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sr-030965-6cCITY OF SANTA MONICA INTER°DEPARTMENT MEMO DATE: 8 March 1965 TO: City Council FROM: City Attorney ~,._. r..,... a ~~.~ ~~ . ~~ ~~` ~- 3,; .x ~ ,e S .F.'.. r,;; ~~© ", fu~hw ~,:~; ~ a' ~T'~75 `a'te b , ~IT~ $~Ls~'2 <>t~ r f css~ SUBJECT: Supplemental Report to the Manager's Report on Synanon (Summary of Depositions) On Friday, March 5, 1965, the undersigned took the depositions of four individuals: Charles Dederich, Wilbur Beckman, and two recent registrants at Synanon. Their testimony may be summarized as follows. The Santa Monica operation of Synanon is primarily a training operation, i.e., persons who have been treated at other instal- lations are sent down for indoctrination into the principles of Synanon to be transferred to other Synanon areas in ad- ministrative and other capacities. As soon as funds are avail- able, a 500-unit installation will be constructed at Tomales Bay. There is presently at Tomales Bav a hotel with some 30-odd hotel rooms, some with individual baths, offices, dining room, kitchen, and appurtenant facilities, and attached thereto are two cottages containing two bedrooms, bath, living room, and kitchen facilities. The Tomales Bay installation consists of some 43 acres fronting on the bay. As soon as this installation is completed (again, dependent on funds), the Santa Monica oper- ation will be closed entirely, except for the clubhouse, which will be retained as a clubhouse for the officers and visiting dignitaries. No kicking addicts are accepted in Santa Monica whatsoever. No fee is charged for registration; however, dona- tions are accepted, and one of the new registratns stated that he felt obligated to make a donation and did contribute $200. One of the new registrants was shipped here from Tomales Bay after having been in residence in Tomales Bay for about a month. He is 22 years old, had .apparently been on pills, and was guided into Synanon by his sister. He comes from the small farming community town of Cotiti, north of San Francisco. He dropped out of school at the end of the ninth grade because he got married, This registrant has never been arrested for anything. The other registrant is 30 years old, holds an A.B. in Psychology from Los Angeles State College, and started on marijuana when he was 14. He has been arrested innumerable times for possession t 3 /8/65 City Council Synanon Page Two of pills and being under the influence and also for drunkenness. He recently was detained in the county jail, pending probation hearing and sentence, and was subsequently released on proba- tion. He concluded that he had to do something, and because he had a friend who had apparently been helged by Synanon, he re- quested permission to be accepted, Some four or five days after his request, he was accepted (he is the one ,rho contributed the $200). Mr, Beckman has been to Synanon from the he had been arrested tions. Since coming feels that he has no Synanon. at Synanon since 1961. He went directly Sheriff's Wayside Honor Farm. Prior thereto innumerable times and had various convic- to Synanon, he has been completely clean, problems, and is happy in his work in I am presently in the process of filing a certificate of readi- ness and a memo to set, and the matter will be brought to trial at the earliest possible date and the issues determined. In addition to the foregoing, I checked into the matter of the Young lady who indicated that she was employed in the emergency department of the Santa Monica Hospital, and ascertained that she was not so employed, I also ascertained from the records of the hospital, through its director, that the only Synanon persons coming to the receiving hospital were those who had the normal household accident type problems, such as cuts, sprained ankles, and the like, except for two persons who complained of stomach painsp no indication that they asked for narcotics, nor any indication that the stomach pains were occasioned by narcotics, was found. It is my intention to take the deposition of one of the interns assigned to the emergency ward in the very near future. It would appear because of the matter can be brought to trial nature of this case that the rather quickly. _ /~~~~% ,~ ~' ' ~ ~". c _. - - ~J ROBERT G. COCKINS City Attorney RGCmbev ~ ~. ry ~~~~~_- CITY OF SANTA MONICA 65-''-11 :ua. J/ATE: ~~Iarch 3, 1465 - TO: The Honorable City Counci3 ~ 4 . _.