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OCSD to Fully Implement Body-Cam System by Summer’s End BY BREEANA GREENBERG
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is expected to fully roll out its bodyworn camera system by July, according to OCSD Director of Public Affairs and Community Engagement Carrie Braun. Dana Point Police Services, the last patrol station to get its body-worn cameras online, launched its system on May 31 following a weekslong implementation delay. The postponement, Dana Point Police Chief Lt. Kirsten Monteleone explained, was the result of connectivity issues. The rollout consists of “over 1,000 body-worn cameras throughout (OCSD’s) 13 contract cities, unincorporated areas, Transit Police Services, Harbor Patrol, and John Wayne Airport Police Services,” Braun said in an email. The cameras’ purpose—part of a $12.7 million contract that the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved in July 2021—is to capture all interactions between OCSD department members and the public, as well as interviews with suspects and victims. “It is mostly for evidentiary reasons. It’s to capture everything that we see and things that we don’t see as well,” Monteleone said. “This is a fantastic tool, in my
opinion. It’s also to promote accountability with the public. If you know that you’re being recorded, it’s not a bad thing.” The cameras will be on “any time there is public contact, regardless,” Monteleone said. “If (deputies are) on a call, if they do anything proactive, they do a car stop, it’s always on,” she said. “The only time it isn’t on is when they’re just by themselves, not on a call for service or doing any enforcement.” OCSD personnel are expected to activate their body-worn cameras “prior to arriving at a call or initiating enforcement action and shall terminate once the Member has cleared their self from the call or the contact and/or the incident has concluded,” according to OCSD’s Policy 447 on Body-Worn Camera and In-Car Video Systems. When cameras are turned off at the conclusion of an incident, personnel are expected to “verbally note the date, time and reason for the deactivation on the recording itself.” Additionally, according to the policy, personnel are not to turn off their cameras if a citizen requests that they do so unless the circumstances require an exception, such as victim confidentiality and confidential informant or citizen informant safety. “There (are) some guidelines in regards to confidentiality,” Monteleone said. “It’s going to be a case-by-case situation.” Footage recorded by body-worn cameras will be stored for a minimum of two years. The public may request access to
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s body-worn camera program that’s intended to aid deputy sheriffs and capture their interactions with the public is expected to be fully deployed, as the Dana Point Police Services became the last patrol station to get its cameras online. Photo: Breeana Greenberg
body-worn camera footage through a public records act submission and may visit the OCSD website for information on records requests. San Clemente Police Service’s body-worn camera system was implemented in October 2021 as part of a phased deployment of the program across OCSD’s divisions. The cameras have “been effective in assisting our deputies to accurately capture interactions with the public to promote accountability and enhance public trust,” Braun said. Braun added that the cameras have been a useful tool to support deputies writing reports and providing testimony. “The cameras also go beyond these purposes to enhance public trust by promoting accountability during police-public interactions,” Braun said.“In some cases, body camera videos may also provide a positive training opportunity to continuously improve the skills of deputies.”
However, Braun noted that the cameras should be considered as only one of many sources of data on an incident. “While they are a beneficial tool, the cameras provide only a limited view of any incident or encounter,” Braun said. “The videos should be considered as another point of reference alongside witness and victim statements, interviews, forensics, and any other applicable evidence or documentation.” Monteleone said she is optimistic that the body-worn cameras will be a helpful tool for her deputies. “I think, going down the road when we’re prosecuting these crimes—the camera doesn’t lie. I think that it’s really going to be a helpful tool down the road,” Monteleone said.“Once we start using it more, like I said—it’s only been a couple weeks—but it’s going to be invaluable, and I think it’s going to actually help some of our crimes down the road get solved.”
Exchange Club Honors Lifeguards of the Year for 2020, 2021 BY C. JAYDEN SMITH
The Exchange Club of San Clemente last month recognized two of the city’s lifeguards, Raselle Chetwynd and Jaden Blanc-Hall, for their service to the community, naming each of them as Lifeguard of the Year for 2020 and 2021, respectively. Chetwynd, who first joined the City of San Clemente’s Marine Safety team in 2014 alongside Blanc-Hall, became the first woman to receive the peer-nominated honor in the award’s 42-year existence. Over the years, the two have climbed the ranks to become ocean lifeguard supervisors. Members of the Exchange Club on May 19 gathered with city officials, dignitaries and the honorees’ fellow lifeguards at the San Clemente Community Center
Longtime city lifeguards Raselle Chetwynd and Jaden Blanc-Hall (pictured in the center) joined the lengthy list of Lifeguard of the Year honorees during the Exchange Club of San Clemente’s annual awards ceremony on May 19. Photo: Courtesy of the Exchange Club
San Clemente Times June 16-22, 2022
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for the annual awards ceremony, which marked a return to normal traditions after a pandemic-induced hiatus. Both honorees were presented with a new custom Terry Senate surfboard inscribed with their name, a plaque by the San Clemente Exchange Club, and a custom piece of art painted by local artist Kelan O’Brien. Mayor Gene James presented Chetwynd and Blanc-Hall with mayoral challenge coins and gave a speech in recognition of their achievements. Marine Safety Capt. Rod Mellot spoke about the two honorees, sharing that they are exemplary members of the Marine Safety Division and contribute valuable skills to the team. sanclementetimes.com
