Quality of Life Deputy working to enhance our quality of life
Deputy Dana Chaney is the City of Mission Viejo’s new “Quality of Life” Deputy, a position designed to proactively address issues in this community of nearly 100,000 people.
A 10-year Sheriff’s Department veteran who’s been assigned to Mission Viejo for a year, Deputy Chaney is working to engage the community and tackle issues associated with homelessness, sober-living facilities, day laborers and problem houses in the City. She is also patrolling parks and trails on a mountain bike and training with different agencies to develop the best practices and bring them back to Mission Viejo.
“Community engagement is a big deal for the City,” she said. “Knowing there are deputies out and about in patrol cars and on bikes is meant to engage the community.”
While many cities have “Homeless Liaison Officers,” this is the first Quality of Life Deputy position for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“We are still in the implementation stages of addressing the homeless and being able to provide services where needed,” Deputy Chaney said. “Each city addresses its issues uniquely … it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. We’re trying to see what works best with our City’s needs.”
Deputy Chaney’s wealth of experience complements the position. For several years, she worked in the Collaborative Court program in Santa Ana where she dealt with people facing mental illness, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction.
“After 10 years on the job, my answer is still the same: I got into law enforcement to make a difference, even if it was one person at a time,” she said. “To me, that is making an impact in the community and giving people a better quality of life.”
Comments
first of all, i read that
first of all, i read that this officer replaced a recently retired officer, so not millions more!
secondly, unless things have gotten BETTER in the last 20 years...drop down under our bridges between alicia & oso some evening. there have ALWAYS been more than 10! my boys have known some of them. i've fed some of them!
just because they aren't in tj's parking lot any more doesn't mean they've been housed!
and we've had a house in our neighborhood i'm pretty sure was drawing drug dealers. and the sober living houses have caused all kinds of problems.
good luck to you & and may you never become homeless!
Welcome to Mission Viejo. I
Welcome to Mission Viejo. I am a resident on Via San Fernando and have been for almost 44 years. I am concerned that our area is changing. I already contacted City Hall with questions, but have more.
We recently found out that a sober house is being established on our street. It would have been nice to have been notified ahead of time and neighbors could have asked about it. We don't know if someone in charge will be living there, how many residents will be there, etc. I also don't understand how a business, which it is, can just pop up anywhere.
Since you have experience in this area, maybe you can give us some information. We'd really appreciate it.
Thank you.
Edith Schmitt
Mr. Dalton,
Mr. Dalton,
The Quality of Life Deputy position was created to address issues on homelessness, sober living facilities, day laborers, aggressive pan handlers, nuisance neighbors, and serve as a mental health liaison. Our police services has not added another deputy sheriff to the payroll of the existing contract. Instead, we used an old position in our deployment to proactively address the issues above. It would not cost any additional money for this position. We are trying to be innovative and efficient to best serve the needs of our community.
Sincerely,
Lt. Vuong
Trying to get in contact with deputy chaney
I'm trying to recover my property from her and to tell her the phone I had the so called friend I thought ment t ok help me used me to get himself a new phone after everything was purchased he took me off the phone plan and reported the phone I got as stolen so I don't know what to do know. I'm one of the homeless shes trying to help but I can't take much more of people in my life using me and stealing from me because I can't find it in myself to keep going . So if she doesn't hear from me to soon then dont worry because I wont be needing anything material wise where I'm going it's been really hot and i plan to let the heat end everything and keep walking till i drop dead. I appreciated all the help she tried to get me but its impossible to meet or arrange to meet with out a way of contact so I can't stay living life where I can't trust anyone anymore because every person I give my trust just ends up doing me wrong. Well bye Chaney I tried my best to contact you but the number Kept forwarding my calls and I tried to contact you Monday but couldn't with out a phone I'm sorry I'm such a failure.
Do you have a counterpart or…
Do you have a counterpart or a contact person for RSM? I am concerned about a long-term homeless person there who seems to be really struggling in the aftermath of all this rain and cold.
