Patrol trade-off on trail proposed

Residents concerned about the level of crime along the Santa Ana River trail could see an increase in patrols if law enforcement from several agencies team up, as one official has suggested.

While Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley stressed the project was still in the early planning stages, she said she envisioned a “trade-off” allowing city police departments to rotate patrolling shifts — easing the burden on local departments while providing security for residents.

But Costa Mesa Mayor Eric Bever said the proposal may be premature, as the city has already put out a request to county supervisors that would allow Costa Mesa police to patrol areas within city limits.

“I think that I would like to see what the response of the county board of supervisors is, before we start investigating other avenues,” he said, referring to Foley’s proposed multi-agency partnership.

The Orange County sheriff patrols the river trail because it’s on property not annexed to any of the cities it runs through. The Parks and Recreation Committee and the City Council have fielded complaints from residents who said they had witnessed or been personally subjected to criminal activity on the path.

“When [you’re on the trail] and you call 911, you’ll [be transferred] to a centralized 911 branch — you have no immediate relief, basically,” Foley said. “We need to have patrols on that trail system to benefit people using the trail and to make it safe.”

Sheriff’s spokesman Damon Micalizzi said the department will often increase patrols in the park following a call or incident, but reiterated that deputies are always willing to work with other agencies to secure public safety.

City Manager Allan Roeder said the city was reviewing a number of other means of providing added security, including the installation of lights on the path. The city is also compiling criminal statistics about the path and discussing jurisdictional issues with the sheriff’s office, he added.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at chris.caesar@latimes.com.