Prop. 47 and Realignment Are Epic Failures

HOT OFF THE PRESSES

A friend shared the following recent essay from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs blog.  It will come as no surprise to those of us in Costa Mesa, where crime was up 33% through the end of 2015, HERE.  The January, 2016 numbers are better, HERE, but Burglaries and Stolen Vehicles are still off the charts. Realignment and Prop. 47 are epic failures and we, the public, are the ones who will suffer for that failure.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN COSTA MESA

In Costa Mesa the issue is exacerbated (not "exasperated", Steve) by the proliferation of sober living facilities in our city.  It is estimated at more than 28% of all Orange County sober living homes are in Costa Mesa.  Those "clients" who run out of insurance money or cash, or otherwise fail to complete their course of rehabilitation, are summarily dumped out onto our streets, where their options are grim.  In many cases it means homelessness and/or a life of crime to feed whatever their habit is.

STILL UNDERSTAFFED
The Costa Mesa Police Department remains significantly understaffed - as I write this there are 25 open positions - even though the Human Resourcs staff and the CMPD are pushing forward with recruitment efforts with all prudent haste.  We've been able to hire many of the best of the best from academy classes.

TOXIC ENVIRONMENT
Over the past four years we've lost nearly half the staff due to retirements - early and regular - and departures to other jurisdictions due to the toxic environment created by the elected leadership majority.  You cannot expect the same level of performance by the new officers filling those holes in the organization that you got from those old hands who left.  Police work takes experience to develop proficiency.  And, because of the tension caused by the bogus lawsuit filed against the men and women of the CMPD by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem - combined with an unwillingness of the city to negotiate a new labor contract - it was nearly impossible to attract lateral transfers from other jurisdictions.  We're told there is a new labor contract pending - after nearly two years without one - and the lawsuit continues to linger.

OPPORTUNITIES LOST
Specialty units were decimated and positions in them were not filled, creating a disincentive to officers hoping to make a career with the CMPD.  Many of the forward-thinking steps taken by previous chiefs - Roger Neth, Dave Snowden, and Tom Gazsi - have been chopped.  Steve Staveley tried to hold things together as Interim Chief (twice)The current city administration was non-responsive to the needs for a couple years.  In the spring of 2014 CEO Tom Hatch received from then-chief Gazsi his plan for the resurrection of the Costa Mesa Police Department.  That plan was never acknowledged, much less acted upon.  The elected leadership refused to permit Gazsi and his team recruit to fill existing and anticipated vacancies for more than eight (8) months!  That put them far behind the recruitment curve, where they remain today.

READ THE ESSAY
So, this essay below is just one more exclamation point on the issues facing law enforcement throughout the state, and Costa Mesa particularly.  You won't enjoy it, but you should read it.  Some sycophants of the current elected "leaders" in town will say, "Well, look who wrote it!  Those darn union thugs!", or words to that effect.  Well, ignore the authors if you must, even though they are the men and women who have to deal with these failed ideas every day, but read the facts.

FBI Statistics Show  "The Experiment" Has Failed By ALADS Board of Directors When Realignment was introduced, it was described as one of the "great experiments in American incarceration policy."   Unfortunately, the guinea pigs in this experiment were not the inmates released from the state prisons, but the residents of California who lives and property were purposely put at risk.  That change was followed in short order by Proposition 47, which not only led to the release of prison inmates but reduced former felony drug and theft crimes to misdemeanors.  While law enforcement warned crime rates would increase if Proposition 47 passed, voters fell for an initiative duplicitously labeled "The Safe Neighborhood and Schools Act." After the passage of Proposition 47, our deputies and law enforcement across the state saw an increase in crime.  Law enforcement leaders who attempted to inform the public of increase in crime due to Proposition 47 were shouted down.  For example, when Sheriff Jim McDonnell was interviewed by the LA Times in a series of videos entitled "Thanks to Prop. 47, Californians are less safe than they were a year ago," some people claimed the Sheriff was "spreading disinformation" and such claims were "rhetoric" that was not supported by "data." Well, now we have the "data" the some claimed was missing-and it proves the point Sheriff McDonnell had been making.  As detailed in a release from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, FBI statistics released last month documenting nationwide reported crime rates for cities with populations over 100,000 for January-June, 2015 showed California suffered a drastic increase in crime rates in both the violent and property categories. In the violent crime category, California had 3 cities in the top 5, and 5 of the top 10, for increases in violent crime rates. The grim news didn't stop with the "top 10." 49 of 66 California cities in the report had increases in violent crime rates; 34 of those cities saw the violent crime rate increase by double digits. It was even worse in the property crime category.  California took the first 3 spots for increases in property crime rates, and 5 of the first 10.  48 of the 66 California cities saw an increase in their property crime rates, with 24 seeing the rate rise by double digits.  In a blog by the Public Policy Institute of California, the authors noted the property crime rate increase was "widespread and not trivial in magnitude." Of particular note, wrote the PPIC, was that that large cities in the next four largest states (Florida, Texas, New York and Illinois) saw decreases in property crime. Another misleading claim about Proposition 47 and Realignment was that there would be a cost savings as a result of those laws.  In truth, the cost of crime was merely shifted from the state to crime victims and local jurisdictions.  Thus, while a report proudly touted a savings to the State of California of $128 million, it did not set a dollar amount due to this burden shifting-which is enormous.  For example, in Los Angeles County, (we examined cities in LA County that were in the FBI report) and calculated the "cost of crime" using widely accepted Rand Corporation cost method first introduced by New York City Police Commissioner and former LAPD Chief William Bratton. The result- a cost of crime of over $249 million for just six months of 2015 (and only including cities with a population in excess of 100,000.) The sobering numbers above vividly prove that we cannot afford, both in the fiscal and public safety sense, yet another "experiment" with public safety.  We will continue to educate the public on the true cost of the crime experiments now underway, as an educated public is the surest way to defeat new proposals that would cut the amount of time felons serve in prison The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) is the collective bargaining agent and represents more than 8,200 deputy sheriffs and district attorney investigators working in Los Angeles County. To contact the directors, click here. # # #

