Huge Turnout For Community-wide CPI Meeting

There was a big crowd at the DHS High School cafeteria for this evening's community policing initiative meeting. Everybody who was anybody in public safety was there - even Fire Chief Veik. Police Chief Williams said that 90% of the police force were in the room, and Commander Bressler introduced them all. The volunteer COPS were present too, as well as Code Enforcement, the Police Explorers, our one reserve officer, the full Public Safety Commission, Mayor Parks, Mayor Pro Tem Pye and Councilmember Matas. Councilmembers Sanchez and Betts were apparently attending to city duties elsewhere.

Like last year, we broke up into the four areas of the city to meet the officers assigned to our areas and to discuss matters of concern. In Area A, my area, the top two concerns were speeding and other traffic issues, especially near the schools. Second concern was some graffiti that the police said is unlikely to be gang-related. Traffic was a concern in other areas as well, plus dumpster diving to steal recyclables. That was it. Once again, gangs did not make the list.

Chief Williams announced that he would be assigning one officer to traffic duties - an announcement that was greeted with applause.

The highlight of the meeting for me was when Chief Williams pretended not to know exactly how many beds there are in Riverside County jails, so he turned to Desert Sun report Kate McGinty for an answer. She was stumped.

I took some photos that came out fairly poor, but Bruce Montgomery was taking photos and he has posted his photos here.

UPDATE: Kate McGinty's report.