ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: C8
Prepared by: London Adams, Management Analyst Meeting Date: May 27, 2025 Approved by:
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION CRIME REDUCTION WORKPLAN RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- , approving the Community Safety Commission Crime Reduction Workplan.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety
PRIOR ACTION: None.
PRIOR COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION ACTION: On March 20, 2025, the Community Safety Commission reviewed the draft Crime Reduction Workplan and provided further edits (No vote).
On April 10, 2025, the Community Safety Commission voted to approve their Crime Reduction Workplan and recommended it for City Council approval (Vote: 9-0).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The purpose of the Community Safety Commission (Commission) is to conduct meaningful and constructive dialogue with the City's Fire Department and law enforcement services provider on public safety concerns, issues and priorities, and ensure that concerns are addressed in a collaborative and effective manner. The Commission's powers and duties are set forth in Chapter 2.62 of the Vista Municipal Code (Exhibit 2).
The Community Safety Commission has been actively discussing priorities and initiatives they would like to pursue in the City and now seeks to confirm that their Crime Reduction Workplan aligns with City Council’s vision. The Commission developed and approved its Crime Reduction Plan (Exhibit 3) and is requesting Council’s approval to proceed with the initiatives outlined within it. The items included in the plan will also be complemented by any ongoing City programs, projects, or policies that relate to public safety.
The purpose of this action plan is to maintain focus on Council-approved priorities and to provide strategic direction for the Commission’s efforts. The plan will serve as a framework for annual action plans that will identify the specific goals to be accomplished within a 12-month period.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approve above recommendation, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-84
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION CRIME REDUCTION WORKPLAN EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2025- , approving the Community Safety Commission Crime Reduction Workplan
2.Vista Municipal Code Chapter 2.62, Community Safety Commission
3.Community Safety Commission Crime Reduction Workplan
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00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE COMMUNITY SAFETY
COMMISSION CRIME REDUCTION WORKPLAN
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. The Community Safety Commission was established in 1999 with the purpose of promoting and enhancing community safety and welfare in the City of Vista. The Commission provides a platform for meaningful and constructive dialogue with the City’s Fire Department and law enforcement services provider, addressing public safety concerns, issues, and priorities in a collaborative and effective manner.
B. As part of its powers and duties, the Community Safety Commission is responsible for preparing an annual workplan that is presented to the City Council.
C. The Community Safety Commission has developed a Crime Reduction Work Plan, which outlines safety-related initiatives and priorities that the Commission recommends for implementation in the City of Vista.
2. Action.
A. The Community Safety Commission Crime Reduction Workplan is approved by City Council and the Community Safety Commission may pursue work described within it.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on May 27, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20250519113107
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
05/27/2025 C8 Page 3 of 7
EXHIBIT 1
Vista Municipal Code
2.62 (1) (Vista 09/10/21)
Chapter 2.62
Community Safety Commission
Sections:
2.62.010 Purpose
2.62.020 Establishment of Commission
2.62.030 Powers and Duties
2.62.040 Fire Department and Law Enforcement Advisors to the Commission Section 2.62.010 Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and enhance community safety and welfare by the establishment and operation of a Community Safety Commission of the City of Vista.
The Commission's purpose is to conduct meaningful and constructive dialogue with the City’s Fire Department and law enforcement services provider on public safety concerns, issues and priorities and ensure that concerns are addressed in a collaborative and effective manner.” (Ord.
No. 99-15, Added, 07/13/99; Ord. No. 2013-2, Amended 3/26/13; Ord No. 2021-10, Amended 8/10/21) Section 2.62.020 Establishment of Commission
A Community Safety Commission of the City of Vista is hereby established as a standing commission of the City. The Commission shall consist of seven members. One member shall be recommended for appointment by Vista Unified School District. There shall be two non-voting youth representatives
Ord. No. 1999-15, Added, 07/13/99; Ord. No. 2013-2, Amended 3/26/13; Ord. No. 2017-18, Amended 11/14/17)
Section 2.62.030 Powers and Duties
The Community Safety Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, the Vista Fire Department, and the City’s law enforcement services provider and shall perform the following responsibilities on a continuing basis:
A. Communicate and cooperate with the individual citizens and community groups in identifying community safety concerns and solutions.
B. Communicate and cooperate with the Fire Department and the City’s law enforcement services provider in identifying community safety concerns and solutions.
C. Promote cooperation and encourage coordination between the Commission, the Fire Department, and the City’s law enforcement services provider, and other entities, public and private, who are involved with community safety activities and efforts.
