HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.0- Public Comment Social Outreach Service Leading the Way in
Edgar Mohorko Consulting Community Transformation
r (Gang-Intervention and Youth-Outreach Consulting Finn)
CEO/Senior Consultant:Rev.Edgar A.Mohorko
Executive Assistant:Anya Reyes Into Rec. at MCC/CDC Mtg: 8
Consultant/Ventura County Operations:Srsy Rojos
Gang Intervention/HopeBoyz:Davie Afa"b y:
Agenda Item N : � C_(&e2±6
June 2012 by:
C le CDC Secretary
To: the Mayor, Councilmembers, City Manager and Police Chie�RY of San Bernardino
Honorable Community Servant:
I am writing to offer our services to your community. SOS in conjunction with the Clergy
Council, the Police, other law-enforcement and community members have been effective in
reducing crime in Ventura County (particularly in Oxnard) and in the South Monterrey County
area; King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales, through the 4C4P (Four Cities For Peace)
collaborate we co founded/co-created to reduce gang-violence. Community mobilization has
been critical to the success of this effort, reduced costs of outreaches, intervention/prevention
activities and to develop sustainability that could last for decades; the community owns and runs
the Peace efforts; they have a vested interest and invest their time.
I am personally assisting the Governors Office of Gang and Youth Violence Policy in helping to
develop a multidisciplinary "Tool Kit" based on the 4C4P model, we can make this available to
you (hence, I helped develop it). We are not offering another program; it's a movement; an
attitude. SOS HAS the strategies, solutions and expertise it takes to guide this process, ensure
success and sustainability.
Communities continue to suffer increased suppression costs without the active participation of its
members,particularly the people of faith, resources continue to be wasted and programs are%r
will not be sustainable, thus, continuing the vicious cycle ofgang violence. I(and SOS) can do
what needs to be done to help reduce gang-violence, gang-recruitment and youth-violence. SOS
IS "Leading the Way in Community Transformation" in several cities. So why throw money at
the problem, when we can invest in the solution? We would like to do an "Empowering YOUR
City For Peace"presentation (free) to showcase some of these solutions to the community.
I included a revised Scope of Work for your review. If you could be so kind to respond I would be
very grateful. Feel free to contact me may you have any questions,
At Your Service,
Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko M.A. Ed.D. (Candidate at Pepperdine University)
CEO of Social Outreach Service
President ofthe National Police Clergy Council
Youth-Outreach and Gang-Intervention Consultant/Bxpert
Executive Director/CO-Founder of Peacemakers and HapeBoyz
Creator of the 4c4p Mul tidisciplinary/Multijurisdictional Model
Honorary Deputy—Ventura County Sheriff Department
Main Once: (805)201-7791–623 South A Street Suite C-1 Oxnard, CA 93030 1
4C4P-South Monterey County: (805)393-4113–212 South Vanderhurst,King City CA 93930
E-Mail:soctaloutreach(&vahoo.com Websue:www.nastaredgar.coin
r
Social Outreach Service Leading the Way in
Edgar Mohorko Consulting Community Transformation
(Gang-Intervention and Youth-Outreach Consulting Firm)
• CEO/Senior Consultant:Rev.Edgar A.Mohorko
Executive Assistant:Anya Reyes
Consultant/Ventura County Operations:Sisy Rojas-Mohorko
Gang Intervention/HopeBoyz:Javie Alfaro
Exhibit "A"
SAMPLE "Scope of Work"Essential Responsibilities and Duties
Gang-Intervention/Youth-Outreach Consulting Services
for the City of California
(from through )
Consultant (and/or Staff) will,
Develop a Police Department Clergy Council (CC), a chapter of the CC will be
developed of Pastors, Police, Youth and Youth Leaders, School Personnel, local
CBO's, Probation, Business Sector, Activists and other community members to plan,
strategize, oversee and aggressively pursue Peace and gang violence reduction.
• CC leaders, chair and/or chairing committee will interview and asses candidates to
serve as area leaders/coordinators (district, beats, etc.) or outreach Directors, Gang-
Interventionists, Youth-Outreach Specialists, and make the changes necessary to
ensure success and completion of duties of designated leaders.
