TITLE:
title
AGREEMENT FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM BETWEEN THE CITY OF COSTA MESA AND NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: ED EVERETT, LIEUTENANT
CONTACT INFORMATION: ED EVERETT, LIEUTENANT, (714) 754-5395
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Approve the agreement for a School Resource Officer (SRO) Program between the City of Costa Mesa and Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
In 2001, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) began an SRO Program with NMUSD. The program consisted of two full-time police officers to staff Costa Mesa's two high schools and one intermediate school. The program was viewed as a tremendous success and a benefit to all parties involved.
Since then, the City and NMUSD have entered into annual agreements in connection with the SRO Program. In September 2022, the CMPD committed a third officer to the SRO Program, which was outlined in the SRO Program agreement for FY 2022-2023.
ANALYSIS:
Since the SRO Program's inception, the primary mission of the SROs has been to prevent and deter school violence before it strikes. SROs help mitigate problems that might otherwise result in an emergency call for police services, thereby reducing the burden on Patrol Services. SROs accomplish this by their presence on campus and regular interaction with school staff and students. In addition, SROs are a resource for students to advise of potential issues, which the SROs can proactively address and mitigate.
SROs are present on school campuses to ensure the safety and security of our schools. SROs respond to and handle all criminal acts occurring on school campuses or in the immediate vicinity. In this respect, SROs conduct the initial investigation on a variety of crimes such as child abuse, assaults, thefts, graffiti, and...
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