HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 Annual Public Sfty Rprts . �, L�...
i-"� ---�, CITY OF PALM DESERT
�
Office of the Assistant City Nlan�tger
_ Community Services Division
Staff Report
REQUEST: Z006 Annua! Reports for palm Desert Police Departrnent and
Palm Desert Fire Department
SUBMITTED BY: Sheila R. Gilligan,ACMICommunity Services
DATE: Mayy 24, 2pp7
Recommeredation:
By Minute Mofion, neceive and file the 2ppg Annuei Repc�rts for the Patm Desert Poiice
Departmerrt and the Pafm Desert Fine Qepartment.
Discussion:
At i#�rn+aeting of May 9,2U07,the Pubiic S�a�ty Commission review�ed�e subjec�reports
and dir�ted staff'� prov�ie them ta�e City Co�,�n�i1�an Informa�tionat Item.
Staff wilt be available at the Cihr Counaf ineeting to�a�wer any questions.
�
SHEILA R. !L
ACMICommunity Servi
,`Ap val: ��TY GOUNCiL ACTION:
�a,PPROVED_ ►� DENIED
, ����E It1ED OTHER
�_,_..
�`"�'���'ING DATE
CARIQS L. O GA ����;
City Manager '�QEs:
�BSENT: � �
.�iBSTAIN• o�
�E�tIFIED BY;
�riginal. c�n F.i1e with City Clerk's Offi��
tAlIFOAAq
pEe��PE pppwC��9Y F' � R E D E P A R T M E N T
' C � �
�F�
�
2006 ANNUAL REPORT
Patm Desert Fire Department �Vlission Statement
The mission of the Palm Desert Fire Department is to continue the tradition of excellence by mini-
mixing the doss of life and property and by protecting those who Ifve, work, and visit here in the City.
To enhance the quality of life of our citizens through a proactive approach ta.f'rre protection and
emergency medical services, angoing trazning, community educatian programs and a dedicated and
professional staff.
,,� a part of everything municipal fire pro-
, ��,�� ; Ff�e cnief that we do and we tection and preven-
° ' Dennl�Dawsoe „
° � will honestly report tion services, pre-
�ar .
��; ; @a�ttallon Chiefs OUt' actions to our hospital emergency
, lohn Rlos
Trarls Wlttan COt1S�ItU2C1C�/, t�l@ medical S2fVIC@S
:�� shal Batta lon C ef 4 � public. Even though with paramedics,
' lor�a Radrlsusz � fire fighting is ex- hazardous materi-
'; �� � ,�
� +1��`� maaoa coora net r r tremely dangerous, als response, and
����r''�'Ca tasn lason Falrfax
��'-n�;���.;' p we will make safety technical rescue
�� '�:
a priority. Every fire- services.
fighter deserves to 0 u r o p e r a t i n g
�{ `' � I am extremely hon- go home safely.
�����!t�w�center stetion aa3 `�� w budg2t fOr fiSCal
44000 iown Center Way 4: � ored to be your Fire Lastly, we will value year 2006-2007 is
Pal�Defert,ca ssseo ��� Chief. I will ensure customer service
- � � $8,022,946.
M��a Ylew Statlon#87 � that we will place a both external and
' 78200 Meta Ylew Drlre � Currentl we have
P��In Deseft,CA 92280 � rA priori on our core intemal. Customer y'
� ; �j assigned 49 fire-
�,��M Palm DeseR Statlon#71 � w values of leader- service is nothing
� ��7��o�s co����r c��e�me ��� ship, competence, more than being fighters, 4 Chief Of-
r ;;aslm Desert,CA 92260 � ficers, and 6 admin-
_ , integrity, safety, and nice to everyone.
� �, � ��� customer service. istrative / fire pre-
� � I am very proud of vention personnel.
Dl�ldon Hoadquartera , � We will be leaders the ability we have
+�8710 Fred Warin�(Dr.Ste.219 � in local fire proteo- At the three fire sta-
_ pAlm Desert,cn sszeo to provide the pub-
tion and community tions we have 4 fire
�. w lic with a high qual- engines, 1 ladder
H issues. We will be ity all risk fire de-
com etent and al- truck. 1 breathing
Flre Manhal's OHlce , x p partment. W2 pro-
,7$7�0 Fred Warint Dr.st..�oz � ways seek to be the support vehicle, 1
�.i�ae:e�t,CA 82280 � vide a full range of rescue vehicle, and
best that we can services including
be. Integrity will be 4 ambulances.
}:
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. � . .,� �'��.+ , <�* <;�:;sr�.x�,s'��1�: r ,� - s
. .�.. ... �s� .. . .. .
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PageZ 2006 ANNUAL REPORT
INTRODUC TI ON �,,,�,.__�
�
The Palm Desert Fire De- ing personnel to provide �,_. �`'"'
���.
partment has provided not only a special rescue
emergency medical and Truck Company but a � - �a �r' "x,; f
"6F���-�-�."'y".— . ; a -._�
other life safety services to Swiftwater rescue team � - r ��' .r
those who reside,work as well. �� ' y' �'�' ' ' `" ' " o
j.
and travel through the city _ • %� �— � h�i , �
of Palm Desertforthe past ��� � p���� + � , � �"
26 years. As the city has � �� F t,�' �; �' _
grown,the Palm Desert
Fire Department meets
the ever increasing chal-
lenges in improvingthe
quality and types of ser-
vices that we provide to
our community. One way
of doing that was by train-
!'�l:�''A�.y ..