• CC will carry out Incident Response, Direct Engagement, Gang-Intervention/Youth-
Outreach activities and assist in the city-wide Peace process.
Launch a Citywide Massive Recruitment Campaign,
• Oversee the screening and processing of volunteers.
• Recruit, appoint and oversee leadership on behalf of the CC in the different "Areas",
"Blocks" ("Beats"). And assign volunteers according to "calling", desire, etc.
(consider background check)
• Coordinate and/or provide general orientation sessions for new volunteers and staff;
including Pastors and Lay-ministers.
Oversee and Train Volunteers,
• Directly oversee and direct all CC/Volunteers; Gang-Intervention and Peacemakers
Incident Response/SET (Special Engagement Taskforce), HopeBoyz, HopeGiriz,
Granny's Love and Next Step Reentry activities. Until the sustainability model is
launched. Chairs will delegate activities and supervise area Overseers, Coordinators
and/or Directors according to area or outreach.
Main Office: (805)201-7791—623 South A Street Suite C-2 Oxnard, CA 93030 2
4C4P-South Monterey County: (805)393-4123—212 South Vanderhurst, King City CA 93930
E-Mail:socialoutreachAvahoo.com Website: www.pastoredjzar.com
Social Outreach Service Leading the Way in
Edgar Mohorko Consulting Community Transformation
• (Gang-Intervention and Youth-Outreach Consulting Firm)
CEO/Senior Consultant:Rev. Edgar A.Mohorko
Executive Assistant:Anya Reyes
Consultant/Fentura County Operations:Sisy Rojas-Mohorko
Gang Intervention/Hopelloyz:Javie A[faro
• Identify and schedule training opportunities for volunteers and staff to learn new
Community-Outreach techniques and orient to the use of resources and strategies.
o Plan, develop, conduct, supervise and evaluate all trainings.
• Train a Peacemaker leader to begin the preliminary work to launch a direct
engagement project directed toward local gangs and tagging crews. Leaders will
oversee the Peace process between gangs, such includes,
o Oversee the recruitment of other Peacemakers' volunteer team members,
training volunteers and dispatching to the field to engage gang-members,
taggers and other high-risk youth.
o Recruit and identify trusting and confidential volunteers (SET) to attempt a
truce amongst gangs, who will engage the gang leaders.
• HopeBoyz/HopeGiriz Directors and or Coordinators will,
• Delegate tasks to Volunteer Gang-Interventionists and Youth-Outreach
Specialists and assist the Peacemakers' in the requests calls Police.
• Maintain a constant communication with the police Gang-Taskforce (Special
Crimes Unit/Gang-Unit, etc.), reporting all changes, progress or setbacks.
Seek referrals of persons of interest from Police and process accordingly.
Consultant (and/or Staff) will also train how to,
• Participate (or develop) and maintain a network with the local Clergy, Law-
Enforcement, City Officials, Service Providers, Educational Institutions and other
Community Activists; develop relationships with non-participants and promote the
following of a gang-prevention strategic plan (if available).
• Identify and work with community groups, agencies, and businesses to cultivate a
working relationship to promote peace in the community and gang-prevention
through Community-Outreach and Community Transformation.
• Coordinate outreach activities that focus on crime prevention, crime reduction,
Community wellbeing and Community-Transformation.
Main Office: (805)201-7791—623 South A Street Suite C-2 Oxnard, CA 93030 3
4C4P-South Monterey County: (805)393-4123—212 South Vanderhurst, King City CA 93930
E-Mail.socialoutreach(awahoocom Website:www.pastoredizarcom
Social Outreach .Service Leading the Way in
Edgar Mohorko Consulting Community Transformation
• (Gang-Intervention and Youth-Outreach Consulting Firm)
•
• CEO/Senior Consultant:Rev.Edgar A. Mohorko
Executive Assistant:Anyo Reyes
Consultant/Ventura County Operations:Sisy Rajas-Mohorko
Gang Intervention/HopeBoyz:Javie Alfaro
• Coordinate and have "Block Parties" and "Park Outreaches" in different locations of
the Community.
• Ensure the teams maintain a constant follow-up with those outreached and refer to
HopeBoyz/HopeGiriz for long-term mentoring.
