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PBPD Annual Report 2021 PISMO BEACH ANNUAL2021 REPORT Table of Contents 01 | Chief’s Welcome 02 | 75th Anniversary Commemoration 03 | Goals and Accomplishments 04 | Operations Division 05 | Special Assignments 06 | Support Services Division 07 | Community Service Technicians 08 | Parking 09 | Statistics - Calls For Service 10 | Statistics & Analysis 12 | Special Events 14 | Promotions, Recruitments & Hiring 15 | Training 16 | Investigations 17 | Recognitions 18 | Community Involvement 20 | Connect With Us 21 | In Memoriam Chief’s Welcome 01 I am honored and proud to present to you the Pismo Beach Police Department’s 2021 Annual Report. This report is a snapshot of some of the great work being done by the men and women of the Police Department. It also provides insight into some of the contfnuing challenges we face as it relates to crime. I am humbled to have been chosen in 2021 to lead the Pismo Beach Police Department as the new police chief. I can assure you that my passion and commitment to the residents, the business owners, and all the city employees is one of my top prioritfes. Toge ther we will contfnue to move the City of Pismo Beach forward, building on our existfng foundatfon and the community partnerships that have been established over the years. As a law enforcement agency, we are always looking for ways to improve during these unprecedented challenging tfmes. One of our top prioritfes is to contfnue to harness the support of the community and do all we can to maintain our reputatfon as a highly respected law enforcement agency. This past year, city staff was excited to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the incorporatfon of the City of Pismo Beach. The police department took this opportunity to celebrate our past by having 75th anniversary badges and patches made. In additfon to celebratfng our 75th anniversary, the police department was excited to see the return of many of the city’s annual events. These events included the 4th of July celebratfon, The Classic Car Show, Pumpkins in the Park and Marching Band Review, just to name a few. All the events were well attended, and we were happy to partner with event organizers to ensure everyone had a fun and safe event. One of the departments main focuses this past year was coordinatfng the integratfon of the Grover Beach Police Department dispatch center with ours, allowing us the opportunity to manage dispatch responsibilitfes for both citfes. The establishment of a unified dispatch, with neighboring small citfes, allows us to be more efficient and effectfve in addressing the needs within our communitfes. The department’s dispatch supervisor and dispatchers have worked diligently to ensure a successful merger. I am very thankful for all the hard work that has been done to hire and train the staff needed for these added positfons. I am confiden t this will be a very successful partnership. The Pismo Beach Police Department is considered one of the country’s best small beach town police departments. We have been awarded natfonal accreditatfon through the Commission on Accreditatfon for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and in 2021 completed our annual assessment with high marks. The community can be proud to know that their police department will contfnue to maintain and adhere to natfonally recognized standards for excellence for years to come. We remain one of only 17 agencies in the State of California to have our law enforcement division accredited and the first municipal agency in the State of Califo rnia to enjoy accreditatfon in our communicatfons center. Developing and maintaining community partnerships is the cornerstone of our system of policing here in Pismo Beach, so I want to thank all of you who have worked alongside us to keep our city safe. I am very proud of our police department and what we hav e accomplished, and I look forward to contfnued successes and achievements. Jeff Smith Chief of Police 2021 marked the City of Pismo Beach's 75th anniversary of serving its residents, businesses, and the greater community. Officially established on April 25, 1946, after beginning its existence as a gold-rush-era beach community, Pismo Beach was founded on the same principles that we contfnue to value today—commitment to excellence and integrity. Established in the late 1800s by J. M. Price, a former San Luis Obispo County Supervisor, Pismo Beach’s namesake is the word pismu, meaning tar, that was used by the Chumash people who originally inhabited the area. Pismo Beach soon became known as the “Clam Capital of the World” and came to exemplify the notfon of a classic California beach town. Today, Pismo Beach retains its classic charm and is stfll known for its iconic Pier, surfing competftfons, clam chowder, annual community events, and miles of scenic shoreline. During our 75 years as a city, Pismo Beach and the surrounding community have contfnually grown to become internatfonally known as a destfnatfon with something to offer every visitor. Nestled between the blue waters of the Pacific and the rolling hills of Wine Country, Pismo Beach has contfnued to be an innovatfve and inclusive community that is parallel to none. We