OVERVIEW � '� ' '•� � � �
� •e — 4, i.}�
Currently we have 49 em- #33, has hosted severaf +�' � '.�"'
ployees and three fire charity events over this : ~ ' �
stations in Palm Desert, past ear includin lunch- s� `� `� � ' � LL ;
Y g �, ; �
;;.
with two more in the plan- eon for Woman's Realtors ° r' ��
ning stages. The Mesa of the Desert on March
':- , - ��
View Station#67 remodel 7th. This event raised °�'�
�..�, . ,. _ �--�------ -a.�-. ` ,
has been completed. The more than$800.00 for ,,�:,� - ,. _ �,-�y�+
expansion was necessary local charities. In addition, . ��`
� e ��'. f�
since there are now a total North Palm DesertStation �,
of thirteen employees #71 hosted a dinner to the �`�`'' �
assigned with a minimum highest bidder at the Inau-
of five firefighters on-duty gural Inland Empire Burn
24 hours a day,365 days Institute Golf Tournament, j "}r', , ' �'`Y:''
a year. held on September 28th. �:�� ' �
Our Town Center station �•r•
.•za,�Nli_ 1�r<.� . '�►
PROGRAIr! DESCRIPTION ' --- __ ,�,'�:
The City of Palm Desert are fully staffed 24-hours
provides a full-time fire a day,365 days per year
department that is very with five full-time person- ' ''?
; __ � ,-,. .� �:
� M.. � � �_ . . ..
Throupu'a contract Wa�ed. and two Paramedic Fire- f r� p � � � `
� , f _ ..,.,,_,
4�;;� ,
the Riverside County Fire fighters on an advanced " '�� _
De artment,residents are life su =�"'f` °° � ��
p pport ambulance.
provided with fire suppres- Additionally,the ladder - =�
sion,fire prevention,fire truck at the Town Center -
investigation,fire safety station is staffed with four
education and paramedic persons.
_. ._.._.. .., -.
services. Each of the
City's three fire stations
2
Other Incidents, 530,
Commercial Fires, b9, 7%
1°/o
Tra�F'ic Collisions,477,
7%
False Alarms, 857, 12% Structure Fires, 105,
_ �
1%
,�;'i;`
Other Fires, 159, 2% � �a �;� ;;trs� �
� '4•:;t
EM S, 5036, 70%
2006TOTALS
This year, the Palm Desert Fire Department responded to a tota� of 7,223
cafls. This included 5,036 EMS calls, 323 fire cails, and 1,864 miscella-
neous calls.
�
Palm Desert Fre Marshal
2006 Year End Report
The Go�ls S Objectives of the Fire Marshai�nd Fire Prevention Inspectlon staff include:
Assuring Fire and Life Safety by completing the Annual Inspection Program, reviewing conditional
land us�and project proposals, inspecting new construction for Fire and Life Safety compliance
and educating members of the Palm Desert community about Fire and Life Safety considerations.
Summary Information—January 1�, 2006—Decerr►ber 31$t,2006
• 1763 annual inspections completed
• 1070 re-inspections conducted
. 793 new construction inspections completed
0 328 new business inspections/�ire&life safety orientations conducted
• 56 special events inspected or monitored(firew�orks, hotel events, and the fike)
• 563 miscetfarteous activi�es perfc�med indueling meetings, public cxsntacts, responses to
check ar assist business ovmersltenants on fire 8�tife safe.ty issues
. 1777 businesses in compliance by December 31�, 2006
PROJECTIONS FOR NEW FIRE STATIOtdS
Universitv Park stafion 09/2a10
1 Fire engine: 1-Captain, 2-Engineers, 5-Fireflghters
1 Ambulance: 1-Enginner Medic, 5�irefighter Paramedics
Total of 14 personnel $1,819,171
Support Services Cost 541 1
$2,273,232
Pa/m Desert Country Club s,#atfon 10/2011
1 Fire engine: 1-Captain, 2-Engineers, 5-Firefighters
1 Ambuiance: 1-Enginr�Medic, 5 Firefighter Paramedics
Total of 14 personnel $1,910,130
Support Services Cost I 7�,4 6.$27
�6�JVR9�
4
-�,au� .�•{pia.�,�,,aurav�.;"�si�c y,,u.'�r:'.��'s ' ,�di:�t" ..�,.a, ,,o . .
Page5 2006 ANNUAL RBPORT
"PATIENT EXTRICATION"
- .`_ .�� ,
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS �' �
�. .
`� c
'�}�
�
On March 9,one of our all-call was given to retreat including one firefighter �" �
firefighters,Jerry Sal- and go to defensive opera- who we�t down due to a �IJ�
<
meron,was injured on tions. Aerial operations heat and medical related ""�
scene at a structure fire. were established and even issue,and another a back �
He was admitted to the then,access to the seat of injury, most likely during "
�,
hospital with a shattered the fire was di�cuit and it the extensive overhaul
foot requiring emergency was necessary to protect operations. Both were off '��:.n:�r..w= • '�""�`
� ....� �,dtfor� .
surgery. He remained exposures and flow water duty for about two weeks. ' ���,
hospitafized for several as effective as possible. �""� �� �
On ly two of the units were - , ��'
days and off of work for After about an hour and a occupied by year-round -
several months. half into the incident,fire ;i' � �
residents,and while dis-
finaliy began to subside �aced,did not need assis- �r'`
On June 19,units re- p
and extensive overhaul �nce from the Red Cross. �,
sponded to a well involved �,,
was needed. This resulted The other two owners have � I
fire. Upon ar�ival,fire was in more than five hours of ----
already burning in the been notified.
additional salvage and --� �""i���-:—- .
