The Clinton Legacy - Fewer Sacramento Cops, more deadly traffic and crime.

Sacramento Area Freepers ... see what the Clinton legacy is doing to your Capitol's streets.

Sacramento Community Watch
1818 H Street #1, Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: Dave Jenest
Phone: 448-1636
FAX: 444-0935

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Watchdog to Demand Long Unanswered Questions of Police MANAGEMENT
If the police management distorts public records, can they be trusted to keep their word?
Sacramento, California, July 30, 2002 --

On March 12, 2002, Councilman Robbie Water and several of his colleagues asked why the number of sworn police officers in the Traffic Division were misreported in an official, i.e.. 42 sworn officers versus 13 reported in the news and from police field supervisors. Despite two additional appearances before the City Council, seeking answers to the same question, the answers have yet to come.

This is not the first time numbers have been blatantly misstated on the public record. "Staffing of the patrol division, first responders to our 911 calls, has always been either minimized or misstated with full knowledge that the figures were inaccurate" claims Dave Jenest who will address the city council again today in opposition to a flawed staff report. "We heard the police chief tell the news media and city council there were only 14 vacancies in the department, when in fact, internal documents obtained under the public records act showed 85 in patrol alone.

"The City Manager is complicit in this ruse as well" states Jenest, citing Thomas' statement at the time "I don't think public safety has been hurt at all relative to vacancies". "We have to record and preserve these kind of statements on the public record because they will deny it later" say Jenest, "That's precisely why we have gigabytes of such audio recording and make them available on our website http://crimewatch.us

The watchdog group will voice opposition to a Resolution Adopting Administrative Policy on Retiree Rehire in the Police Department at today's city council session. "It's not opposition to the need for more officers on the street, rather, the staff report that promulgates the continuing lies about dismal staffing levels overall. The statement "Staffing in the department has historically run at 96 to 99%"

Jenest will provide a snapshot of patrol staffing today as of noon. On today's duty roster, no Bravo 10, 31 or 65. Three patrol district without an assigned unit. Just weeks ago, the issues of no response to a shots fired call in the north area prompted police brass to immediate staff that district because of news coverage. Today that same sector is without an officer. "Let the Chief explain that, quips Jenest.

Downtown, on the busy K Street Mall, the District 31 unit remains unfilled. "It's been that way for months on daywatch. Usually there are bike officers assigned downtown, today Bike 3, the lone available officer is an acting sergeant, "supervising who" asks Jenest, "herself?" That means the district car that patrols our neighborhood will have to handle those calls, leaving us without coverage to at times. "IT's A SHELL GAME, pure and simple."

Jenest also questions a statement to the council by Chief Venegas where the chief said the city faced an ever bigger challenge with the Golden Handshake loss of 38 veteran officers in years past. Jenest disputes that vigorously: "The number that has been reported to council this time is 44 retirees. Deputy Chief Segura told a focus group I participated in the number was 40, and July 2nd, I learned that retiring officer Pat Dowden was the fifty-first (51) officer to make application."

The watchdog group is trying to track down a new closely guarded "Internal Document" that speaks to the real staffing levels in the department. Referring to "able-bodied police officers" this report may be the only factual document to show how bad it is. From initial review by insiders, the report may show as many as 105 unfilled vacancies, a number the police management and City Manger would not want made public. Jenest plans to submit a public records request, after a request for a complete roster of the department was denied by the City Attorney.

Looking back to the published 2002 document entitled Department Profiles Annual Report, Jenest offers this suggestion: "They lied, the Mayor, City Manager and Council knew they lied about the devastation of the Traffic Division in this city. Once staffed with 90+ officers, fatalities were below the radar screen, now were the worst in the state in all categories. Victims families should consider suing the city and it's manager for vicarious liability in the death of their loved ones because they knew of the problem and did nothing to correct it.

END

OK, you know I just resigned from the hell job - er,I mean City job I held. I have to ask, why is Robbie Waters bringing this up now? While sitting in Finance Dept. meetings, I heard remarks such as "the crazies are going to protest our utility tax, so we have to promote the fact - and you all need to attend the city council meetings and make your point - that police officer and fireman slots will be cut..." There wasn't any actual PROOF of this mind you, they were just TOTALLY FREAKED that anyone would want their taxes either cut or lowered. Also, they have been very upset stating that Red Davis is making cuts (each City dept. had to cut back 10% from their budget). The cuts were not made in personnel, oh no! The City wastes enough of the crazies money to afford to cut costs without cutting any of their brothers and sisters... They stated after the ELECTION things would go back to normal. So, although I haven't been following your reports and the crunching the numbers, I just have to say I know they have a way of playing with numbers, and will LIE CHEAT AND STEAL to number one not miss out on a tax or lose one, and number two, get their funding from the State back to where it was AFTER the election (which, believe me they want Red Davis to win!)... Therefore, this is one time I can't believe a "city employee" no matter what the rank... And, I question, why reveal now??? Excuse me if I haven't kept up or missed something...