• Evaluate programs and outreach efforts; report outcomes every six months. Include
network increase and resource findings. Gather statistical data as needed.
• Prepare and submit a monthly report on activities and operations
The above tasks will be divided throughout a three year process and will be accomplished
through various one-on-one, small and large group meetings, conference calls, web-
conferencing, trainings, via E-mail, regular mail and telephone.
Development of untapped resources,
Consultant will seek untapped resources in the form of People Capital, facilities,
equipment, other materials or any other resource that could be developed and used for
the Peace process.
• Facilities; local church buildings and any other available facilities would be used for
community meetings, trainings, community resource and referral centers, youth-
outreach and/or gang-intervention.
• People Capital; local volunteers will be recruited to, do interventions, prevention,
care-management, outreaches, counseling, follow-up, mentoring, home-visits,
dispensing information, assist in local activities, Peace flyer sweeps, etc.
• Equipment; sound systems, chairs, stages, canopies, tables and any other items
that community members, the City or others may have available will be used for the
Peace efforts.
Main Office: (805)201-7791-623 South A Street Suite C-2 Oxnard, CA 93030 4
4C4P-South Monterey County: (805)393-4123-212 South Vanderhurst, King City CA 93930
E-Mail:socialoutreach(&,vahoo.com Website:www.pastored ag r.com
Social Outreach ,.Service Leading the Way in
Edgar Mohorko Consulting Community Transformation
ge (Gang-Intervention and Youth-Outreach Consulting Firm)
• • CEO/Senior Consultant:Rev.Edgar A.Mohorko
Executive Assistant:Anya Reyes
Consultant/Ventura County Operations:Sisy Rojas-Mohorko
Gang Intervention/Hopelloyz:Javie Altura
Some of the Goals of the first year will be to,
1. Research and Engagement
1.1. Research Community needs
1.2.Volunteer Needs
2. Research Community Assets
2.1.Programs, services, facilities, equipment and resources
2.2. People Capital
3. Recruitment and Mobilization
3.1.Launch a Massive-Recruitment Campaign
3.1.1. Conduct Volunteer Orientations
3.1.2. Focus Initially on recruitment for an Incident Response Team; SET
(Special Engagement Taskforce).
3.2. Process all Volunteers
3.3.Train Volunteers
3.3.1. Assign tasks
3.3.2. Begin development of a Gang-Intervention, Gang-Prevention, Violence-
Prevention and Youth-Outreach teams.
3.4.Deploy all Volunteers
Develop an operational and sustainable CC with a leadership structure who will begin
the above mention duties.
Begin the preliminary Peacemakers' outreach work and dispatch volunteers to engage
some of the gang-members, and taggers.
4. Community Engagement (do at least four Peacemaker's flyer sweeps)
4.1. Engage over 200 community members, including,
4.1.1. 50 at-risk youth,
4.1.2. 20 high-risk
4.1.3. 10 Gang-members/taggers and their families (especially their siblings).
4.2. Distribute 800 Peacemakers' flyers (door-to-door, parks, etc.)
Main Office: (805)201-7791—623 South A Street Suite C-2 Oxnard, CA 93030 5
4C4P-South Monterey County: (805) 393-4123—212 South Fanderhurst, King City CA 93930
E-Mail:socialoutreachAyahoo.com Wehsite:www.pastoredgar.com
Social Outreach Service Leading the Way in
Edgar Mohorko Consulting Community Transformation
• (Gang-Intervention and Youth-Outreach Consulting Firm)
•
• CEO/Senior Consultant:Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko
Executive Assistant:Anya Reyes
Consultant/Ventura County Operations:Sisy Rojas-Mohorko
Gang lntervention/HopeBoyz:Javie A[faro
Some of the Goals of the second year will be to,
5. Develop a relationship with school officials
5.1.to develop and launch prevention activities at the local schools such as,
5.1.1. HopeClubz,
5.1.2. Peace-Rallies,
5.1.3. Interventions, etc.
6. Care-Management and Long-Term Mentoring
6.1.Begin recruitment and training of mentors
6.2.Follow-up teams.
