The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022 City Attorney Reports 2000 Main Street, A ; Huntington Beach,CA 92648 City of Huntington Beach File #: 22-292 MEETING DATE: 4/19/2022 Community Prosecutor Program Update City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 411312022 oowerecZl LegiStar- C2 r Community Prosecutor Program City Attorney's Office History of the Community Prosecutor Program • 2016— Strong interest in supporting Huntington Beach Police Officers and their work in our community after State implementation of Props 47, 57 and AB109, which reduced the classification of a number of felonies to misdemeanors, reduced penalties • Recognized a need to address crime concern, within the community, especially crimes that impact Huntington Beach residents' quality of life and the downtown business owners SUPPLEMENTAL COMAMU NI /CATION Meeting Date: ti /(I q a� Ager4a B.m No.**I; �� .� History of the Community Prosecutor Program City Charter, Section SO9(b) "Prosecute on behalf of the people any or all criminal cases arising from violation of the provisions of this Charter or of City ordinances and such state misdemeanors as the City has the power to prosecute..." History of the Community Prosecutor Program • July of 2016 — Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Orange County District Attorney conferring to the City Attorney authority to prosecute State misdemeanors under the California Penal Code • With City Council support and approval, the Community Prosecutor Program was created History of the Community Prosecutor Program • Prosecutor Program Goals: • Charge and prosecute crimes impacting Huntington Beach downtow n businesses • Charge and prosecute crimes impacting Huntington Beach residents' quality of life • Provide Prosecutorial Support to I luntington Beach Police Officer criminal arrests and citations • Maintain a rolling average of 100 criminal cases • Obtain com it tions,prohation, stay away orders, restitution,etc • Create and or utilize diversionary programs for offenders • l'ros,wvte Nuisance abatement cases History of the Community Prosecutor Program In 2o19. City Ns as m%arded the Golden Hub of Innovation Award _ Public Safety, by the .\ssociation of California Cities. for Community Prosecutor Program Types of State Crimes (Penal Codes) • Resisting Arrest — PC 148(a) • Indecent Exposure — PC s 14.1 • Shop]ifting— PC 459.5 • Possession of Burglary Tools — PC 466 • Petty Theft — PC 484/488 • Vandalism — PC 594 • Trespassing — PC 602 • Disorderly, Lewd Conduct— PC 647(a) • Illegal Lodging— PC 647(e) • Disorderly Conduct— PC 647(l) Recent Results o Criminal Cases filed in Court, May '20—April '21: Its Active • 1,16 Convictions ✓ 106 jail sentences ✓ 19 probation ✓ I r stay away orders ✓ 1.1 diversion o Criminal Cases filed in Court, May '4l — March '44: • 437 .\dice • SU t. �pt IC I10115 ✓ +t jail sentences ✓ S probation ✓ 8 stay away orders ✓ 9 diversion Deputy Community Prosecutor Steven Pomeroy, Esq. • Started with Huntington Beach in September 2041 • Undergraduate work at U.C. Berkeley, studied law at Loyola Law School • Served as a Deputy District Attorney with Humboldt County for 4 years • Ili story of prosecuting felonies and misdemeanors • 11'.tory of Conducting preliminary hearings, uartion work, bench and jury trials Examples of Cases Prosecuted • Public Intoxication - Penal Code Section 647(o On 7/29/2o, HBPD responded to 619 Main St. in reference regarding a suspicious person jumping a fence into a residential backyard. When officers arrived, they approached the suspect and could immediately smell alcohol on him. The suspect's words were slurred and he was ha%ing difficulty sitting in an upright position. After arrest and prosecution, the suspect pled guilty to Public Intoxication and was ordered 14 days jail and ordered to pay fines. Examples of Cases Prosecuted • Resisting Arrest - Penal Code Section 148(a)(1) On 8/3s/s0, HBPD responded to 16612 Beach Blvd. regarding a suspect with a baseball bat chasing customers at a business. Upon arrival,officers observed the suspect walking in front of "Top Hat liquor carrying a bat in his hand and a large knife in a sheath on his hip. As officers attempted to arrest and handcuff the suspect, he pulled a%%ay. Officers were able to regain control and handcuffed and arrested the suspect. After arrest and prosecution, the suspect pled guilty to Resisting Arrest and received *1 days jail and was ordered to pay fines. Examples of Cases Prosecuted • Petty Theft - Penal Code Section 484/488 On s/3-/30, HBPD responded to petty theft call at Walmart located at 8250 Talbert. When officers arrived they discovered that the suspect had been gathering several items of women's clothing and novelty jewelry and placing them in her oversized bag. After concealing the items, the suspect had walked past the registers without rendering payment for the items. After arrest and prosecution, the suspect pled guilty to Petty Theft and received 91 days jail and was ordered to pay fines. Diversionary Programs First-time offenders are given an opportunity to earn a dismissal if they complete certain requirements including: • Residential drug and alcohol treatment • Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotic \nonymous meetings • Huntington Beach community service supporting, e.g., the Bolsa Chica Conservancy-, beach clean up efforts, etc. Community Prosecutor Program Work closely with the Orange County District Attorney's Office and their deputies on a regular basi>. 1 am pleased with the success of the Community Prosecutor Program in Huntington Beach.The efforts of the Community Prosecutor has ensured that the City upholds and defends the rule of law,brings criminals to ti justice,and ensures quality of life throughout �s the City. I fully support the work of City Attorney Michael Gates and his team.' -Todd,Spitzer,Orange County District Attornev Community Prosecutor Program 1 mproving the Quality of Life for Huntington Beach by prosecuting local crimes, reaching out to the victims of crime, and supporting the work of the Huntington Beach Police l*partment