PUBLIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION SUMMARY OF SERVICES
The Administrative Division administers the day-to-day operations of the Public Safety Department, providing long-range planning on public safety issues, recruitment, and training. The Division also oversees the Department budget, Traffic, Technical Services, Property and Evidence, Regulatory Affairs, Public Safety Business Desk, and the Office of Emergency Management. The Division also coordinates and provides liaison responsibilities with the Orange County Fire Authority, who provides fire protection to the residents of Irvine under a contract with the City.
Accomplishments
Traffic Safety remains a top priority for Public Safety. The Traffic Unit purchased a 3-D traffic accident mapping program. This technology is the most advanced traffic collision and crime scene documentation technology available, and it enables the Traffic Unit to more accurately document and analyze traffic accidents. With this new technology, the Traffic Unit can better understand the causes of accidents, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately enhance the safety of the City's roadways. The Traffic Unit developed and implemented an E-Bike safety training program. This program was designed to educate students on the safe use of E-Bikes, which have become increasingly popular as an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. The E-Bike safety training program includes a comprehensive curriculum covering the following topics: basic E-Bike maintenance, proper fit and adjustment of helmets, safe riding techniques, rules of the road, and how to navigate common hazards such as intersections, bike lanes, and shared paths. Students are required to attend this E-bike safety program in order to receive a permit to lawfully park their E- bike on their respective school campus. Additionally, the Traffic Unit launched an awareness campaign to promote safe E-Bike riding habits via social media outreach, developed and distributed informational pamphlets on E-bikes and motorized scooters to our schools (for issuance to the parents and students) and routinely conducts High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) operations around our schools and shopping centers aimed at educating youth on E-bike laws and the rules of the road. The Traffic Unit purchased and deployed its first two dual-sport police motorcycles. These motorcycles have the capability to be ridden on paved roadways as well as off-road in the City's open space areas. The motor officers assigned to these motorcycles have undergone additional advanced training in off-road riding and EMT training, which enables them to effectively respond to accidents and emergencies in off-road areas. With these motorcycles, the Traffic Unit can respond more quickly and effectively to traffic incidents, especially in areas that are not accessible by traditional police vehicles. The Office of Professional Development (OPD) has achieved significant accomplishments in terms of employee recruitment and hiring. Over the past year, OPD has conducted 300 pre-polygraph interviews and reviewed the backgrounds of 122 applicants. This resulted in hiring 74 new public safety employees. This rigorous screening process helped to identify high quality personnel with the right character and morals to serve our community.
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FY 2023-25 Adopted Budget
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