San Diego cops’ special preparations

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — At least one police department is taking steps to ensure that the families of officers will be fully prepared for Year 2000-related problems, but the same preparations are not being recommended to the public.

An internal memorandum to all sworn personnel, communications center personnel, and professional staff of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office was provided to WorldNetDaily by a concerned deputy. The document was verified as authentic by San Diego County sheriff’s spokesman Ron Reina.

“Pardon my ignorance, but what’s the big deal? I don’t get the significance,” Reina commented when contacted by WorldNetDaily.

The memorandum was issued to place restrictions on vacation time around the end of the year, inform staff about concerns for possible civil unrest and a higher level of criminal activity, and offer help for staff members to prepare their own families for Y2K problems.

“If significant interruptions do occur, it is possible there may be adverse public reactions. Additionally, New Year 2000 will undoubtedly be a time of heightened general police activity,” stated Undersheriff Jack M. Drown in the memorandum.

Recipients of the memorandum were promised more information in separate, future handouts. That additional information would include “department plans and expectations, as well as information to ensure you and your families are properly prepared for Y2K emergencies.”

There have been at least two additional memoranda containing the promised information. Those documents were provided by the same deputy and confirmed by Reina as being authentic.

A memorandum from Capt. George Kneeshaw, emergency services division, tells of the efforts being made by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to become Y2K compliant and remain operational through the first of the year. All systems are said to be “unaffected, or they will be replaced or repaired prior to the end of the year,” said Kneeshaw.

The potential for civil unrest brings with it a concern that sheriff’s deputies may not be able to serve if they are concerned about the welfare of their own families during a period of disruptions in electricity, phones, and other critical services.

“This preparation cannot and will not be complete without your personal commitment to act responsibly and properly prepare your homes and families. Each of you are integral and essential to the Sheriff’s Department and its mission to maintain public safety. In order for us to be able to rely on your availability and total commitment to your job, whether you are professional staff or sworn, you must be sure your family is safe and sound and adequately supplied,” stated Kneeshaw in the memorandum.

Recommendations for preparations included the standard items found on Red Cross Y2K checklists regarding food, water, clothing, blankets, flashlights, medicines and other essentials. The Kneeshaw memorandum then went further than the standard recommendations and suggested more significant preparations than what are being made to the general public.

Kneeshaw recommended the use of an RV as part of a preparedness plan.

“Fill up the water and propane tank — and you are ready to go! If there are disruptions, you can walk out to the RV and relax,” said Kneeshaw.

He suggested packing the RV with freeze-dried foods, powdered drink mixes, canned and packaged foods, garbage bags, candles, lanterns, and propane heaters. He included a caution about the dangers of such heaters and the need for ventilation.

Although Kneeshaw mentioned the need to prepare for at least three days, which is the standard Red Cross and FEMA recommendation, the list of supplies and the use of an RV suggest a longer period of disruptions may take place and are considered to be possible. The deputy who provided the information was concerned because an RV is a major investment.

“If they only expect a blip on the radar screen, or minor inconveniences for a few days, then why recommend the use of an RV? That’s pretty heavy-duty preparations if you ask me,” stated the deputy.

Other deputies were contacted at random by phone regarding the issue. The few who spoke with WorldNetDaily did not wish to be quoted, but they indicated there is growing concern over the appearance that officials expect greater disruptions than what the general public is being prepared for.

Reina said he did not know if there is an official policy regarding a specific length of time for sheriff’s staff to anticipate.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services issued guidelines on Y2K preparedness that were handed out to the San Diego sheriff’s personnel, and apparently to other government employees throughout the state.

“While some problems may become evident immediately, others may take a little longer to have an impact,” predicted the memorandum. Being prepared for the immediate and long-term consequences of Y2K mean being self-sufficient, which is defined in the document as being “able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, telephone and assistance from safety devices.”

The OES memorandum, which was issued in June, offers several ways to evaluate personal needs to determine levels of preparations. Government employees are told to ask themselves a number of questions to anticipate their needs.

• How would you cook if gas and electrical service was disrupted?
• What appliances can your household function without for several days at a time?
• Do you keep enough money at home to cover immediate expenses in case ATM machines do not work?
• How often do you shop for groceries and other supplies?
• Does your car have enough gas in the tank to allow you to function for days at a time without stopping to refill?

“Make sure you have enough sturdy covered garbage containers to hold two weeks worth of refuse should Y2K disrupt garbage collection,” the OES memorandum advised. The Red Cross and FEMA do not mention garbage precautions, nor do they indicate a need for any preparation beyond a few days.

The document predicts possible disruptions of many services and advises people to prepare for life without such things as telephones, electricity, and banking. Although having cash on hand because of possible failure of ATM bank machines is suggested, the recommendation comes with the warning to “withdraw money from your bank in small amounts.”

A warning is also given to maintain paper records of all financial transactions, wills, trusts, loans, deeds, insurance, taxes, health, and other important records. Warnings are also given about the possible failure of computer-controlled thermostats, garage door openers, locks, alarm systems, and other electronic equipment.

“Winterize your home and any structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock, or equipment. In the event of heat loss, make sure your water pipes are protected from freezing,” the OES document warns.

So, why is the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office recommending more involved preparations to the families of their staff than what are being recommended to the public?

“Probably just being overly cautious I guess. Nothing more exotic than that,” Reina told WorldNetDaily.

Why not make the same recommendations to the public?

“Well, I don’t know,” he responded.

The Red Cross and FEMA checklists advise the public to “be prepared to relocate to a shelter for warmth and protection during a prolonged power outage if for any other reason local officials request or require that you leave your home.”

WorldNetDaily has previously reported plans for moving people into shelters if Y2K disruptions last more than a few days.

“Be prepared — we are counting on you,” concluded Kneeshaw in his memorandum to the Sheriff’s Office personnel.