HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Holiday Season - Mounted PossseCITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
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REQUEST: APPROVAL TO UTILIZE A MOUNTED POSSE FOR ADDITIONAL
PATROL OF THE WESTFIELD PALM DESERT MALL DURING
THE 2014 HOLIDAY SEASON.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
DATE: November 13, 2014
Recommendation
By Minute Motion:
1. Authorize the Palm Desert Police Department to utilize the Riverside
County Sheriff's Mounted Posse (Cabazon Station) during the 2014
holiday season to patrol the Westfield Palm Desert Mall.
2. Authorize the donation of $1,000 from the SLESF Cal -Cops Account
No. 229-4210-422-3914 to fund a mounted posse patrol as part of the
2014 Holiday Theft Suppression Program.
Commission Recommendation
The Palm Desert Public Safety Commission is scheduled to review this item on
November 12, 2014, after this report was prepared. Staff can provide an oral update on
the Commission's recommendation upon request.
Strategic Plan Obiective
This item is related to the Public Safety and Emergency Services section of the Palm
Desert Strategic Plan, specifically under Priority 1: Enhance the delivery of public safety
services. The priority's strategy is to expand the existing superlative services provided
by the fire and police departments to address future growth and safety concerns. The
use of the Sherriffs Mounted Posse Team will assist in meeting this priority, by having
an increased law enforcement presence, in mitigating any potential criminal activity
during the busy holiday shopping season, at the Palm Desert Westfield Mall.
Background
The Riverside County Sheriffs Department Mounted Posse Program is a volunteer
effort that serves the interests of law enforcement and the community in many ways. As
an additional component to the 2014 Holiday Theft Suppression Program, the Palm
Desert Police Department recommends utilizing the Cabazon Station Mounted Posse to
cover the Westfield Palm Desert Mall over two holiday season weekends. This holiday
season marks the third year that the Posse has patrolled this location.
Staff Report: Cabazon Posse Patrol
November 13, 2014
Page 2 of 2
Posse members will be working from 11 AM to 5 PM on the weekends of
December 13th-14th and December 20th-21 st. There will be at a minimum four riders
(potentially more) during these patrols.
The Police Department will meet with Westfield Mall representatives to finalize the
details, but they were receptive to this program last year. Staff recommends utilizing the
Cabazon Station Mounted Posse for this purpose.
Fiscal Analysis
Approval of staff's recommendation will authorize the Police Department to utilize
$1,000 in Cal -Cops funds to provide mounted posse patrol at the Westfield Palm Desert
Mall over two weekends this holiday season. No additional appropriation is currently
required. Utilizing the posse patrol, in lieu of sworn officers, at this location is also a cost
effective measure as indicated:
SERVICE
Posse Patrol
Sworn Officers
Submitted By:
SteplIien Y.1( , Risk anager
Reviewed by:
P`adiI S. Gibson, Director of Finance
HOURS TOTAL
64 hours $1,000 donation
64 Hours $6,400 (approx. $100 p/hour)
Approval:
John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
API'ROVED DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETING DATE II-t3-i'i
AYES: ?.+r1Son, 'Hatrltk Sp'veffel, Inkber, *iritnnev
NOES: &Iona
ABSENT: M AP
ABSTAIN: No►tiv
`VERIFIED BY: 1(4D14.1 r I rVl
')riginal on File with City Clerk's Office