CC SR 20260407 02 - Public Safety Update
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 04/07/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 third quarter status update on the Public Safety
Division.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Receive and file the FY 2025-26 third quarter status update (from January-March
2026) on the implementation of the Public Safety Division including its current
initiatives and future objectives.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Jennifer Schmid, Public Safety Manager JS
REVIEWED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager CJ
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A) Reporting Districts (RD) Map (Page A-1)
B) Public Safety Division Badges and Uniforms (Page B-1)
BACKGROUND:
On May 2, 2023, the City Council authorized a pilot program to form a Public Safety
Division (Division) within the Administration Department. The Division was initially formed
in response to the rising cost of the City’s contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department (LASD). For context, the City’s LASD contract costs, beginning in FY 2001-
02, are displayed in the chart on the following page. The chart illustrates the contract
cost’s upward trend with annual rate increases varying widely from year to year; the
average annual rate increase is currently 4.7%.
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Chart No. 1 – LASD Contract Amounts from FY 2001-02 to FY 2025-26
The overall contract rate increase is comprised of two separate rate increases for general
services and for the Liability Trust Fund (LTF) (which pays for costs arising from claims
and lawsuits involving LASD). These rates are set annually by the County of Los Angeles
and applied across the board to all contract cities. The City’s FY 2025-26 LASD contract
cost is $8,583,899, which is an overall 5.31% increase from the prior year. This includes
+4.37% for general services and +13% for LTF.
On April 1, 2026, LASD notified all contract cities that the overall contract rate increases
in FY 2026-27 will be +2.3% for general services and +14.5% for LTF. When applied to
Rancho Palos Verdes, its contract amount for next year will be $8,896,457, which is a
3.6% overall rate increase over the prior year. The contract is expected to be finalized in
May 2026 and is tentatively scheduled for City Council consideration on June 16, 2026.
The City plans to maintain its current LASD service levels into FY 2026-27. At the same
time, the Division provides a means to economically enhance public safety services by
providing City programs, non-sworn staff, and tools that are independent of the LASD
contract, yet in close coordination with Lomita Sheriff’s Station personnel.
In general, the Division’s work supports two City Council goals: (a) establish the new
Division and (b) maintain a high level of community engagement on public safety matters.
To advance these goals, the Division focuses on the following work:
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1) Improve coordination with LASD and use crime data to request deputies to be
deployed to targeted areas experiencing an increase in public safety concerns,
such as residential burglaries and vehicle thefts. This work helps the City and
LASD prevent and respond quickly to emerging issues.
2) Explore and deploy tools that can help LASD prevent or solve crimes. This includes
Public Safety Liaisons (PSLs) responding to non-emergency dispatch calls from
LASD and conducting neighborhood patrols, Automated License Plate Reader
(ALPR) cameras, neighborhood Flock cameras, crime -deterrent signs, and the
potential use of LASD drones starting in FY 2026-27.
3) Actively engage with residents and businesses on crime prevention and reporting.
The Division uses various platforms to conn ect with the community, including
Neighborhood Watch meetings, Homeowners Association (HOA) meetings,
Council of Homeowners Association (CHOA) meetings, newsletters, public events,
television, social media, and more.
Internally, January 2025 is considered the start date of the Division, which follows the
hiring of a full-time Public Safety Manager and the transition of three existing part -time
Parking Enforcement Officers into their new roles as part-time PSLs. Since then, the
Division has been working on each of the three areas above, and detailed updates on
that work are described in the Discussion section below. By continuing to build on these
core functions, the Division is expected to be fully operational by Summer 2026, including
the Division’s primary objective to dispatch PSLs to non-emergency calls for service in
coordination with LASD.
DISCUSSION:
1) Status of Current Initiatives
a) Interagency Coordination
The Division has worked closely with Lomita Sheriff’s Station to implement traffic
enforcement in targeted areas, safely manage free speech events, and coordinate
road closures caused by land movement, weather-related impacts, and other
safety hazards. This interagency coordination has ensured timely information
sharing, appropriate traffic control measures, and continued access for emergency
services, while minimizing disruption to residents whenever possible.
• Road Closures: The Division has supported emergency response efforts
related to recent sinkhole and road flooded incidents impacting roadways
within the City. PSLs assisted Public Works and the Lomita Sheriff’s Station
with traffic control and roadway closures to ensure motorist safety. PSLs
secured impacted areas, redirected traffic, and provided on-site support.