6.3.Care-Managers (for Case Management)
7. Launch Sustainability Model
NOTE: The goal is to increase Prevention efforts toward the end of the 2"d year.
Shifting most of the Intervention work to Preventive work by the 3rd year.
Main Office: (805)201-7791—623 South A Street Suite C-2 Oxnard, CA 93030 6
4C4P-South Monterey County: (805)393-4123—212 South Vanderhurst, King City CA 93930
E-Mail:socialoutreachAvahoo.com Website:www.pastoredkar.com
About Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko
Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko is the CEO and Senior Consultant for Social Outreach Service (SOS). He is
an expert in Gang-Intervention, Youth-Outreach, Social-Outreach, Prisoner Reentry and Clergy
Mobilization with over 30 years of experience. Mohorko is a Consultant to several Mayors, Police
Chiefs and other community leaders in several cities in California. He co-founded and is the
President of the National Police Clergy Council, is an Honorary Deputy Sheriff and has served as
Senior Pastor for "Messiah"Foursquare Church in Oxnard for 25 years. Other expertise include:
Prisoner-Reentry, development of Untapped Resources, Community Outreach and Follow-up
Systems, he is the Founder/Dean of the SOS Institute.
MILESTONE: Created the 4c4p Model (Four Cities For Peace) an extremely successful Gang-
Violence reduction multidisciplinary/multijurisdictional strategy in South Monterey County which
includes the cities of King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzalez.
Rev. Mohorko has also worked with the homeless, homeless issues and parolees fo r over 25 y ears
is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Peacemakers, HopeBoyz, HopeGiriz (founded by his
daughter Sisy), Next Step Reentry, Granny's Love, Community Chaplains Corp, Emancipated Youth
Solutions and Homeless Solutions Network. Co-founded the Oxnard Homeless Task-Force (now the
Commission on Homelessness) and "Messiah" Discipleship Home; a homeless rescue and
rehabilitation home; which he operated successfully for 16 years.
He earned his M.A.P.S. (Masters in Arts in Pastoral Studies) at Azusa Pacific University, is a
(Ed.D) candidate in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University, the author of the soon to
be published book; "City Transformer", Social-Outreach a Community Transformational Agent.
Has been married to Marta for 29 years; has four children, three grandchildren and is the spiritual
father to hundreds. Rev. Mohorko is leading Community-Transformation in several cities in
California.
These are just some of his awards, accolades and accomplishments:
• Congressional Appreciations from Rep. Lois Capps
• Congressional Appreciations from Rep. Elton Gallegly
• "Corn elius Haggard Ou is tanding A lumn i Award"from Azusa Pacific University/Haggard
School of Theology 25`k Anniversary (highest award bestowed)
• "Senior Speaker Award"from Azusa Pacific University/Haggard School of Theology
• "20 Years of Service"Award from the City of Oxnard
• ARC "Sabbath Sunday Service Award" (x4)
• Certificate of Appreciationfrom Oxnard Police Officers Beat 31
• Plaque of Appreciation from PDAP of Ventura County
• Letter of Commendation from Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten
• "Honorary Deputy Sherrii f' Ventura County SherriffBob Brooks
• Letter of Commendation from Oxnard Chief of Police John Crombach
Clergy Council Awards and Recognitions
• 2009 "Outstanding Organization"from the Commission of Community Relations
• Congressional Appreciations to the Clergy Council from Rep. Lois Capps
• Ventura County Supervisor's Acknowledgement—Supervisor John Zaragoza
• California State Assembly Acknowledgement—Assemblyman Das Williams
1
About Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko
GREGORY D. TOTTEN
August 13, 2005
Pastor Edgar A. Mohorko
Messiah Foursquare Church
333 West Seventh Street
Oxnard, CA J93030
Dear Pas F7 orko:
I am pleased to join with the City of Oxnard in commending you today.
Throughout more than 20 years of faithful service to the church and our
community, you have made Ventura County a better place to live and worship.
Words are not adequate to express this community's gratitude for your civic and
spiritual leadership and for all you have done to teach the word of God, comfort
those in need, and above all, save lives. You have touched and enriched the
lives of countless people.
May God Bless you and Marta and your family and always hold you near.
Congratulations.
