Speaker: Pismo Beach Chief of Police, Jake Miller was our featured speaker last week. Chief Miller is a 20 year member of Pismo Beach Police Department who worked his way up through the ranks to become Chief of Police. Chief Miller gave the club an update of current policing practices noting that following "Trends" has had a significant positive effect on crime statistics for Pismo Beach.
Other programs chief Miller discussed was the "My Cop" program, where officers are assigned to specific zones and get to know the members of the community and the community in turn has a contact person to turn to for quality of life issues that effect individuals within their own communities or neighborhoods. He also discussed the continued role of police officers at Pismo Beach school campuses, noting that an officer will visit every school at least one time per day. Officers deliver pocket presentations to school kids to help deal with issues such as cyber bullying.
Current challenges for Chief Miller and the PBPD include keeping up with technology and hiring qualified personnel.
He closed by reminding the club that the first Monday of every month citizens of Pismo Beach can come to the police Department to"Brief the Chief".
Announcements: Our Rotarian of the Week was Ashlea Boyer who shared a bit of her life's story. Born in Tahoe where her dad was stationed with the California Highway Patrol. The family moved to Grover Beach when she was just a youngster and then attended local schools culminating with a BA in Literature from UCSB. Ashlea married Michael Boyer in 2002 and have shared a great Rotary experience together with son Jack who is now 13 years old.
Jim Lewis informed the club of upcoming programs including a wine presentation for next week and presentations celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts and a vocational visit to the new Vespera Hotel in Pismo coming up in February.
Recognitions: Fine Master Mark Olsen recognized Maryann Reiss for her 11 year Rotary Anniversary, Connie O'Henley for her 24 years in Rotary, Greg Baker for his 14 years of Rotary service and Rae Breen was recognized for her one year Rotary Anniversary. Leeann Liscomb was recognized for her birthday and Fine Master Olsen levied a $10 fine to Karen Zappia for being a Green Bay Packers fan.