Dear Ventura Resident,
Thank you for contacting us about the recent tragedy involving Mr. Mele and the issue of vagrancy in our community.
We have heard from numerous residents about this shocking crime and other recent attacks in our community. Like
you, we are heartbroken for Mr. Mele’s family and offer sincere condolences to his loved ones.
The City Council and every leader at Ventura City Hall hears you loud and clear, and we take your concerns to heart.
We vow to do whatever is necessary to keep our neighborhoods, parks, downtown, and promenade safe.
Mayor Andrews recently said, “We will not accept such awful crimes in our community.” And Deputy Mayor Matt
LaVere added, “We cannot stand by passively and allow criminal vagrancy in Ventura. We will commit whatever
resources are necessary to make sure a senseless crime like Mr. Mele’s killing never happens again.”
In response, the City Council has authorized the following immediate action to protect our community:
-The Ventura Police Department immediately added additional officers on the promenade: 20 hours per day on foot,
bike or vehicle to deter illegal activity
-Additional security cameras have been installed on the promenade
-Park Ambassadors adding patrols to the promenade to ensure our parks and public spaces are safe and welcoming
to all
-The Ventura City Fire Department will utilize response units to watch, observe and report any criminal activity.
In addition, Ventura will continue to take a multi-agency approach to address the difficult and complex issue. For
many years, Ventura has worked in collaboration with the state, county, and local non-profits to address this problem.
Some of these efforts and programs include:
-Increased the Patrol Task Force and adding approximately 25 police and civilian staff. The City is more than
half-way through this effort.
-Expanded and enhanced Ventura’s ​Safe and Clean Initiative
-​Park Ambassador Program
-Chronic Offender Program
-​Community​ Intervention Court
-​Homeless Court
-​Safe Sleep Program

 -​Emergency Shelter Overlay Zone
-​Family Reconnection Program
-Rehabilitated ​River Haven Transitional Housing
-​Ventura County Health Care Agency Care Pods
-​Approved Development Team for Purchase/Lease of Ventura Veterans Home Development Site
-We are also addressing visible blight and other issues that can contribute to vagrancy.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
-Do not give money to panhandlers.
-Give a hand-up, not a handout, by donating money to local assistance programs and non-profits
that help the homeless get access to the services they need to get off the streets.
-Attend your neighborhood Community Council meetings. Call (805) 654-7740 for information.
-Continue to provide feedback to city council. Call (805) 654-7827, or email​council@cityofventura.ca.gov​.
-Follow ​City of Ventura​ and ​Ventura Police Department​ Facebook pages for the latest developments.
We have complete confidence in and are grateful to the Ventura Police Department for its hard work in keeping our
community safe. Now is the time for our community to come together. We all love Ventura, and together we will be
resilient and create a safer and stronger community.
Thank you for your support.