~~.x '~'~' y FROivI: .Perry Scott, City ivlanager ~, ~, ~ i°t~ _ i gf31~ %e t. SUBJECT: Synanon Foundation ~~ ~°~my~ ~r `. - =.f ~ - '. I ar:. forwa-rding herewith copies of the Health, Building, Police, and Fire reports on the subject operation, In terms of the individual reports, it may be appropriate to review them with the following observations in -mind: Police Department Report on the Status of Health Inspections Apparently investigations indicate that there is nat at present any health regulatory agency that has either the authority o-r the o'•ali.ga`r_on to inspect the preirises. As unfortunate as this may be, that does not change the . legal -relationship between the health agency and the Synanon Foundation. It is entirely possible, however, that per_ding State legislation might substantially or entirely correct this problem. Building Department'Insgection Report The report is a summary of not only the current inspections, but prio-^ inspections. Although the report is quite detailed, it is clear that many of the deficiencies and violations noted are i°~ith respect to the current Building Code and are not enforceable. The Building Code, with few exceptions, is not a retroactive document, and while it would apply to new construction, it does not permit a current entry onto private pro~ert-. and the complete renovation to current standards if such conditions pre -e:. ,`< ' the Code or were legal at the time they were initially made. The dzficiencies and violations which are subject to regn?.red corxecti.on ar~~ those concerned primarily with unvented he..^.ting applsam:~es anc; to eisctricz.?. wiring and apparatus installed without pern-i'.~ ors~.zspe~*.*.on, Fire Department Inspection 'T'his report is also a compilation of mare th~-.n on ~ insp ~%aion. '°'he :_~.~mm~n~ - -~,ade with respec? to the buildin inspactic : =:r: F:, ,~ l~ .a_rplic _e i:; the ... of the noted Fire ~ yes>ention Coyle deficienr_>>. _,l_ The i-3onorable City Council C ._ _, o-e . _. ..t ._.a ~. ~'L~ In every case, the reports will be reviewed in detail with t,e City Attorney s.ar the separation of informal recomanendations from Code requirements which permit and require current correction. Even in the latter case, howeve=, ?he oceupan*„ must be provided a reasonahle time within which to ma::e the correc- tions. It a_.parently is entirely possible that a major share of the leg<1 vi.olatio~;-<: could'oe corrected by simply disconnecting appliances and removing electrical wiring which was installed as a do-it-yourself project, The SynanonFoundat'ioneither owns, occupies, or controls additional properties which are currently being inspected. Once these inspections are comple{:ed, ~. report will be filed with the Council in order to keep you advised of progress-. The City Attorney has scheduled depositions for Fridajr, i~:a.rcl; 5, and will be prepared prior to Tuesday or not later than Tuesday to give you a preli;r~inary report on the results of such depositions. fd PERRY SCOTT City :Yianager FS/cc c. c. City Clerk City Attorney CITY OF SANTA MONiCA I~TE T EST E DATE: 19 February 1965 T0: Mr. Perry Scott, City Manager FROM: Chief Earl Reinhold SUBJECT: Synanon Registrations Following you will find number of Synanon registrations for the dates as given: From August 20 to December 24, 1962 - - - - - - 131 For the year 1963 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19g For the year 1964 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 220 From January 5 to February 15, 1965 - - - - - - 35 To date as given -Total - - 584 ~.~ C H I E F ac ~ r `Ilr .~~ ~~~~ ~;~.~~ ~ t~ ~, ~~~ ; CITY OF SANTA MONICA DATE: T0: FROM: ~~- ~~'~~ February 15, 1965 Chief Earl fteirbold 7.ieutenant C. Hansen SUBJECT: SYNhNON FOUNDATION ---- On February 11, 1965 I contacted Dr, Harald Brodersen, Zps Angeles County Health Officer for tl~.e Santa ~,ionica District, 1525 ; u~lid, Ssz~er~ ?~~iaiea; and requested of him the results of the latest inspection of tlae premises at Synanon Foundation, 1531 Promenade. Dr. Bx~odersen referred me to 1us ciaief inspector, N¢°. Naylor, who stated his deparaiment hac2 not i..spect::d Synanoa for ~~ years and had referred the inspection to the State of Cal3forr,ia Bc{reau Uf d3aspi.