DATE: December 2, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Rancho San Diego Sheriff Storefront Office

SUMMARY:
Reference
Since its opening, the Rancho San Diego Towne Center has increasingly been experiencing problems with delinquent juvenile activity, vandalism and vehicle theft. In particular, loitering by unruly teenagers has frustrated business owners, alarmed parents and discouraged customers.

Vestar Development Company has generously offered to lease approximately 1,637 square feet of office space to the County for a Sheriff's Department storefront office. It will be a three-year lease at $1 per year. Today's action will allow the County to secure a lease agreement with Vestar.

Recommendations
SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB

1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to reach an agreement with Vestar Development Company for the lease of approximately 1,637 square feet of space in the Rancho San Diego Towne Center.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chair's signature, thanking Vestar for their generous offer to make available space for a Sheriff storefront office.

Fiscal Impact
Existing resources within the Sheriff's Department will be used to open and maintain the office space.

BACKGROUND
Since its opening, the Rancho San Diego Towne Center has increasingly been experiencing problems with delinquent juvenile activity, vandalism and vehicle theft. In particular, loitering by unruly teenagers has frustrated business owners, alarmed parents and discouraged customers.

Vestar Development Company has generously offered to lease approximately 1,637 square feet of office space to the County for a Sheriff's Department storefront office. It will be a three-year lease at $1 per year.

Efforts to establish a Sheriff station in the Rancho San Diego community are ongoing. Ultimately, a new station will be necessary to address all of the law enforcement needs in the unincorporated communities being served by the Lemon Grove station. While a storefront office will provide increase law enforcement presence at the Rancho San Diego Towne Center, it is only a temporary measure.

The Sheriff's Department has an opportunity to utilize existing office space at the Rancho San Diego Towne Center to better serve the area. Deputies will be able to use this office to meet with the public, write reports and store equipment, thus reducing the need to travel several miles to the Lemon Grove station.

Today's action will allow the County to secure a lease agreement with Vestar for a three-year period. I urge your support.

Respectfully Submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Vice Chairwoman, Second District