The loss of services from county and city cuts made up the
majority of the material in the 2010-2011 Civil Grand Jury report,
released to public agencies included on May 16.
In the Grand Jury’s 55-page report, the group investigated 12
entities, including the county’s jail, city wastewater treatment
plant, the Hollister Police Department and local school systems.
The report highlighted positive and negative findings from each
examination.
The loss of services from county and city cuts made up the majority of the material in the 2010-2011 Civil Grand Jury report, released to public agencies included on May 16.
In the Grand Jury’s 55-page report, the group investigated 12 entities, including the county’s jail, city wastewater treatment plant, the Hollister Police Department and local school systems. The report highlighted positive and negative findings from each examination.
Some departments, such as the county’s juvenile hall, were given no recommendations. Overall, the report warned of an uncertain future with the sun setting of the city’s five-year, 1 percent sales tax Measure T in 2013.
“Unless the economy performs significantly better than current projections, a Measure T extension may be placed on the ballot in 2012 for voter approval,” according to the report. “The Grand Jury is not an advocate for or against an extension. The Grand Jury simply believes that it is prudent to encourage residents to prepare for the future and examine the consequences of such a vote.”
There would have been far more “drastic and deep cuts” to police and fire services if it wasn’t for the approval of Measure T in 2007, according to the report.
“Public safety would have been hit especially hard,” according to the report. “Police and fire services are already staffed at dangerously low levels based on comparable statistics.”
The Hollister Police Department, which staffs 26 officers, should have one officer per 1,000 people it serves if staying in line with standards, according to the report. Hollister’s population is a little more than 34,000, according to the 2010 US Census.
The report also details the loss of a property officer and how the job is “very time consuming.” The report stipulates that the storage room for narcotics – which, along with evidence and vehicle maintenance, the property officer organizes – is inadequate and a health risk for employees.
The report recommends that the department increase the size of the property room. Other recommendations include to reconsider establishing a Citizens Youth Academy, School Dare Program, Neighborhood Watch program and a Police Athletic League Program.
“Protective services must be adequate to support the growing population of San Benito County,” according to the report. “Staffing levels need to be reassessed to assure this proper protection.
The report also targets the San Benito County Jail that has received staffing cuts during the past year. The Grand Jury called for the addition of four correctional officers to make sure the jail is operating “safely, securely and effectively.”
The report asks for a bigger office space during medical services because of an “extremely cramped” office.
“During inspection, there were several inmates, the two medical staff and a deputy all crowded in one extremely small exam space office,” according to the report.
The report included a review of the San Benito County Juvenile Hall but had no recommendations.
The jury also reviewed both Anzar and San Benito high schools, and both had issues in not complying with the California Education Code. Neither school consistently did the Pledge of Allegiance each day, a violation of the education code.
“The Pledge of Allegiance or ‘patriotic equivalent’ is not being complied with per California Education Code section 52720,” according to the report.
At Anzar High School, the jury recommends hiring an additional full-time custodian to resolve issues with maintenance and landscaping.
“The school grounds are very much in need of additional up-keep and care,” according to the report.
At San Benito High, the jury recommended installing more surveillance cameras throughout the campus and installing a school-wide public address system to improve student safety. The report suggested the school to discuss closing Nash Road during school hours to avoid congestion or tardy students.
The jury also visited the new Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Emergency Room to investigate its usage. Because of staff levels, the facility was found to be in partial usage, according to the report. With average waiting times of 30 to 45 minutes, the ER staff was using 12 of the 18 rooms available.
“Due to insufficient staff levels Hazel Hawkins Hospital is unable to maximize use of its new facility,” according to the report.
At the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the jury praised its lack of safety violations and its compliance with state and federal regulations.
The jury did recommend that the city and operator, Veolia Water, create a formal risk mitigation place to reduce the levels of Total Nitrogen, according to the report. The jury also suggested the city to hire a contractor to fix the curb leading to the building.
“The curb between the sidewalk entrance to the main operations building and the parking area is too high,” according to the report. “This is an accident waiting to happen.”
The jury also investigating claims of unfair practice at the county’s Planning and Building Department but determined them unfounded.
County and city departments are required to respond to the Grand Jury Report within 90 days of receiving the document. The report was sent to each agency May 9.
The final report can be found at the county library or courthouse on Fifth Street in Hollister.
The Grand Jury is created each year to investigate county and city governments, special districts and school districts. The investigations result in a series of recommendations that are intended to “save taxpayers’ dollars and to improve services.”
