Grand jury urges beefed-up Ventura Harbor patrol

Ventura Harbor patrol officers should return to 24-hour patrolling and be given nightsticks or firearms, according to a new Ventura County Grand Jury report.

The “Harbor Patrol is not sufficiently staffed to carry out its patrol duties” and should formalize in writing its arrangement with local police and the county Sheriff’s Department to respond to incidents that occur within the 152-acre district and adjacent areas, including the Ventura Keys waterfront neighborhood, the five-page report concluded.

The 19-member grand jury, which serves as a watchdog of city and county government, also recommended that the district revise its website to “describe fully the mission, responsibilities and enforcement duties of the Harbor Patrol.”

It also encouraged the district to publish in its annual report a list of all crimes and incidents occurring on port-owned land and within the 122 acres of water it patrols.

Port Commissioner Edward McCombs, a Ventura city manager in the 1970s, said Wednesday the district would review the grand jury’s recommendations, but that commissioners were pleased with the Harbor Patrol’s performance.

“Our basic mission is to provide a recreation venue and a safe, enjoyable place for people to come,” said McCombs, adding that the patrol’s primary mission is water safety. “I think the district is fulfilling its role quite well in that regard.”

Oscar Pena, district general manager, and Harbormaster G. Scott Miller said several suggestions had been tried.

Harbor patrol officers carried nightsticks for five years through 2006, but never used one to make an arrest.

Financial considerations prompted the district to put an end to patrols from 2 to 6 a.m. and cancel its contract with Ventura police for a full-time officer to staff a harbor storefront location.

A subsequent review of crime patterns showed that fewer than 1% of incidents at the harbor were reported from 2 to 6 a.m.

The district declared bankruptcy 14 years ago after it was hit with a $15.6-million judgment in a lawsuit brought by a business that wanted to develop at Ventura Harbor Village.

The district has since returned to solvency and is set to soon approve a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year.

Miller oversees the Harbor Patrol, which operates three boats that are also used by police and fire personnel.

His unit has seven full-time officers and one who works 20 hours a week. They carry handcuffs and pepper spray.

The grand jury report also suggests the district again apply for federal funds under the Safe Port Act to provide money for equipment and training as needed.

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