are proud to serve this well-respected community and enjoyed celebratfng 75 Years in this beautfful city that we call home. Pismo Beach is a small but mighty city that prides itself on its world-class amenitfes, economic strength, regional partnerships, “Classic California” character, and five-tfmes- accredited Police Department, all of which contribute to the quality of life for its residents, businesses, and visitors. The City of Pismo Beach remains committed to providing a vibrant, safe community for its residents to live and recreate in. 75th Anniversary Commemoration In October 2021, a Gala was held by the city at the Pismo Beach Pier Plaza. Open to the public, the night held dancing, entertainment, dinner and concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. Pictured here from left to right at the Gala is Gordon Jackson (Executfve Director of Recreatfon, Tourism & Events), Ben Fine (Director of Public Works, Engineering and the Wastewater Treatment Plant), Jim Lewis (City Manager), Nadia Feeser (Director of Administratfve Services), Chief of Police Jeff Smith and Jorge Garcia (Assistant City Manager). 02 Despite the changes, promotfons, and the obstacles presented by the contfnuing pandemic, the Pismo Beach Police Department was able to accomplish many goals and objectfves. The City Council approved the purchase of a 32-foot mobile command vehicle this year. After completfon of the design, the vehicle was delivered this past November. This vehicle will help facilitate the command of critfcal incidents, and special events, enabling communicatfon and coordinatfon from a centralized locatfon in the field. The Mobile Command Vehicle can also be used as a secondary, mobile emergency operatfons and dispatch center. The Mobile Command Vehicle has been clearly marked to resemble our patrol vehicles and outiitted with the necessary supplies to effectfvely mana ge a large- scale event. Staff successfully researched, tested and purchased new primary weapons systems, including the implementatfon of a technologically advanced pistol sightfng system. All personnel were able to complete the first responder Incident Command System (ICS) 100 and 200 training courses. These courses teach a unified system to coordinate allied agencies to respond to a large incident without delay or confusion. To assist with criminal apprehension, a Drone Program was launched in 2021. Spike strips were also provided for all patrol vehicles, along with deployment training. Goals & Accomplishments Many of the department goals have their foundatfon in the standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditatfon for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The department has been accredited since 2007. This year CALEA moved to annually certffying a percentage of the department’s policies and procedures each year over the course of the four-year accreditatfon cycle. We were pleased to receive positfve feedback by the CALEA Compliance Manager. Operations Division The Operatfons Division encompasses all aspects of the patrol functfon which includes the Traffic Division, K -9 Team, S.W.A.T., Special Problems Unit, D.A.R.E., Reserve Officers, Citfzen Volunteers, Special Events Planning, the Emergency Operatfons Center, the Parking Bureau, and the Community Service Technicians. Patrol is the largest sectfon of the Operatfons Division, providing coverage t o the City of Pismo Beach 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The patrol functfon is lead by a Shift Sergeant who is also the Watch Comm ander. Each shift also has a Corporal who works as a Field Supervisor for the remaining patrol officers on each shift. Patrol and tr affic operatfons are conducted in clearly marked police vehicles, police motorcycles, electric bicycles, and a Polaris off -road vehicle. Among their numerous dutfes, patrol officers enforce laws, conduct checks of businesses and public spaces, monitor traffic, a nd respond to emergencies. Special Assignments The Pismo Beach Police Department offers a wide array of specialty assignments, contrary to many other small departments. The presence of numerous specialty assignments allows our officers the opportunity to specialize in certain types of law enforcement actfvitfes and provides better overall service to the community. Additfonally, specialty assignments make the Pismo Beach Police Department a more desirable place to work, increasing our ability to recruit and retain quality officers. This year we were able to train and deploy officers in the following specialty assignments: A K9 Officer, a Motorcycle Traffic Officer, a Detectfve in the Investfgatfons Bureau, a San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Operator (Special Weapons and Tactfcs), and two Rangemaster’s. Looking forward, as staffing levels increase, we will have the opportunity to add another officer to our Downtown Resource Officer Program (DROP), an addi tfonal SWAT Operator, as well as multfple drone pilots for our Drone Program. The Color Guard Team (shown above) includes Sgt. Souza, Cp l. Jimenez, Sgt. Weimer and Sgt. Hernandez. K9 Officer Mytych (shown below with K9 Rex) also leads our D.A.R.E. Program. 