upper and lower attic overhaul;however,this Ultimately,the fire re- � � ;�
spaces inside of a quad- had to be conducted with sutted in a loss of more
plex.As initial units began extreme care,as several than$900,000,a �"O �
interior attacks,exposures portions of the structure $120,000 save,three G `
were protected and sal- Were unstable. firefighter injuries,commit
vage operations begun in ment of more than a
the un-involved resi- As the retreat was occur- ''
dozen fire apparatus,total ,p
dences. This included the ring,a portion of one of loss of three units,with a � A�
removal of three golf carts the exterior facades near a conterrts save of the fourth
and an attempt to remove doorway collapsed,strik- unit Although investiga-
three other vehicles from ing one of the firefighters tors have listed the cause
the involved unit garages. on the shoulder,causing a as undetermined,they
It was quickty realized that possible dislocatian. He could not rule out electri- "WORKING FIRE�
due to the well-seated fire, was Vansported to EMC cal,as the origin was de- � �
the specific construction and later released back to "'`��
termined to be in the at ��
of the units,and the col- duty. tic/void space above the
lapse of structural mem- Additional injuries oo- garage and below the seo- ,
bers within the building, curred during initial and ond story of one of the �`'
access was not possible to subsequent operations, middle units. �`
the seat of the fire and an '�'��I"�
� �'
"VEHICLE FIRE CLEANUP" `"'� � i
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5
2006 ANNUAL RSPORT ` .��'
. Page 6
�.4th Annuai Mini-Muster
In the City of Palm Desert we conduct an annual fire prevention
program called the Mini Muster. With the help of the Palm Desert
Historical Society, and Desert Sands Unified School District, we �� ,�
put on a day long program at each of the elementary schools , �t` �� '�=
within the Desert Sands district. This program is geared toward ,� ''' ' '
third grade students, and consists of various field activities with a - `�` ' �, � ` �
fire prevention twist. In earl y October 2006 the Mini Muster pro- � flr�' ',, ; _ ���
� -�� "� '� ,��
gram was conducted at a11 five Desert Sands elementary schools. . , t , E � ,.
Approximately 750 third grade students were in attendance for the � �k'� � ' ��' �� �_ �
, . ., �� �� �1
event. Many of the kids claimed tha.t they couldn t wait to get to ��. � ���• f
third grade so they could attend the muster! This program requires ��� � 4�...�., ., ;,e
approximately 100 fire department personnel, and many more his- !��
torical society volunteers. All the fire stations within Palm Desert - ��
and Indian Wells participated. We also receive assistance from the
Bermuda Dunes station and one station from La Quinta_
����;�I[��I�wII���l����GI��I Iuw �uaa���, ,.:��y�i��, — ;,,,. I:i� . —
i i pr " '
�� a�d�i�,l��l Do��r^ �M' 11,�7ff �
�" �.
ju,y� :,,. u,:_ !�-�go_�`�"�� }'r'����
� . r £ J � .�.r�?: � _ _
�, . - Y ; .��:�•tl� �
.�-�- i �'�°
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�� �� . �
Volunteer Firefighter Program
The Volunteer Program held at station 71 has been running strong over the past 6 `��
months. The Volunteer Program recruited 12 eager members in late 2006. Recently ���
many recruits gained their firefighter trainee status, allowing them to respond, and }^� ` ��� " w a
c o v e r c e rt a i n p i e c e s o f a p p a r a t u s, a s w e l l a s t h e b r e a t h i n g s u p p o r t. I n t h e m o n t h o f � '' � �. �►;� ��
February the Palm Desert Volunteers were instrumental in the success of the every __ _- ° ��: -
�, �;1 i:
15 minutes program. Dunng this event the Volunteers participated in cut and rescue "'-' �-�
techniques as well as medical aid procedures. These volunteers will become an as- � .__ _�: ,.
set to the county once they have completed theirtraining as volunteers and are pra " '� =� ' "
moted within the department. The Volunteers here at Station 71 have devoted time
volunteering for fundraisers and Public Relation events. Their participation has al- .,�-.
lowed the paid staff to respond to their high call volume while maintaining a presence ;�.�;a `
ANNUAI. PUBLIC SAEETY DAX � P �� � f� ����.
f _��� ``` - ' , r.�_
Once again,the Public Communications unit. The ��i _- -;•� �;,,� - i - - �,
� -- „" � ���._�
Safety Day, held on March F�cplorers participated in � ;„
25th,was a huge success. demonstratingseveral � ` � �,
7he Fire Department had events and raised money , � �
several units on display, for their program through �'
includingtheTruck, a the pancake breakfast, .
�
Medic unit,a HazMat unit, sponsored by Carls Jr. , ,
a Helicopter and a mobile '��� � "'
.tc'✓,� . ��
C�
— �
��� , �,..- .. .,,�.�,_ �.�_ , :. . . '. :.< ,�; . . � . .��.� .,� ,. . �.,; � ��`�-� ,�,, .�� ; "�'���*
Page7 2006 ANNUAL RSPORT �
BOMBEROS � ����s �" �"����
_ %!% j�-�
This year,the City of Palm Desert hosted the Bomberos � /�
May 13-20th. Each night a station hosted them for '"<. -
dmner,as well as the Mayor and Fire Chief. They par- `'� �
ticipated in several trainingS provided byour personneL , �,
_ • � .�,�
,;. �� -._
including.......................... Romeo Mata from station 50 � „_� •, �`
+�� '� a ��:.
also took them to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. �:� .
r ' ; p
�
Don d ? � � �
ate ambulances. _
�.
�
�^
SAWTOOTH CO�PLER AND �8PERANZA FIRE$
On July 11,several of our firefighters responded to the Sawtoath Complex in Pioneertown for structure protection.
