Blue Lake Public Safety Commission Addresses Collaboration and Annie and Mary Day Safety

The Blue Lake Public Safety Commission held its monthly meeting on August 4th, addressing key issues concerning community safety and inter-agency collaboration. The meeting, attended by Commissioners Adeline Jones (Chair), Lynn Glenn, Ted Hales, Alex Ricca, and Donald Shang, saw discussions on improving communication with the Blue Lake Rancheria and reviewing safety measures for future events like the Annie and Mary Day parade.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, following a suggestion by a member of the public, Mr. Sowatski, to rearrange some items for improved flow. Due to the absence of the regular recording secretary, Donald Shang was appointed to fill the role for the evening. Public comment periods, limited to three minutes per speaker, were incorporated into the meeting.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a report from the Blue Lake Rancheria Office of Emergency Services. The Rancheria representative detailed upcoming training sessions, including Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training on August 19th-21st and October 9th, and a traffic safety workshop on August 19th. The representative also discussed a new circulation plan aimed at improving safety during large events, particularly the Annie and Mary Day parade.

Concerns regarding the Annie and Mary Day parade prompted considerable discussion among commissioners. They highlighted the need for better communication and coordination with the Humboldt County Sheriff's department to ensure public safety during future events. Following this discussion, the commission decided to explore switching to quarterly reporting from the Rancheria and other agencies, instead of the previous monthly schedule.

Mayor Pro Tem Elise Cafani also addressed the commission, providing a welcome and introducing herself. The commission's chair, Adeline Jones, along with Lynn Glenn and Donald Shang, will schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss future scheduling and meeting logistics.

While no specific policy changes were announced, the meeting underscored the commission's commitment to enhancing community safety through improved communication and collaboration with local agencies and community members. For further information or to get involved in future meetings, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Blue Lake website at https://bluelake.ca.gov/city-council/council-commissions/public-safety-commission/.