Safe Streets, Raised Flags, and Regional Solutions

Elk Grove is making headlines from being named one of the safest cities for trick-or-treaters in the U.S. to hosting a historic tribal flag-raising with the Wilton Rancheria. Tune in to this episode for community safety reminders, a look at efforts to address homelessness across Sacramento County, and a few practical tips for the season — including turning back your clocks and keeping your streets flood-free.

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Transcript

Kristyn Nelson: Thanks for tuning into the Elk Grove CityCast, the podcast about Elk Grove, California. I'm Kristyn Nelson, Elk Grove’s Public Affairs and Communications Manager. And with the help of artificial intelligence, we're rolling out new episodes that dive into the relevant topics, events, and happenings within our city.

We're using technology to provide you with new resources that will help you to stay informed and connect with the community at the time and with the tools that you prefer. So whether you have a passion for podcasts or print material, subscribe to social media or dig into digital. We want to be a source for local information that's valuable to you.

Now, without further ado, let me turn it over to our AI friends for a deeper dive into this week's topics. 

AI-den: Welcome to the deep dive. You've given us the latest city update from Elk Grove. Pretty dense stack of material. 

AI-leen: Yeah, it is. 

AI-den: And our job, well, it's to cut through it all. The announcements, the data, the, you know, the fine print 

AI-leen: Exactly.

AI-den: We’re gonna pull out what's really crucial, what's happening right now, and maybe some things that are genuinely surprising, just so you feel like instantly up to speed on what's going on this week. 

AI-leen: Right. And our mission today, it's really about going a bit deeper than just the headlines. We wanna look at why some policies are happening, what the numbers actually mean, especially regionally.

AI-den: Okay.

AI-leen: And you know, how upcoming rules, civic stuff, environmental things, how that's gonna affect your day-to-day life. Like right away 

AI-den: Makes sense. 

AI-leen: And we're starting with something super timely, kind of fun, but also, um, surprisingly competitive. Halloween Safety. Yeah. 

AI-den: We are right around the corner from, you know, the big candy day and the sources actually gave us a great hook here. It says a lot about maybe community priorities. Apparently, according to a Safe Home Report, elk Grove just got ranked the 12th, safest city in the whole country for trick or treating. 

AI-leen: Yeah, number 12, nationally. That's that's pretty significant, especially when you think about the scale here. 

AI-den: How many cities?

AI-leen: This study looked at 154 major US cities, and they used criteria like um, pedestrian traffic, data, crime stats, specifically on Halloween night, local safety measures. Stuff like that. 

AI-den: So not just a random poll?

AI-leen: No, no, definitely not. It's more like a, a quantified thumbs up for the city's safety setup and you know, how vigilant the community is 

AI-den: Definitely a great marketing point for the area nationally. Yeah. But, okay. I have to ask number 12 means 11 cities are technically safer.

AI-leen: Right. 

AI-den: Do the sources give any hint about like specific gaps or challenges? What's keeping Elk Grove from cracking the top, say five?

AI-leen: That's the, yeah, that's the tricky question. The sources don't spell out specific shortcomings for Elk Grove, but the criteria Safe Home uses, they often weigh really heavily on things like, uh, the density of registered sex offenders in an area. Also the number of police officers actually deployed that night. So getting to number 12, it shows a really strong base effort.

AI-den: Right.

AI-leen: But moving up higher, that takes super specific resource focus. Enforcement…neighborhood watch kind of organization. It's tough, especially in denser areas. It's like aiming for perfection.

AI-den: That makes sense. And speaking of the region, we also saw that Roseville, you know, nearby neighbor. Mm. They also made the top 20 came in at number 17. So that kind of suggests the whole area has a pretty strong focus on safe, walkable neighborhoods. 

AI-leen: It absolutely does. Yeah. And just for families heading out this weekend, the city also boiled down its safety advice into like four practical tips.

AI-den: Okay. What are they? 

AI-leen: Well, they emphasize sticking to well-lit areas. Obvious reasons. Visibility security. But also practical things like making sure kids use reflective gear or, you know, glow sticks.

AI-den: Right. Because the costumes are often dark and it gets dark so early now, that makes a difference.