Units were there for six days and pertormed fire control methods to ensure survivability of homes and businesses.
,.� '�� Duringthe earty morning hours of Thursday,October 26,2006,the Perris ECC re-
�
ceived the first of many 9-1-1 calls, reporting a vegetation fire on Esperanza Avenue
in the community of Cabazon.
Immediately, resources from the CDF/Riverside County Fire Department including
personnel from Palm Desert, its cooperators, and the US Forest Service,were dis-
patched to battle the "Esperanza Fire". The intentionally set blaze was fueled by dry
Santa Ana winds in the rugged hills South of Cabazon. With the combination of high
winds, low humidity, and steep, inaccessible terrain,the Esperanza Fire had the po-
tential to evolve into a large fire.
Within hours of its start,the Esperanza Fire was well-established and had charred thousands of acres. Shortly aiter
initial attack, a CDF Incident Management Team was requested. Initial attack fire managers had quickly recognized the
potential of the�ire and assessed the need for assistance.
By daylight,on Octaber 26, 2006, numerous engines were already on the fire line workingto save life and property. Of
these engines, BDF E57, assigned to the San lacinto District was assigned to the fire in the Twin Pines area. The crew,
consisting of Fire Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, Fire Engne Operabar Jess Mcl.ean,Assistant Fire Engine Operator Jason
McKay, Firefighter Daniel Hoover-Najera and Firefighter Pablo Cerda were tragically overrun by flames duringthe early
morning hours of October 26.
Jason McKay, Danisl Hoover-Najera, and Jess McLean succumbed to their injuries at +
the scene. Mark Loutzenhiser and Pablo Cerda were air lifted to the Arrowhead Burn
Center in extremely critical condition. Tragically, Captain Loutzenhiser perished later
the same afternoon. Firefighter Cerda, who suffered critical burns to
The blaze was declared controlled on November 4, 2006. The fire had charred
40,2d0 acres. Thirty four homes and 20 outbuildings were destroyed. Five firefight
ers lost their lives.The devastation caused by Esperanza Fire will take many years t,o
heal. Everyone was changed by the tragic events of October 26, 2006.
7
Palm Desert Police Department
"Professionals Who Care"
2006 Annual Report
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:POLIC
POLICE - .
Served by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Chief of Police- Captain Steve Thetford
Assistant Chief of Police — Lieutenant Frank Taylor
www.palmdesertpolice.org
Table of Contents
PAGE
Background 1
Mission Strategy 1
Patrol Division 2
Average Response Times 3
Demographics 3
Staffing . . ,4
Investigations 5
Special Enforcement Teams. . 5
Community Oriented Policing Programs 7
Crime Statistics 8
School Resource Officers 9
Traffic Division 9
Traffic Statistics 10
Additional Baseline Services 12
Goals 12
Organizational Chart . . . Appendix A
City of
`'- PALM DESERT
POLIC .
=
BACKGROUND:
The men and women assigned to the Palm Desert Police Department are dedicated to
providing the citizens, business owners, and visitors to Palm Desert a safe and pleasant
environment in which to live, work, and enjoy the amenities of this fine city.
The City of Palm Desert is proudly served under contract by the Riverside County
Sheriff's Department. Contract law enforcement has been in existence for many years, in
fact the Riverside County Sheriffs Department has been providing law enforcement
services to the city of Palm Desert since the city was founded in 1973. Palm Desert is
one of thirteen cities in our county that has asked us to provide law enforcement services.
The Palm Desert Police Department is proud to provide quality service to the city of
Palm Desert. We are as our slogan reads: "Professionals Who Care."
MISSION STRATEGY:
The Palm Desert Police Department has a comprehensive strategy for the implementation
of law enforcement services provided to the city. This strategy utilizes a multitude of
Community Oriented Policing methodologies, including an emphasis on "proactive
prevention,"the focusing of our efforts and the setting of specific goals.
The Palm Desert Police Department strives to meet the following goals within its area of
operations:
1. Focus on Proactive Patrol Strategies
2. Increase the Quality of Life
3. Reduce the Fear of Crime
In order to meet these goals, the Palm Desert Police Departments Proactive Prevention
Strategy includes the following;
A. Focus enforcement on those activities that are creating the most "reactive"
calls for service.
B. Identify methods to reduce calls for service and allow patrol personnel to
spend more time on "proactive" enforcement.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 1
C. Utilize the Crime Analysis unit to identify criminal trends, the potential
perpetrators, and develop strategies to stop or prevent this activity in the
future.
D. Work with City code enforcement personnel to improve the quality of life in
all of the areas that we service.
E. Promote a reduction in victimization through educational programs.
F. Development of strong partnerships with the various businesses and private
security agencies operation in the Palm Desert Station area of responsibility.
The emphasis of this strategy is to provide a proactive prevention law enforcement
approach towards service that is focused and consistent.
Our three goals, Focus on Proactive Patrol Strategies, Increase the Quality of Life,
and Reduce the Fear of Crime within our jurisdiction are symbiotic, in that one
depends on the other for success. By focusing on Proactive Patrol Strategies, we provide
our field personnel with more time to seek out criminals in our community and contact
them before they commit a crime. The more criminals we apprehend before they commit
crimes, the less reactive crime reports we have to investigate and document. If we
decrease the number of reports we have to investigate and document, the more time we
have to seek out criminals in our community, while continuing to be available for the
community needs. Even though arresting criminals is an important part of this strategy, of
equal importance is the education and prevention component, which will reduce the
number of crimes and allow our personnel to focus on proactive law enforcement
activities.
