Police Assessment

A main focus for the past year in West Valley City government has been evaluating and retooling certain aspects of our police department.  Since hiring Chief Russo at the end of last year the City Council has taken particular interest in following not only the changes and improvements to the department, but also how the police department has begun to more successfully integrate with the greater West Valley City community. Below is a summary sheet of findings and action items that the Chief discusses during his monthly community meetings:

ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT & NEEDS

FINDING: A SOLID FOUNDATION EXISTS BUT IMPROVEMENTS ARE REQUIRED

Action:

• Ensure responsible and appropriate polices; update where necessary.
• Implement administrative accountability and enforce when required.
• Develop an environment of operational focus, alignment, and follow –thru.
• Build, implement, and monitor effort with strategic view.

 

FINDING: DEPARTMENTAL STRENGTH AND EXCELLENCE

Action:

• Competence and motivated staff.
• Empowerment and engagement within.
• Look for opportunities to recognize and reward successes.

 

FINDING: ORGANIZATIONAL REALIGNMENT AND STRUCTURAL REFORM

Action:

• Look for opportunities to improve efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Align resources and effort.
   

FINDING: NEED FOR NEW LEADERSHIP AND MORE EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION

Action:

• Establish and follow a progressive vision and clear mission
• Establish accountability at all levels
• Leadership Development
• Command Support

 

FINDING: BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS

Action:

• Consistency
• Fairness
• Timeliness
• Disciplinary Matrix
• Standardize case investigation and documentation
• Thoroughness
• Openness
• Impartiality
• Case assessment and assignment

 

 

FINDING: LEADERSHIP NEEDED IN INVESTIGATIONS

Action:

• Accountability
• Inspection
• Coordination and Liaison
• Assessments, follow up, and closure.

FINDING: PUBLIC IMAGE, CONFIDENCE & TRUST

Action:

• Proactive and positive media engagement
• Openness
• Recruiting
• Public Accountability

• Responsiveness to community concerns/problems
• Building Trust & Confidence – Internal & External

FINDING: CHALLENGES IN NARCOTIC INVESTIGATIONS

Action:

• Accountability
• Integrity
• Supervisory guidance
• Inspection
• Operational tactics and guidelines

FINDING: INTELLIGENCE-LED POLICING

Action:

• Intelligence Development and reporting
• COMPSTAT
• Action Assessment and feedback

FINDING: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES NEED IMPROVEMENT

Action:

• CALEA Commitment

Public Works/Snow Removal Trucks

In an ongoing effort to streamline City services and to keep City spending down, we are always looking for ways to be innovative and to save money.  Once such example of this is the recent refurbishment of work truck vehicles, like the ones you see plowing and salting the streets.  This will save more than $500,000 in the next two years by refurbishing rather than replacing aging heavy fleet vehicles. The two trucks pictured are identical and were both purchased a decade ago; one has been refurbished.

Holiday Fireworks

With the summer festivals and holidays right around the corner, I have recieved a number of inquires regarding the use of Fireworks in West Valley City.  State laws have been altered over the past few years to include different types of fireworks and the dates that they can be used.  By state lawUtahns are allowed to discharge fireworks July 1-7, July 21-27, December 31, and Chinese New Year.  Ariel firework that have a range under 150 feet are generally now permissable. Due to some of those changes and the potential for fire damage the City Council has instituted a fireworks ban in West Valley City anywhere west of U-111.  As always the discharge of firarms is prhibited within all areas of the city. Below is a list of of FAQ and facts regarding the use of fireworks from the Utah Department of Public Safety:

Purchase fireworks from reliable, licensed fireworks dealers. Read all instructions to reduce the chances of a destructive fire or debilitating injury. Follow all safety guidelines exactly.

Children should not handle fireworks. You must be at least 16 years of age to handle or light fireworks. Adults are to supervise any activity that includes fireworks.

Never let children handle, play with or light fireworks. Only knowing and clear-headed adults should handle fireworks.

Adults should never use alcohol or drugs or be impaired while engaged in handling,

using, placing or lighting fireworks.

New aerial type fireworks are now lawful. Aerial devices, also known as "multiple tube", "repeater", or "cake" fireworks often look like miniature professional displays and can travel high into the air, as much as 150 feet.

These fireworks need sufficient space from trees, carports, structures, power lines or other high or low obstacles. Aerial or "cake" fireworks need at least a 30 foot clearance around on the ground and at least 150 foot clearance in the air.

Not allowed still are: firecrackers, M-80’s, cherry bombs, bottle-rockets, roman candles, single or reloadable mortars, and ground salutes. All local, state and federal laws must be adhered to.

Use common sense at all times when handling fireworks. Do not alter, change or experiment with makeshift or any firework device and do not allow others to violate the law.

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Do not place fireworks in your pockets.

Only use fireworks out of doors. Never play with, set or light fireworks under a carport or overhang, inside a building or compartment.

Never shoot fireworks in windy conditions.

Keep a bucket of water or running hose nearby during the time of lighting and disposing

of fireworks and in case of an emergency.

Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks. Keep all unused fireworks 30 feet away from the shooting area.

Make sure other people are out of range at a reasonable distance before lighting fireworks. Do not point or throw fireworks at people, animals or where they may not be under proper control. And remember, sparklers burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. They are extremely deceptive in nature and can be an extraordinarily dangerous device in the hands of children and can cause serious burns and injuries if not cared for properly.

Light fireworks one at a time. Do not attempt to light multiple fireworks at any time. Do not relight a firework whose fuse has burned away. Do not attempt to repair broken fireworks. Soak fireworks that did not ignite in a bucket of water. Once the firework is lit, get away quickly to a safe distance.

