HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/1970r.
`, CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
February 5, 1970
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Mayor Wm. Ross Aiken called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the
Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 9c02 A. M. in the Council Chambers of
the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, with the following
members answering roll call: Present: Councilmen Benson, Davey, Fowle,
and Mayor Aiken. Absent. Councilman Helgesson.
Mayor Aiken stated the Special Meeting had been called to consider the need
for action to combat the reported significant increase in residential
burglaries. Mayor Aiken requested area newspapers to provide wide coverage
indicating the Town would take whatever action proved necessary to control
residential burglaries and requested that any reference to present coverage
note that the Town is contracting with the County Sheriff's Office for ten
(10) hours additional coverage beyond the 24 hour basic law enforcement
service of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
City Manager stated that should additional patroling be desired, the follow-
ing alternatives were available:
1) Hire a private patrol service - cost $750 to $850 per month for eight (8)
hours a day, five (5) days a week; could be effected immediately.
2) Fill the position of Code Enforcement Officer - cost estimated $19200 per
month; thirty days hiring period required.
3) Increase County Sheriff's Department coverage - cost $13.12 per hour;
additional Sheriff's personnel not available at this time, would require
two to three months recruitment.
City Manager noted the County Sheriff's Office would immediately make
available additional patrol at no cost by utilising the Sheriff's
Auxiliary when available.
4) Create Town Police Department of 5 or 7 men - cost $77,000 to $101,000;
three months required to initiate.
5) Contract with the City of Los Altos - The Los Altos Police Chief has
recommended against this alternative.
City Manager recommended a private patrol service company be hired for 8 hour
a day, 5 days a week patrol and that this service be continued until a
decision is made regarding a Tann Police Department or increased contract
time from the County Sheriff's Office.
4 Council discussion ensued, with Floor participation by Mr. C. B. Marron,
County Field Enforcement Supervisor; Ken Young, Law Enforcement Committee
Chairman; Mrs. J. G. Ronsiek, 13023 Vista del Valle Court; Mrs. D. Miller,
13076 Vista del Valle Court; A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane; Stu Whittelsey,
25259 La Loma Drive, and Commissioner P. Weisbart.
Special Meeting cont'd.:
Mr. C. B. Marron noted the following:
1) There has been a recent County -wide increase in residential burglaries.
2) Report total monthly burglaries within Los Altos Hills for 1969 as
follows: January - 18; February - 20; March - 21; April - 9; May - 11;
June - 13; July - 9; August - 5; September - 9; October - 8; November -
12; December - 14.
3) Presented statistics indicating California cities of comparable popula-
tion and land area size were spending between $79,200 and $191,700 for
police protection compared to Los Altos Hills' $47,888.
4) Noted the national residential burglary rate has increased 250% from
1960 through 1968.
5) Noted Sheriff's Auxiliary Officers would be made available immediately
in marked cars for deterrents by observation, but that no guarantee
could be made as to number of men or hours available.
6) Stated his preference that the Sheriff's contract be enlarged, but con-
curred that any additional patrol service would be an improvement.
Mr. Ken Young, Law Enforcement Chairman, noted the following:
1) Presented the following monthly residential burglary totals, excluding
the uminaorporated areas surrounding the Town and excluding Foothill
College: November, 1968 - 6; December - 11; January, 1969 - 7;
February - 8; March - 5; April - 3; May - 1; June - 0; July - 3;
August - 1; September - 5; October - 4; November - 7; December - 10.
January 1 - 19, 1970 - 5.
2) Mr. Young noted 24 burglaries had occurred during the first six months
of 1969 when the Code Enforcement Officer had been employed and 30
burglaries had occurred during the last six months of 1969 when the posi-
tion had been vacant; Mr. Young noted it was not possible to determine
the effectiveness of the Code Enforcement Officer from these figures.
3) Noted the Town rate of 4.5 burglaries per month during 1969 was consider-
ably below the San Jose Metropolitan area average of 7.2 burglaries per
month per 6,500 people.
4) Stated his personal opinion that first preference should be given to
increasing the number of hours contracted with the County Sheriff's
Office, intermediate preference to contracting with the City of Los Altos
and long range preference to a North County Police District to serve
the area.
The majority of the Floor participation encouraged V,inking in ten's Of
long-term police service and questioned the desirability of reacting to
emotional appeals for immediate increased coverage.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Fowle moved, seconded by Davey
and carried unanimously that the Council request Mr. Ken Young, Law Enforce-
ment Committee Chairman, to call a Special Meeting of the Law Enforcement
Committee to provide within ten (10) days a recommendation on short-term
police services.
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Special Meeting Cont'd.:
MOTION: Councilman Benson moved that the Town hire a private patrol
service for a one (1) month period.
Motion died for.lack of a Second.
MOTION: Mayor Aiken moved that the Town hire a private patrol service for
a three (3) month period.
Motion died for lack of a Second.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Benson
and carried unanimously that Mr. C. B. Marron be instructed to carry the
urgency in regard to this matter to the County Sheriff and be instructed
to immediately utilize auxiliary personnel for additional residential patrol.
Council concurred the Staff should prepare a report on employment by other
municipalities of private patrol services for residential patrol.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Aiken
adjourned the meeting at 10:50 A. M. to:
NEXT REGULAR METING: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1970, at 7:45 P. M. at the Town
Hall.
DRL/mam
2/5/70
Special Meeting
Respectfully submitttAted,
DE IS R. IAHR
Assistant City Manager
Town of Los Altos Hills
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