HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-2012 B1 CashGoodwin, Heather
Subject:
Attachments:
FW: RED FILE ITEM
Red File Transients 5- 1- 12.doc
From: Gesell, Steve
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 3:12 PM
To: Schroeder, Sheryll
Cc: Lichtig, Katie
Subject: FW: RED FILE ITEM
Stephen Gesell
San Luis Obispo Police Chief
1042 Walnut Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 781 -7020
skom
MEETING AGENDA
=ATE --Y'11 ITEM #
From: Deborah Cash Imailto:dcash(&downtownslo.coml
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 3:11 PM
To: Elaina Cano
Cc: Gesell, Steve; Lichtig, Katie
Subject: RED FILE ITEM
Elaina, hi
If you could include this memo in the Red File for tonight's meeting, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Deborah
Deborah Cash
Executive Director
SLO Downtown Association
P O Box 1402
San Luis Obispo CA 93406
805 -541 -0286
dcash(cr,downtowns lo. com
MAY 01 2012
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I May 2012 RED FILE
TO: Mayor Jan Marx and City Councilmembers
FROM: Deborah Cash, Executive Director
SLO Downtown Association
Re: Transient Issues In Downtown
The SLO Downtown Association Executive Committee at its meeting today directed that
I communicate to Council regarding the continuing and growing issue of aggressive and
problem behaviors occurring in Downtown by a primarily transient segment of the
population.
It is a common daily occurrence now to hear stories from business owners, employees
and visitors to Downtown that they have been intimidated, harassed, stolen from,
vandalized and otherwise victimized by these behaviors. Today, one business owner told
me that `homeless' (or transient) persons have been seen on video cameras at night trying
to break into his business, turn on his outdoor heaters; they have thrown umbrella stands
into the creek, stolen food and products from his business and intimidated customers on
the patio.
Currently, the Downtown Association employs a full -time private security patrol that
keeps daily logs of problem and criminal activities in Downtown. These logs are full.
Our security guards are in frequent contact with PD. In addition, we have informed
Downtown businesses that they need to contact the security and PD every time they see
these behaviors and follow through with a complaint.
The Executive Committee will be recommending to the Board that it forward a request to
Council asking for relief in what is becoming an increasingly alarming situation in
Downtown —a neighborhood of the City that could use a little `wellness' help right now.
Because there is a meeting tonight at which time Council will be discussing an ancillary
issue regarding RV parking, the Committee feels this is an appropriate time to apprise
Council of the critical nature of these problem behaviors and the impact they are having
on business and safety of those visiting and working Downtown.
Cc: Downtown Association Board of Directors
Katie Lichtig, City Manager
Chief Steve Gesell, SLO PD