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• Free Speech Events: In FY 2025-26, the City has experienced four (4) free
speech events with upwards of 200-300 attendees. With minimal notice
provided to the City, the Division coordinated the safe management of these
events by notifying and communicating with impacted residents and
businesses; providing traffic control and barriers to protect attendees; and
coordinating LASD, PSL, and Ranger presence to ensure compliance with
applicable regulations.
• Directed Division Patrols: The Division has deployed PSLs to targeted
neighborhoods based on community reports, calls for service data, and
observed trends to address and report issues to Lomita Sheriff’s Station
such as parking violations, speeding, loitering concerns, and other quality
of life matters.
b) Crime Data
The Division continues to monitor crime trends and work with the Lomita Sheriff’s
Station to address priority public safety concerns within the community. Recent
data indicates a decrease in residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries, and fraud
related offenses based off the previous year's crime data provided by Lomita
Sheriff’s Station.
Chart 2: Crime Data Comparison
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• Residential burglaries continue to be closely monitored, with an emphasis
on identifying patterns related to time of day and location.
• Vehicle burglaries, many of which are crimes of opportunity, often involve
unlocked vehicles or visible valuables, reinforcing the need for continued
public education and preventative measures.
• Fraud related incidents, including check theft and financial scams have
emerged as a growing concern impacting residents.
In response, Staff have implemented a combination of proactive crime suppression
and prevention strategies including:
• Reporting strategic deployment per Districts (Attachment A)
• High visibility patrols
• Public education campaigns and PSAs
• Coordination with Lomita Sheriff’s Station personnel
c) GIS Mapping:
Staff continue to make progress on the development and implementation of an
internal crime mapping tool, which supports enhanced interagency coordination.
Through ongoing collaboration with Lomita Sheriff’s Station, the City receives data
that will be integrated into the platform, allowing Division Staff to better visualize
crime activity and identify hotspots in the City. This tool will prove to be invaluable
in informing targeted patrol and enforcement efforts.
Following a new GIS software update, phase three of the project remains in
development and is expected to further enhance the crime mapping tool’s
capabilities by incorporating more advanced data analysis and trend projections.
d) Staffing and Training:
The Division experienced staff turnover with the departure of two out of three PSLs
within the first year of operations. However, as of February 2026, all three PSL
positions have been filled and are being overseen by a Field Training Officer
(FTO). All four field positions are actively patrolling and expanding their coverage,
which supports LASD and potentially deter criminal activity.
Additionally, the Division will onboard a Senior Administrative Analyst in April 2026.
This position will gather and analyze crime data, develop and implement public
safety programs, apply for grants to fund public safety equipment and programs,
monitor relevant legislation, and support long term strategic planning for the
Division. As time allows, this position will also work with the Emergency
Preparedness Coordinator to help the City prepare for and respond to major
emergencies, ranging from earthquakes to landslides.
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Comprehensive training and professional development are paramount to ensuring
PSLs respond safely, professionally, and effectively to a wide range of public
safety situations. The FTO has since prepared a Public Safety Training Manual for
the Division, and the FTO and one PSL have been partially trained. Furthermore,
by July 2026, all field staff should be fully trained and able to receive and respond
to dispatched calls from LASD to respond to non-emergency calls for service.
Trainings from April to July 2026:
Following the successful completion of the LASD background approvals process
that begins on April 1, 2026, PSLs will be required to participate in the following
training programs:
• Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) school
• Sheriff’s Station Communication training
• Field Training with the City’s FTO
• LASD Field Training to handle non-emergency calls for service:
o One week each with a line Deputy
o One week with a Traffic Unit
o One week with a Sergeant
Additional public safety trainings, beginning April 2026:
• CPR & first aid
• PC 832 training on arrest, search, and seizure laws
• De-escalation
• Traffic flagging certification for safe traffic management during incidents or
events
• Rattlesnake safety training
• Narcan training
• OC spray training, if they encounter combative individuals
e) Public Safety Badges and Uniforms
The Division has also designed Public Safety Division badges and uniforms for the
FTO and PSLs to help the public clearly differentiate field staff from LASD
personnel, while still conveying that they are official City representatives that are
serving the community and can assist with non-emergency public safety matters.
