August 13, 2024
Honorable Gus C. Barrera II, Presiding Judge
San Joaquin County Superior Court
180 E. Weber Ave, Suite 1306J
Stockton, California 95202
Re: Second Look: 2018-2019 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Report Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner Case #0318.
Dear Judge Barrera:
The Ripon City Council has been directed by the San Joaquin County Grand Jury to provide a response to the Grand Jury’s report in Case #0318, entitled Second Look: 2018-2019 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Report Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner. Specifically, the City Council has been directed to respond to Findings and Recommendations R.1.0 and R.1.1. These encompass the Findings and Recommendations R1, R2, R8 and R10 from the 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury Report “Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner” Case #0318.
Finding and Recommendation R.1.0
The City of Ripon has reviewed the report provided and since 2019, has implemented the original recommendations from the 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury Report “Cold Cases in San Joaquin County: On the Back Burner” Case #0318. The City of Ripon will continue to implement the recommendations made by the San Joaquin County Grand Jury.
The City of Ripon would again like to take the opportunity to address the Report’s findings and recommendations. Our responses follow below.
R1: Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County develop a plan to define, prioritize, and digitally track cold case investigations no later than October 1, 2024. Prioritization will emphasize available physical evidence and utilize emerging DNA testing techniques.
Response to R1: In response, the City Council agrees with the Grand Jury’s Finding and Recommendation R1. In 2019, the Police Chief adopted, and the City Council hereby supports, Department Order #600-01 entitled “Cold Case Investigations”. Pursuant to this Order, the Department will utilize its computerized Records Management System database to define, prioritize and digitally track cold case investigations using emerging DNA testing techniques.
R2: Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County expand their definition of “cold case” to include missing persons with suspicious circumstances, and sexual assault (forcible rape and attempted rape), in addition to homicide no later than October 1, 2024.
Response to R2: In response, the City Council agrees with the Grand Jury’s Finding and San Joaquin County Grand Jury
August 13, 2024
Recommendation R2. In 2019, the Police Chief adopted, and the City Council hereby supports, Department Order #600-01 entitled “Cold Case Investigations”. Article II of said Department Order includes a new definition of “Cold Case Investigations” which is consistent with Recommendation R2.
R8: Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County sign a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the newly formed Cold Case Task Force no later than October 1, 2024.
Response to R8: In response, the City Council agrees with the Grand Jury’s Finding and Recommendation R8. In 2019, the Police Chief adopted, and the City Council hereby supports, Department Order #600-01 entitled “Cold Case Investigations”. Relative to Recommendation R8, Department Order 600-01 states: “In the pursuit of successful collaboration, the Ripon Police Department will sign a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the newly formed San Joaquin County Cold Case Task Force.”
R10: Each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County develop a procedure and practice for maintaining periodic contact with family members of cold case victims no later than October 1, 2024.
Response to R10: In response, the City Council agrees with the Grand Jury’s Finding and Recommendation R10. In 2019, Police Chief adopted, and the City Council hereby supports, Department Order #600-01 entitled “Cold Case Investigations”. Relative to Recommendation R10, Department Order 600-01 establishes a procedure and practice for maintaining periodic contact with family members of cold case victims.
Finding and Recommendation R.1.1
As previously stated in the City’s “Response to R8” above, the City of Ripon will participate in the task force being formed and implemented by the San Joaquin Sheriff’s office.
The City Council appreciates the efforts of the Grand Jury in connection with the aforementioned report, and the opportunity to provide this response.
Sincerely,
Leo Zuber