CLEARLAKE — More than 100 people, a large percentage of whom were wearing T-shirts stating “Support Police,” were present Monday when newly-appointed Clearlake Mayor Joyce Overton hosted a town hall meeting regarding area police services.
The majority in attendance were present with concern that Overton may have plans to move toward Lake County Sheriff jurisdiction in the city.
Overton presented Monday”s program under the auspices of using Redevelopment Agency money to augment police services.
Overton consistently denied any notion of possibly turning jurisdiction over to the sheriff”s department until near to the end of the meeting a citizen cited a statement Overton wrote in an e-mail to Jim Burns, who was a part of the Monday evening”s presentation.
The e-mail in part states the following: “I want to have town hall meetings on this, the new development for the airport and the sheriff vs. city police.”
When this statement was cited, Overton said, “Oh, but that wasn”t tonight.”
The e-mails indicate that Overton planned on announcing her intentions to host a town hall meeting during the city council”s swearing in session on Dec. 9. However, no such announcement was made.
The meeting was announced in a letter to the editor received by the Record-Bee newsroom on Thursday.
The PowerPoint presentation, which was too small to read properly from the audience according to attendees, highlighted possible use of RDA funds to augment police services.
The presentation focused primarily on three components: security cameras, security systems tied to the Internet and out-reach to schools.
Following the PowerPoint, the floor was opened to questions. Three to four people questioned the use of RDA money for police services; Rick Mayo asked specifically for the section of law that allows for the possibility; however, he received no answer. Approximately five other people directed their comments toward Overton questioning her purpose for the night”s meeting. During this exchange, Overton went to the podium and asked for respect from the audience for herself and the presenters.
Approximately four people in attendance were interested in possible support mechanisms for the police department; however, questioned the lack of communication between the presentation consultant and the Clearlake Police Department.
Area business owners Bob Kiel and Vince Metzger suggested that the consultant converse with the police department in order to assess its needs and then bring a more informed presentation back to the public.
The Record-Bee imposed a question regarding Overton”s ability to provide proper direction in police matters given her daughter Victoria Overton”s criminal and drug history, who has related charges from September 2010. Overton was asked if she would recuse herself from such decisions. Overton said she is not responsible for her daughter”s actions and she will not recuse herself from decisions concerning the police department.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
