PSC - Minutes - 02-27-25MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
February 27, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the Rosemead Public Safety Commission was called to order by Chair
Amy Wu at 7:07 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley
Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Chair Amy Wu, Commissioners Liz Fonseca, Jeff Foutz, and Tommy Martinez
ABSENT: Vice -Chair Stephanie Garcia, Commissioner Sarah Kuang, and Jonathan Fung
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: was led by Commissioner Foutz
INVOCATION: was led by Commissioner Martinez
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Chair Wu opened the Public Comment period.
No Public Comments were received. Chair Wu closed the Public Comment period.
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CEQA: These items are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.
A. Minutes of January 23, 2025
ACTIONS: Commissioner Jeff Foutz made a motion to approve the minutes from
the January 23, 2025, Public Safety Commission Meeting, and was seconded by
Commissioner Fonseca. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Foutz,
Fonseca, Martinez, and Wu NOES: None ABSENT: Garcia, Kuang, and Fung
3. MATTERS FROM STAFF
A. LACoFD Fire and EMS Incidents Report
City Manager Ben Kim informed the Commissioners that the report is in the packet,
along with informing them that there was no representative present, and let them
know if they have any questions, he will write them down and provide them with
the responses at the next meeting.
Commissioner Liz Fonseca wanted to follow up on the homeless encampment at
the intersection of Lincoln and San Gabriel.
City Manager Kim informed the Commissioners that he was in contact with the
County, and they informed him that they were unable to locate the encampment,
and the City will make additional efforts to identify the exact locations and inform
the County where they are.
Commissioner Fonseca stated that within the last month, and since the Eaton Fire
there have been between two or three fires near that area and the most recent fire
occurred about three days ago.
City Manager Kim informed the Commissioners that they will better identify the
location with photos and mapping to provide it to the County.
Commissioner Fonseca informed staff that she will continue bringing this item up
because it is a public safety concern. She also mentioned that there is an individual
that attempted to get into her residence, he exposed himself to women and children
at the pool and a few weeks later, the individual came into the complex.
Lieutenant Kevin Tiwari informed the Commissioner that they are limited as to
what they can do because it is outside their jurisdiction.
Commissioner Fonseca informed staff that LA CADA has gone out there to conduct
outreach in that area.
Lt. Tiwari provided an update on the recent firework incidents.
Commissioner Fonseca asked if any crime occurs on County property, does it go to
the county?
Lt. Tiwari responded that they do go to the County. He provided an example that if
a crime occurs in the library, it falls under a different jurisdiction and the Temple
Station deputies do not respond in that situation.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
B. L.A. CADA Services Report
City Manager Ben Kim informed the Commissioners that the L.A. CADA service
report is in the packet, and he would be glad to answer any questions. He also
informed the Commissioners that they received additional information on Measure
A funding and by April I" the County Supervisor is going to decide how the
distribution will be calculated and distributed to the Local jurisdictions. Staff will
provide an update once additional information is received.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
C. Public Safety Community Service Officer (CSO) Program Statistics
City Manager Ben Kim provided the Commissioner with the monthly statistics.
Public Safety Manager Wayne Co provided the Commissioners a summary of the
program.
Commissioner Liz Fonseca asked how many CSOs does the City have.
Public Safety Manager Co responded there are currently 8 CSOs.
Commissioner Jeff Foutz asked if they see the CSOs as staff that should be able to
assist in any area needed.
Public Safety Manager Co stated eventually the hope is that all CSO positions are
full-time but currently CSOs are part-time and can only work 28 hours per week.
This limits Co's ability to schedule CSO's. Confirming with Commissioner Foutz
that CSOs have to juggle a lot of duties. Co highlighted the various areas CSOs
address and provide support within the Code Enforcement Division.
City Manager Kim explained the nature of the CSO program is part-time, which
makes it difficult at times to maintain filling all positions and results in ongoing
recruitments. Kim asked Co what is the total number of CSOs at full capacity?
Public Safety Manager Co explained he currently has 8 part-time staff and is in the
process of hiring 5 additional staff, totaling 13. This will allow for 7 -day coverage.
Commissioner Fonseca asked if a suspicious person is walking around the City,
who should she call?
Public Safety Manager Co advised to call the Sheriff's department. CSOs will not
engage with the suspicious person.
Chair Amy Wu asked how calls are filtered for non -emergency items? How are calls
filtered to determine if Sheriff's or CSOs handle the call?
Lieutenant Kevin Tiwari advised the Sheriff's can dispatch a call directly to a CSO
through the computer system if a CSO is working. Dispatchers know which calls
to dispatch to the CSOs.
Commissioner Fonseca asked since the CSO program has gone live, has there been
a reduction in response times?
Lieutenant Tiwari advised that is a tough to report on due to the holidays and recent
wildfires. Our response times did increase due to these factors but CSOs are
responding to calls for service that should eventually result in a reduction in
response times. Tiwari emphasized when a CSO responds to an Los Angeles
Sheriff's Department call for service, their response times are pretty impressive.
Public Safety Manager Co confirmed CSOs are sometimes blocks away that results
in response times from seconds to minutes.
Lieutenant Tiwari emphasized that LASD calls that CSO handle, may have taken a
deputy over an hour to respond versus a CSO who can respond in minutes.
Chair Wu had a question about the recovered vehicles, she asked if CSOs leave the
City boundaries?
Public Safety Manager Co advised CSOs only operate within the City. He described
an example of how a stat can be recorded.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
D. Crime Prevention & Emergency Preparedness Activities
Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong asked the Commissioners if they had any
questions on the reports provided in the packets.
