Sporks, tasers covered by Grand Jury report

Sonoma County’s 2009-2010 Grand Jury last week released one of
the most far-ranging annual reports in recent years, covering
“sporks,” tasers, Little League, sewer operations, a jail study and
library pornography filters among its 12 separate reports included
in the 50-page document.
The 19-member panel invested over 17,000 hours of investigation,
interviews and field visits to complete its charge as the public’s
“watchdog” over county, city and special district governments. As a
“forum of last resort,” the panel included a series of
investigations prompted by individual citizen complaints.
This year’s Grand Jury revisited the issue of Officer Involved
Fatal Incidents.
Agreeing with last year’s jury, the 2009-2010 panel faulted the
District Attorney’s office for not meeting a 90-day deadline in
issuing final overview reports on the incidents.
In reviewing four separate fatalities, the Grand Jury agreed
with the D.A. that no wrongdoing was committed by any sworn
officer. However, the panel recommended the D.A. “establish a
policy to provide timely distribution of all fatal incident
documents.”
This issue became a subject of several debates in the recent
District Attorney election between incumbent Stephan Passalacqua
and challenger Jill Ravitch, won by Ravitch.
In another repeat investigation the Grand Jury returned to the
subject of “porn filters” at the county’s central library.
The county library system has no pornography filters on any
computers, including those in the children’s section, the jury
found. The jury recommended a pilot project of installing filters
on children’s section computers and appointing a committee to
update research on new filter technology.
In responses to last year’s Grand Jury report, library officials
defended the public’s uncensored access to information, while
agreeing to the concerns raised by the report.
This year’s jury suggested the library leaders seek additional
funding from the county  to upgrade its public computer system.
“Sporks” became an issue when members of the Grand Jury visited
12 county schools to study efforts to encourage healthy behavior
and good nutrition.
Sporks are plastic eating utensils that resemble a spoon with
fork-like times. The jurors agreed with many students that sporks
are difficult to use, recommending their replacement.
Overall, the Grand Jury “applauded” public school efforts to
improve school lunches, healthy habits, exercise and awareness.
They praised the expansion of school gardens and the removal of
soda and candy vending machines from campuses.
The busy Grand Jury also toured the county jail’s Main Adult
Detention Facility and the North County Detention Facility.
Operations and management of the jail facilities were deemed
“highly professional and humane” in the report which also noted the
aging and near capacity condition of the facilities.
The jury urged the county to provide more adequate mental health
services because the most rapidly increasing portion of the jail
population is represented by inmates in need of such services. The
jury noted the 2004-05 Grand Jury found the same lack of mental
health services and alternatives, adding “little has been done to
correct the problem.”
Other individual reports by the Grand Jury covered:
• Complaints of unnecessary delays in the permit application
process at the county government’s Permits Resource Management
Department. The panel recommended PRMD staff to convene more
“pre-application” meetings to streamline the permit process as well
as increasing emphasis on avoiding “unreasonable delays.”
• Reviewed various local law enforcement policies and procedures
on the use of “less than lethal” force, notably Taser stun guns.
The panel reviewed specific incidents and agreed with earlier
findings that “absolved” all officers of any criminal liability.
The jury recommended other law enforcement agencies adopt the
county sheriff’s policy on how to address individuals exhibiting
“excited delirium.” The Grand Jury supported the use of Tasers as
an alternative to live ammunition, so long as proper training,
equipment inspections and proper protocols are in place.
• Two Santa Rosa-specific cases dealing with a neighborhood
complaint about noise and dust from Little League baseball games
and a citizen concern over downtown Santa Rosa parking garage
safety were addressed.
Any county resident over age 18 with U.S. citizenship can apply
to be a Grand Juror.  The year-long commitment includes regular
weekly sessions, plus additional field and interview time, average
15 hours. Jurors receive a small paid stipend.
Application forms along with Confidential Citizen Complaint
Forms are available on the Internet at www.sonomasuperiorcourt.com
or by calling   565-6330.