Raoul...

You said "Clinton is now running the Sacramento police, just as he did while he was in office? Does he run your school board, too? Why did we elect Bush when Clinton seems to be running everything?"

I dubbed the story "The Clinton Legacy" for a reason... the damage Clinton/Reno/Gore has done to American Law Enforcement will be felt for generations. Don't forget Bill's firsts acts as President. He gutted the FBI and Border Patrol (remember 9-11) and then he lied about the 100,000 cops! This city took over $55 million in COPS grants and I have proven they hired 23 while Clinton took credit for 468. You obviously didn't take time to browse the links attached to the Title Story image.

COPS Grants were nothing more than vote buying by the Clinton Administration. Look at the famous Electoral Map and where Gore votes came from. Major Urban Areas and Big City Mayors who delivered the votes. Then overlay who took the money and used it to pay for EXISTING COPS. As to School Boards in California, you bet your ass the liberal Clinton/Gore loving bastards are running education into the ground in California. BUSH DIDN'T WIN CALIFORNIA.... remember?

Raoul... I don't know you or how much you fight domestic terrorism in state governments. All I can say is, I put my money where my mouth is and take them on at every opportunity. Undoing Clinton lies and exposing those who hid behind them is not for the faint of heart, people who want to win popularity contests or sit at computers and engage in "Cut&Paste Warfare". The battle is on the front lines and is being fought by many who frequent Free Republic and TAKE IT TO THE STREETS! I consider myself fortunate to be counted among them and am often humbled by those who do it with even more resolve than I.

I try to equate Clinton's Legacy to real life tragedy... that often get left on the cutting room floor... so my press releases gets the media out and my lonely confrontations with elected official on the public record can be judged by others.

Critics Say Sacramento P.D. is Chronically Short of Officers

A plan to hire recently-retired Sacramento police officers to fill in an officer shortage is being called, "too little, too late" by some critics.

The former officers would be hired to fill existing vacancies for periods ranging from several months to a year. The Sacramento Police Department plans to eventually fill the positions with academy graduates and new hires.

The department has been struggling to cope with a large number of retiring officers, as baby boom hires complete 30 years of service. In July alone, 40 officers took advantage of the department's generous retirement plan.

Critics say the department has failed to take steps to prepare for the mass retirements. They claim the temporary hires are merely masking a chronic shortage of officers. A particular point of contention is the city's Traffic Division, which is singled out as being seriously understaffed. "I think we authorized a total of 43 in traffic and now we're told from the chief a couple of weeks ago there's only 13," said Sacramento City Councilman Robbie Waters. "I don't think the chief has his priorities right when he lets it get down to that small a number."

Critics also accuse the department of failing to provide numbers on the shortage of officers in other divisions.

Police administrators acknowledge the personnel shortage, but say the department is taking positive steps to remedy the situation. "We have currently an academy going right now," said Lt. Joe Valenzuela of the Sacramento Police Department. "We're set to start another academy later this year, so we do see some light at the end of the tunnel."

Sacramento Police Chief Arturo Venegas has said he expects to see staffing levels to within 97 percent of normal by the end of the year.

Story last updated Thursday, August 01, 2002 - 12:38 AM

This and two back to back City Council appearance were prompted by lies published in a staff report by the City's Chief Labor Negotiator Dee Contreras. She claimed vacancies only amounted to 10% while we proved 25.1% in patrol alone. An earlier report claimed there were 42 sworn cops assigned to Traffic Enforcement in our city ... there are actually 15 on the job as of Tuesday.

If you can stand three minutes of prior speakers seeking handouts from the city before I get up to rap knuckles.... Click http://streamcluster-1.granicus.com/media_list.php

Select 7-30-02 Afternoon Session (and evening when it's posted) then select from the "Jump To" box CITIZENS ADDRESSING COUNCIL (Matter not on agenda)

A FEW WORDS FROM THE POLICE CHIEF
PART II - The Clinton Legacy!

As you read this message, click here to learn why recruitment may have been an issue in the past and continues into the future without City Council action. (the file will take a while to download if you are on a dial up connection and will open your media player while you continue reading)

Recently we heard Deputy Chief Segura tell us that 40 veteran officers will retire effective last month. I spoke with one of these retirees and he was told his application was the fifty-first (51st). We've heard Segura's number repeated in the news and before city council many times since. Meanwhile, staffing shortages continue to plague patrol and impact public safety. See KXTV10-News Story

In April we learned the Chief planned to loan out our police officers to a statewide Campaign Against Marijuana Planting taskforce whose work would be conducted outside Sacramento. In a letter to the City Manager, Mayor and City Council dated May 6, 2002 Chief Venegas writes, " In light of the recent media coverage, ... the Sacramento Police Department will not be assisting the CAMP project ... we are facing short-term staffing shortages that will peak during the ... CAMP project."