PATROL DIVISION:
The Patrol Division responds to all calls for police service placed to the department either
through the 911 system or through non-emergency phones. The patrol officers handle the
initial investigations of theft, burglaries, robberies, assaults, and all other felony,
misdemeanor, and public service calls. Upon completion of the initial investigation, the
case is either suspended, continued to the Investigations Bureau, closed by arrest, referred
to the District Attorney's Office for review/prosecution, or unfounded.
The Palm Desert Police Department supports and promotes the concept of Community
Oriented Policing. This is accomplished by the assignment of officers to regular beat
assignments providing state of the art equipment, training, and adequate staffing to
handle approximately 114 calls for service received daily. The city of Palm Desert is
approximately twenty-five square miles, and has an estimated population of 49,539. The
Palm Desert Police Department handled approximately 41,649 calls for service in 2006.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 2
2006 Average Response Times:
Total Calls Avg. Response Time
Totals for Priority 1: 61 4.41
Totals for Priority 1 a: 431 4.62
Totals for Priority 2: 10,070 8.60
Totals for Priority 3: 6,754 11.85
Totals for Priority 4: 5, 981 13.87
Totals for Priority 5: 5, 981 9.86
Cancelled: 2,029
Dispatch/Arrival Time Missing 3,532
Same Dispatch/Arrival Time: 12,764
Telephone Report Unit calls: 5
Total Calls: 41,649
Call Rate (by hour)
06:00 to 12:00 [13912]
114 00:00 to 06:00 [4-538]
■00:00 to 06:00 [4538]
■06:00 to 12:00 [13912]
• 12:00 to 18:00 [14021]
18:00 to 24:00 [9178]
12:00 to 18:00[14021] 18:00 to 24:00[9178]
DEMOGRAPHICS:
The city of Palm Desert is broken into five service/beat areas. The T-30 Beat covers the
business corridor along Highway 111. The T-32 Beat covers the southern portion of the
city south of Highway 111 of the Highway 111 business corridor (T-30 Beat) to the
southern city limits. The T-34 Beat covers the eastern portion of the city east of Cook
Street south of Country Club Drive and east to the city limits at Washington Street. The
T-36 Beat covers the western portion of the city west of Cook Street south of Country
Club Drive to the western city limits. The final beat is the T-38 Beat that covers the
entire northern portion of the city from north of Country Club Drive to the northern,
eastern, and western city limits. The T-38 Beat is relatively new and is the result of an
increase of services funded by the city counsel during Fiscal Year 05/06. The T-38 Beat
was created by essentially cutting off the northern portion of the T-34 and T-36 Beats to
cover the expansion of commercial and residential properties in the northern sphere of the
city.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 3
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STAFFING:
The 2006 Palm Desert Police contract consists of seventy-eight (78) sworn deputy sheriff
positions. The current sworn officer per 1,000 resident ratio is 1.58. Thirty-six (36)
officer positions are dedicated to the patrol division with the remaining officers dedicated
to specials assignments, such as the Traffic Division, Special Enforcement Teams, Target
Teams, Motorcycle Enforcement Unit, School Resource Officers, Community Service
Officers and the newly formed Business District Team. The officers' positions are fully
supported by sworn supervision and administration. The police contract also contains
several non-sworn support positions to assist with the daily operation of the station and to
support Field Services. Together, they are able to provide professional service to the
citizens of Palm Desert (See attached Organizational Chart for further staffing
details under Appendix A).
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 4
INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU:
The Palm Desert Police Department Investigations Bureau serves the City of Palm
Desert, as well as the other cove communities. The bureau is comprised of thirteen
dedicated investigators assigned to various specialties, such as robbery, assaults, sex
crimes, child abuse, and property crimes, as well as missing persons, runaways, and
domestic violence investigations.
We staff three investigators assigned specifically to the city of Palm Desert to handle
child abuse, sex crimes, and major crimes against persons. In addition, we have three
investigators assigned to solve property crimes within the city of Palm Desert, such as
burglary, theft, fraud, and identity theft. These investigators are goal oriented and take
pride in their assignment. Nothing makes them happier than solving these cases and
recovering stolen property that can be returned to the victims.
SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS
_
Since the mid 1980s, the Palm Desert Police Department has operated the TARGET
TEAM, as an adjunct to the Patrol Division. The team consists of one Sergeant, three
deputies, and a dedicated Community Oriented Policing Officer. The primary function of
the Target Team is to provide enhanced patrol services to residents of the city of Palm
Desert. The Target Team conducts time intensive follow up investigations of burglaries,
thefts, and various localized crimes in order to keep the patrol officers in the field and
available for further calls for service. Each beat within the city of Palm Desert is covered
by a Target Team member who can devote additional time, as necessary, to the problems
that occur in that beat.
The Target Team also conducts specifically targeted enforcement problems to combat
identified problems within the city. The Target Team is also responsible for specialized
enforcement and security at Palm Desert civic community events, as well as bicycle
patrol within the city of Palm Desert. The bicycle patrol provides an effective tool to
enhance the Community Oriented Policing concept supported by the city of Palm Desert
and the Palm Desert Police Department. While working on bicycle patrol, the Target
Team officers have close, direct contact with the citizens, business owners, and visitors in
the city. The bicycle patrol also allows for better mobility and quicker response in
business and commercial areas when traffic is heavier.
The Palm Desert Station Special Enforcement Team (SET) is a group of officers that
target specific crimes that affect all three Cove Communities. This group moves from city
to city, identifying and targeting criminals that are committing crimes through out our
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 5
communities. It is well known that criminal do not respect borders and regularly move
into the City of Palm Desert to commit their crimes, while living in neighboring or cities
afar. The SET Team focuses upon these individuals by using a mix of surveillance and
direct enforcement, once again showing our mission strategy of PROACTIVE
PREVENTION. The Palm Desert Police continue to be an intrigal part of this team and
the results of their enforcement activity has helped dramatically in reducing crime within
the city.
