Minutes from January 5, 2016-A private conversation with Sheriff McMahon & Chief Burgan about the 12/2/15 attack

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

 Member Only Board of Directors Meeting

 San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408

Minutes 

 

Present: Deborah Barmack, Peter Barmack, Rigo Bejarano, Carole Beswick, Tom Brickley, Ann Bryan, Mike Burrows, Dan Carlone, Ken Coate, Scott Davis, LaDonna DiCamillo, Kevin Dyerly, Dick Hart, Scott Hofferber, Fran Inman, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Pam Langford, Bill Lemann, John Magness, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Lou Monville, Tomas Morales, Dan Murphy, Brian Reider, Jan Remm, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Steve von Rajcs, Hassan Webb, Jan Wederand Ray Wolfe.

Guests:  Eileen Harris, Joshua Monzon and Soccoro Pantaleon.

Announcements:  No announcements

M/S/P: Minutes from December 15, 2015.

Tom Brickley and Dan Carlone introduced Sheriff John McMahon and San Bernardino Chief Jarrod Burguan.

Appreciation was expressed to both the Sheriff and the Chief for their outstanding work during the December 2nd San Bernardino shooting at the Inland Regional Center.  Their management, cooperation with other agencies and various jurisdictions and their communication with the public was professional and thorough.

The Chief and the Sheriff gave information on the time line of events and a brief history of the first four law enforcement responders on the December 2, 2015 attack at the Inland Regional Center. In the future San Bernardino first responders will be better prepared with equipment and protective gear on hand to deal with terrorism.

Management of an extreme event was discussed. Securing of the scene, triage and evacuation location and transportation of victims, management of the press and creation of an information hub were discussed.

The FBI is limited by their protocols regarding communications with the public but a good balance was achieved with the county and city spokespeople.

Although not aware of it at the time, the device in the Inland Regional Center was not a viable bomb as it was improperly built. Other explosives found in the vehicle and at the residence were handled by an expert team.  The bomb teams were managed by the combined resources of the San Bernardino County, Alcohol Tobacco Firearms (ATF), and Riverside Police.

The County Supervisors immediately weighed in and expressed that the priority is to care for the victims, their families, and all other county employees. Counseling for employees and families continues to be provided.  The Supervisors have asked that the décor be redone to create a different environment for people.

Sadly the lessons learned are that we have a new reality. These situations will likely happen again and we need to be vigilant.  This is an opportunity for San Bernardino to send the message that they will emerge as a stronger place.

Sheriff McMahon responded to questions and discussed the 1033 Drmo Program which provided law enforcement some of the needed tools for the December 2nd attack.  The 1033 Program allows law enforcement agencies to receive excess property from the Department of Defense to counter drug and counter terrorism.  The 1033 Drmo Program has been successful in bringing up to date tools/equipment to the County to deter and investigate.  The program is critical for law enforcement to stay up to date and it carries a huge cost savings to the public.  One of the helicopters used to transport victims to the hospital was a 1033 acquisition as was bomb detonation equipment.  Opponents to the program are concerned with militarization of local police.

Asset seizure which is a major funding of law enforcement is also under attack. Funds from drugs or other criminal activities are seized by law enforcement and used to purchase tasers, guns, and other needed equipment.  Changes to the program would move these funds towards balancing the federal budget.

 

A Q & A period followed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:31 a.m.