Bes a nal r
REG D. TOTTE
District torney
POST OFFICE BOX 3691, VENTURA, CALIFORNIA 93006
2
About Rev. Edgar A. Mohorko
This recogwLti.ow is presented for more than 20 dears `4t •F�+sa
of faithful service g%vew to this commuwitd as a husband,
i father, pastor, busLKaSman and commuwitd activist.
V You have provided leadership to the pastors Lw the atd of oxward
r, helping to coordinate their efforts to irupaet their wtighborhoods.
You have served on the Citd Impact Board, assisting Lw their efforts j.
o- to reach douwg peaple who weed a helping hand.
You have wade it possLbLt for the Sod scouts to plant "wits %w
rCoLonia and other areas where douwg new weed this vital program.
Ta You have worleed with the oxward Police Department
and the ventura Couwte sheriff's Department, helping to
forge partnerships with the faith oommuwitd Lw OXnard.
E/en,though dou are responsible for tour famLLd, church and business,
V dou atwads have time to help with and worthwhile cause that Y
improves the Qualitt of lift for people Lw Ventura Couwtd.
i
i \ And, Lin tour spare time, dou are pursuing a
Doctorate from Ptpptrdiwe ltw%versitd.
V You and tour wife Marta have experienced a great Loss, but rather thaw turn
•. Lnward, dou allowed tour pain to futt a greater compassion for others.
You are truld an example of 4od's Love and grace.
m
...
In gratLtude for tour man.d contributions to the people Of Vtwtura Couwtt, it is with
great persowal admiration and frit"shtp, I award dou with the highest honor
tilt Ventura Couwtd sheriff's Department caw grant, and
on this 131' dad of August, 2005, 1 htrtbd appoLwt
EDGAR. MOH-ORKO
Aw
-to v, Deputy Sher' of Vevntura Couvut�
gob groohs
Vevvtura COL t� Sheri,f f
3
Police Department
R.Jason Benites
Assistant Chief
Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief
John Crombach
Chief of Police
October 12, 2010
Edgar Mohorko is a wonderful friend and supporter of the Oxnard Police Department.
When we decided in 2001 to create a Police/Clergy Council, Pastor Mohorko was the
natural choice to chair the group. He has been an inspirational leader — not only for the
clergy members involved in this effort but for the police staff as well. His enthusiasm is
contagious and his sincerity is inspirational.
Pastor Mohorko knows the power of the clergy and recognizes its potential to get good
things done. He understands the benefit of this powerful group working together with
us, the police, in order to make Oxnard a safer place.
Edgar has personally invested his heart and soul into this effort. He certainly
understands that the love and power of God is something that can change people's
hearts - and in our business - we welcome the help!
I thank Edgar for all that he has done for our community and for the Police Department.
But I know Edgar, and he is not done by any means. I look forward to continuing a
great relationship, both personal and professional, as well as to what we will
accomplish, together, in the future.
Sincerely,
J h Crombach
C ' f of Police
251 South C Street * Oxnard, CA 93030-5789
(805) 385-7600 * Fax (805) 483-8408 * http://oxnardpd.org
Mike Aranda 2511 Ruby Drive Oxnard, CA 93030 / (805) 983-7305
To whom it may concern:
I am writing this testimonial letter on behalf of the Oxnard Clergy Council and Reverend Edgar
Mohorko. I have known about the Clergy Council and Reverend Edgar since I was the Acting
Chief of Police for the Ventura County Sheriffs Office Headquarters Station from 2008-2010.
This station serves the unincorporated areas of western Ventura County to the Santa Barbara
County line; consisting of the communities of El Rio, Saticoy, Nyeland Acres, Montalvo, and
the beach communities of Hollywood Beach, Silver Strand, and the Rincon.
During my tenure as the Acting Chief of these communities, we had several gang and "tagger"
related crimes consisting of murders, assault with deadly weapons, brandishing of weapons,
terrorist threats, etc. This is when I reached out to Reverend Mohorko for help in combating
these types of incidents. I figured they were successful in the City of Oxnard and they could
help us as well.
I was amazed at the level of assistance they provided to the communities affected by this
violence. They collaborated with us in organizing members of the "Peacemakers' and "Hope
Boys" in spreading the word, literally by going door-to-door, in order to defuse any retaliation
on the part of the victims of these crimes.