•csls. Upan contacting file State Bureau of Hospi'G?la'y '~. 03030, I spoke crith Ids. Y.a-sgford t~ho informed me that Synanon e~~ao not classified as a hospital, `~kierefore, - tanen inspection of 'ihe premises eras referred ~ them they in turn referred same to _% the S•iate of California Departr,~ent of P~ntal Hygiene. I spoke with NrY'. Pollard, State Depar-Y~-~ent of dental ;iyiene, 14~a. 02300, who ex- plained that when he received the rafe,:ral of inspection at Synanon he asked for an opinion from the Attorney (Ieneral's Office and was informed that inspection of -~.he facility would not be erithin his au-`4hori•"wy, He suggested that I contact the State of California Board of ~,5ediea2 Examiners, Upon contacting the State Beard of ~l?edieal Examiners, Pia. 03003, I spoke crSth A,~•. P%ierritt vrno stated that due to new legislation several years ago the Synanon Fo~.;nda- tion had applied for a permit to operate as a foundation for tt:e cure of narcotic addiction. The Board has not acted on the permit due a,o the apparent reluctance of Synanon to abide 'Uy local lases -such as zoning and fire depar-`i,ment regu].atians. The legislation does not carry any punitive section, therefore Synanon cannot be forced through this legislation to con3oly arith local lave and obtain a permit, In the absence of a permit the State Board of ;,edical Examiners has no au-~,.hority to make an inspection of the premises at Synanon, Tn conclusion, i`trr. PJ.erritt further stated that at present no official organization has the rnsponsibility or authority to make inspections regarding the health aspect of the Synanan Foundation at 1351 Promenade' Santa B&>nica. LIEUTENANT G, HANSEN CH:mh ~,~~U~~ . ~ ~i -/ ~,+,, I~ • '• CITY OF SANTA MONICA Building Department ~,~ Date: February 23, 1965 Memo to: Perry Scott, City Manager From: W. C. Trade, Building Officer Subject: 1351 Ocean Front - Synanon House The records of the Building Department show an inspection was made at 1351 Ocean Front in January, 19o'O. The building was then occupied by Synanon Foundation. A letter to Synanon Foundation Corporation dated January 19, 1960, states the Following deficiencies and violations existed in the building at that time: A, Basement 1. An unvented space heater has been installed. 2. A hole exists in the ceiling of the personal property storage room. 3. Improvised wiring has been installed. 1~. The room lacks proper ventilation. B. First Floor (a) Girl`s Dorm on South Side. 1. The girl's dormitory on the south side of the building lacks the minimum required window area. _ 2. An unvented gas heater has been installed. 3. Improvised wiring has been installed. (b) Senior Girl's Dorm on North Side of Building. 1. An unvented heater is located in this room. 2. Improvised electrical wiring has been installed. (c) Apartment at East End of Building on North Side. 1. Improvised wiring has been installed in this apartment. C. Second Floor 1. The sleeping .room which has been made under the stairway lacks a minimum floor area and the minimum size window required by the State Housing Aet. D. Third Floor 1. The exit door to the fire escape at the front of the building is fastened with a hook and a throw-bolt. 2. The exit sign is lacking over this door. 3. A ceiling of plywood has been installed in the sleeping area on the balcony. A method of correcting each item was suggested as well as notification of the requirement to obtain permits before commencing any alterations or repairs, plumbing, heating, electric or building. The required corrections were not made in the basement. On the first floor, the girl's dormitories have been discontinued and the apartment at the north end of the building has been converted to office use. The sleeping room on the second floor has been discontinued. The conditions on the third floor and balcony were .not corrected. _ CITY OF SANTA MONICA Building Department Date: 2-23-65 Subject: Synanon House, 1351 Ocean Front Page 2 This building was reinspected on February 15, 1965. The following conditions and violations were noted during this inspection: A. Basement. The basement at the time of the inspection was used for the following purposes: 1. Supply room for linens, soaps, etc. 2. Maintenance shop room. 3. Hot water heater. ~+. Lounge area. (5+ davenports) 5. Beauty shop area. 6. Weight lifting area. 7. Showers and toilets. 