Chief Neth To Receive Mayor's Award Tuesday****

FIRST THE NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME...
As some know, former Costa Mesa Police Chief Roger Neth received word this week that he will be among several alumni to be inducted into the Newport Harbor High School Hall Of Fame later this year.  Bradley Zint wrote a nice article in the Daily Pilot about that announcement HERE.

...NOW THE MAYOR'S AWARD!
Well, Chief Neth is on a roll.  At the abbreviated City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, he will receive the Mayor's Award from Mayor Steve Mensinger.

HE CREATED A GREAT DEPARTMENT
Chief Neth is legendary in these parts.  As mentioned in Zint's article, he was Costa Mesa's second police chief and held that job for more than two decades beginning in 1964.  During that time he created a police department that was second to none technologically, including the creation of the A.B.L.E. helicopter program, which was the model for all municipal law enforcement helicopter programs in the country. ****  (See Below)

HOPING FOR A CROWD
While it's wonderful that Chief Roger Neth, shown below with former chiefs Dave Snowden and Tom Gazsi, will be recognized by The Mayor on Tuesday, it's too bad that this ceremony will occur at a meeting that will likely be sparsely attended due to the limited agenda - there's only one item on it.

DON'T BE LATE!
I hope you all will join Chief Neth's friends when he receives this honor.  The meeting begins at 5:45 in City Council Chambers and his award will occur promptly at the beginning of the meeting.  See you there.

****CORRECTION 
A good friend who's in the know sent me a note to correct the A.B.L.E. record, above.  My friend tells me that Chief Neth started the Costa Mesa helicopter program in 1970 and was actually a pilot in that program.  He tells me that Costa Mesa took delivery of the first helicopter a couple months after Huntington Beach acquired theirs.  He tells me that Chief Neth was instrumental in leading edge technology and put computers in the police cars decades ahead of the other agencies.  He tells me that Costa Mesa also had the leading edge communications center that other agencies throughout the nation would visit.  Although he was the father of the Costa Mesa helicopter program, he retired before the formation of A.B.L.E.

A.B.L.E.
I'm told that A.B.L.E. was a Joint Powers Agreement between the Newport Beach Police Department (Chief McDonell) and the Costa Mesa Police Department (Chief Snowden).  It was formalized in 1996 and continued to operate as an effective, efficient air support model serving three communities - Santa Ana contracted with A.B.L.E - until the short-sightedness of the Costa Mesa City Council folded it up on June 30, 2011, HERE, and HERE.  Thanks to my friend for the clarification and amplification of this issue. 

A Great Way To Start The Day!

COSTA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS
This morning I joined many others in a packed City Council chambers for the promotion ceremony for three of the Costa Mesa Police Department's finest.  Bryan Glass was promoted to Captain.  Joyce LaPointe was promoted to Lieutenant - the first woman ever to rise to that rank in the CMPD.  Dan Miles was promoted to Sergeant.  Read the City-issued press release with biographies HERE.

PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS
In a room full of family, friends and other dignitaries, Sergeant Clint Dieball ran the show.  The proceedings began with the Presentation of the Colors by the CMPD Honor Guard.

