative impact on both the patrol and administration workloads which at this time is manageable. This is mainly due to training and operations management requirements. Volunteers are concerned about the limited work space available to them. Initially we staffed the Resource Center with two volunteers at a time. It soon became evident that the limited space did not allow for visitors and deputies along with the scheduled staff Because of the limited work space and counter area, we have found it best to generally staff one volunteer per shift. I recommend we explore the various possibilities available to the City which might offer a remedy to this condition as listed in the department 1995/9('1 objectives. EQUIPMENT The cubicle including the desk and counter area was purchased new. It is still in excellent condition and is conducive to the type of services we currently provide. The City recently authorized the purchase of a upgraded computer. This allows the volunteers to complete projects in both a professional and timely manner. Several volunteers have received informal computer training by fellow volunteers. Other than minor equipment requests, it appears no large expenditures will be necessary while the Resource ('enter is located at its current location. Money collected from fingerprinting has been deposited in the police resource center trust fund. These funds are designated to assist volunteers towards the purchase of their uniform shirts and for other Police Department and Resource Center purchases. A portion of these funds is designated for recognition to those volunteers who have remained active in the operation during the previous year. REQUESTS FOR SERVICE The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. We average ten citizen walk in contacts daily. Requests by phone have increased monthly to approximately nine contacts daily. The telephone company failed to publish the Resource Center telephone number in this years telephone book. This omission has contributed to the Resource Center not receiving even more telephone inquiries. The majority of requests are for fingerprinting followed by incident or complaint reports and inquiries as to parking and traffic citations. I anticipate the number of requests will increase, especially taking into account the increased publicity generated as the volunteers become even more active in the community. Resource Center volunteers have assisted in a variety of activities outside of the Resource Center such as; the East County Police Services open house, citizenship fingerprinting events, assisting Senior Deputy Tumbleson with crime prevention presentations and other community functions. SERVICES PROVIDED Services provided at the Resource Center range from fingerprinting, minor report writing, information sharing and referrals. Our intention has not been to limit ourselves to law enforcement related concerns but to also give advice and direction to anyone in need. Some examples of non- police related concerns has been pot holes, nails found in a telephone pole and abandoned cars in the county area. These type of concerns require the volunteer to contact the appropriate referral agency for a resolution. Resource Center volunteers periodically contact senior citizens who themselves or other family members have requested a regular contact by the Police Department. This regular contact not only serves to establish a rapport with those who may have little personal contact with others but also allows the police department to have a list of those who may require assistance during a disaster. Volunteers attend special events to distribute crime prevention literature and provide fingerprinting services. Other services range from developing and providing bicycle safety information at local schools, making follow -up contacts to victims of crimes and providing translation for citizens. GOALS On May 10, 1995, Resource Center volunteers, under the direction of Sergeant Hindman and Kathy LeClair, established five goals for the upcoming fiscal year. They are as follows: Enhance community interaction with the Resource Center by publicizing the various community services available at the Resourck- ('.enter Work with Staff to explore the possibility of allocaturg additional work space. Increase the number of active volunteers by ; !:` the current staffing. 4. Develop and provide ongoing training in Spanish and first aid. Assist the Community Services Officer in publicizing Neighborhood Watch and other crime prevention programs. RECOMMENDATION Receive and file this report.