29,617 Calls for Service in 2021 05 Support Services Division This past July, our dispatch center began the consolidatfon process to provide full-tfme dispatching services for the Grover Beach Police Department. Pismo Beach Police now dispatches for both agencies from the same dispatch center. The efforts by our dispatch staff this past year has been nothing short of phenomenal. Our successful recruitment resulted in all nine dispatch positfons being filled with top-quality employees who are in different stages of the training process. The Records Department is an integral part of the police department. In additfon to handling all the walk-up counter requests for informatfon, they are responsible for processing all reports completed by officers. This year, records personnel processed over 3,500 reports, which included follow -up supplemental reports by officers. They are responsible for the disseminatfon of all the reports to include criminal investfgatfons sent to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecutfon. Jennifer Sun, the department Crime Analyst, (pictured right) provides intelligence to the department through the analysis of data from crime patterns, geographical, demographic, and other related data. This informatfon is used to assist patrol operatfons, investfgatfons and the management team to provide the highest standards of policing to the City of Pismo Beach. This year Crime Analyst Sun created an interactfve map available to the public on the city website to view crimes based on geographical locatfon. This next level service is among several optfons that provide valuable informatfon to our community. The Citfzen Volunteer Patrol (CVP) is made up of community members who are willing to dedicate their tfme and effort towards maintaining Pismo Beach’s great reputatfon as an area where citfzens and visitors want to be. The dutfes of the CVP include crime watch patrol, security checks of homes and businesses, records functfons, special events, traffic control, emergency call outs for natural disasters, neighborhood watch, and crime preventfon, to name a few. Pictured to the left is Volunteer Norma Patterson assistfng in the Records Division. The police department is extremely thankful to the Citfzen Volunteers of our department who help throughout the year. 06 Community Service Technicians • Bicycles on the pier: PBMC 12.20.170 • Bicycles on sidewalks: PBMC 10.04.210 • Skateboarding prohibited: PBMC 10.24.020 A • Dogs off leash: PBMC 6.12.150 A • Open alcohol containers: PBMC 9.04.020 B At the directfon of the City Council, the police department launched a new program involving Community Service Technicians. In an effort to maintain quality of life, the Community Service Technicians (CSTs) focus on the downtown area and our city parks to enforce municipal code violatfons. CST ’s regularly observe and issue citatfons for: • Littering: PBMC 8.16.010 • Dogs on the pier: PBMC 12.20.180 • Smoking - pier/promenade area: PBMC 12.20.175 A • Display/sale of merchandise: PBMC 12.20.185 D Parking The Parking Division in Pismo Beach focuses their efforts in the downtown area. Parking optfons in the downtown area consist of paid parking lots and pay-to-park metered spaces. Metered spaces can be paid for with coins, credit cards, or through a mobile app. The overall occupancy rate along with the revenue generated by the Parking Division has gone up as visitors have contfnu ed to flock to the City of Pismo Beach. The Parking Division is staffed by one full -tfme supervisor and several part-tfme parking officers which varies throughout the year. Their dutfes include educatfon, enforcement, and upholding a high level of customer service to the residents and visitors. Peak Hours: 11:00 am - 1 pm Parking Citations Issued in 2021 12,332 56% - Failure to pay for parking 21% - Expired paid parking 8% - Unpermitted Hours 08 Download our parking app by scanning this QR code. The app will allow you to quickly find parking, extend your parking tfme and enter your locatfon and other details without using the machine. Statistics - Calls For Service (CFS) 09 Statistics & Analysis Calls for Service by Type Crime & Traffic Incident Reports 10 Calls for Service by Type Crime & Traffic 11 Special Events 4th of July Celebratfon City to the Sea Just Cruzin’ Car Show 75th Anniversary Easter Eggstravanza K9 Demonstratfons Back to School Safety Halloween Safety Memorial Day Service Clam Festfval Holiday Harmony at the Pier Operatfon Surf ISA Para World Surf Competftfon We are excited to see traditional events continue this year! Pack 51 Bear Den Demo Red Ribbon Week Special Olympics Torch Run Pismo Beach Marching Band Review St. Anthony’s Celebratfon Taste of Pismo Pismo Paw’p Fest Secret Santa’s Elves Christmas Delivery Tip A Cop for Special Olympics POA Thanksgiving Dinner Shell Beach Stroll Veteran’s Day Service Pumpkins in the Park Wine, Waves and Beyond Promotions, Recruitments & Hiring 400 Job Applications were received this year for open positions as a Police Officer, Dispatcher, Records Clerk and Parking Officer 20 Positions were filled in 2021 with the hiring of a new Police Chief, 2 Police Officers, 7 Dispatchers, 1 Records Clerk & 9 Parking Officers The Pismo Beach Police Department takes pride in the quality of employees we hire and promote. In 2021, Sergeant Chris Trimbl e was promoted to Commander, Corporal Jason Spears became a Sergeant and Officers Chris Siglin, Maria Espinoza and Erik Jimenez all promoted to Corporal. All supervisor and management positfons are fully staffed. 