INVOCATIONS
Chaplains Johnson and Decker then presented separate invocations.

A PROUD CHIEF
Chief Rob Sharpnack stepped to the podium and addressed the audience and those being promoted, his words obviously filled with pride.  He spoke about the future of the CMPD and the quality of the men and women serving in his organization.  It was clear that he viewed these three promotions as very significant in the history of the department and a great stride into what he plans to be an outstanding future, where the department will return to it's once-lofty place among the best departments in the country.

SERGEANT MILES
First up was Sergeant Dan Miles. who was pinned by his father, a retired police officer.

LIEUTENANT LAPOINTE
Then came Lieutenant Joyce LaPointe, who was pinned by her partner, Linzi.

CAPTAIN GLASS
And then came Captain Bryan Glass, who was pinned by his wife, Irene.

ONWARD AND UPWARD
Glass then spoke for the three of them, addressing the challenges that are ahead and how proud they all are to be part of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

FAMILIAR FACES
Representatives from other police jurisdictions were in the room to help mark this day as well as many old familiar faces from the CMPD family.  Former Chief Dave Snowden and former Interim Chief Ron Lowenberg attended.

ELECTED LEADERS AND CITY STAFF
Mayor Steve Mensinger and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer attended, as did CEO Tom Hatch and Assistant CEO Rick Francis and many other city staffers.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
So, the future is bright for the Costa Mesa Police Department.  The City Council has budgeted for new equipment and we are beginning to hire more officers and, according to all reports, we're getting the cream of the crop.  That's all good news because we need more and we need the best because of all the challenges facing the department in the near term.  Specialty units will begin to be staffed once again, which offers encouragement to all the members of the CMPD.  Chief Sharpnack has aggressive, forward-thinking plans which will soon begin to bear fruit.  Kudos to all the men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Snowden Retires, Lands A New Gig

RETIRES AND MOVES TO PRIVATE SECTOR
Earlier this week it was announced that Dave Snowden - who served Costa Mesa with distinction as Police Chief for almost seventeen years, then retired and moved on to become Police Chief of the Beverly Hills Police Department until he recently retired from that position - has accepted a new senior advisory position with Englander Knabe & Allen, a Los Angeles-based Public Relations agency.

A PERFECT FIT
We here at A Bubbling Cauldron wish our friend, Dave Snowden, all the best in this new job.  From the description provided, this seems to be a perfect fit for him.  You can learn more about that organization HERE.  The following is the text of their press release.

 

Retired Beverly Hills Chief Dave Snowden joins 

Englander Knabe & Allen

Los Angeles, July 27, 2015 - Retired Beverly Hills, Costa Mesa, and Baldwin Park Chief of Police Dave Snowden has joined Englander Knabe & Allen as a senior advisor and will head up the firm's new Law Enforcement Executive Search and Training Practice.  Mr. Snowden will also work in the firm's existing law enforcement practice group as well as work on crisis management, media training, and consulting on pension issues.

 

Mr. Snowden grew up in Montebello and attended California State University Fullerton. He began his law enforcement career in Montebello in 1966. For the past eleven years, Mr. Snowden had been Police Chief for Beverly Hills, and on June 13 he retired from law enforcement.  Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Snowden has been a valuable public safety asset for the cities of Montebello, Baldwin Park, Costa Mesa, and Beverly Hills.  After only six years into his law enforcement career Mr. Snowden attained the rank of sergeant.  In 1980, Mr. Snowden was selected Chief of Police for Baldwin Park and served as Chief until 1986 when he was selected as Chief of Police for Costa Mesa.

"Dave's extensive experience as a law enforcement veteran and as head of several police departments brings a unique perspective to our firm.  His expertise and knowledge are a welcome addition to our team. Although he will not be involved in anything in Beverly Hills, Dave is uniquely suited to head up our newly created Executive Search and Training Practice and work on various pension and crisis management issues and provide media training for our clients.  I am delighted he joined the team at EKA", said Managing Partner Harvey Englander.

With over 38 years of experience in leadership management and public safety, Mr. Snowden is a respected member of the Southern California law enforcement community.  Mr. Snowden was President of San Gabriel Valley and LA County Chiefs Association, Orange County Chiefs and Sheriff's Association, California Police Chiefs Association, the League of California Cities Police Chiefs Department, and Beverly Hills Police Foundation, and director for California Police Chiefs Association and Los Angeles County Peace Officers Association.

