LANCASTER – The eye in the sky, officer mental health, and focus neighborhoods were three of various topics discussed at the “Coffee with a Captain” meeting Thursday morning (Feb. 14).
Normally called “Coffee with a Deputy,” the monthly meetings provide a comfortable atmosphere for residents to meet with deputies from the Lancaster Station to address safety issues in their neighborhoods.
Thursday morning’s meeting at Lemon Leaf Café on The BLVD was dubbed “Coffee with the Captain,” as it featured the new head of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station – Captain Pat Nelson. A handful of residents came out to the meeting, which was more of an informal chat over breakfast.
Residents spoke about Christopher Dorner’s downward spiral and wondered if there were mechanisms in place to prevent a similar mental breakdown at the Sheriff’s Department.
“There are outlets in our department for that,” Nelson said.
He said the Sheriff’s Department had an Employee Support Services Unit with doctors and mental health professionals equipped to provide intervention and counseling, if necessary.
Nelson also addressed a popular topic in past monthly meetings – the Law Enforcement Aerial Platform System (LEAPS).
He said there was a misconception that LEAPS was created by the Sheriff’s Department, when the surveillance plane actually belonged to the city of Lancaster.
“The city was willing to try innovative enforcement efforts and LEAPS was one of those efforts,” Nelson said. He said he did not know exactly how much LEAPS cost, because it wasn’t a cost associated with the Sheriff’s Department. But LEAPS was significantly cheaper than the Sheriff’s helicopter, Nelson said.
“As we continue to define its capabilities, it really has blossomed into a great tool,” Nelson said. “Our issue is just having it up in the air at the right place at the right time, and sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw.”
Nelson was also asked if there was a “focus neighborhood” in Lancaster, similar to Palmdale’s “focus neighborhood.” After researching the city’s Part 1 crimes, the Lancaster Station had identified the area surrounding Avenue I and 10th Street West as the city’s “focus neighborhood,” Nelson said, adding that the area has about 600 homes.
Within the next few weeks, personnel from the Lancaster Station would be going door-to-door in the “focus neighborhood” urging residents to complete a community policing survey aimed at identifying the top safety concerns of the area, Nelson said.
“Then we tailor a response to fit those concerns,” he added.
“Coffee with a Deputy” meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. The meetings rotate to different spots each month in order to highlight different local businesses.
For more information on the “Coffee with a Deputy” program, contact Deputy Miguel Ruiz or Sgt. Theresa Dawson at 661-948-8466.
Related articles:
‘Coffee with a Deputy’ recap, Jan. 10, 2013
Seniors have their say at ‘Coffee with a Deputy’
‘Coffee with the Captain’ recap, April 9, 2012
‘Coffee with a Deputy’ recap, March 8, 2012
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my2cents says
Trust me, Mr. Nelson is not afraid to attend any meeting, or any questions from the residents of Lancaster. I believe history will show he will be one of the best captains Lancaster has seen. Like someone above said, it could be scheduled for ANY time, and someone would still bitch.
Moderator: you censor many others, how long are you going to allow Nerd Ferguson to ramble on??
Nerd: its S-H-E-R-I-F-F. Not “sherriff!” You’re not funny anymore, if you ever were. Like Nelson said, it’s not the
S-H-E-R-I-F-F, it’s the city who paid for LEAPS. Vote out the city council and mayor if you have a beef with LEAPS!
Beervana says
No one said the Sheriff (sherriff, lol) was afraid of anything and no one said anything about the Sheriff (sherriff, lol) wanting LEAPS, or paying for it.
LEAPS IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND WE NEED MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND. JUST SAY NO TO LEAPS. HOW COULD OUR MAYOR SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY WITHOUT TAX PAYER APPROVAL?
Go Turd Ferguson, rah rah rah
frank rizzo says
we do not need more cops.
Beervana says
Frankkkkk, what are we going to do with the $90,000 a month that we save when we suspend LEAPS? Big party at the park?
