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Report criticizes policing at harbor
Add staffing in Ventura, says Grand Jury
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More from Local NewsThe Ventura Harbor Patrol and Ventura Police Department need to beef up staffing and other public-safety services at the harbor and surrounding areas, according to the Ventura County Grand Jury.
In a six-page report released Monday, the Grand Jury found that law enforcement services at the Ventura Harbor were "very basic" and that Harbor Patrol officers are increasingly serving as first responders to public safety incidents.
The Grand Jury was also critical of the Ventura Port District for not providing complete crime statistics that can be easily obtained by the public.
"The Harbor Patrol is not sufficiently staffed to carry out its patrol duties in a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis, thus leaving the residents, properties and facilities within the district vulnerable to criminal acts," the Grand Jury report says.
The Harbor Patrol and city police and fire departments respond to emergency calls in the harbor area.
The Port District, which owns and operates the harbor, owns 152 acres of land and 122 acres of water areas. Harbor Patrol officers police the area from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and an officer is on call during the four remaining hours.
Port District and Harbor Patrol officials said that while they will consider the Grand Jury findings, the officers' basic responsibility is enforcing boating laws and local ordinances.
"When it comes to other crimes, we don't have the training to enforce the laws, so we do call the Police Department," said Harbormaster Scott Miller.
Oscar Peña, the Port District's general manager, said petty theft and vandalism have increased in the area, but the Harbor Village shopping center now has 24-hour security and other harbor tenants also have hired private security firms.
"One of the main reasons why we don't have a high presence of police in the harbor is because it is one of the areas in the community where there are lower incidents of serious crimes," Peña said.
The Harbor Patrol has seven full-time officers and one part-time officer, Miller said.
The Grand Jury recommended starting 24-hour patrols, revising the Harbor Patrol's Web site and authorizing Harbor Patrol officers to carry firearms.
Miller said he does provide a monthly report to the Port District, which is available for public review.
Ventura Councilman Neal Andrews, the council's liaison to the district, said the port did consider arming its officers but decided against it. Officers do carry pepper spray.
"It's a huge liability to have persons armed and to train them," Andrews said. "If it's not really needed, it's not really prudent to do it."
The Port District has 90 days to respond to the Grand Jury report.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on May 23, 2007 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No problem, Andrews. I'm relieved to know that you are so experienced in matters of law enforcement. The criminals are armed and I'm sure that they will protect us.
Posted by Ventura22 on May 23, 2007 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They can arm them by having them qualify at a PC 832 firearms course. That would give them the basic training required by the state to carry a firearm as peace officers without incurring a significant cost. They should already be qualified at the basic 832 arrest course. The 832 level of peace officer qualification was intended for agencies just like this one; to be a practical approach. Probation, animal control, parks & rec, fire invesigators and school police commonly operate under PC832 w/ firearms. Pepper spray is a joke and ineffective in most situations. If all they are ever going to be partolling is the harbor and beach area, there's really no need to make them go through a full-fleged peace officer academy and learn things they will not have to enforce out there. They're not responsible for traffic enforcement or other police type of duties. Their responsibility is much more specific and specialized. The jackass on the council that thinks it's not right to arm these people needs to be voted off!! Put him out there for a while and see what he thinks.
Posted by sydney on May 23, 2007 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Their private security spends all their time BSing with the boat owners they have no idea what goes on!
Posted by Ventura93001 on May 23, 2007 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where can I find the report? Couldn't find it on the grand jury, or Port District websites.
Sounds like some political spinning already from the Port District. Sure hope some meaningful changes become of this report for everybodys benefit. If not this was a perfect invitation for all the County's criminal elite to to have their way between 2 and 6 am.
Posted by mimi86 on May 24, 2007 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How does the Grand Jury propose money for the staffing of more harbor patrol and more police officers? Maybe they should have voted yes on P6 ! And the only reason the harbor patrol officers would be first responders on public safety incidents is because they are located right there in the harbor, duh! Who wouldn't want their own little security in their neighborhood, those residents should feel blessed that they have them. Thank you harbor patrol for all that you do.
Posted by sydney on May 27, 2007 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How come the harbor lets people camp and set up motor homes in the parking lot I bet they don't charge them for it, and they are there for extended stays so it should be available to anyone!!P.S. this is the parking lot by Island Packers.
Posted by smithjc on June 1, 2007 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ventura22, you are incorrect about many of those agencies operating under 832 without academy training. all agencies that employ peace officers, such as schools, college districts, state universities, parks and recs (with peace officer rangers) are required under post guidelines to have not only the full basic academy required of other peace officers (sheriff/munis, etc), but additional specialized training on top of that. without the basic academy or its equivalent, people may not excercise peace officer powers. while it may incur an initial outlay, the public would be better served by having more highly trained officers staffing the harbor.
as far as the harbor officers being armed, this is an absolute necessity. i remember several years ago when a harbor patrol officer came under fire by what appeared to be drug smugglers that he was trying to stop.
we expect the harbor patrol to make arrests for h&n code violations, including b.u.i., act as first responders for criminal acts in and about the harbor area, be part of the front line against smuggling and terrorism. they need to be given all the equipment and training that they need to do this daunting task.
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