As examples, in 2009, they were going door-to-door handing out flyers in the community of El
Rio, after a gang related shooting, when they observed members of the rival "Colonia Chiques"
gang driving in the area. They alerted us and unbeknownst to them, we were already in the
area preparing for the suspected retaliation and arrested the suspects. On another occasion, a
gang related homicide occurred in the community of Nyeland Acres. We knew a retaliation was
going to take place, but it was averted when members of the Clergy Council intervened and
convinced the suspect to surrender. The suspect admitted to the crime and is awaiting trial. I
could go on and on with other examples, but the bottom line is the collaboration between law
enforcement and the Clergy Council has been a tremendous success!
In closing, the Clergy Council, Peacemakers, and Hope Boys managed by Reverend Edgar
Mohorko has been a great assistance in reducing community fears, tensions, and has
promoted a greater quality of life for the neighborhoods mentioned.
If I could be of further assistance, please don't' hesitate to notify me by calling me at work
(805-654-2417), or via my cell phone (805-947-8121).
Sincerely,
Mike Aranda
VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
M MIKE ARANDA
Captain, Ventura County Sheriffs Department CAPTAIN
AZ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
SUPPORT SERVICES
800 SOUTH VICTORIA AVE
OFFICE OF VENTURA,CA 93009
GEOFFDEAN (805)654-2417 FAX(805)654-2109
SHERIFF mike.aranda6lvenmmnro
i
Nicholas ;
To: Mayor and Common Council
From: Lillice Andreson
Date: June 18, 2012
RE: Complaint
Entered Into Rec, at MCC/CDC Mtg:
by:
Agenda Ifem No: 9
by:
Ciry ClerVC e ry -
City of San Bernardino
Lillice Andreson
963 N Arrowhead Ave.
San Bernardino CA, 92410
909.889.7230
LFAndreson 0yahoo.com
June 18, 2012
Dear Mayor Morris and Members of the Common Council:
In the interest of expediency and the "three minute" time limit, I am
presenting my complaint against the City's Animal Control Department
in writing.
I filed my original complaint in December 2011 and did not receive a
written response until April 2012. Due to my schedule, this is the first
opportunity I have had to come before you regarding my complaint.
I have attached, a copy of my original complaint for your review. In
brief, on November 26, 2011 my sister and I attempted to break up a
dogfight and were both bitten by my dog. My dog, Nicholas, was not
the aggressor.
As per the State of California, if a dog or cat bites a person, that
animal is to be quarantined for ten days - in order to determine if the
animal is rabid. Suffice to say on the surface the law sounds
reasonable, however, there are several inherent flaws. I have
discussed the inconsistencies with my current state representatives.
And, I will continue to pursue my issues regarding this law with my
new state representatives when the "dust settles" after the November
election.
Two weeks after the dogfight an animal control representative came to
my sister's home demanding that my dog, Nicholas, be quarantined. I
happened to be on the telephone with my sister when the animal
control person came to her home and I asked to speak with her. As
you can read in my original complaint, that person was demanding,
rude, threatened me with the police and even threatened to take my
severely injured dog away from me if I did not sign a quarantine order.
She did not follow through on her threats, probably because I invited
her to meet me face-to-face. I never signed a quarantine order.
1
Memorandum
TO: Jorge Carlos
From: Lillice Andreson
RE: incident with Animal Control Officer — B. Elliott
Date: December 12, 2011
On Saturday November 26, 2011 at approximately 5:30 PM my sister and I
attempted to break up a dog fight between her dog and mine. While my sister's
dog had my dog by the throat, my dog Nicholas attempted to defend himself and
bit the closest"thing" to his mouth which was my wrist and then my sister's
fingers. In what seemed like an eternity I managed to stop the attack on
Nicholas. Upon seeing the extensive damage done to his neck, I called a friend
to come and take him to animal emergency so my sister and I could go to the
hospital and get treatment for our injuries.