God forbid it gets spent to benefit youth athletic programs, tennis courts, skate park, handball courts, mental health programs, Veterans family aid, or to help save Veterans and active duty military family homes from forclosure or with repairs that the home parent can’t afford to fix.
Turd Ferguson says
Thank you my2cents for suggesting censorship.Thank you my2cents for suggesting censorship.But this is not a Lancaster citycouncilmeeting.But this is not a Lancaster citycouncilmeeting.The Constitution and free speech are followed here.The Constitution and free speech are followed here.I have followed all the rules.I have followed all the rules.I speak the truth when I say LEAPS cost the tax payer $90,000.00 a month.I speak the truth when I say LEAPS cost the tax payer $90,000.00 a month.I speak the truth when I say we will pay $90,000.00 a month for 10 years for LEAPS.I speak the truth when I say we will pay $90,000.00 a month for 10 years for LEAPS.I speak the truth when I say LEAPS will cost the tax payer $10,800,000.00 over 10 years.I speak the truth when I say LEAPS will cost the tax payer $10,800,000.00 over 10 years.I speak the truth when I say Frank Visco is making money off LEAPS.I speak the truth when I say Frank Visco is making money off LEAPS.I speak the truth when I say we already pay for aerial surveillance with the sherriffs when we need it.I speak the truth when I say we already pay for aerial surveillance with the sherriffs when we need it.I speak the truth when I say crime has gone up since we started paying $90,000.00 a month for LEAPS.I speak the truth when I say crime has gone up since we started paying $90,000.00 a month for LEAPS.Why are we spending $90,000.00 a month of tax payer dollars for something we do not need?Why are we paying $90,000.00 a month if tax payer dollars for something we do not need.No more LEAOS. No more LEAPS.Stop wasting tax payer dollars.Stop wasting tax payer dollars.think of what could be done with $90,000.00 a month.Think of what could be done with $90,000.00 a month.Frank Visco does not need the money Mayor Paris.Frank Visco does not need the money Mayor Paris.Our city needs the money Mayor Paris.Our city needs the money Mayor Paris.No to LEAPS!No to LEAPS!
Beevana says
I see 2 or 3 people there who are NOT either cops, public safety or reporters.
Take a clue, have the event when people can come. Or are you afraid that someone will come and ask questions?
Maybe a community meeting at city hall, in the evening, with the public notified well in advance would actually serve the public.
Sheldon says
beervana, as a member of the Lancaster Community Advisory Committee, I can provide you an outlet to ask Capt. Nelson anything that you have a concern with. Just let me know and you and I can meet to discuss your concerns and I will personally bring your issue to the Captain directly. Let me know if you are interested.
Sheldon says
* Beevana…my apologies for misspelling your name.
Beervana says
The new Captin just got here Sheldon. I didn’t say I had any questions for him and I do think I made it pretty clear HE is not the reason Lancaster is in the shape it is.
I know that a resident can have a meeting with the Captain if they want/need to.
On the other hand….why not give 7 pm meetings the same opportunity and open forum the morning, weekday, Coffee with a Deputy has been given? What’s wrong with that idea?
Beervana says
***Captain
Gladys says
Hey Shelly, it didn’t sound like anyone was asking for a private sit down with the new Captain. More like the possibility of getting the Coffee With a Deputy meeting changed to an evening hour when people are off work. Giving them time to get home from down below, dinner done, kids checked in. What would it hurt to try that? If the goal is to get in touch with the community and get feedback from as many citizens as possible, why not?
Maybe you can use your influence as a member of the Lancaster Community Advisory Committee to make it happen.
Public service announcements on Time Warner, in AV Press, maybe a bill board showing to northbound traffic on the 14, Google websites for Neighborhood Watch groups, Lancaster News, City website, to advertise and see who shows up.
