San Gabriel Valley
Economic Partnership
Sanitation District of Los Angeles Co.
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Stanislawski & Co
West Covina
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Police, Community Working Together
Continuous high visibility, a “zero-tolerance” style of law
enforcement and a strong relationship between the department and the community
are what West Covina’s Police Department identified as major contributors
to this year’s successful crime results.
This year, West Covina officers handled an average of 192 calls a day,
or more than 70,000 calls throughout the year.
While officers handled the second highest number of major felony crimes
of any agency, on average, in L. A. County, West Covina’s crime rate
also continued to drop. Of the 10 cities in Los Angeles County with populations
between 100,000 and 450,000, West Covina experienced the second most dramatic
reduction in crime.
Community-oriented policing took center stage for the department. Partnerships with the community and other police departments provided resources to develop this new and innovative program. Four police lieutenants are dedicated to specific City quadrants to work directly with the public on addressing safety issues and concerns raised by the community. Residents and business owners can contact their lieutenant directly for non-emergency issues or neighborhood concerns.
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Communications 911: Where’s your emergency? Understanding 911 and when and how to use this number is important.
Each year, thousands of non-emergency calls are received that
could be handled through regular City numbers. Programs to educate people have been successfully implemented,
even for school age children. “Reddi Fox” teaches children
about 911. We are proud we can teach every second-grade class
in West Covina how and when to call the emergency number and what
happens when a dispatcher answers. |
Increased accountability, community-based patrol, reduced crime, improved
service, increased resident satisfaction and communication, increased
access to City government and improved neighborhood quality embody the
program framework.
Again, the department’s efforts to secure funds through its grant
procurement program paid off. The Police Department received grant funds
totaling more than $1.3 million, allowing for the addition of five new
police officer positions and numerous resources at no cost to West Covina
taxpayers.
Implementation of the Foothill Air Support Team (F.A.S.T.) Regional Helicopter
Program was realized through the collaborative efforts of the department
and four other local jurisdictions. The addition of helicopter patrols
enhanced the department’s ability to detect criminal activity and
rapidly respond to emergencies in the City.
The department continued to implement the very successful Crime Free
Multi-Housing Program, resulting in a 71-percent reduction in calls for
service and a 70-percent reduction in crimes reported in the 39 participating
apartment complexes in the city.
In addition to obtaining funding for new programs, the department collaborated
with the West Covina Unified School District and obtained funding for
a resource officer position at Coronado Alternative School. Consequently,
every level of public education in West Covina is provided with police
presence.
Fire protection and prevention
Construction improvements and aggressive fire prevention efforts over
the years have refocused the Fire Department’s mission. While fire
suppression and prevention remains an important element of what a fire
department does, in West Covina more than 60 percent of all calls for
service relate to medical emergencies.The Fire Department’s role
is changing to become more of an advocate for community wellness.
2000 was an extremely successful year for the Fire Department:
*West Covina became one of the first cities in Los Angeles County to
implement Standard Field Treatment Protocols, which will allow our paramedics
to provide faster and higher quality treatment to patients in the field.
*The implementation of the SHARPS program in partnership with Environmental
Management has provided residents with a safe and hygienic method to remove
household medical waste.
*After three drowning incidents early in the swimming season, the SEALS
drowning prevention program implemented a “door knock” campaign
with firefighters visiting every house with a pool. After the implementation
of the campaign, West Covina did not experience a drowning-related incident.
In addition to these programs, the INCITE immunization program, FORCE,
Explorer and Auxiliary programs continued throughout the year. The Public
Education program was again successful, with more than 3,500 residents
and school children trained throughout the year.
After the City’s successful Y2K emergency preparedness operation
at the beginning of the year, the Emergency Services Division continued
to update and retrain all City staff on the State Emergency Management
System.
The Emergency Services Division also collaborated with West Covina schools
to assist in providing a safer environment for our children.
2001 will see the continued improvement in the services the Fire Department
offers to the City.
The replacement of two fire engines is in progress. The new engines will
be ordered in the color red to complement the department’s new red
ladder truck