Once my friend had left with Nicholas, my sister drove us to St. Bernardine's
emergency room. Once there, upon learning our injuries were due to a dog bite,
the RN who attended to us first completed a dog bite incident report (her first)
before giving us any medical attention. The nurse asked many questions and
after completing the report — faxed it to animal control. (I watched her fax the
report at the nurse's station.)
On Sunday, December 11, 2011 at @ 11 AM I telephoned my sister to discuss an
unrelated matter. While on the phone she told me her gardener — who was still
there - had found a note near her front door dated December 10, 2011 from City
Animal Control. The notice stated her dog would need to be quarantined. She
thought it was odd that City Animal Control was contacting her two weeks after
the incident. And she found it equally odd that the hand written time of the visit
was not clear but appeared to be "17 PM".
While on the phone, her doorbell rang, thinking it was the gardener, my sister
opened her door. To her surprise it was Animal Control Officer B. Elliott. My
sister left the phone on speaker mode so I could hear the conversation. Elliott
was immediately on the defensive and asked, " Who is on the phone?" My sister
replied that it was her sister. Elliott demanded to know why I was on speaker
phone, my sister responded that she wanted to keep me on the phone to hear
the conversation. As the conversation progressed between my sister and Elliott,
Elliott became very demanding and rude. My sister asked why she was just now
showing up after two weeks, but Elliott did not give a clear answer. Since the
conversation was not going well I had my sister put Elliott on the phone with me.
I attempted to explain that it was not my sister's dog that bit us, but my injured
dog. Elliott wanted to know my name and then stated the report as prepared by
the RN did not agree with what I was saying. I was surprised by her hostility
and replied, "They (the hospital staff) weren't there". I attempted to explain that
we were both in pain, and that I was distraught over the condition of my dog,
when we were questioned by the emergency room RN. I told her I was not
responsible for how accurately the RN relayed the information in the report.
Elliott was dismissive of my response.
Elliott then told me that Nicholas would have to be quarantined. I said it had
been two weeks since the incident and that he has had and will continue to have
numerous veterinary appointments. I said I would not stop taking him to the
doctor. She said he could go to the doctor, but that I would have to sign a
quarantine form. I told her it was a "moot point" since it had been two weeks
already. She stated she was coming to my house and that I would have to sign
a quarantine form — I told her I wouldn't sign.
She became angry, yelled and threatened to bring the police with her
and stated that she would take my dog away. I yelled back at her and
said that no one was taking my dog; I would take him out of the county first.
Elliott continued to be verbally abusive, then engaged in a shouting match with
my sister. Elliott then left my sister's home. I waited for her to come to my
home with the police. She did not.
Elliott's rude, arrogant and blatantly unprofessional behavior is not
acceptable. I refuse to accept her actions and her threats to my poor
injured dog. To use her position as an animal control officer to attempt
to intimidate and bully my sister and me is outrageous.
For some time, I have been critical of how City Animal Control handles bite
cases. My situation is just one more example. I will recount two other incidents.
Approximately 3 1/2 years ago a pit bull attacked and killed my friend's cat.
After chasing off the pit bull, my friend picked up her dying cat, which — in her
pain — bit her. The cat died on the way to animal emergency. I then took my
friend to urgent care for treatment. The staff, as required, completed the
incident report and sent it to animal control. Animal control followed up with
posting a note on my friend's door stating that she had to quarantine the dead
cat. My friend was not pleased and went to the shelter office and asked what
was being done to find the pit bull. Nothing was ever done to the pit bull.
Approximately, 4-5 months ago a pit bull living with its' owner at Mt. View Park
(a condominium complex) bit another tenant on the leg while she was walking
through the complex. The woman was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
She recovered. However, no action was taken by City Animal Control.
Eventually, the condominium board of directors fined the condominium owner
because of the tenant's dog, and the tenant was forced to move out.
I realize the state requires local animal control agencies to follow-up on dog/cat
bite reports. And I realize medical staff is required to report these incidents.
However, City Animal Control has not shown proper handling of these three
cases. Treating my sister and me as if we were criminals and threatening my
dog, does nothing to promote confidence in shelter staff or policies. And this is a
good argument for the privatization of shelter services.
Advocating and caring for the countless number of abused, ill and injured dogs
and cats should be the top priority of City Animal Control — and not the
badgering of citizens.