8. Lockers Violations noted: 1. The hot water heater is enclosed with illegal plywood partitions. 2. The fire protection has been removed from the ceiling in several areas to make repairs to the plumbing system. This plaster has not been replaced. 3. An illegal unvented heater is connected to the gas supply directly, without a shut-off before the connector. The heater is illegal as well as the method of connection. 4. Only one means of egress exists frwn the basement area. This condition restricts the basement to use for service of the building only, which use is being violated. 5. Ventilation is inadequate in the basement area. 6. Electrical violations include: a. The branch circuits in the sub-panel supplying the basement are over fused. b. An illegal tap has been made into the sub-feeder junction box with open conductors extending across the ceiling and up through the floor to the stage dimmer board on the first floor. c. Improvised lamp cord and open conductors are used over the entire area and serves as permanent wiring. d. No grounding continuity is maintained to fixtures, outlets and ruotors . e. Plastic tubing is being used for electrical raceway. f. Knock-out seals and junction box covers are missing. g. Fixtures, outlets and motors have been wired without permit and inspection. B. First (Main) Floor. The first floor has a small stage and seating area, a room for the stage light dimmer board and control lights, a men's lounge, a library, the house office, a women's toilet, a former private kitchen (now used for storage) and a private bath. The following deficiencies were noted in this area: CITY OF SANTA MONICA Building Department ` Date: 2-23-65 Subject: Synanon House, 1351 Ocean Front Page 3 1. An unvented gas space heater is installed in the main corridor, near the main entrance. This heater has been installed without a proper shut-off valve ahead of the connector. 2. An unvented gas space heater is installed in the house office. 3. Holes have been made in the ceiling fire protection in the stage and seating area to suspend equipment. The .fire protection has not been replaced. 4. Storage closets exist under the stairs to the upper floors. 5. A partial partition extending to the ceiling exists in the library. 6. The exit door in the north wall, down a half flight, opens in and is provided with an illegal dead 'Dolt. 7. The men's lounge has recently been panelled with 3~4" knotty-pine panelling and the ceiling covered with acoustical tile. The acoustical the is suspected of having an excessive flame spread and smoke emission rating for this use. Evidence of breaks in the fire protection behind the finish materials was noted. 8. Electrical violations noted include: a. Branch circuits in the sub-panel supplying this floor are overfused. b. Improvised lamp cord and open conductors are used throughout this floor to serve as permanent Fri.ring. c. Multiple taps have been made from outlet boxes. d. The men's lounge has recently been rewired. All wiring has been concealed behind the pine panelling and acoustical ceilings without inspection. Open wiring is visible at receptacle and switch outlet. No ground continuity is provided from outlet to outlet. Two new exhaust fans have been installed in the ceiling for which the wiring is not visible. e. Wiring to fixtures, outlets, motor.. supplying the men's lounge, stage and theater lighting, dimmer console, dimmer board and various offices wereinstalled without permit or inspection. C. Second r^loor. This area contains the main kitchen, dining area, lounge, various offices and a men's -rest room. 1. Electrical wiring violations include: a. Open wiring to six refrigerators and two freezers in the kitchen. b. An improvised tap from the fluorescent fixture to the meat slicer. c. Improvised lamp cord and open conductors are used in all rooms as permanent wiring. d. The sub-panel to this area is overilzsed. il. Third Floor. This area is used as a dormitory and contains 52 beds on this level. Ten additional beds are on the balcony and one in the stair penthouse on the roof, making a total of 63 beds counted in the building. In addition to the dormitory, there are two separate sleeping rooms, the executive office and lounge, and a men's restroom. The balcony overlooking the dormitory is used for ten beds in three rooms and has a large shower room, a toilet and sink. CITY OF SAIVTTA MONICA Building Department Date: 2-23-65 ' Subject: Synanon House, 1351 Ocean P`ront Page 4 The following deficiencies were noted in this area: 1. The executive offices and the sleeping rooms at the east end of the dormitory have been constructed irithout permit or inspection. 