Examples of the badge and uniforms are available under Attachment B.
f) Community Education:
Tax-Related Fraud and Check Theft
Following recent incidents of tax-related fraud and check theft, the Division has
collaborated with LASD to implement a Tax Fraud and Scam Prevention
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Campaign to educate residents on the way these scams occur and to
provide clear guidance on how to prevent becoming a victim.
• Tips for safely mailing tax payments or important financial documents
• How to recognize common tax scams and fraudulent communications
• Best practices for protecting personal and financial information
• Steps residents should take if they believe they have been targeted or
victimized
In addition to social media messaging, the campaign has included educational
flyers and digital resources, direct coordination and meetings with Federal
legislators and the US Postal Service to bring this issue to light, and outreach to
the business community to increase awareness.
Holiday Safety
During peak holiday seasons, the City implemented safety messaging (including
social media reels, some presented at City Council meetings) focused on crime
prevention and community awareness. These efforts include reminders related to
package theft prevention, securing homes and vehicles, safe shopping practices,
and increasing vigilance. Staff launched social media campaigns and published
tips on the city website and quarterly newsletter.
E-Bike Safety Videos and Training Session
In response to growing use of e-bikes within the community, the City has
developed educational outreach focused on e -bike safety and responsible
operations. Messaging emphasizes helmet use, adherence to traffic laws, speed
awareness, and safe riding practices. These efforts aim to improve rider safety and
increase awareness among both riders and motorists.
In October 2026, the cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, and
Rolling Hills hosted a joint E-bike safety course in partnership with the Lomita
Sheriff’s Station to educate students ages 10-17 on proper e-bike use. Given the
rise in e-bike popularity, the City will continue to host these safety courses and
push out safety messaging.
Lithium Battery Safety
The City continues to provide educational materials related to lithium-ion battery
safety, particularly as it relates to e-bikes and other electronic devices. PSAs
highlight the importance of proper charging, storage, and use of certified
equipment to reduce the risk of battery-related fires. This initiative supports
broader fire prevention efforts and promotes safe practices within the community.
g) Community Engagement:
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The Division has maintained an active presence in the community by regularly
attending Neighborhood Watch, HOA, and CHOA meetings, totaling 25 in 2025
and four thus far in 2026. These engagements provide valuable opportunities to
hear resident concerns firsthand, share crime prevention strategies, and
strengthen relationships with community stakeholders.
One recent area of collaboration has been with CHOA and individual HOAs to
voluntarily provide gate access information to their gated communities. This allows
PSLs to patrol an increasing number of neighborhoods throughout the day and
respond more efficiently, when needed.
The Division will also continue working with the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
and Area Coordinators to provide members with additional public safety resources
and community safety education. Through these efforts, residents will remain
connected with Division Staff and Lomita Sheriff’s Station personnel
to improve information sharing and address concerns more quickly.
h) Program Components:
• Neighborhood Watch: Division staff will continue working with the
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and meeting with Neighborhood Watch
groups to provide guidance on crime prevention practices and programs that
keep residents informed, engaged, and vigilant on public safety matters.
Whenever possible, the Division will seek opportunities to expand its
involvement and support.
• Crime Prevention Education: Quarterly town halls will be offered on topics such
as residential burglary prevention, vehicle theft prevention, scam awareness,
and reporting suspicious activity.
• Emergency Preparedness Education: Collaborating with the City’s Emergency
Management Coordinator and the Emergency Preparedness Committee
(EPC), residents will also receive education on emergency preparedness,
including disaster readiness, evacuation planning, and community response
coordination within their neighborhoods.
• HOA and CHOA Meetings: Public Safety will continue to attend HOA and
CHOA meetings to provide crime prevention information and answer public
safety concerns. One collaborative example includes Staff requesting HOAs
to provide their gate access codes, so that PSLs may be able to enter and
conduct patrols within their neighborhoods on a routine basis.
2) Initiatives Under Development:
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As the Division nears full staffing, it is building operational momentum and moving
forward with several upcoming initiatives. These efforts are designed to expand public
safety services, strengthen community partnerships, and improve responsiveness to
community needs. The following initiatives represent the Division’s next steps:
a) Expanded Patrol Coverage:
As part of its expanded patrol strategy, Division Staff, in coordination with Lomita
Sheriff’s Station, are analyzing crime data and calls for service to identify when
residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries, and other incidents most often occur. This
data-driven approach will help guide decisions on adjusting or extending shift
hours, so patrol resources are deployed during peak periods of need. Potential
patrol shifts being explored are listed below.