14 The Pismo Beach Police Department is committed to giving its members the training and tools they need to do the job well. All our employees are required to maintain and update their training in certain areas such as perishable skills, policy and procedure, arrest a nd control, firearms proficiency, etc. Employees attend different training depending on their area of expertfse. Sworn officers must attend several mandatory trainings each year and also training in their specific disciplines (i.e. K9, Mo torcycle, SWAT, etc.). Records personnel attend training in the law regarding the department ’s records systems, Public Records Act requests, etc. All department members also train in communicatfon skills, de-escalatfon techniques, bias-based policing and must maintain a certain number of Contfnuing Professional Training hours each year. In 2021, with COVID restrictfons lightening up, the department was able to send staff to essentfal training to keep current w ith legislatfon and career development. Over 2,450 hours of training were completed this past year. Training 2,450 Training hours in 2021 15 The Pismo Beach Investfgatfon Bureau is comprised of an Investfgatfve Sergeant and one full-tfme Investfgator. The Investfgatfon Bureau also oversees the property and evidence unit which is managed by Community Services Officer Rachelle LaPan (shown left). Due to the small size of the bureau, investfgators utflize all available resources to conduct large - scale investfgatfons and undercover operatfons. The bureau works directly with other local and state law enforcement agencies, including the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, in solving and reducing crime throughout the City of Pismo Beach. In 2021, Investfgators reviewed more than 600 cases, pursued approximately 250 actfve investfgatfons, served 48 warrants, closed over 150 cases, and conducted 6 background investfgatfons for Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permits. Investfgators were responsible for the investfgatfon of and solving a variety of crimes such as aggravated assaults, attempted homicide, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, and other fraud -related crimes. Cases of partfcular interest this year included an investfgatfon of a shootfng that occurred in the downtown area, where the intended victfm was not injured from gunfire. Detectfves located and reviewed surveillance camera footage from neighborhood residents an d were able to identffy the five suspects involved in the shootfng. This investfgatfon was submitted to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecutfon on charges including attempted homicide. Another interestfng case taken on by the Investfgatfon Bureau was a stabbing that occurred in the parking lot of a local rest aurant where the victfm sustained significant injuries. Suspect informatfon was obtained and a broadcast to local agencies was made. With the assistance of neighboring agencies, the suspect and vehicle were located. Video surveillance footage from nearby businesses was obtained and additfonal evidence was secured from the suspect vehicle. This investfgatfon led to the arrest of the suspect and criminal charges for attempted homicide were requested. Investigations INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS The Pismo Beach Police Department considers the investigation of complaints regarding an employee’s actions or violations of our policies to be a high priority. Supervisors training in internal affairs have received specific training to investigate all complaints objectively and thoroughly. At the conclusion of the investigation, the findings are provided in writing to the complainant. Citizen complaints consist of an allegation of misconduct or improper job performance against any police department employee that, if true, would constitute a violation of department policy, federal, state, or local law. Complaints may be initiated externally by a citizen or internally by a department employee. All complaints received, whether in person or anonymously, are investigated. The Pismo Beach Police Department is very proud that its employees attract very few formal complaints. It is, and will always be, the goal of this department to reduce the number of complaints. Continued training has proven to equal great success in this endeavor. 