Target and SET Team 2006 Year End Stats:
Moving Citations 15
Parking Citations 145
FI Cards 114
Pedestrian checks: 214
Business checks 162
Felony arrests: 63
Felony Arrests 63
Misdemeanor 69
Warrant Arrests 60
Search Warrants Written 19
Search Warrant Served 31
Property Recovered Value $285,100.00
Drugs Seized/Recovered Value $3,900.00
No. Days-Bicycle Patrol 34
No. Hours-Bicycle Patrol 338
BUSINESS DISTRICT TEAM:
Beginning Fiscal Year 06/07, the City of Palm Desert funded a new Business District
Team. This team is comprised of two officers specifically assigned to the business
district (30 beat) in the City of Palm Desert, notably the El Paseo corridor, the Highway
111 corridor, the Mervyn's shopping center, and the Desert Crossing shopping center.
They not only conduct high visibility patrol in this area, but are also responsible for the
majority of calls for service. Their responsibilities include:
1. Bicycle, marked unit, Segway EPAMD, plain unit, foot, and Golf Cart patrol
duties.
2. The officers work a flex schedule that allows for adjustment of schedules based
on crime trend analysis, peak shopping times, and/or high profile events.
3. Availability to switch the mode of transportation on occasion based on
investigative needs (i.e. conducting surveillance in plain vehicles, driving Patrol
units in inclement weather, or using the police Golf Cart and Segway's on
occasion.
4. Maintain patrol responsibility for the Business District. (30 Beat)
5. Handle the majority of the calls for service in the 30 beat.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 6
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING OFFICER:
The Community Oriented Policing Officer is assigned to the Target Team as a liaison to
specific beat officers, Neighborhood Watch groups, and the various businesses and
apartment complexes within the city.
The Palm Desert Police Department Crime Prevention Program operates in conjunction
with the Palm Desert Police Target Team. The crime prevention officers are responsible
for coordinating the Neighborhood Watch Program, C. O. P. S. Program and acts as the
liaison between the Target Team, citizens, and city officials of Palm Desert. The
dedicated crime professional officer also provides safety seminars and group meetings
with focus on specific crime or neighborhood problems in the city of Palm Desert.
The Neighborhood Watch Program is a nation wide program that utilizes the residents
of a street, residential area, or housing complex to assist the police by providing, "extra
eyes" to report suspicious or criminal activities. Training is provided to each
Neighborhood Watch group on how to properly observe and report these activities.
Neighborhood Watch is a well proven successful crime prevention program that
augments the police department, yet does not endanger the involved citizens.
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program (CFMHP) is a world wide program that puts
apartment owners/landlords/tenants and the police department into a partnership to help
reduce crime in rental properties. The CFMHP provides training and technical assistance
to the owners/landlords, and tenants and concepts and practices that help reduce criminal
activity and make apartment complexes safer places to live. The city of Palm Desert and
the Palm Desert Police Department strongly supports CFMHP, and hosts a training
seminar for the program several times a year.
The Citizens on Patrol Program "COP" is run in a concerted effort by both the city of
Palm Desert and the Palm Desert Police Department. The dedicated Palm Desert Police
Administrative Sergeant acts as the liaison officer between COP volunteers and the police
department. These volunteers are a dedicated group of people acting as eyes and ears to
the city and the police. The COP volunteers conduct routine patrol throughout the city,
assists with special events, and do administrative work within the organization.
PALM DESERT POLICE WEBSITE: www.palmdesertpolice.org
The Palm Desert Police Administrative Sergeant is the point of contact for the
maintenance and updates to our Palm Desert web site (www.palmdesertpolice.org). The
purpose of our web site is to foster better community relations, communication, and
understanding of the role of this department has in our community. The Palm Desert
Police Department is dedicated to providing the citizens, business owners, and visitors to
Palm Desert a safe and pleasant environment in which to live, work, and enjoy the
amenities of this fine city.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 7
This web site offers a brief look at the many services the department provides. It also
offers a means of direct contact for those persons who use the Internet daily, at work, at
home, and on the road. This site contains interactive pages, which are designated to help
speed the crime reporting process, and to help report problem traffic areas within the city.
The use of the interactive pages speeds up the time in which our citizens can receive a
report for insurance purposes, or for their own personal needs. This method of filing a
report will keep sworn deputies on the streets looking for criminal activity. The web site
also offers the ability to send direct e-mail to certain officers within our police
department. This options often allows for a quicker response time to a question or
concerns that our residents may have.
CRIME STATISTCS:
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI), post
annual crime statistics in the Uniform Crime Report(UCR). Crime statistics are based on
the police department's reporting of specific Part I crimes. Part I crimes are defined as
homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, vehicle theft, larceny-theft,
and arson. The official Annual Crime Statistics are posted once a year in late October for
the previous year.