D. Prepare an annual report to the City Council and to the community on the activities of the Commission.” (Ord. No. 99-15, Added, 07/13/99; Ord. No. 2013-2, Amended 3/26/13; Ord. No. 2021-10, Amended 8/10/21)
Section 2.62.040 Fire Department and Law Enforcement Advisors to the Commission The City Manager shall arrange to have one or more representatives of the Fire Department and the City's law enforcement services provider designated as advisors to the Commission. The City Manager may appoint such additional staff advisors or assistants as is deemed necessary for the Commission to carry out its purposes. (Ord. No. 99-15, Added, 07/13/99; Ord. No. 2013-2, Amended 3/26/13; Ord. No. 2021-10, Amended 8/10/21) 05/27/2025 C8 Page 4 of 7EXHIBIT 2
1 Community Safety Commission Crime Reduction Workplan
Adopted 3/25/2025
Background
Over an 18-month period the Community Safety Commission reviewed data and heard from an array of experts to determine the top safety issues in Vista. With input from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office the following were identified as the top areas of concern:
•Drug abuse and sales
•Ghost guns
•Gangs
•Domestic Violence
To address these issues, the Commission set forth to create a crime reduction plan that is comprehensive, collaborative, and community centered. The plan serves as a framework for annual action plans that will identify the specific goals to be accomplished within a 12-month period.
1. Community Assessment and Data-Driven Approaches
•Objective: Understand the scope and scale of the issues to tailor responses. •Action Steps:
1.Partner with local law enforcement, public health agencies, schools, and community organizations to collect and analyze data.
2.Use geographic crime mapping to identify hot spots for drug use/sales, gang activity, and violence, and prioritize interventions in those areas.
3.Conduct town halls and/or focus groups to hear from residents about their safety concerns and experiences with crime.
4.Invite experts to present to the Community Safety Commission to help inform decision making.
2.Strengthening Law Enforcement and Judicial Responses
•Objective: Reduce crime through targeted policing and enforcement. •Action Steps:
1.Encourage the use of specialized units that focus on narcotics, gangs, and weapons including, but not limited to: Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) unit, Gang Enforcement Team (GET), and Street Narcotic and Gang Division.
2.Encourage deputy initiated activity (proactive actions taken by a deputy without being dispatched to a specific call).
3.Review and provide recommendations on whether to take a position on legislation related to guns, gangs, and criminal activities.
05/27/2025 C8 Page 5 of 7
EXHIBIT 3
2 4. Explore SafeStreets technology as a mechanism to reduce crime and enhance criminal investigations.
5. Abate graffiti through City’s Code Enforcement and Public Works divisions.
3. Community Engagement and Education
• Objective: Empower residents to play an active role in keeping their community safe. • Action Steps:
1. Promote anonymous tip lines and reporting mechanisms (such as See Something Say Something, Crime Stoppers, VUSD’s PSST World Report It!, Access Vista) to encourage community members to report illegal activities and provide resource information/links.
2. Create a monthly email for citizens to sign-up to hear about safety related issues or add safety items to an existing publication.
3. Host and/or support town halls focusing on drug abuse, ghost guns, gangs, de-escalation techniques, or other relevant topics.
4. Promote resources for domestic violence victims.
5. Support gun buyback/safety events and gun lock distribution.
6. Encourage attendance at Community Safety Commission meetings for law enforcement and safety initiatives updates.
7. Support and encourage participation in social events hosted by Sheriff’s Office and/or City to provide opportunities for the community to connect with and get to know their local deputies.
4. Prevention and Early Intervention
• Objective: Prevent crime before it happens by addressing risk factors and enhancing protective factors and provide opportunities for early intervention. • Action Steps:
1. Partner with VUSD to provide educational programs that address substance abuse, gang involvement, violence and mental health.
2. Continue to offer and support SDSO prevention programs:
Rise Above Academy for 3rd to 5th graders and their parents Junior Deputy Academy for students in grades 6-11
3. Participate in the County of San Diego’s Gun Violence Reduction Initiative.
4. Support and promote the City’s scholarship program to assist young people in participating in positive activities.
05/27/2025 C8 Page 6 of 7
3 5. Support and promote diversion and early intervention programs to reduce recidivism such as: San Diego County Breaking Cycles Program, Alternatives to Detention (ATD), and SDSO RESPECT Project
6. Foster partnerships with local organizations (such as One Safe Place, Women’s Resource Center, North County Lifeline, New Haven Youth and Family Services) to offer trauma- informed care, housing, and legal services to domestic violence survivors.
5. Strengthening Support Services
• Objective: Provide support to individuals and families impacted by crime, drug use, and domestic violence.
• Action Steps:
1. Identify and support gang intervention programs that include counseling, job training, and educational opportunities for at-risk youth.
2. Encourage the expansion of local domestic violence shelters and ensure survivors have access to legal aid, financial support, and counseling.
3. Identify resources for victims of domestic, or other, violence when services are temporarily unavailable (over weekends and holidays).
4. Encourage the development or expansion of peer support networks for former gang members, drug users, and domestic violence survivors to help with their reintegration into society.
6. Ongoing Evaluation and Adjustments
• Objective: Continuously monitor the effectiveness of the plan and make improvements. • Action Steps:
1. On an annual basis evaluate crime rates, drug use statistics, and the number of domestic violence incidents to measure progress.
2. Adjust strategies as needed based on feedback from the community and emerging crime trends.
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