Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police captain details staffing gains, $248,000 DUI grant and new tech pilots
Summary
Monte Sereno's police operations report for Jan–June highlighted three new officers, a $248,000 DUI grant to fund patrols and vehicles, and pilots of drones and the Flock camera system, which staff say aid investigations and community safety.
Captain Alba, the police operations captain who presented the Jan.–June report, said the department added three officers during the reporting period, including two laterals and one entry-level recruit now nearing completion of academy training. She said the agency also promoted a sergeant and hired a dispatcher.
On grant funding, Alba said, “We got $248,000,” explaining the money will pay for two patrol vehicles, eight saturated DUI patrol events and training for a Drug Recognition Expert. She argued the grant’s value goes beyond equipment: officers can remove repeat dangerous drivers from the roads and “keep the community safer.”
Alba described several community programs — vacation checks, a special-needs registry, neighborhood watch meetings and a Community Police Academy — and summarized crime and response data. She said the department could not always break out response times by jurisdiction but that priority calls are being answered faster compared with the prior reporting period.
On technology, Alba detailed pilot projects including a drone-as-first-responder program and use of the Flock camera transparency portal. She cited one burglary where Flock footage from a neighboring jurisdiction helped identify a suspect and led to an arrest. Alba told council the department will continue demoing camera trailers at events and exploring public–private partnerships to expand situational awareness.
The presentation closed with questions from council about canine sharing across agencies, e‑bike enforcement and forthcoming staffing milestones. The captain said the department is actively recruiting and expects additional academy graduations in the months ahead.
