MOORPARK : Sheriff’s Officials Address Residents

Sheriff’s Department employees and city officials outnumbered the public at what was expected to be a boisterous interchange between downtown residents and city police at Flory School on Thursday night.

The intended venting session instead turned into a one-man show, as Sheriff’s Lt. Geoff Dean told the audience of about 15 that the city’s already-low crime rate is estimated to have dropped another 10% in 1992. Dean then begged for public input.

“Does anybody have any questions at all? Any concerns? Any gripes?” Dean was answered by a long, silent pause. “Nothing, huh?”

During the meeting, Sgt. Marty Rouse said the department’s “zero tolerance” program has been effective in combatting Moorpark gang activity by monitoring the conditions of gang members’ probation and arresting them for any violation.

“Do we have a gang problem?” Rouse asked. “Yes, I truly think we’ve got a problem. Is it like the problem in Los Angeles? Not even close.”

The light turnout was surprising, given that nearly half of all police calls for service come from the downtown area. Downtown residents have traditionally been critical of sheriff’s deputies, at times calling their enforcement tactics overbearing and racist.

Dean said before the session, one of four such public forums scheduled throughout the city this month, that he expected the Flory crowd to be the largest.

The first of the community meetings was held Tuesday night in the city’s Campus Park neighborhood and drew about a dozen residents.

Among the concerns voiced Tuesday, Dean said, were problems over graffiti, gangs and traffic. Residents suggested more gang-prevention education at the middle school level.

The two remaining forums are scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Peach Hill School, 13400 Christian Barrett Drive, and 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at Mountain Meadows School, 4200 Mountain Meadows Drive.