Estimated Forcible Aggravated Vehicle Larceny Total Total Crimes
Part1 Per 1000
Year Population Homicide Rape Robbery Assault Burglary Theft Theft Arson Crimes residents *
2006
2005 49,280 2 6 38 99 714 257 1,691 4 2,811 57.04
2004 46,150 1 11 41 112 861 240 1,871 4 3,141 68.06
2003 44,300 0 11 32 140 721 221 1,437 1 2,563 57.86
2002 43,000 0 9 37 105 536 181 1,325 5 2,198 51.12
2001 42,000 1 6 47 122 538 206 1,399 1 2,320 55.24
2000 41,000 0 12 33 121 388 144 1,139 3 1,840 44.88
1999 39,500 0 10 17 123 667 139 _ 964 1 1,921 48.63
1998 37,850 3 5 38 127 521 105 1,499 5 2,303 60.85
1997 36,800 2 9 41 136 801 115 1,527 6 2,637 71.66
1996 35,550 2 10 43 106 732 127_ 1,505 8 2,533 71.25
1995 34,550 1 6 28 143 869 209 1,791 13 3,060 88.57
** 60.73
* Note: Total Crimes is percentage of crimes per 1000 residents
**Note:Average Total Crimes is percentage of crimes per 1000 residents for years 1995-2005
The above crime statistics for the city of Palm Desert can be influenced by many factors
such as population, commercial and/or residential growth, etc.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 8
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS:
The city of Palm Desert funds two School Resource Officer (SRO) positions, one for
Palm Desert Middle School and one for Palm Desert High School. The SRO's work
closely with school officials, teachers, and the students to help create a safe and secure
learning environment at each campus. The SRO's also work closely with the Desert
Sands Unified School District Campus Security Officers. Through their honest and open
communications with the students, the SRO's promote a positive image of law
enforcement. They are often able to prevent problems arising by their close relationship
with the students.
Both SRO's provide public safety programs on campus to help educate our students
regarding issues of strange danger, bulling, bicycle safety, drug abuse, and alcohol
awareness. The following charts go straight to type of incidents encountered on the
PDHS and PDMS campuses for 2006.
TRAFFIC DIVISION:
• ' , .'? The Palm Desert Police Department Traffic Division is
4 , responsible for the investigation of traffic collisions and
-,r conducting traffic enforcement and education programs
throughout the City of Palm Desert. The Traffic Division
'' is a contract law enforcement enhancement to provide
support for the general law enforcement component
(Patrol). The Traffic Division staff includes two
sergeants and twelve officers. The collision investigation portion of this division has
primary responsibility of investigation of traffic collisions and a secondary responsibility
of traffic law enforcement education. The remainder of the division consists of one
sergeant and four officers assigned to the Motorcycle Enforcement Program. The
Motorcycle Enforcement Program's primary responsibility is traffic law enforcement and
education, and a secondary responsibility of traffic collision investigation.
The Traffic Division provides needed support for the patrol officers by handling the
traffic specific issues that can often become time consuming (Such as major traffic
accident re-construction), there by allowing the patrol division to handle the criminal
calls for service. The Traffic Division also provides additional emergency response
support to the patrol division during critical incidents.
The Palm Desert Police Traffic Team routinely conducts traffic safety check points in
various areas of the city. These check points bring public awareness to the dangers of
driving without seat belt, speeding, and other safety violations. The city of Palm Desert
also supports COVE Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Program. The Commercial
Vehicle Program consists of one officer specifically assigned to focus on commercial
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 9
vehicles that are over weight and/or carrying improper loads (Unsafe vehicles) on the
roadways within the cove communities.
The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer handles Vehicle Identification Number
(V. I. N.) verifications using state of the art computer software and handles the citation
sign off duties: Monday-Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Palm Desert Station.
The following is a summary of the Commercial Enforcement Vehicle Program activity in
the city of Palm Desert for 2006.
Vehicle stops 334
Citations 245
Warnings 84
Commercial vehicle inspections 225
Commercial vehicles taken out of service 57
Overweight vehicles 11
Total pounds overweight on our streets 119,800 lbs.
Traffic Collision Statistics:
The Palm Desert Police Traffic Division maintains and analyses traffic collision data via
the Cross Roads Collision Database. This modern software system is a powerful, easy to
use database for traffic collision, citation, and Driving While Intoxicated records for
traffic engineering, public safety, and police departments. It allows for easy and quick
retrieval of reports and statistical date that can be used for traffic planning, public safety
programs, or city engineering studies. The following is a re-cap of the analysis of the
collision statistics for 2006.
Total Traffic Collisions:
The Palm Desert Police Department handled 675 traffic collision in the city of Palm
Desert in 2006 versus 758 traffic collision in 2005. This is a decrease in collisions of
approximately 11 percent with a population increase of approximately 1 percent over the
same time period.
Fatal Traffic Collisions:
A review of the numbers of fatal accidents in the year 2006 versus 2005 reflects we had
no change in the number of fatal accidents in 2006 versus 2005.
Driving Under the Influence Related (9 percent decrease)
2005 = 58
2006 = 52
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 10
High Incidents by "Day of Week"
The majority of collisions during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with
Friday having the highest average. Saturday has the highest number of collision
occurring on the weekend.
Peak Time Period of Collisions:
A review of the statistics reflects that most collisions are occurring between the periods
of 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m., with the highest number of collisions occurring between
1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
High Incident Locations (Intersections-Ranked in Order):
1). Highway 111 and Hospitality Row
2). Fred Waring Drive at Highway 111
3). Cook Street at Fred Waring Drive
4). Monterey Avenue at Country Club Drive
5). State Hwy 111 at Plaza Way
Primary Collision Factor(By Ranking):
1). Unsafe speed
2). Right-of-way violation
3). Unsafe lane change
4). Traffic signals and signs
5). Driving under the influence
Traffic Programs Worked:
The Palm Desert Police Department conducts focus traffic enforcement programs based
upon our analysis of collision statistics. In 2006, the Traffic Division conducted a total of
twenty eight(28 )traffic related traffic programs within the city of Palm Desert.