AI-leen: Precisely. And then the big community point. Traveling in groups always with an adult.

AI-den: Standard advice, but important. 

AI-leen: Uh, yeah. And finally, something easy to forget when everyone's excited. Use the crosswalks. Be careful crossing streets. I mean, that applies all year. But it's extra important with so many kids out walking this weekend, it's all about making sure the fun doesn't, you know, end badly with an accident that could have been avoided.

AI-den: Okay? So that national safety spotlight is definitely noteworthy, but there's also this really powerful moment of local recognition happening. Something historic signaling a big shift in like civic representation. 

AI-leen: Ah, you're talking about the tribal flag ceremony? 

AI-den: Exactly, 

AI-leen: Yes. This is, uh, genuinely a historic first for Elk Grove. It marks a really significant step in the city officially acknowledging its. It's ancestral inhabitants. 

AI-den: What's happening exactly? 

AI-leen: The city and the Wilton Rancheria are hosting a public flag raising ceremony. It's next Monday, November 3rd, 10:00 AM right in front of City Hall. 

AI-den: Okay. For listeners, maybe not super deep into local policy, can you give us the quick context? Wilton Rancheria and why this is such a big deal. 

AI-leen: Sure. The Wilton Rancheria is the federally recognized tribe whose ancestral lands, well, they include Elk Grove. Their connection here goes back, I mean, millennia. It's incredibly deep. What makes this ceremony so important, so monumental, is that it's not just a temporary thing for Native American Heritage Month, this is about a permanent policy change. 

AI-den: And that connects back to something the city council did earlier this year. 

AI-leen: Exactly right. The Elk Grove City Council formally amended its flag policy, and it wasn't just a minor tweak, it was specifically done to honor the tribe's sovereignty. To acknowledge their, you know, profound historical connection to this land, and also recognize their ongoing contributions culturally, economically to Elk Grove today.

AI-den: That permanence aspect feels really key. So once it's up, the tribal flag stays up. 

AI-leen: It stays up, it will fly permanently alongside the US flag, the California state flag and the City of Elk Grove flag. That policy decision, it really speaks volumes about maybe shifting priorities towards long-term reconciliation and mutual respect 

AI-den: Within the city's own structure.

AI-leen: Absolutely a temporary thing is symbolic. Sure. But a permanent spot on the flagpole. That's an institutional commitment. Future city councils have to uphold it. It creates this lasting visual and legislative recognition of the tribe's foundational role here. 

AI-den: Okay, that's a really important local moment, but while the city's focusing inward on heritage, they also have to deal with these huge regional challenges. Right. And nothing looms larger right now than homelessness. Which the sources say is the focus of a pretty critical regional meeting. 

AI-leen: Yeah. This is where you see local leaders trying to team up on problems that just don't respect city or county lines.

AI-den: Makes sense. 

AI-leen: So city and county leaders from all across the Sacramento region, they're holding their first meeting of this kind. It's Tuesday, October 28th. And the single focus is homelessness. Trying to build a unified cooperative strategy for the whole county. 

AI-den: It's really important then to know who's representing Elk Grove at that table. Given these high stakes.

AI-leen: The source is named two key people from Elk Grove, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and Sarah Bon Traeger, who is the Housing and Public Services Manager. And they're definitely going into that meeting with some significant data. 

AI-den: Okay. Let's talk about that data. To really get the scale of the challenge they're facing. What are the numbers? What's the background? 

AI-leen: The background is, well, it's massive. The 2024 point in time count. That's basically the census of the unhoused population led by Sacramento Steps Forward. It estimated over 6,000 homeless individuals living across Sacramento County. 

AI-den: 6,000. That's, yeah, that's a staggering number. That's the crisis they're dealing with. It 

AI-leen: It is.

AI-den: But here's where it gets interesting. There's this really crucial data point kind of buried in the sources. It changes the whole conversation. For Elk Grove, it's a bit of an aha moment. Despite being the second largest city in the county by population.

AI-leen: Right. 

AI-den: The sources of state. Elk Grove had the smallest number of unhoused individuals per capita. 

AI-leen: Mm. 

AI-den: In the entire region. 