Turd Ferguson says
Just like I said.Just like I said.We pay for sherriffs heliocopters and we pay for LEAPS.We pay for sherriffs heliocopters and we pay for LEAPS.Why do we pay for LEAPS when we already pay for sherriffs helicopters in our contract?Why do we pay for LEAPS when we already pay for sherriffs helicopters in our contract?LEAPS is a waste.LEAPS is a waste.$90,000.00 a month for 10 years for what?$90,000.00 a month for 10 years for what?To figure out the guy they were looking for in the field is not in the field?To figure out the guy they were looking for in the field is not in the field?To let some business man know he did not set his alarm?To let some business man know he did not set his alarm?$90,000.00 a month for 10 years is a lot of money for no return.$90,000.00 a month for 10 years is a lot of money for no return.No wonder no body wants this piece of crap.No wonder no body wants this piece of crap.Waste of taxpayer money.Waste of taxpayer money.Quit wasting taxpayer money.Quit wasting taxpayer money.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.Yes to sherriffs.Yes to sherriffs.We need more sherriffs.We need more sherriffs.More boots on the ground.More boots on the ground.Our crime rate is going up and LEAPS is not helping.Our crime rate is going up and LEAPS is not helping.We have sherriffs heliocopters when we need aerial support.We have sherriffs heliocopters when we need aerial support.Tell Frank Visco to make money some other way.Tell Frank Visco to make money some other way.Quit robbing the tax payer.Quit robbing the tax payer.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.$10,800,000.00 for 10 years is too much money for a worthless piece of crap.$10,800,000.00 for 10 years is too much money for a worthless piece of crap.
LJ says
8 to 10 on a Thursday morning? Don’t you people have jobs? Oh wait, that’s why no one showed up except a couple of bored housewives.
concerned citizen says
These “coffee” events have been going on for about a year, right?
A number of people have asked why they aren’t held at a time when more people can attend. The question is a reasonable one and a concern is expressed everytime someone asks that question and most agree that would be a good idea. Someone involved in the planning usually steps up and says they will look into it. Here we are about a year later and they are still held on a weekday during business hours.
Now do you guys get it when I comment that the Public Safety office doesn’t give a —- about what the community has to say?
Adam Chant says
First of all I agree with and see this in a lot of government based events. They want to have the meetings during the hours that they work, but not many people show up because everyone is at work.
Factually though it could be scheduled for every hour after work hours and the same people who complain about everything will still find a way to complain and not show up.. At least the events are happening and there is a dialog.
Also posting comments and questions in these stories is another way to be heard. If I can make it to a meeting I will ask any questions talked about and the AV Times staff often does the same.
concerned citizen says
My point is, you can talk about it, and ask about it, OVER and OVER and nothing ever changes. There always is an explanation, (not satisfactory) and notes taken and remarks made about looking into “that”. No one ever does anything about making changes that would be in response to the concern expressed, they just act like they are going to.
Any department at the city can authorize their employees to work an hour or two later or on Saturday. They all manage to show up to the car races on the Blvd. So the “work hours” excuse is…well, just that! I think it’s called LIP SERVICE and it has nothing, zero, nada to do with the new Captain.
Beervana says
Since the meetings at this time of day are NOT well attended still almost a year later, how about giving an evening time the same chance and see how many people come. Say for example, 10 months in a row @ 7pm with the public notified in advance and NO LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS.
frank rizzo says
they dont want to hear from people who may be able to put two sentences together. They only want to hear from people who wont pose a tough question.
Michael Rives says
The Sheriff’s Dept has been really great about attending the Lancaster City Council meetings. Either former Captain Jonsen or then Lt. (now Captain) Nelson attended each meeting. It shows that the Lancaster station and its commanders are interested in our community. Once again, congratulations, Captain Nelson!
ed says
Oh Michael, stop kissing up. The Sheriffs have to attend the City Council Meetings and they are not there to converse with the public. The request to hold a Q&A meeting with the sheriffs at a reasonable time is legitmate. Not everyone is retired or rich.
Michael Rives says
Hey, I am the first to request public hearings about things as I do frequently at the city council meetings. However, whether it is mandated or not, the sheriff’s captains or their rep are accessible at the city council meetings. I made a suggestion to Captain Jonsen once and he said he implemented it. I have no doubt that Captain Nelson will be equally accessible to the public at the meetings.