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ACCEPT THE FINAL 2022-23 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT AND APPROVE THE CITY OF STOCKTON RESPONSE CASE NO. 0322 SCHOOL SAFETY IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY: DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF SAFETY
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council accept the final 2022-23 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Report and approve by motion the City’s response to the School Safety in San Joaquin County: Developing a Culture of Safety investigation (Case No. 0322).
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Summary
Each year it is the duty of the San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury to examine and investigate the activities of local government and agencies within San Joaquin County. The 2022-2023 Civil Grand Jury conducted four new investigations, one being on school safety in San Joaquin County. The Grand Jury also conducted follow-up work on six previous investigations performed in prior years. The final consolidated report has been provided as Attachment A.
As it relates to the investigation titled School Safety in San Joaquin County: Developing a Culture of Safety, the Grand Jury issued findings and provided a recommendation that requires response from the City of Stockton.
DISCUSSION
Background
California Penal Code 933 requires that “a grand jury shall provide to the affected agency a copy of the portion of the grand jury report relating to that person or entity […]” and “no later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency subject to its reviewing authority, the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under control of the governing body […].”
The four new investigations conducted by the 2022-23 Grand Jury are:
• San Joaquin County Custodial Facilities: Failing to Comply with the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 - Case No. 0222
• School Safety in San Joaquin County: Developing a Culture of Safety - Case No. 0322
• Good Intentions Are Failing San Joaquin County’s At-Risk Children - Case No. 0422
• The Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority: A Rubrik’s Cube of Water Management - Case No. 0622
The 2022-23 Grand Jury also conducted follow-up work on six previous investigations:
• Illegal Dumping: Talking Trash - Case No. 0519
• San Joaquin County: A Fragmented COVID-19 Response - Case No. 0120
• Independent Special Districts:” Transparency “Not Found” - Case No. 0220
• Stockton Unified School District: A Failing Grade in Public Trust - Case No. 0121
• San Joaquin County and Its Seven Cities: Cybersecurity: Local Defense Against a Global Threat - Case No. 0321
• Lathrop-Manteca Fire District: A Work in Progress: From Turmoil to Healing - Case No. 0721
Of the work completed by the 2022-23 Grand Jury, the City of Stockton was only required to respond to one investigation, the new item on School Safety in San Joaquin County.
Present Situation
City staff received the 2022-23 San Joaquin County Grand Jury Investigation Case No. 0322, School Safety in San Joaquin County: Developing A Culture Of Safety report in June 2023. The Grand Jury, through its issued recommendations, requested that by December 15, 2023, each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County meaningfully collaborate and approve updated Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP) for school sites within its jurisdiction.
The Stockton Police Department has communicated and collaborated with school districts within the City of Stockton under the purview of the Stockton Police Department, and not under the jurisdiction of the Stockton Unified School District’s Police Department. This communication identified and confirmed the Stockton Police Department contact for CSSP review and emergency preparedness training the department offers. It is the duty of the school districts and school sites to contact local law enforcement agencies to request a review of their respective CSSP and required training.
A copy of the Stockton Police Department’s response to the 2022-23 Grand Jury Investigation School Safety in San Joaquin County: Developing a Culture of Safety has been included as Attachment B.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Accepting the 2022-23 Grand Jury Final Report and approving the SPD’s response to Case No. 0322 will not impact the City’s General or Special Funds in any way.
Attachment A - 2022-23 San Joaquin County Grand Jury Final Report
Attachment B - Stockton Police Department Response Letter, Case No. 0322