PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Description The Public Safety function includes the Police Services and Emergency Preparedness programs, as well as Fire Protection Services. Police services in Laguna Niguel are provided by contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD). Law enforcement protection is provided through patrol services, traffic enforcement, emergency operations services, community resource officers, investigative functions, and the volunteer Police Auxiliary Citizens Team (PACT). Emergency Preparedness is provided by contract with OCSD. Emergency Preparedness is responsible for developing and maintaining emergency preparedness programs that educate, recruit, and train interested community participants. This program ensures the ongoing readiness of the Emergency Operations Center, and that City staff are adequately trained to activate, operate, and deactivate it. Fire protection services are provided through Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). The City is considered a Structural Fire Fund city, in which a portion of residents property tax payments (approximately 10.48%) is directed straight to the OCFA to fund operations. The City benefits from this set‐up, as it has no further financial involvement with the OCFA. There are 3 fire stations in the City, with 12 post positions and an average of 36 employees. There are approximately 4,400 calls for service every year, with emergency medical services comprising about 75%. Prior Year Accomplishments  Created the Business Enhancement Team (BET) and promoted the You Are Not Alone (YANA) program.  PACT volunteers logged over 6,100 hours serving the City’s residents.  Received the following awards:  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award for DUI Enforcement  Medal of Valor for Merit  Medal of Valor for Lifesaving  Medal of Valor for Courage  Developed large‐scale safety plans and presence for various City‐sponsored events.  Conducted a twelve‐week Citizen’s Academy.  Conducted a 24‐hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.  Implemented the monthly Chief’s Brief and Monthly Message videos to increase communication with the community.  Continued to host and engage in various community education forums, including Neighborhood Watch, Stop the Bleed, car seat installation, Emergency Preparedness, and numerous crime prevention presentations.  Increased followers on social media platforms to over 10,000 across all platforms.  Worked with Laguna Niguel students, staff and community members via Red Ribbon week, e‐bike education and registration, carnival and holiday events, and National Walk to School Day. 48