Redding continues to make progress in tackling the twin issues of crime and homelessness—cracking down on problem motels, clearing out makeshift camps and putting police on bicycle patrol—but any significant changes recommended in the much-discussed countywide “Blueprint for Public Safety” are at least six weeks away.
That was the message Tuesday when the Redding City Council met to hear updates on both the city’s current crime-fighting efforts and the recommendations being developed by the Matrix Consulting Group.
Councilman Brent Weaver, a vocal proponent of improving public safety, listed the steps Redding has taken in the last “nine or 10 short months” to address a growing chorus of complaints over theft, vagrancy and drug use.
“We don’t feel our work is done here, but these are things we have dedicated time and money to,” Weaver said.
Specifically, he mentioned the creation of four neighborhood policing positions to start in January; a beefed-up code enforcement program; allocating money to continue five formerly grant-funded police positions; moving the Redding Police Department into its new station; collaboration with the Colt .45s baseball team to increase safety at South City Park; the creation of more Neighborhood Watch programs; a pilot program for police officer body cameras; a bicycle patrol; and an improved marijuana cultivation ordinance.
On the Blueprint for Public Safety, City Manager Kurt Starman said a “very much incomplete” first draft was received two weeks ago and shared with the three working groups representing Redding police, the Redding Fire Department and Shasta County (with an emphasis on the Sheriff’s Department and jail).
Those groups are providing feedback to Matrix and a second draft is expected Sept. 25, Starman said. If the second draft is met with general approval, it will be forwarded to a steering committee of city and county officials for a final review and then presented to the city council and public in late October for consideration.
A copy of the first draft was obtained by the Record Searchlight and the newspaper published a summary of the report’s initial findings and recommendations in its Tuesday issue. One of the more surprising findings was that police officer staffing levels are adequate and that a change to 12-hour shifts would improve service levels.
The report also recommended the hiring of at least 10 community service officers (CSOs); the aides would free up sworn officers to be more proactive in crime-prevention measures. The report also highlighted a growing drug-use epidemic, the lack of mental health resources and inadequate jail space.
Weaver said he was disappointed to see the first draft was publicized when it was “not ready for primetime” and asked that Matrix mark the second draft as confidential. On the other hand, Weaver said he was encouraged by the recommendation to increase the use of CSOs.
“This is a little bit earlier than I wanted to see the conversation start … but here we are and hopefully moving from the complaining phase to a solution phase,” Weaver said.
In other action Tuesday, the council:
— Voted 4-0, with Councilwoman Missy McArthur absent, to extend the Redding Civic Auditorium lease agreement with Advance Redding, a nonprofit entity affiliated with Bethel Church.
Faced with closing the auditorium in 2011 due to budget constraints, the city opted to lease it to Advance Redding with the understanding that Bethel Church and its School of Supernatural Ministry would be the primary tenants.
The initial lease was for 4.75 years with a five-year option; rent started at $15,000 a month and increased to $30,000 by the time the initial lease expires. Advance Redding agreed to open the Civic for 13 citywide events, including Kool April Nites, and host a minimum of 60 non-church events a year.
Community Services Director Kim Niemer said Advance Redding has hosted more than 100 events each year and has invested more than $650,000 in the building. However, Advance Redding has asked that the rent be rolled back to $20,000 a month. Niemer said utilities and other expenses have required Advance Redding to raise the Civic’s rental rates; capping the rent will allow it to better hold the line on rate increases.
The lease agreement was heralded by council members as a beneficial public-private partnership that allows for the continued use of the Civic.