For 12 years in a row, Mr. Snowden was voted as among the top 103 most influential people in Orange County by the Daily Pilot newspaper and voted volunteer of the year in Orange County, 2003. Mr. Snowden is a recognized public figure who works within his community on several charitable organizations such as USO Metro, PenFed Foundation, Hoag Hospital, Orange County Blind Children's School, and the Beverly Hills Active Adult Club. Mr. Snowden has several years of leadership volunteer experience for groups such as the Hoag Hospital. Mr. Snowden served as President for the Hoag Hospital's 552 Club and the President's Circle and as director for the Hoag Hospital Foundation.  Lastly, he is an active volunteer for New Directions for Veterans.  

Dave can be reached at dave@ekapr.com or (213) 741-1500 Extension 595.

About Englander Knabe & Allen

Englander Knabe & Allen is a strategic communications firm specializing in Lobbying, Public Affairs, and Issues and Crisis Communications and Litigation Support. The Los Angeles Business Journal consistently ranks EKA as among the largest Los Angeles Based Independent Public Relations Agency. For more information visit www.ekapr.com

Contact: Eric W. Rose (805) 624 - 0572 eric@ekapr.com

Rob Sharpnack Sworn-in To Lead CMPD

IT'S OFFICIAL!
Today, before a nearly packed auditorium, the City of Costa Mesa made it official and  Rob Sharpnack was sworn-in as Chief Of Police.

A ROOM FULL OF SUPPORT
Friends, relatives, co-workers, city staffers, past chiefs, current law enforcement leaders from all over the region and a few residents gathered in City Council Chambers at City Hall to watch City Clerk Brenda Green issue the oath of office to Sharpnack as his wife and children stood beside him.  And, there were plenty of real photographers on hand, so you won't have to be satisfied with the marginal images appearing here.

DIEBALL ON THE GAME
CMPD Sergeant Clint Dieball ran the show today and it went like clockwork.  We were promised a short program and that's how it turned out.

HONOR GUARD
An Honor Guard presented the colors and Dieball led the Pledge of Allegiance

PLENTY OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
We had invocations by two chaplains - Rick Johnson and Mike Decker.

COUNCIL PRESENCE
We had a short speech by Mayor Steve Mensinger.   Katrina Foley and Sandra Genis attended and Jim Righeimer showed up only a half hour late.  There was no sign of Gary Monahan.

HATCH HINTS AT THE FUTURE
CEO Tom Hatch expressed his pleasure with the choice of Sharpnack as his new chief and gave us encouraging words about Sharpnack's goals for the department.

HISTORY
Dieball gave us a brief history of Sharpnack's background, including his baseball-playing days and summarized his two decades with the CMPD and his steady advancement to his role as chief.

EMOTIONAL ACCEPTANCE
Sharpnack gave an emotional acceptance speech, which caused more than a few lumps in the throat around the auditorium and included expressions of gratitude to many of the folks gathered there today for their support and influence on his life and career.

THE LIST OF LEGENDS

Former chiefs in the audience included Roger Neth - the second police chief in the city and the man who oversaw the time of greatest growth and technological advancement; Dave Snowden - who set the bar high as he led the department for nearly seventeen years before retiring, then heading up the Beverly Hills PD until he recently retired from that job;  Tom Gazsi, who led the CMPD for more than three years after a three-decade career at the Newport Beach Police Department, who retired last year and moved to the position of Deputy Chief of the Los Angeles Port Police, where he is currently Acting Chief of that department; Steve Staveley, the legendary law enforcement leader who was interim chief of the CMPD - twice - in recent years and Ron Lowenberg, who was the most recent interim chief whose steady hand was on the tiller as he filled the gap between Gazsi and Sharpnack.  My head began to hurt as I tried to calculate the decades of law enforcement leadership represented by those men.  The City has been very lucky to have each of them contribute to the leadership of the CMPD.  Each of those exceptional law enforcement leaders have left an indelible imprint on the CMPD, and on the City.

WHO ARE THOSE GUYS?
Recent retirees and colleagues of Sharpnack returned to wish him well, most of who showed up in the trappings of retirement - several days growth of beard, t-shirts and flip-flops.  We all smiled about that.

TOUCHING MOMENT
One of the highlights for me was when, as part of the ceremony, Sharpnack's son, Colin, affixed the pin to his father's shirt.  A truly great moment.

THE SHARPNACK ERA BEGINS
So, the Sharpnack era in the Costa Mesa Police Department has officially begun.  Based on the plans mentioned by Hatch, there are good days ahead for the department.  We hope those days include a serious re-assessment of the staffing level of the department and the refinement of statistical reporting so the residents can have confidence in the numbers as presented.  We are sure, under Rob Sharpnack's steady hand, all those things will come together.  We wish Chief Sharpnack and the men and women of the CMPD all the best as this new era for the department begins.