Santa Cruz County Local Public Safety News Articles and Digest

Public Safety Homelessness Crime & Justice

SCOTUS to Hear Case with Major Implications for Homeless

01/12/2024
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case related to whether cities and towns can ban camping on public property. The high court could overturn Martin v. Boise, a 2018 federal court decision that keeps western cities and counties from blocking public camping when sufficient shelter space is unavailable.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

LAPD Chief Announces Departure at End of February

01/12/2024
Michel Moore, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, announced he will resign. The departure of Moore, who has been in the job since 2018, will spur the appointment of an interim chief and a nationwide search for his replacement, according to Mayor Karen Bass.

From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

Public Safety Resilience

Zayante Fire Seeks Community Support

01/10/2024
Image for display with article titled Zayante Fire Seeks Community Support

Zayante Fire Department is fighting to keep a financial fire from getting out of control and will soon face a new threat—consolidation.

From LAist...

Public Safety Crime & Justice

Hate Crimes Rising in Los Angeles

01/09/2024
Cal State San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism found that hate crimes rose 12.9% between 2022 and 2023. The spike follows a particularly stark increase in crimes against Jewish people.

From Press Banner...

Public Safety Crime & Justice City of Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley Police Chief Mourns Loss of ‘Old School’ Top-Cop Father

01/05/2024
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Just before Christmas, Scotts Valley lost one of the men who was critical to shaping the city into the place it is today.

From CalMatters...

Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

Kinder, Gentler Prison Guards Key to Newsom San Quentin Reform Plan

01/05/2024
California correctional officers train like ‘they are going to war’ to work in state prisons. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to transform San Quentin could require a kinder approach.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Environment Transportation

Snow Shortage Followed by Potential Whiteout in Sierras

01/05/2024
Heavy snow is projected in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Previously, warmer storms had been bringing precipitation mainly to higher elevations in the Sierras.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Environment Water

WWII-Era Dump Site Found Off LA Coast

01/05/2024
Munition boxes, depth charges and smoke floats have been found 3,000 feet underwater off the coast of Los Angeles. More than 100 square miles of ocean might be contaminated.

From Sacramento Bee...

Public Safety Housing Government

Repairing Sidewalks Can Cost Property Owners Big in California

01/04/2024
California state law dictates that property owners are responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks. In Sacramento, this has left some owners facing bills of thousands of dollars or tax assessments from the city.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Transportation Government

Driverless Cars Can’t Be Ticketed in SF for Speeding or Running Red Lights

01/03/2024
San Francisco police officers have been operating for more than a year with guidance from their chief that California’s vehicle code doesn’t provide authority for them to ticket driverless cars for infractions like speeding or running red lights. Officers are still encouraged to report relevant information about incidents.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Families & Children Government

Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places

01/02/2024
A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.

From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

Public Safety

Felton Fire Protection District Board of Directors Notice of Vacancy

12/29/2023
Image for display with article titled Felton Fire Protection District Board Posts Notice of Vacancy

Applications are due Jan. 8 to fill a position on the district board of directors for a term ending December 2024.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Public Safety Water Resilience

Santa Cruz County Coastal Zones Mop Up

12/29/2023
After absorbing a heavy one-two punch by way of mammoth waves and a high tide, local crews and community members cleaned up the mess that was left behind while preparing for an imminent round of storm activity.

From CalMatters...

Art & Culture Public Safety History Crime & Justice Government

American Graffiti is Back: Cruising Now Legal Again in California, But So Are Speed Cameras

12/27/2023
Under new state laws, five cities will test cameras to catch speeding drivers and cruising bans will be lifted statewide. The first is supposed to improve road safety, but critics of the second say it will endanger the public.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

California Consumers Will Have Easier Time Getting Compensation for False Advertising Under New 2024 Law

12/27/2023
A new law, sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, will create a fund designed to fully compensate victims of false advertising or unfair competition.

From Monterey Herald...

Public Safety Health Resilience

Smoke Exposure From Controlled Burns Is Raising Concerns

12/26/2023
Prescribed burns, used to limit destructive wildfires, are growing in frequency at California State Parks. But as the smoke drifts into residential areas, it’s easy to see why many Californians are concerned about the health impacts.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

California Law Enforcement Heads to Idaho for Retirement

12/21/2023
Some firefighters and police officers who worked long enough in California to earn pensions are heading to more conservative destinations like Idaho in retirement. Some of these people even run for political office in these places.

From Escalon Times...

Public Safety Resilience State of California

Coordinated Effort Aims to Secure Aircraft for CalFire

12/19/2023
An effort spearheaded by the Newsom administration and congressional leaders resulted in Congress authorizing and accelerating the transfer of seven C-130 aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard to CalFire, expanding California’s firefighting fleet.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Public Safety Transportation City of Capitola

Capitola Leaders Move on Traffic Safety After Fatal Hit-and-Run

12/18/2023
In its final meeting of the year, the Capitola City Council took steps toward improved traffic safety, including installation of six LED flashing lights and re-striping at the Bay Avenue and Hill Street intersection.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Health

SF Hits New Record for Overdose Deaths

12/14/2023
The fentanyl epidemic has pushed San Francisco to a grim milestone: a new record for overdoses. A total 752 people overdosed in the first 11 months of this year, surpassing 2020’s record number of 726.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Public Safety