"The incident at City Hall was committed by an individual who has committed similar crimes at City owned property."

 

I was going to include Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery's response in yesterday's post about the burglary at Eureka City Hall as I did with EPD Crime Analyst Brittany Powell's response.

Miles sent a detailed response and addressed incidents and issues I previously reported on but did not mention specifics such as a window being left open or any damage or cost incurred.

Sheltered is a term that can cover a range of options: Rescue Mission, couch surfing, staying occasionally at a motel/hotel or in a residence. It does not mean the person involved doesn't wander the streets and is a nuisance to the community.

I am aware of state legislation and the Ninth Circuit ruling and yet even Los Angeles seems to be working on the same issues Eureka is ignoring.

Contracting with the Mitchell Firm is not the same as prosecution of any violations. The same repeat offenders are in and out of jail and court.

All these answers are generalizations and what I already knew and a deflection. Floyd Squires was able to get a dismissal. Excerpts from settlement agreement. The Royal Inn will either be used to house homeless like the Humboldt Inn (former Budget) and there is no guarantee the City of Eureka will recover all costs related to that bust.

This isn't about the homeless; it is about atolerance for criminal and irresponsible behavior from this Eureka City Council. They are in charge of the police chief and the budget and it is BS to say they don't direct law enforcement.

Miles Slattery's response:

I know you’re aware of the litany of State legislation that has effected our ability to deter certain issues that you reference. However, we have been adaptive to the times and have made many adjustments both in law enforcement and social services programs to be more proactive and less reactive. The following is a list of legislative and programmatic remedies we have implemented:

Adopted new camping ordinance to comply with Federal law from the 9th District Court.  As you know the Boise, ID case set precedence for the 9th Federal District that individuals have the right to sleep in public places.  The new ordinance complies with the Federal ruling and the City was the subject of a complaint filed in Federal Court. This case is still ongoing. 

Adopted a Trespass ordinance to allow property owners to file letters with the Police Department which allows EPD to cite those individuals who trespass on private property.

Provided funding to Eureka Businesses to enhance building security.  To date we’ve issued $10,941.88 combined for our Façade/Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program.  However, our CPTED team has made thirty site visits and have an anticipated $65,233.12 in commitments to businesses that are currently making improvements that will be reimbursed.

In the process of adding 4 new non-sworn positions to aid EPD sworn officers to help with reports and patrol.

Added 1 new Code Enforcement officer in the 2021-22 Budget

Established Uplift/Cape programs to assist individuals in securing housing, job skills and employment. We have housed approximately 80 individuals since 2019.

We are in the beginning process of implementing an alternative response team to respond to mental health calls with certified mental health professionals and our Homeless Outreach Workers rather than sworn officers so that they can concentrate on more criminal related activity.

We are working with the County of Humboldt to establish “Laura’s Law”.  This is a California State law that provides community-based, assisted outpatient treatment to  a small population of individuals who meet strict legal criteria as a result of their mental illness are unable to voluntarily access community mental health services.

The City Council or myself do not direct EPD enforcement.  Ordinances are adopted by Council on recommendation from legal and in some cases upon request of EPD to provide tools to EPD to help fight crime. As it relates to the criminal activity you reference, I am glad that you recognize the difference between community members experiencing homelessness and those community members committing crimes because they are not the same. The incident at City Hall was committed by an individual who has committed similar crimes at City owned property. This individual is sheltered. Same thing with the individual whom EPD arrested recently for the many crimes of theft and vandalism in the general commercial area of Old Town.

Between 4th – 7th streets and H and M streets, there has been about 15% increase in calls for service in the area compared to 2020 and 2019.  Year to date there have been 2,030 calls for service.  In addition, 789 officer-initiated incidents have been in the area year to date  (traffic stops, field interviews, etc.).  This number is down compared to 2020 and 2019 likely due to staffing levels and the increase in calls for service taking available proactive time.  The Cocina Moachicana (sp?), old Rita’s, incident was a female driver who crashed into a curb near 5th and L Streets.  The female then exited her vehicle and began smashing out the windows of a nearby business with a metal pole.  The person was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for felony vandalism. 

The City of Eureka contracts with Attorneys from the Mitchell Law Firm to enforce most EMC violations.

Yesterday's post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/eureka-city-hall-repeatedly-burglarized.html?m=1