Keep clear of the firework. Never place a body part above or around a burning firework. Never pickup a burning firework. Never look into the tube or stay close to the burning end of the device. Never hold a lit firework in your hand.

Use caution with animals. Excitement, noise and lights can cause fear and stress.

Published Open Letter to WVC Residents

Below is a copy of the open letter to WVC Residents as published in Update section of the March 16th edition of the West Valley Journal. The basic premise of the narrative is illustrate how it is the City's job to make a place good, but only individual efforts can truly make a City great:

Great Cities
A message from Councilmember Corey Rushton

One of life’s most fulfilling endeavors involves the subtle rewards of turning something good into something great. One of my first memories of this marvel occurred when I was a young boy and wondered why the pancakes that my grandmother made were so much better than any other pancakes. Even as a youngster I understood that pancakes were a relatively simple recipe and that the flavor between makers didn’t differ much. However grandma’s creations were authoritatively delectable and the greatness of those pancakes was a mystery that my sisters and I would repeatedly try to explain. Theories between us ran rampant and details of greatness included speculation surrounding: the brand of butter, adjusting stove temperature, and even a careful analysis of the antique pancake pan that grandma had inherited from her pioneer grandmother.

Similarly the recipe for a great West Valley City lies within those hard to explain slight, but significant, contributions of the residents. Many of the obvious good things in our community are being put into place, but ultimately it is up to each resident to turn them into great things. We have been quietly raising the standard of expectations in West Valley City and need everyone to do their part. Thriving business and entertainment districts, efficient transportation, and clean, safe neighborhoods require everyone’s involvement. The means in which you could labor to make our City great are too diverse to mention. But, if you don’t know what your role is in a great West Valley City then please evaluate yourself, your property, and your neighborhood and I am confident that you will find new ways to contribute. Additionally the City’s website and WVC-TV offer many ideas, programs, and civic committees that could benefit from your participation.

I challenge all to incorporate this greatness principle on an individual level and I ask everyone to look for new ways to innovate, to reinvest in their homes, and to find new ways to be productive members of the community. As he tirelessly worked to reshape his country, Mohandas Gandhi noted that, “As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world; as in being able to remake ourselves.” Your slight, yet significant contributions will foster greatness in West Valley City for years and generations to come.

Police & Fire and 30th Reunion

Sometimes as a community and as individuals we get caught up in number of various city issues like development, events, and aesthetic issues and momentarily lose sight of the paramount importance of the most important issue facing any city-Public Safety. The professional men, women, and canniness that serve and protect our city effectively do their jobs round the clock. When an emergency rises we are fortunate to have their services ready to respond. A high profile leader from another community once told me that if he couldn't have public safety officials from his own city respond to an emergency then he would definitely want West Valley City officers and fire instead. This and other conversations have provided me with good feedback and I am proud that public safety leaders in many other communities across the Wasatch front got their training and start in West Valley City. As it is always important to keep this in mind I was thrilled when Police Chief Nielsen and Fire Chief Evans presented myself and other members of the City Council with our 30th Anniversary Police and Fire Badges. The badges were frame to presumably prevent me from either losing or attempting to use them with an inscription that reads:

Councilmemember Corey L. Rushton

Proudly serving and protecting the citizens of

West Valley City

Presented by Chief Thayle "Buzz" Nielsen

Chief John Evans

Also recently a number of previous members of the City Council gathered for a 30th anniversary lunch. It was great opportunity for all to share memories and review City progress as well laugh at each other. I am grateful for the vision and efforts of those that have served before I have and how they have strongly positioned West Valley City for the future.

Chickens and Crossing the Road

I am pleased to progress on two unrelated items that came out of this weeks West Valley City Council Study session. First off the City Council is poised to adopt Resolution 10-141 which will authorize a crosswalk traffic signal on 4800 West to serve the students of Kennedy Jr High. As a former student of the school I know first hand how treacherous it can be to safely get across 4800, especially during those dark winter mornings. This installation is not only a move towards increased public safety, but a statement by West Valley City officials that walkable communities can lead to a higher standard of living. Increased safety features and the addition of trails and bike lanes will make it easier to utilize alternative modes of transportation and provide more recreation opportunities. Another benefit to a walkable safe community is that it reduces the air pollution that plagues our geographic region. This year West Valley City is promoting the Clear the Air Challenge, which is a program designed to educate and reduce harmful pollution due to excess driving. You can find more information at:

http://cleartheairchallenge.org/

Secondly, we had a presentation and lengthy discussion regarding domestic fowl regulations which is better known in some circles as the 'backyard chicken ordinance'. We have studied this issue for many months and enough consensus emerged from that discussion that a revised ordinance will come through to the City Council agenda for formal debate and action. As there are many things to consider while drafting such regulations I encourage anyone with any interest or knowledge in this hobby to contact City staffer Shane Smith at 801-965-5841. As always please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Safe Driving

As School is now back in session and an influx of young drivers take to the roads, I have been reminded about the importance of safety while driving. Recently upon boarding an airplane to embark on a little vacation, I reminded a nervous Emily that air travel was statistically a superior method of safe travel when compared to automobiles. Then upon the flight I read a magazine article about the ever increasing dangers of texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. Once we arrive at our destination we happened across this car with a 20 foot tall nail driven through the hood the in that read, "Drive Drunk, Get Nailed." The combination of these experinences seemed noteworthy as we all strive to have extremely safe roads and neighborhoods.