Sacramento Police Department
Lt. Adam Green reported on the retirement of Police Chief Sam Somers. The department has begun a search for his replacement. The process will take approximately 4-6 months, and Brian Louie will serve as interim chief until a permanent leader is on board. He then informed members that New Years’ Eve activities this year will include only one fireworks show to be held in Old Sac, at 9 pm, and to expect the same street closures as in the past.
He indicated that since the election there has been an increase in various protests around the Capitol, however they have been peaceful, safe and presented no problems. SacPD is expecting an increase in protests closer to the inauguration.
Lt. Green invited residents to attend the Police Academy Graduation, to be held at the Memorial Auditorium on December 15, at 6:00 p.m. Twenty-four new officers completed the academy training and will be sworn in. The ceremony is quite impressive and if you have not attended one please feel free to bring family and friends.
Sac PD and the City Attorney’s office have joined forces to help address local homeless issues by using the City Alcohol Related Treatment (CART) program. Cart focuses on misdemeanor crimes involving intoxication. After receiving six violations, the individual is deferred to a mandated 30-day detox program. Once the first round of treatment is completed, it is easier for authorities to automatically place them back into the program for subsequent violations.
Although the stats for theft are down Lt. Green continues to recommend everyone to take all your belongings out of your car, lock it and use a club to secure the vehicle. Free clubs are available to any MNA member at the monthly meetings or at the Sac PD.
Councilmember Steve Hansen’s Office
Matt Read briefed the group on the latest news from District 4:
- City Council is recessed until January 3, 2017
- City transportation department is working on developing impact fees
- City Hall busy transitioning and reorganizing with new Mayor
Downtown Specific Plan/Long-range planning
Greg Sandlund, Senior Planner, City of Sacramento, gave a presentation that outlined the key points of their outreach efforts for the Downtown Specific Plan and included a color-coded map and the project's objectives and key tasks. For further information on his presentation go to:
- [email protected]
- Website: www.downtownspecificplan.com
- Handout from MNA mtg. 12/14/16
Community Land Trusts/Neighborhood Coalition
Katie Valenzuela, from the Sacramento Neighborhood Coalition (SNC), gave a brief overview of the goals of the coalition regarding using vacant city lots and properties for land trusts. SNC meets on the 4th Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Library if anyone is interested in attending. Darrell Steinberg has tentatively agreed to speak at the Coalition's next meeting on January 27, 2017.
Pony Express Marathon
Robert Daly from the Rotary Club and Rebecca Gordon Director, of Volunteers of America shared the following information:
- Marathon scheduled for April 30, 2017, starting at 6 a.m.
- Time limit: six hours
- All roads open after six hours
- Signage posted 24 hrs. in advance
- Profits benefit two community groups: 1) Boys/Girls Club and 2) Volunteers of America