San Mateo Courts - Civil Grand Jury
2001
Final Report:
Sequoia Hospital Parking
Citations
Summary
| Background |
Findings | Recommendations
| Responses
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| A
citizen complained that Sequoia Hospital's private security force was
still issuing parking citations, even though the hospital ceased to be
a public entity in 1996. The 2001-2002 Grand Jury found that the ordinance
allowing citations to be issued was passed while the hospital was a public
hospital and is no longer applicable as the hospital has become a private
facility.
Issue: Are
private security officers employed by Sequoia Hospital legally allowed
to issue parking citations? |
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| In
April 1983, while Sequoia Hospital was still a public facility, Sequoia
Hospital District officials passed ordinance No. 83-7, which allowed security
personnel hired by the hospital to issue parking and traffic citations.
This action was legal, pursuant to section 21113 of the California Vehicle
Code and section 836.5 of the California Penal Code, which allow public
entities to issue legally binding citations for Vehicle Code infractions.
The Redwood City Police Department provided citation forms to the Sequoia
Hospital District and processed them as well.
In 1996 San Mateo County voters approved Measure H, which transferred
ownership of the hospital to a private company, Catholic Healthcare West.
Since then, Sequoia Hospital has been a private facility. |
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| The
Grand Jury learned that security officers at Sequoia Hospital were still
issuing parking citations. After discussion with County Counsel and interviews
of others involved in the process, the Grand Jury discovered it is unlawful
for the hospital's security force to write parking citations. As Sequoia
Hospital is no longer a public facility, the 1983 ordinance is not enforceable.
Only Redwood City police are allowed to issue parking citations on the
hospital's grounds, and then only after the Redwood City City Council
adopts an appropriate ordinance regarding citing vehicles on the private
property of the hospital.
The Grand
Jury's finding were discussed with Redwood City Police Chief Carlos Bolanos,
who has since advised the Sequoia Hospital security chief that Redwood
City Police will no longer provide or process citations issued by Sequoia
Hospital employees. |
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Recommendation
As long as Sequoia
Hospital remains a private facility, its security force should refrain
from issuing parking citations.
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| Response
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Response from Redwood City Police Department
I agree with the
findings of the 2001-2002 Grand Jury report filed on May 6, 2002. Sequoia
Hospital Catholic Health Care West has failed to demonstrate the current
validity of Ordinance 83-7, which was passed by the Sequoia Hospital
District in 1983. As such, on December 13, 2001, my department ceased
to provide, or process, parking citations issued by Sequoia Hospital
employees.
Sincerely,
Ronald Matuszak
Deputy Police Chief
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Response from Sequoia Hospital
Re: 2001 - 2002
Grand Jury Sequoia Hospital Parking Citation Report
In response to the
above referenced report issued May 6, 2002, the Security Department
of Sequoia Hospital stopped issuing parking citations on hospital property
effective January 1, 2002.
Glenna Vaskelis
President/Administrator
Sequoia Hospital
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