Resident Deputy Newnam began the meeting with an area update, followed by Copperopolis Crime information delivered by Lt Chris Hewitt.
Hewitt presented data that showed a significant decline in crimes throughout the county over the past two years with a drop in burglary of 30% for the month of April 2014 compared to the month of April 2103. Per his data, other months were not as large a percentage, but still showed a reduction. The data also showed that other crimes were seeing a reduction throughout the past two years.
Hewitt announced a new program that the SO hopes will help them with their investigations into crimes committed in neighborhoods. Surveillance Camera Registration. Many residents have surveillance cameras located at the edge of their property. The SO would like to be able to access your surveillance info, with your permission, within the time frame a crime was committed in the area so that they may ascertain what cars, persons, etc were in the area at the time. "This will be a valuable tool" for investigations, said Hewitt. For information on the program contact Sheriff Technician Audra Dagenais at 754-6500.
Capt. Macedo then spoke to the budget referencing the 800k cut the BOS is proposing from the SO. Macedo pointed to the fact that within the past 3 years deputy positions that had been cut due to earlier budgetary constraints had once again been filled and "under the direction of the Sheriff Supervisors were put back out on the street" and the admin work they were doing was now being done by a budget analyst who also did grants. The SO also hired a crime scene processor/evidence room clerk which freed up deputies time to be "back out on the street." "We began policing smarter, utilizing staff" to their fullest potential.
Macedo also gave stats of recidivism due to overcrowding in the jail, over 50 people being re-arrested while they should have been serving time in jail and with one person being re-arrested 17 times due to no space in the jail. "If he had been in jail, these crimes would not have been committed." Inferring that upon the opening of the new jail, this could potentially no longer be an issue.
With the collection of data of crimes the SO can highlight high crime areas and will begin to utilize that data to place deputies in high crime areas. They also have taken a tough stand on gang violence. "We want to make it as uncomfortable as possible" for gangs to be here. Macedo commented,"yes, we have gang activity in Calaveras and in Copperopolis" but we have seen a reduction in gang violence and crimes throughout the county" "Deputies jump on any hint of gang activity immediately."
The Sheriff's Narcotics unit works closely with child protective services, animal control, code compliance, DA and other county entities creating a "comprehensive approach. We can attack the issue one way without much success" but by utilizing all agencies there is much more success. "Successfully ridding the neighborhood of a (drug) home is good for the community."
Sheriff Kuntz addressed the room thanking all for being there and took the opportunity to address local resident Charity Maness who is spearheading a Veterans Treatment Court in Calaveras County announcing the Sheriff Departments full support of the Veterans Treatment Court. "We hope to send her to some training for this and we fully support this (specialty court)."
"Copperopolis has the lowest crime rate in Calaveras County." With this said, he pointed to the Resident Deputy program and the Community Oriented Policing program, both he credited with creating a community where the residents are familiar with the Resident Deputy which creates open lines of communication which helps solve crimes, "that's how we get leads. When one beat can be up to 350 square miles" the deputies need the community's open communication and assistance.
Addressing the proposed budget cut, Kuntz stated, "The Board of Supervisors has demonstrated support for public safety, that public safety is number 1. They are your tax dollars, you tell them how you want your tax dollars spent."
A proponent for CCW's (concealed carry weapon) Kuntz has given over 300 CCW permits in the last three years with permits to females up 40%. "Til we get there, I want you to be able to protect yourself."
"My job is the keep the public safe."
Questions were posed regarding the police logs that consistently reflect 'no report taken'. This issue was addressed by Deputy Newnam who stated that dispatch enters what they are told quickly as they can with limited information, yet that each case is followed up. If there is a question about a call or a case please call the SO at 754-6500.
A question regarding the opening date of the new jail was put forth. Kuntz stated that training was almost complete for the staff using the new high tech equipment and the proposed month for transfer of inmates is June 2014.
Neighborhood watch programs are in effect and if anyone is interested in forming a neighborhood watch to please call the SO to set up a meeting time. The resident deputy will contact those interested and facilitate a meeting to organzie and train watch participants on what to look for and how a neighborhood watch works.
Cannabis eradication was touched upon, with the receipt of a $40k grant which will help offset the costs incurred by the SO for this. Last year 4, 733 plants were seized on property at the end of Little John Road on Gopher Ridge. According to Macedo grows like this are found through aircraft spotters and more often than not "ranchers stumbling across it on their property."
by,
Charity Maness