Commissioner Foutz commented that he was pleased with the report that shows
there was no first-aid rendered.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
E. Windstorm 2025 After Action Report
Chair Wu expressed her appreciation to all City Staff for their hard work and long
hours worked.
Commissioner Foutz praised staff on the information provided in the report.
City Manager Ben Kim provided the Commissioners with a summary of the process
and how much time it takes to generate the report.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
F. LASD Crime Statistics
Lieutenant Kevin Tiwari provided a summary of the monthly statistics, along with
mentioning that there has been an increase in the grand theft of autos and robberies,
with most robberies occurring being related to Macy's.
Commissioner Foutz asked if the City is using the flock system, along with asking
if it is paying off.
Lt. Tiwari responded that they are using the flock system and stated that it has been
helpful.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
G. Rosemead SAO Team Weekly Reports
Lieutenant Kevin Tiwari provided an update on what information will be included
in future reports.
Commissioner Liz Fonseca commented that she likes seeing the picture in the
reports, along with requesting to include the motor officers report.
Chair Amy Wu inquired about the human trafficking in the report.
Lt. Tiwari confirmed they have been doing human trafficking operations.
Chair Wu expressed her concern with people holding signs asking for money at the
intersections.
Lt. Tiwari informed the Commissioners that they do not see too many of these
issues in the city and the ones seen are usually outside of the City's jurisdiction.
Commissioner Liz Fonseca mentioned she has recently seen a female with children
at Walmart and Target.
Lt. Tiwari mentioned that panhandling on private property is more complicated than
when it is at intersection or public property.
Commissioner Jeff Foutz asked if they find the Letters of Agency being useful.
Lt. Tiwari mentioned the Letters of Agency are a huge tool and they send the letters
as reminders.
Chair Wu asked if they knew the percentage of businesses have filled out the letter
of Agency.
Public Safety Supervisor Mandy Wong informed the Commissioners that Code
Enforcement Officers play a significant role with the Letter of Agency, along with
the Administrative Assistant taking the lead on sending out an email to the
businesses reminding them of their letter expiring.
Chair Wu inquired about the letter having an expiration date.
Lt. Tiwari informed the Commissioners the reason for having an expiration date on
the letters is in case businesses change ownership, sometimes the new owners may
not want to take part in it.
Commissioner Fonseca asked if Lt. Tiwari can provide information regarding the
accident on Walnut Grove Avenue between Fern and Garvey Avenue.
Lt. Tiwari confirmed it was a fatality, and informed jaywalking is no longer
enforceable crime and since then there has been an increase in accidents between
vehicles and pedestrians.
Commissioner Fonseca mentioned that she recently drove by the area and
mentioned it was dark and poorly lit.
City Manager Ben Kim informed the Commissioners that the City currently has a
Request for Proposal for a Master Street Light Plan to identify where streetlights
are located and needed. He also mentioned that about 80% of the streetlights are
owned by Edison.
Commissioner Fonseca her expressed concern of another fatality that occurred on
Walnut Grove Avenue, 3/4 of a mile south of the current accident which was also
poorly lit, along with mentioning that her husband and son almost got hit by a
vehicle at the intersection of Landis View Lane and Walnut Grove Avenue which is
low lit and there is excessive speeding. She also wanted to highlight that within 14
months and within a mile stretch of roadway, there were two fatalities, which could
have been caused by not having enough light.
Lt. Tiwari mentioned both situations and majority of situations occur when people
are crossing outside of marked crosswalks.
Commissioner Fonseca requested if they could get an update on the deputy
involved shooting once available.
Lt. Tiwari informed the Commissioners that he will inform the City Manager once
the investigation is completed and provide him with the information.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
H. Update on Proposition 36 and Public Safety Goals for 2025
Lieutenant Kevin Tiwari provided a summary on Proposition 36, which consists of
updates to drug and theft -related convictions.
Commissioner Jeff Foutz asked when the law goes into effect.
Lt. Tiwari informed the Commissioners that the passed convictions count as part of
the new proposition.
Chair Amy Wu asked for clarification on how to report thefts being committed, and
the suspect is gone.
Lt. Tiwari informed the Commissioners that they can still identify the suspect if
they are repeated offenders or by using facial recognition.
City Manager Ben Kim also mentioned that the Sheriffs are also running a backpack
program to catch thieves.
Commissioner Liz Fonseca suggested getting a social media account to post success
stories and what the SAO team has done.
Lt. Tiwari mentioned they have an account, which the PIO team at the Temple
Sheriff's station manages.
City Manager Kim mentioned that the City can piggyback or tagged on the LASD
page.
City Manager Kim provided the Commissioner with a summary of the City goals
for 2025, which includes assisting with reducing homelessness issues, reducing
response time, and providing more visibility in the City. The Sheriff department
goals are graffiti, vehicle break-ins and retail thefts.
Commissioner Fonseca said that Del Mar Avenue and Emerson Place were areas of
concern with graffiti and lately there has not been any graffiti.
City Manager Kim informed the Commissioners that the City Council wanted the
City to be more proactive with graffiti removal and authorized the purchase of a
new graffiti truck, along with hiring one additional staff, with the directive of
removing graffiti within a 24-hour period.
Lt. Tiwari gave a summary of the graffiti tracker and its benefits.
This item was Received and Filed by the Commission.
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A. Commissioner Comments
No Commissioner Comments were received.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m. The next Public Safety Commission meeting
will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
APPROVED:
Ben Ki ity Manager
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Amy Wu, Chair