Today's Sacramento Bee carries an item that reads: "Trading places: The Sacramento Police Department is shorthanded after almost 50 retirements this summer. Still, the department has the resources to loan a patrol sergeant to a state-run marijuana eradication program. May 6th he said no, today we see he did.

On April 4, 2002, as a result of our Public Records Act request, Deputy City Attorney Steven Itagaki informed me the police department employed 639 sworn officers. On April 16, 2002 the chief reported in writing to the Mayor and City Council there were 662 officers working in the city. Which number are we to believe?

When asked for a current duty roster with names and assignments of all working officers in our city, Sam Jackson, the City Attorney responded "Providing a roster to the public of where officers are assigned to work could subject them to unnecessary risk of injury. I am sure you are aware of that because of your alleged connection to law enforcement." Truth is, a roster will identify real cops from paper ones and that presents a problem for police brass and the City manager.

Mixed messages are nothing new: The Chief of Police, in an interview with KXTV-10 reporter Dave Marquis during budget hearings, stated the Department had 664 sworn officers. He went on to say there were only 14 unfilled vacancies and a few weeks later informed City Council there were only 6. The report dated May 2, 2000 from the Office of Operations places the unfilled vacancies at 85 in patrol alone. Source: http://crimewatch.us/avenwav.htm (The actual statement from the evening news) City Manager backs up Venegas saying "I don't think public safety has been hurt at all relative to vacancies."

Do we deserve better accountability from those who are supposed to serve us? Do they look down their noses and consider our questions about public safety a waste of their "valuable time"? I've presented the issue to all of you in THEIR WORDS and DEEDS. If you find it compelling, please let your council representative know you expect accurate answers ON THE PUBLIC RECORD. Here's their various e-mail address along with the Charter Officers.

Heather Fargo , Mayor
Ray Tretheway, District 1
Sandy Sheedy , District 2
Steve Cohn, District 3
Jimmie Yee, District 4
Lauren Hammond, District 5
Dave Jones , District 6
Robbie Waters, District 7
Bonnie Jean Pannell, District 8

Richard Ramirez , Deputy City Manager
Betty Masuoka, Deputy City Manager
Tom Lee, Deputy City Manager

Lastly, here is the most recent "Quest for the Truth". Consider the Preamble to the California Public Records Act. "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist they may retain control over the instruments they have created." Will we get the data we're seeking or will they ignore the law?

Chief Venegas

Per the City Attorney's instructions in his March 25, 2002 e-mail to us, I respectfully tender a California Public Record Act request to you for the following documents:

1. 2002 Operations Staffing Levels (typically prepared by Mike Carlson) Updated for July 2002 Office of Operations including Metro Division. (Same as provided in our March 2000 request via Deputy City Attorney Steve Johns)

2. Graphical Representations of the item requested above, similar to that supplied to City Council on May 10, 2002 in your Memorandum Ref: 05-16 Attachment A

3. Most current reports entitled "Budgeted Authorized Strength" for each unit or division of the department depicting Authorized, Filled and Over/Short for both sworn and civilian FTE's.

4. Historical Data on enrollment, completion and subsequent employment by the Sacramento Police Department of Academy classes, including regular, advanced and accelerated cadets for the past 12 months.

5. Historical data detailing the number of lateral police officer applications to the Sacramento Police Department and the number hired for the past 12 months.

6. Copies of the Department's "COPS Department Annual Report" (Summary) that details Funded Sworn Positions devoted to COPS program for the reporting periods 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. (Typically a five page report on COPS Form that includes Community Policing Activities, Training, Retention and Narrative)

7. 2002 Patrol Team Configuration for each Sector and shift. (most current report)

8. Roster of all sworn public employees of the department detailing badge number and date of hire. (Note: This is a revised version of the 3-11-02 rejected request that also asked for such officer's duty assignments.)

Please advise the costs of reproducing the above documents. With respect to Items 4 through 6, I am willing to waive the statutory response time for providing these documents up to 30 days, if it helpful in your meeting other such requests of a higher priority. Any of the above documents my be provided via facsimile if that is more convenient to the staff.

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City cops stop fewer motorists

A staffing shortage and a racial profiling study are blamed.

By Tony Bizjak -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Tuesday, August 6, 2002

City cops stop fewer motorists

A staffing shortage and a racial profiling study are blamed.

By Tony Bizjak -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 2:15 a.m. PDT Tuesday, August 6, 2002

By Tony Bizjak -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Tuesday, August 6, 2002