AI-leen: That is a remarkable contrast. It really is. It means, you know, while Elk Grove is definitely part of the regional solution, their reps are kind of coming to the table from a position of well, relative success compared to their neighbors. 

AI-den: Why do you think that is? Is it demographics?

AI-leen: Geography?

AI-den: Or is it a sign that maybe elk Grove's local policies are working better? 

AI-leen: It's probably a mix of things geographically. Elk Grove is mostly suburban, right? Less industrial land, fewer big. Transit hubs where you sometimes see large encampments gather. Policy-wise, it could suggest that their local strategies may be rapid rehousing efforts or how they coordinate with county services might be performing better there compared to say, the denser urban areas. Okay. So it puts the Mayor and the Housing Manager in a position, not just as participants, but maybe as you know, potential sources of best practices for prevention or containment.

AI-den: Right. It gives them a unique voice at that regional meeting for sure. Okay, let's shift gears now from that big picture policy stuff to some very practical local programs, things affecting businesses right here. Well. The fixed program. 

AI-leen: Ah, yes. FIXD. It's an acronym, stands for Facade Improvement through eXceptional Design.

AI-den: Catchy 

AI-leen: kinda. But what it is, is the city putting actual money into helping local businesses spruce up. It's a grant program, an incentive aimed right at commercial building owners and business owners to basically revitalize their storefronts. 

AI-den: And this isn't just about making things look pretty, right?

It feels like economic stimulus disguised as curb appeal. Especially now when commercial areas are still fighting to get foot traffic back. 

AI-leen: Oh, absolutely. It's a calculated move. Investing in the physical look of business districts, that directly affects how customers feel, whether they're attracted to the area.

AI-den: So what kind of improvements does it cover? 

AI-leen: It covers the key visual stuff. Fresh paint, modern lighting, energy efficient, ideally new awnings, you know, for shade and looks and updated signage for the businesses themselves. 

AI-den: The things you notice right away. 

AI-leen: Exactly. The immediate cues that tell you a business is current, it's healthy.

AI-den: And what's the financial help look like? Is it significant? $50,000 was mentioned somewhere. 

AI-leen: It is significant. Yeah. Eligible applicants can get up to $50,000 in reimbursable grants. That's a big deal. It's designed to knock down that financial barrier for small business owners who, you know, they know they need an update, but maybe can't swing the upfront cost.

AI-den: So the city's essentially saying, we'll partner with you 

AI-leen: to make our business areas look better. Yep. 

AI-den: Okay. Now let's pivot again. 

AI-leen: Yeah. 

AI-den: From helping businesses. To essential environmental rules. Mm-hmm. For homeowners, specifically, a fall warning. The city's being very clear. Don't pile leaves in the street.

AI-leen: Yeah. This is purely about managing infrastructure and preventing floods. Super important as the weather changes. The city warns that leaf piles in the street. They're a major cause of blocked store drains, and that creates a serious risk of localized flooding, which can damage property. 

AI-den: And the reason they have to be so explicit about this warning, it comes down to Elk Grove's specific trash system, right?

AI-leen: That's the key. They use a containerized green waste program. Yeah, those rolling bins, 

AI-den: The green ones. 

AI-leen: The green ones and crucially, they do not offer that. Like old school on street claw truck service. You know the vacuum truck that sucks up piles? 

AI-den: Yeah. Some other places have that.

AI-leen: Right. Elk Grove doesn't. So that's why the warning, they're asking residents to use the bins provided, not create hazards in the street. 

AI-den: Now, some folks might find that annoying, maybe they like the convenience of the claw. 

AI-leen: Sure. But the policy is there to keep. The storm drains clear. Keep the streets clear for traffic and basically maintain the system they have in place.

AI-den: Okay, so if you do have a ton of leaves, and let's be honest, this time of year, people do. What are the options besides just stuffing the main green bin? 

AI-leen: They actually have some flexibility. The system's pretty generous. Residents can get up to three of those organic waste carts at no extra charge. 

AI-den: Three. Okay. That should cover most yards. 

AI-leen: It should handle the bulk of weekly stuff. But if you still have like a massive amount from a big cleanup, you can take it yourself directly to the recycle area. It's at the special waste collection Center on Disposal Lane. 

AI-den: And is there a fee for that? 