(6)—Speed Enforcement Programs
(2)—Pedestrian Safety Programs
(1)—School Safety Programs
(1)—Stop Sign Program
(4)—Driving While Intoxicated Enforcement Programs
(1)—Red Light Program
(5)—Seat Belt Safety Programs, including the National "Click It or Ticket" campaign
(1)—Traffic/DUI Warrant Program
(11)- Special Event Programs
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 11
In addition to the above programs, members of the traffic team also participate in the
county wide"Avoid the 30" Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Program.
I r;
•
ADDITIONAL BASE LINE SERVICES:
As a contract partner with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the Palm Desert
Police Department also has access to the following baseline services:
• Special Enforcement Bureau(SEB/SWAT)
• Hazard Device Team (HDT/Bomb Squad)
• Aviation Unit(three helicopters)
• Desert Search and Rescue
• Underwater Search and Recovery Team
• Sheriff's K-9 (Patrol Canine Unit)
• Off Highway Enforcement Program
• Ben Cart Training Center for all Regional Law Enforcement Training
• Special Investigations Bureau
➢ Central Homicide Unit
➢ Narcotics/Intelligence Unit
2007 Goals:
• The Palm Desert Police Department will continue to analysis traffic collision date
and conduct focus traffic enforcement programs with the goal of reducing the
number of injury traffic collisions in the city of Palm Desert.
• The Palm Desert Police Department will continue to aggressively combat criminal
activity within the city of Palm Desert to decease the capital Part I crimes per one
thousand ratio.
• The Palm Desert Police Department will provide staffing to meet the city's
direction to increase in general law enforcement for the growing northern end of
the city.
• The Palm Desert Police Department will continue to provide an average response
time for Priority I (Emergency) calls for services in less than five minutes.
• The Palm Desert Police Department will continue to provide professional
dedicated service to the city of Palm Desert and will constantly look for a new
innovative programs to strengthen our service commitment.
2006 Palm Desert Police Department Annual Report 12
1
PALM DESERT POLICE DEPARTMENT 04 otsF ` ,
^ . .
�4,..,.r• • ' Served by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department QPT9l'ft s x1
! �`"S,,,Eco''� , Captain Steve Thetford '
` y_-�/ p POLICE
✓/ Chief of Police
Bob Doyle, Sheriff-Coroner
Revised: April 30, 2007
*1 Lieutenant Frank Taylor
Assistant Chief of Police Investigations/Special Teams
I
Watch I Patrol Watch II Patrol Watch III Patrol Palm Desert Investigations
(2200-0700) (0700-1700) (1500-0100)
Traffic Team Unit
Special Teams
nit
1 1
1.Sergeant 3. Sergeant 5. Sergeant
2. Sergenat 4.Sergeant 6. Sergeant *1. Sergeant *1. Sgt. Doyle *2. Sgt Oliver *3. Sgt. Perdue
Traffic Traffic Motors Investigations Target Team Admin/SRO/COP
1.Officer 13.Officer 25. Officer I I I
Patrol Patrol Patrol *1. Officer Leal *1. Off. LaBreque 1.Sr. Inv Rubien *1. Officer *1. Off.Costello
T-67 Traffic Investigations Target Team COP
2.Officer 14.Officer 26. Officer ( ) Motor 71
I 1
Patrol Patrol Patrol I 2. Inv. Merrill *2. Officer *1. Officer Lopez
*2.Officer *2.Officer LaFond
3. Officer 15. Officer 27. Officer Traffic(T-69) Motor 72 Investigations Target Team SRO-PDMS
Patrol Patrol Patrol
*3. Officer *3.Officer Alcala 3. Inv. Cervello *3. Officer *2. Officer Burnett
4. Officer 16.Officer 28.Officer Traffic(T-61) Motor 73 Investigations Target Team SRO-PDHS
Patrol Patrol Patrol
I 4. Inv.Martinez 4*. Off.Chlarson *1. Dep.VACANT
5. Officer 17.Officer 29.Officer *4. Officer *4. Officer Investigations Business District PD CVVGTF
Patrol Patrol Patrol Traffic(T-63) Motor 74
'
5. Inv. Espinoza 5.*Off. Hignight
6. Officer 18. Officer 30. Officer *5.Officer Investigations Business District
Patrol Patrol Patrol Traffic(T-64)
I I
I 6. Inv. Roggeveen *1. Offi.Tapp
7.Officer 19. Officer 31.Officer *6.Officer Investigations PD BSU
Patrol Patrol Patrol Traffic(T-68)
78 Total Sworn Personnel(1.58/1000 Ratio 2006)
8.Officer 20. Officer 32. Officer I *Dedicated Positions Basic Patrol&Inv. Personnel
Patrol Patrol Patrol *7.Officer 1 Lieutenant/Asst.COP 1 Captain(Chief of Police)
Traffic(T-66)
33.Officer 3 Sergeants 1 Lieutenant Patrol
9. Officer 21.Officer 1 Motor Sergeant 1 Lieutenant Investigations Patrol Patrol Patrol *8. Officer Kothlow g g (.66)
8 Traffic Officers 6 Sergeants Patrol
34. Officer Traffic/Comm. Enf. 4 Motor Officers 6 Investigators
10. Officer 22. Officer 9
Patrol Patrol Patrol 3 Target Team Officers 36 Patrol Deputies
2 Business District Officers
11. Officer 23. Officer 35. Officer 1 BSU Officer
Patrol Patrol Patrol 1 CVVGTF Officer
36.officer APPENDIX A 2 SRO Officers
12.Officer 24.Officer 1 Community Oriented Policing Officer
Patrol Patrol Patrol 27 Total Dedicated Positions 51 Total Basic Patrol&Inv.
Note: 10 Deputies currently in training & slated for assignment to Palm Desert