2. The sleeping room on the balcony containing five beds does not have adequate natural light and ventilation.. 3. The partial ceiling in the shower is made of cardboard. ~+. Other walls and ceilings are constructed of plyorood. 5. The 48" stair to the balcony is restricted in width to 26 inches by a clothes cabinet. 6. The attic area for the entire building is open from the balcony and from the east stairwell to the roof. This area should be cut off with 1-hour fire resistant construction and provided with a proper access door. 7. Electrical installations include the following violations: a. Open improvised wiring extends along walls to serve dresser lights in all sleeping rooms and in director's offices and apartments. b. Branch circuits are overilzsed at the sub-panel. c. On the balcony, there is improvised wiring in the bedrooms and lavatory, open cleat sockets in the sink area, open taps and brass shell sockets. d. Improvised wiring in .the stairway penthouse. W. C. Trude wilding Officer ~rICT : as CITY OF SANTA i~AONiCA DATE: February 16, 1965 TO: Charles N, Carrell, Fare Chief FROM: Edward W. Elliott, Fire Marshal SL7BJECT: Synanon House, 1351 Ocean Front Sir: Following is a record of Synanon House, 1351 Ocean Front: August 12, 1959 Inspection of premises. August 27, 1959 Request to Assistant City Attorney Robert Blida to take such action as is neeessary to have the operation cease wand desist because structural conditions do not meet the require- menu for that type oecupancy, (Title 19, California Administrative Code, Section i36) November 14, 1959 Fire on second floor under counter. .Caused by careless smoking. Loss - nominal, August 5, 1960 Fire in kitchen. Caused by grease on range. Loss - nominal. June b, 1963 Inspection of premises and recormen- dations for correction of Violations ; of fire regulations found to exist at that time. October 20, 1964 Full assignment response to fire. Proved to be smoke scare. Febnaary 10, 1965 Fire in basement. Caused by careless smoking. Loss - $70.00 February 15, 1965 An inspection was made by the Fire Marshal aceompanied by Captain W. C. McElroy, W. C. Trade, Jr „ Building Officer, Nick Schmitz, Electrical In- speetor, and Frank Donnelly, Plumbing Inspector. is ~~~ { Memo re: Synanon Aouse, 1351 Ocean Front February 16, 1965 Page 2. Following are the violmtions of Pica regulations found to exist at this time: 1. No street number visible on building. (S. M. M. C., Sec. 8600) 2. Building is not of fire resistive construction. (Title 19, Sec. 9.02) 3. All floors above the seoond and the basement do not have two exits. {Title I9, Sec, 33.02 {b)} 4. Tha stairway to the roof is blocked by an illegal room. (Title 19, sec. 33.01 (h)) 5. All exit signs are either missing or of an illegal size. (Title 19, Sec, 33.12(b)) 6. Some roans do not have access to at least two means of egress Prom the building without passage through inter- vening rooms other than corridors. (Title 29, Sec. 33.19(x)) 7. Ail stairways are not the re~,uired minic;am oP 44 inches in width. (Title i9, Sec. 33.19(b)) 8. Aisles are obstruoted by Furnishings. (Title 19, Sec. 33.19) 9. Some exit doors do not swing in the direction of exit. (Sec. 33.036) 10. Basement exit door is locked in violation oP Title i9, Sec. 33.03(c). 11. Fire hose as recquired in basement, second Floor, third Floor and roof has been removed by occupant. 12. Defective and illegal wiring throughout the building, but especially bad in basement. (Fire Code, Sec. 26.34)` 13. Storage of paint, varnish, drop cloths and combustible rubbish in basement. (Fire Code, Sec. 26.22) 14. Non-vented gas heaters in basement, administrative office and main hallway, (Fire Code, Sec. 32.202) 15. Curtains on stage are not flameproofed, (Title 19, Sec. 1261) Respectfully, p.~ ~~ ~~ v~ ~` EDWARD W. ELLZOTT, Fire Marshal