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News Briefs Proper Sentence in Elder Rage A 71-year-old Redwood City man who allegedly pointed a gun at a motorist’s head and threatened to kill him because his truck blocked a driveway will spend 120 days monitored at home but does not have to abstain from drinking. Prosecutors objected to Jimmy Leroy Isaakson serving his term on electronic home monitoring instead of jail, but Judge Susan Etezadi granted the defense request. Etezadi also declined a prosecution request that Isaakson abstain from alcohol while serving his term and three years supervised probation. Isaakson pleaded no contest in March to felony assault with a firearm in return for the 120-day maximum and dismissal of other charges, including personal use of a firearm and brandishing a weapon at a person in a motor vehicle. According to prosecutors, a 68-year-old man pulled his truck up to an employee’s residence in Redwood City and partially blocked Isaakson’s driveway. Isaakson reportedly approached the man inside his truck and pointed a gun at him, saying, “Move the car or I’m going to shoot you, mother f---. I don’t like f--- Mexicans.” After the victim said he was going to call 911, Isaakson said he was the police, prosecutors said. Isaakson denied having a gun, but police reported finding one in a dresser drawer at his home. Isaakson has been free from custody on a $25,000 bail bond. Redwood City Makes Pitch for San Carlos Outsourcing As San Carlos officials wrestle with the idea of outsourcing police services to either Redwood City or the Sheriff’s Office, councilmembers sought answers to questions beyond the critical bottom line. Will the city get the same level of service? Will you reinstate the disbanded D.A.R.E. program or police activities league? What is your policing philosophy? What happens if the city has different regulations? How will the new officers interact with existing neighborhood watch groups? At a special City Council meeting, both Redwood City and Sheriff’s Office officials reviewed previously submitted proposals but spent a majority of time tackling the more subjective impacts of outsourcing a city’s public safety to another agency. San Carlos Councilman Omar Ahmad also said there is a reasonable concern that new officers may not know what cars belong on the street, what kids belong where or the relationships built on community policing. Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira did not rule out the idea of exploring a joint powers authority approach after the initial two-year contract, calling the lack of a metropolitan police department “nuts.” Sheriff Greg Munks fell on the other side. “A JPA is not something I’d be really interested in,” Munks said. “I just don’t know how it would work.” But for now, the issue is outsourcing — an idea San Carlos is also considering for fire and parks maintenance services as a way to close a $3.5 million deficit in its $28 million budget. The City Council will likely hold one or two more meetings specifically on the outsourcing issue to decide first if it wants that option and secondly who is best suited to provide the service, said San Carlos Mayor Randy Royce. The plan is to have those answers in place to coincide with the city’s budget in June, Royce said. San Carlos and Redwood City already work together, with three of eight police beats butting up against the city and San Carlos officers serving on the Redwood City SWAT team. “Criminals don’t care where jurisdictional boundaries are,” said Redwood City police Capt. Ron Matuszak. Under the Redwood City proposal, police personnel will get higher salaries but likely be absorbed as new officers regardless of seniority. The initial proposal offered two options that would save San Carlos roughly $2 million. One offers a captain and secretary while the other does not, a difference between $5.9 million and $6.4 million. The proposal was amended to reflect an extra 2,000 hours of overtime to meet staffing minimums — an extra $180,000 — and $150,000 to $200,000 for records. The proposal also does not account for jail access and laboratory fees. Munks echoed Redwood City’s position that absorbing San Carlos would not be a detrimental shakeup to local public safety. Such arrangements are not untested — the Sheriff’s Office already contracts services to Portola Valley and Woodside — and will not include uncertainties, unanticipated expenses or a lack of local control, Munks said. The Sheriff’s Office proposal would staff a San Carlos bureau with 23 full-time employees, four part-time employees and 20 percent of a sergeant’s position. Salaries and benefits are calculated at $6,030,000. The total price tag, including vehicles and associated costs like auto liability and evidence storage, is $6,772,000, although it does not include overtime for special details or communications. An overtime relief factor is already built into the cost, Munks said. Anything beyond is covered by the Sheriff’s Office. The proposal also makes a K-9 deputy available, frees the city from charges for booking, jail access and the crime lab, and makes the SWAT team available if necessary. Personnel assignments will be reviewed with the city except in emergency response situations. The Sheriff’s Office will maintain responsibility for service vehicles, human resources and risk management services. The city may be credited for vehicles and firearms already in use. Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos emphasized the office’s resources and commitment to community policing as reasons San Carlos should contract with the Sheriff’s Office. He also cited the employees — 48 percent of whom have prior municipal policing experience, according to Munks — and significant community experience through festivals, Fourth of July events and youth programs. Unlike Redwood City’s proposal, the Sheriff’s Office will offer all San Carlos police personnel jobs and there will be no probationary period for employees with at least 18 months at the San Carlos Police Department, Bolanos said. Like Redwood City, the sheriff’s proposal starts officers’ seniority at the time they transfer over. Bolanos dismissed concerns of layoffs due to the county budget, saying it has never before happened. He said the proposal is also good for the city’s safety. “We believe our proposal has a superior level of supervision,” Bolanos said. Munks said the Sheriff’s Office would be able to provide programs like D.A.R.E. to the community. Although the two agencies offer the city of San Carlos different costs and levels of staffing to consider, both told city leaders the goal is ultimately to be one unified law enforcement group. “In a few years it won’t be us and you guys. It will be us,” said Matuszak. Shop now for Father’s Day www.SpectrumMagazine.net
Get the red carpet treatment Everything you need is here at On Broadway. A full-service branch featuring friendly knowledgeable staff. Validated parking. Convenient late hours and we’re open on Saturdays, too! Come see what all the fuss is about. Get a Free Movie Ticket! When you open your membership at the On Broadway Branch. Broadway St. Theatre District Jefferson Ave. your local hero When you refer a friend or family member to SMCU, 20 lunches will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo Co. on broadway • 830 Jefferson Ave • (650) 363-1725 • SMCU.ORG Offer valid while supplies last. You are eligible for membership in SMCU if you live, work, worship, or study in San Mateo County. A one-time, non-refundable membership fee of $10.00 ($1.00 for age 17 and under) is required to join. Federally insured by NCUA. When a referral is made for a new membership and account opening is verified, SMCU will make a contribution to the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo County within 60 days of account opening. Must complete referral card. See branch for details. The Spectrum 23
Page 1 and 2: JAMES FOX Retiring BUT STILL READY
Page 3 and 4: The Spectrum.JUN.2010 Steve Penna O
Page 5 and 6: RCSD Corner: News From the Redwood
Page 7 and 8: CITY OF REDWOOD CITY HOME IMPROVEME
Page 9 and 10: Cultural Events Sequoia Students Im
Page 11 and 12: P.S. The People Speak: Letters to t
Page 13 and 14: The Spectrum Mag AD 4/2/08 4:23 PM
Page 15 and 16: Events Around Town Kiwanis Bike Rod
Page 17 and 18: “I kind of have mixed feelings, b
Page 19 and 20: TIP C -A- P THURSDAY, JUNE 10 th 5:
Page 21: Shop Local! - Shop Redwood City! Ch
Page 25 and 26: Fox Dream Presents Mo’ Music It
Page 27 and 28: Community Interest Civilian to Head
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