Accelerant Detection Canine Team

Accelerant detection canines, aka arson dogs, are trained to sniff out small traces of accelerants potentially used to start a fire. Each dog trains, lives and works with a fire investigator as its handler.

In April, 2022 Fire Investigator Maggie Greene was fortunate enough to attend Academy #54 in New Hampshire through a scholarship from the State Farm “Arson Dog Program”.  At the end of the 200 hour academy course,  Maggie and Hannah successfully completed the examinations required and became a Certified Detection Canine team.

Maggie and K9 Hannah mission is to assist fire investigators in identifying areas which have a higher probability of producing laboratory results confirming the presence of ignitable liquids. The dog is an added tool, but experience has proven that a properly trained dog is the best tool available to find trace evidence of ignitable liquids. Their tremendous sense of smell, which humans cannot duplicate, has  afforded law enforcement and fire officials a valuable tool in the fight against arson fires nationwide.   Arsonists using accelerants will quickly discover that these "canine detectives" are their worst enemy. Many have been arrested and convicted with evidence discovered by accelerant-detecting canines and many more will be in the future.

The City Clerk is custodian of public records for the City, to include but not limited to ordinances, resolutions, and minutes of the City Council, agreements, election-related documents, Chula Vista campaign filings, statements of economic interests, and many others.

How to Access Public Records:

Self-Service Options
Did you know you can view many City records online immediately and avoid copying fees?

Click here to browse:                                                   

• City Clerk Public Records                           
• City Council Agenda Packets 2014 and later  
• City Council Agenda Packets 2013 and earlier
• Closed Session Reportable Actions
• Meeting Minutes 2014 and later 
• Meeting Minutes 2013 and earlier
• Resolutions
• Ordinances

Click here to view Building Permits 1992-current (for permits prior to 1992, please complete a Records Request, via the Records Request Center link below)

How to Submit a Request for Public Records

STEP 1: Click on the Records Request Center link below. This will reroute you to the Records Request Center. Click Submit a Public Records Request. If you are a first-time user, you will need to create an account. Creating an account will help to manage your requests, view your requested records, and communicate with City Clerk Records Staff. If you have already created an account, please log in to submit a new request.

STEP 2: To fill out the records request form, select the type of records you are requesting, enter the date range if applicable, and describe the records (ex. Address, APN, a DETAILED list of requested records, etc). Adding as much detail as possible will assist staff in locating the requested records without requiring additional clarification. You will then choose how you want to receive the records, (preferred method is via My Request Center) add an attachment if you have one, fill out the CAPTCHA code and Submit. You will receive a notification that your request has been submitted along with the reference number.

STEP 3: Wait to receive notice regarding responsive records. Notifications regarding your request will be sent to you via email and available in your Request Center. You will need to log in to your Request Center to view records responsive to the request. The City shall determine within 10-days from receipt of a public records request, whether the request, in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records in possession of the City [GC 6253(c)}.

Click here to access Records Request Center

Public Records Act Request

The California State Legislature adopted the Public Records Act in 1975. It is designed to give the public access to information in the possession of public agencies. The Act also provides that public records shall be open for inspection during regular office hours of the agency. The public can inspect or receive a copy of any record unless the record is exempted from disclosure under the act.

Direct Copying Fees

• Emailed records: No charge
• Paper copies of records: $1.00 for the 1st page, $0.10 each  additional page
• Paper copies of State-mandated filings (statements of economic interest and campaign statements): $0.10 per page

Exceptions

Requests requiring computer programming will be charged a fee of the full cost including overhead for the time to create such document or program. Requester will be required to provide a deposit to cover estimated costs, as calculated by City staff.