Leadership Visalia gains knowledge and appreciation for the faces behind public safety and justice badges

By Kurt Hardcastle, Business Teacher, Visalia Unified School District

On Friday, February 9th, Leadership Visalia focused on the importance of public safety and justice in our community. The Public Safety & Justice Day Session featured a lineup of various locations, including, the Visalia Fire Department Training Center, Tulare County Sheriff’s training department and the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. At each of these locations, the class met with leaders who serve Visalia and Tulare County to understand how these organizations maintain their vigilance and keep our community safe.

Fire Station 55

On this crisp sunny winter morning we were welcomed to the home of Fire Station 55, where we were greeted by Karl Krauss, Training Captain for Visalia Fire Department. The day kicked off with a tour of Station 55. We were led through their dining room and kitchen, where like all families the fire fighters break bread and discuss the day and build camaraderie between each other.

This station houses 3-5 fire personnel who serve twenty-four-hour shifts. While all fire stations are strategically placed to have proximity to the public and property, this location was set with its proximity to the Visalia Industrial Park as it also houses the Visalia Fire Department Hazardous Material Response Team.

We rounded out the tour of the five-acre lot by touring the state-of-the-art training facility. The brick building looks like a typical two-story brick building. However, once inside the use of the building serves as a center train and create fire ready projects to assist in the development of our local and state firefighters. The building shows evidence or recent training with empty rooms, and shadows of smoke, with puddles on the floors, and pipes that control the flow of propane throughout the building. Based on the location and facility serves as an excellent training ground.

Round Table Discussion

We followed up our tour with a round table discussion on public safety. We were joined by experts in their field: Visalia Fire Capt. Karl Krauss, Visalia Police Lt. Mona Whaley (Night Watch Commander) and Lt. Bobby Rader, with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department

The discussion centered around the passing of Proposition 47 and its impact on our local communities, as well as on the unhoused community and its current strain on our emergency systems. Lt. Whaley spoke about the non-emergency numbers to access referrals and assistance; and the unhoused outreach programs available in the community, such as the Hope Team. Services for the unhoused are increasing and the public will need to become familiar with the various programs to ensure the appropriate programs are contacted when a need arises.

Simulation Training

After lunch we met out at the Sheriff’s Adult Pre-Trial Facility where we met Sgt. Russell Murphy. Sgt. Murphy exhibited a real-world example of body cameras of several peace officers. We then separated into groups representing, the community, peace officers, legal counsel, and the administrative officials. Each team put together their talking points and it became clear that these varied perspectives are easier to comment on with the advantage of hindsight.

This led to the simulation, where several Leadership Visalia team members were able to work through a simulation and see how they would react in an escalating dramatization. Our minimum training combined with the small amount of information provided on the situation, led to both interesting and humorous results.  The Leadership Team left realizing we would require significant additional training before considering a career as a peace officer. Training provided to our officers is essential in preparing them for the skills they require to protect our community daily.  As a community we are fortunate to have such a highly skilled and dedicated public safety team. 

Tulare County Superior Court – Bureau of Investigations

The last round table of the day was in the Tulare County Court House. We were greeted by Fortune, the Courthouse Facility Canine, at the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. Fortune is a Golden Retriever, and a working canine who assists during stressful stages of legal proceedings such as child forensic interviews and trials. While he can respond to over 90 cues, on this day the cue he was responding to most was our candy wrappers as he made us all feel at ease.

While fortune is clearly an undisputed favorite, we were also supported by two other speakers Erica Gonzalez, Assistant District Attorney, where she has prosecuted various types of crimes, including Crimes Against Children, Domestic Violence, Elder Abuses, Sexual Assault and Juvenile Crimes. In addition, we had Jennifer Lightfoot, Director of Victim Services, where she oversees 17 Victim Advocates, as well as Fortune.

We learned about the process of prosecution and the crimes as well as the need for more attorneys to work for the District Attorney and serve Justice.  As many fields in law and justice there is an ever-greater need and fewer individuals willing to rise to the challenge to serve as officers of the court. So, if you are looking for a career, this one is in high demand.

Conclusion:

The diverse backgrounds and experiences of these key speakers added depth and authenticity to the Public Safety & Justice Day Session. Their dedication to community well-being, coupled with their personal and professional accomplishments, showcased the intricate tapestry of individuals working tirelessly to ensure public safety and uphold justice within Visalia and Tulare County. As the day unfolded, participants gained not only knowledge but a profound appreciation for the faces behind the badges, reinforcing the collaborative effort required for a safe and just community.