• Morning Shift: 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Mid-day Shift: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Evening Shift: 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Early Morning Shift: 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The proposed shift model provides scheduling flexibility and does not assume that
all PSLs would work every day. With three part-time PSLs and one part-time FTO,
the goal is to stagger and rotate shifts to provide consistent coverage while
maintaining reasonable workloads. When staffing permits, some overlap between
shifts may also be possible.
The primary goal is to consistently staff both a morning and evening shift. Mid -day
shift and early morning shift coverage could be added as staffing levels allow,
providing additional support during afternoon, evening, and overnight periods.
Although extending shifts later into the overnight period could be considered in the
future, the proposed schedule is generally consistent with similar public safety
divisions in other jurisdictions. As the program continues to develop, staff will
monitor crime trends and volume of service calls to determine whether further
adjustments to shift hours are warranted.
This patrol model is expected to provide several operational benefits:
• Increased visibility and patrol presence throughout the City
• Greater ability to respond to calls for service and community needs
• Deployment of multiple units during peak service hours
• Additional support to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station during high call volume
periods
For statistical tracking and patrol planning purposes, LASD has divided the City
into reporting districts (RDs) (Attachment A). This system allows staff to better
analyze crime trends and pinpoint where calls for service are occurring. PSLs will
be assigned to some and/or all reporting districts to ensure consistent coverage
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and familiarity with the unique needs of each area. If two PSLs are on
duty simultaneously, each PSL may be assigned to a designated RD to enhance
visibility, improve response coordination, and support targeted patrol efforts.
b) LASD Drone Program Development
The Lomita Sheriff’s Station is exploring the development of a Drone Program
through a cost-sharing arrangement among its four contract cities: Rancho Palos
Verdes, Lomita, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates. Drones are increasingly
used by law enforcement as a modern public safety tool that can improve response
times, enhance deputy safety, and provide critical real-time information during
incidents.
Potential uses of the drones include:
• Monitoring traffic collisions or roadway hazards
• Assessing emergency scenes or natural hazards
• Assisting with search efforts, particularly in hard-to-reach areas
• Supporting situational awareness during large community events
• Providing aerial assessments during emergencies and disasters
The City is currently reviewing operational frameworks and policies, including data
management and privacy considerations, to ensure the program is implemented
responsibly.
At this time, the Lomita Sheriff’s Station has provided a quote for a four-drone
program to be operated by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified
deputies trained in drone deployment. The proposed equipment includes:
• One long-range drone for special events and large-scale operations, which
would remain stationed at Lomita Sheriff’s Station
• Two daily use drones for general calls for service
• One interior drone for critical incidents, such as barricaded suspects or
situations where deputies need to assess the inside of a location that may be
unsafe to enter
The proposed drones would include capabilities such as:
• Floodlights and spotlights
• Zoom cameras
• Speakers
• Image and video capture
• Thermal imaging
• LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for distance measurement and mapping
Cost estimates are still being finalized, but the total program cost is currently
projected at approximately $50,000 to $75,000. These costs would be shared
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among the four contract cities based on a cost -share formula under development
and will be included in the draft FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget for City Council
consideration.
c) Crime Deterrence Signs:
Trailhead Safety:
As the summer season approaches and visitation to the City’s trailheads
increases, the Division plans to implement a trailhead safety and crime prevention
initiative aimed at reducing vehicle-related theft.
The initiative includes installing signs at trailhead parking areas to remind visitors
to lock their vehicles and remove valuables from sight. Recent data from Lomita
Sheriff’s Station indicates that many reported vehicle break-ins are crimes of
opportunity involving unlocked vehicles or visible pe rsonal property, especially at
trailhead parking lots.
In addition, PSLs and Rangers will conduct patrols of trailhead parking areas
during peak usage periods and when staffing permits. These patrols are intended
to enhance visibility, reinforce preventative messaging, and deter criminal activity.
ALPR Camera Signage:
Staff are currently in the final stages of developing anti-theft sign at key entry and
exit points throughout the City. Signs will be attention-grabbing and clearly indicate
the presence of ALPR cameras in the City, in order to deter potential offenders.
d) Business Community Program - #RPVBiz
The Division plans to launch a business community program in coordination with
local businesses, Lomita Sheriff’s Station, and potentially the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. The program will provide Rancho Palos Verdes
businesses with a single point of contact at City Hall for public safety information,
crime prevention education, and related City resources.
