PC 03/10/82 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Hirst said he has advised the owner and the tenants and they are going to replace cells, etc, for the fixtures. Commissioner Wilson said perhaps we need an ordinance addressing the amount of light required in the City. Bill Eastman, Chief of Police addressed the Commission with regard to this application. He stated he is neither for or against the proposal and has been in contact with both the applicant and shopping center tenants concerning it. He said he has some experience and background with regard to the operation of game rooms. He reviewed the actual number of police calls received with regard to the loitering of young people in the shopping center. He said that less than 1~ of the calls deal with juveniles in Mission and Valley Plaza. He indicated that the police department is paying more attention to drinking, loitering, etc. of juveniles and feels that when the children know someone is looking over their shoulders, the problems are reduced. He said they also need the City, merchants' cooperation. He said lighting is needed. He presented a verbal survey covering 29 days in the area relative to the number of calls on juveniles. Fie said the nights covered were Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. He then said on January 15th they received 26 calls for service, eight of which came from the 7-11 store. He said perhaps there are things happening of which the police aren't aware. Commissioner Lindsey asked if the Chief could do anything about the lighting. Mr. Eastman said no he couldn't enforce anything in this regard. Commissioner Jamieson asked the Chief if he had any authority to move people on and prevent them from loitering. He offered the Prune Yard in Sunnyvale as an example where it was determined the police department have no authority in this regard. Commissioner Lindsey asked the Chief through his experience if someone works at controlling loitering, have they been successful. The Chief responded yes, they have. He referred to Culver City problems where an establishment was taken over by juvenile gangs. Commissioner Wilson asked the Chief if he thinks it would be a good idea to have an ordinance specifying the candlelite power in Pleasanton. The Chief said he believes it would be a good idea. Chairperson Getty said the police department for years has always stressed illuminating parking lots which minimizes loitering. Commissioner Doherty asked the Chief if he felt comfortable with the staff report on the application and the fact that one of the conditions is to review the use every six months. Mr. Eastman said the police department had to review the application as part of the approval process and their desired conditions are incorporated as part of the staff report. -17-