AI-leen: Nope. Free of charge for green waste drop off. So the city does provide ways to handle it. It just requires using the containers or making a trip, not, you know, dumping it in the street. 

AI-den: Got it. Practical info there.

Okay. Finally, let's wrap with the ultimate seasonal policy thing. The one that affects literally everyone this weekend. The politics of time itself.

AI-leen: Ah, yes. The clock change cliffhanger. So the immediate action fall back this Sunday, November 2nd 

AI-den: Gain an hour asleep. Always nice.

AI-leen: Universally popular part. Yes. But the tradeoff of course, is we return to standard time. Which means the sun sets even earlier in the evening, changes, commute times, outdoor activity windows, all that.

AI-den: And this is where that political backstory from the sources gets really interesting, especially for California. Because six years ago, 2018, voters here weighed in very strongly on Proposition Seven. 

AI-leen: That's right. Prop seven passed. Overwhelmingly, it was a clear mandate from voters. The idea was to authorize the state legislature to make daylight savings time permanent in California.

AI-den: People were signaling they were tired of switching the clocks twice a year. 

AI-leen: Pretty clearly. Yeah. 

AI-den: But here we are six years later, still falling back this weekend. So why? Why the legislative failure or roadblock? What happened? 

AI-leen: Well, it's tangled up in legislative knots, voters passing prop seven. It didn't automatically change the clocks, it just gave the legislature the power to act. 

AI-den: Okay. So it was an authorization, not an action 

AI-leen: Exactly. To actually make daylight saving time permanent. The state needed two more things. A two-thirds vote from the state legislature itself, 

AI-den: Which is a high bar 

AI-leen: And critically, federal approval from Congress, because prominent DST goes against the established federal rules about standard time zones.

AI-den: Ah, the federal complication. So basically political gridlock? The public spoke, the state legislature got the authority, but they never passed the necessary bill. Possibly because of that federal issue or just other competing priority. 

AI-leen: Precisely that follow-up bill in the right format. It just never materialized. So the whole thing is kind of stuck. Unresolved. 

AI-den: Is this still being talked about? 

AI-leen: Oh yeah. The debate's definitely ongoing. The sources confirm. Dozens of states, California included, are still looking at proposals either for permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time. So while you, enjoy that extra hour this weekend, we're now the question of whether this is the last time we do this. It's still a very active, unresolved policy issue. 

AI-den: Wow. Okay. So this deep dive really went across the board. We saw Elk Grove get that top national safety rank for Halloween. Celebrated that. Genuinely historic permanent tribal flag policy. Dug into the complex regional homelessness discussion and found that really interesting data point about elk grove's relative success there. Mm-hmm. And confirmed local businesses can get up to $50K for improvements through the FIXD program. That's a lot. 

AI-leen: It really is. And what stands out, I think, is how immediate the impact of governance can be, right? Whether it's knowing that, hey, using your green carts for leaves actually helps prevent floods in your neighborhood, right? Or understanding the context that Elk Grove's reps bring to that regional homelessness meeting coming from that position of relative success. Every one of these details, it connects back to community stability, economic health. 

AI-den: Absolutely. And maybe connecting it all back to that legislative puzzle we just talked about with the clocks. Yeah. The contrast is pretty stark, isn't it? 

AI-leen: How so? 

AI-den: Well, the community passed prop seven, six years ago, a clear signal, yet the change hasn't happened. It really makes you wonder about that interaction between a popular vote and well legislative action. Federal rules. All that complexity. Yeah. So that hour we gain this Sunday, should we see it as just a temporary gift? Or is it actually maybe a recurring reminder of a legislative promise that hasn't quite been delivered? Something to maybe think about as you manually or automatically turn your clocks back this weekend.

Kristyn Nelson: Thank you for listening to the Elk Grove CityCast. Tune in again soon for another deep dive into the news events and happenings around the City of Elk Grove. Like what we're doing? Please rate, review, and subscribe to the show to help spread the word to other audiophiles. Want more news before the next episode? Follow the City of Elk Grove on social media. You can find us on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor. Or get our news delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for the city's weekly email update at elkgrove.gov. Thanks again for listening For the City of Elk Grove, I'm Kristyn Nelson.