Public Safety

Overview

Public Safety

Article President’s Message L. Dennis Michael

Preparing Your Community for Fire Danger

The combination of drought, higher temperatures and abundant dry vegetation means that California’s fire season is now a year-round phenomenon.

Article Features Suzanne ShenfilAmiel Thurston

Hoarding’s Hazards: Fremont’s New Approach Improves Safety

Hoarding is a costly problem for cities to tackle, often taking hours of staff time and costing thousands of dollars.

Article Features Jude Hudson

West Sacramento’s Path to a Safer, Healthier Community

A crime-ridden trail spurred unhappy residents into action and led to a collaborative effort involving a local nonprofit, the city, school district and multiple agencies.

Menlo Park Builds Relationships for Safer Neighborhoods

The city is the first in the nation to have a full-time police officer position funded by a private company.

Restorative Peace Building Initiative Succeeds in Reedley

Mediators work with crime victims and offenders to help resolve conflict and make amends.

Article Features Kristina Ray

Leveraging the Power of Social Media When Disaster Strikes

Emergencies offer an opportunity to connect with residents.

Article City Forum Kirstin Kolpitcke

New Law Strengthens Local Regulation of Massage Businesses

New legislation returned to California cities and counties the authority to adopt ordinances regarding the massage therapy industry through a combination of land-use and business regulations.

Article Features Cory Golden

A Growing Risk: Oil Trains Raise Safety and Environmental Concerns

An oil boom in North Dakota and Canada from the Bakken shale formation and a lack of pipeline infrastructure have led to a dramatic increase in oil-by-rail shipments nationwide. As the volume…

Article Features Dan Carrigg

2014 Legislative Year in Review

League actions in 2014 included sponsoring and supporting legislation on infrastructure, economic development and the redevelopment dissolution process. Other efforts focused on improving the…

Santa Clarita Uses Collaborative Approach to Tackle Youths’ Drug Abuse

An upward trend in substance abuse spurred a partnership of the city, county and school district.

Article Legal Notes Stephen A. McewenLisa S. Kurihara

Addressing Health and Safety Issues Related to Public Encampments and Vehicle Habitation

In dealing with public encampments and vehicle habitation, city officials must be sensitive to the constitutional rights of the affected individuals, who are often homeless, and the many…

Article President’s Message Tony Ferrara

Is Your City Prepared for The Next Major Disaster?

California is vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, wildfires, tsunamis, hazardous materials spills, acts of terrorism and many other natural and human-caused disasters. For this reason state law…

Article Legal Notes Michael R. CobdenTeresa L. Highsmith

The Better Part of Valor: Amending Local Sex Offender Ordinances

Few city officials or residents favor the idea of repealing an ordinance intended to protect children from sexual predators, but many cities with such ordinances are being forced to do just that as…

Goleta Makes Emergency Preparedness a Priority

The Goleta Prepare Now/Goleta Prepárese Hoy program provides education and training to community members so they can assist their families and neighborhoods during a disaster.

Monrovia’s YES Program Opens Doors For At-Risk Teens

Monrovia’s YES Program Opens Doors For At-Risk Teens The program provides career opportunities and guidance.

Article Features

Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards Highlight Exceptional Efforts

Launched in 2014, the awards highlight cities and counties using innovative projects to achieve safety, preservation and sustainability goals for the local street and road systems.

Article Legal Notes Christi Hogin

Sober Living Businesses in Residential Zones

This article presents the current legal constraints and considerations related to local regulation of sober living homes and residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, which is limited…

Santa Clarita Uses Community Approach to Strengthen Neighborhood

The city partnered with residents to find creative ways to address tough challenges.

Article Everyday Ethics for Local Officials

When Tragedy Strikes: A Leader’s Role, Revisited

When a tragic event occurs and an investigation follows, it’s helpful for elected local officials to keep a few key issues in mind.

Article Features Kirstin Kolpitcke

Regulating the Massage Industry: Challenges and Opportunities

In 2008 the massage industry helped craft SB 731, which established a voluntary certification process for massage professionals through the California Massage Therapy Council. The bill’s intent…