16 1 2021 included IA investfgatfon regarding an officer involved shootfng in SLO County, which was held over from 2020 due to an outside agency investfgatfon. Recognitions On July 14, 2021, Polo Ralph Lauren honored the Pismo Beach Police Officers who arrested several subjects on suspicion of burglary and property damage. The suspects drove a vehicle through the front windows of the store, grabbing approximately $20,000 in merchandise and attemptfng to make a quick escape. The car, however, had sustained extensive damage and became completely disabled as officers were in pursuit, ultfmately taking the suspects into custody. Polo Ralph Lauren commemorated the successful arrests with Certfficates of Appreciatfon and a small breakfast banquet. Being located right off the freeway and near a bus stop make the Outlets a prime target for thieves. Our officers work closely with store employees to ensure their safety, deter offenders and solve crimes quickly. (Pictured left to right: Officer Will Anderson, Corporal Erik Jimenez, Sergeant Jason Spears and Sergeant Kyle White). Officer Kyle Laughlin (left) and Corporal Chris Siglin (right) were celebrated in September 2021 by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). MADD is powered by hundreds of thousands of passionate advocates and supporters in the fight against drunk and drugged driving. Statfstfcs show that every day about 800 people natfonwide are injured in a drunk or drugged driving crash. Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented Officer Laughlin with the Deuce Award, having made 28 DUI arrests in 2020. Corporal Siglin earned the Deuce Award and, the highly sought after, Top Arrestfng Officer Award with 47 DUI arrests the previous year. Detectfve Kyle Laughlin and Dispatcher Monika Gunn earned the prestfgious Officer and Employee of the Year Awards, which is voted on by their peers. Detectfve Laughlin was chosen for his efforts in becoming a Field Training Officer and transferring to the Detectfves Bureau. His peers specifically noted that he is kind to everyone he has contact with, stays proactfve, is easy to get along with and makes effectfve arrests out on the streets. When the Dispatch Center was understaffed for a period of tfme, Dispatcher Gunn stepped up to fill many overtfme shifts and operate as a Dispatch Trainer. She was chosen by her peers for her attentfon to detail, quick response to assist the officers in the field and never compromising officer safety. Community Involvement Community Camera Partnership Connect With Us The Pismo Beach Police Department has made it possible for residents and business owners to voluntarily register the presence of video surveillance cameras within the city through our Community Camera Partnership Program. This program provides an invaluable investfgatfve tool for the Pismo Beach Police Department to easily identffy locatfons of video surveillance systems and request assistance in obtaining that video evidence. Having a partnership with the community assists the City of Pismo Beach and its Police Department with maintaining a proactfve, problem-solving approach by offering an additfonal tool to deter criminal actfvity in our neighborhoods. The program is completely, 100%, voluntary and you may choose to opt out of the program at any tfme. You can find out more by visitfng the Police Department’s website at www.pismobeach.org and choose ‘Crime Preventfon’ on the left-hand side.. Crime Map In 2021, the Pismo Beach Police Department developed and launched a crime map to keep residents informed of crime trends within the city. The records are also put through an exclusive data scrubbing process that works to locate each crime incident geographically, to a hundred block. The crime map is broken up into the 12 zones and places small icons on the map indicatfng the locatfon of incidents throughout the city. The program allows the user to view crime for the past 7 days, 28 days, year or request a customized search. The user can customize the search by crime type, day or night shift, or day of the week. They can also click on an incident to get more details. To view our Crime Map, go to the Police Department ’s website www.pismobeach.org and choose ‘Crime Map’ on the left-hand side. Have you connected with us on Social Media? This is a great platiorm to find out the latest news at the Police Department. From city ordinance changes to updates about K9 Rex all the way to silly pictures of cops throwing pumpkins for a good cause. You don’t want to miss what we’re up to and we appreciate your communicatfon, support and feedback. In Memoriam Our neighbors to the south and north both experienced tragic losses in 2021, which were deeply felt by the members of the Pis mo Beach Police Department and throughout our great natfon. Arroyo Grande Police Chief Beau Pryor (pictured above) retfred on July 9, 2020 after 26 honorable years of service. On April 21, 2021 he passed away from health issues. Beau was the Police Chief for 3 years, but had also served as a Commander, Motorcycle Traffi c Officer, Senior Police Officer, Detectfve, Sergeant and Detectfve Sergeant, amongst many other roles. On May 10, 2021, San Luis Police Detectfve Luca Benedetti (pictured below) was tragically killed in the line of duty while se rving a search warrant as part of an investfgatfon of a series of burglaries. Detectfve Benedetti was a 12 -year veteran of law enforcement, having previously served with the Atascadero Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two young children. With broken hearts, the Pismo Beach Police Department offers our condolences to the friends and family of these men. We are proud to have called them friend and partner. 21 PISMO BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021 Produced by Harmony Brown, Secretary to the Chief 1000 Bello Street Pismo Beach, CA 93449 (805) 773-2208 www.pismobeach.org/police