Program Components:
• Safety Walk-Throughs: LASD will offer voluntary walk-throughs for businesses
to identify opportunities for safety improvements, such as enhanced lighting,
security camera placement, access to products, and environmental design
measures to prevent crime.
• Safety Meetings: Periodic roundtable meetings will be offered for business
owners to directly voice their concerns and learn about crime trends, and
prevention strategies with Division staff and LASD representatives.
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• Business Safety Newsletter: A regular newsletter will keep businesses
informed about crime trends, scams, and other public safety issues affecting
the business community.
e) Municipal Code Amendments
Staff have begun a comprehensive review of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal
Code (RPVMC) to potentially clarify unclear regulations or update any obsolete
ordinances to ensure consistent and immediate enforcement of the RPVMC.
Ordinances that have been identified for potential amendment include, but are not
limited to:
• Loitering and Hours of Operation: Update and define loitering regulations and
establish clear, enforceable hours of operation across all City facilities,
including parks, buildings, and preserve areas (RPVMC 12.16.030)
• Public Nuisance: Consider adopting or aligning such codes with applicable Los
Angeles County code provisions to ensure consistency with the region
(RPVMC 8.24.080)
• Congregating in Medians: Refine existing language to prohibit congregating in
medians to support pedestrian and traffic safety (RPVMC 12.16.010)
• Noise Disturbance Regulations: Update provision to more clearly define
prohibited conduct and establish consistent and enforceable penalties
(RPVMC 9.32.040)
Staff will continue to identify and address additional code sections requiring
clarification or updates as new enforcement challenges and operational needs
arise. Furthermore, Staff will also work with the Lomita Sheriff’s Station to ensure
that Deputies understand the City’s Code, as they are updated and amended.
f) “Fire Fridays” Campaign
In partnership with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the City’s
Emergency Preparedness staff, the Division plans to launch a recurring fire safety
awareness series called #FireFridays. For younger audiences, the term “fire” is a
slang term used to describe something exciting, impressive, or awesome, making
the series a fun and relatable way to connect with that age group while sharing
important safety information.
Topics include:
• Lithium battery safety and proper charging
• Home fire prevention tips
• Smoke detector maintenance and testing
• Wildfire preparedness and defensible space awareness
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• Safe cooking practices
• Emergency evacuation planning
• Fire extinguisher safety and usage
g) City Tik Tok Account
When City staff asked the Youth Advisory Committee how younger people most
often receive news, the overwhelming response was TikTok. Staff have observed
a small but growing number of public agencies creating TikTok accounts to expand
their outreach, and the City’s Public Information team plans to launch a City of
Rancho Palos Verdes TikTok page by May 2026. The Division plans to use this
new platform to share public safety tips and engage a broader audience.
CONCLUSION:
At this time, Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file this report, which
describes the Division efforts to advance the City’s vision of a safe, vigilant, and engaged
community through targeted outreach, proactive patrols, strategic partnerships with
LASD, and investments in technology and staff capacity.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternative actions are available for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not approve one or more recommendations and direct staff accordingly, which
may include requests to return with additional information or updates.
2. Take other action.
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A-1
Public Safety Officer Uniform
The Public Safety Division will issue standardized uniforms to promote
professionalism, visibility, and public recognition, while ensuring officers remain clearly
distinguishable from sworn deputies. Approximate cost is $3,700 with sufficient funds
available in the FY 2025-26 budget.
•To introduce the new uniforms and Public Safety Liaisons to the community, the
City will share Public Safety Liaison introductions and posts through social media
platforms, email listerservs, City Council meetings, and the Weekly City
Manager’s Report to help residents become familiar with the team serving their
neighborhoods.
•Uniforms will include the "Rancho Palos Verdes Public Safety" badge below to
clearly identify Public Safety Liaisons as official City representatives.
B-1
Tactical Short Sleeve Tactical Stryke Pants Softshell Jacket Tactical Long Sleeve
Flex fit cap (optional) Leather Garrison Belt Duty Belt
Radio Holder Flat Glove Pouch Single Cuff Case
Flashlight Holder Belt Keepers Key Holder Tourniquet holder
UNIFORM:
B-2