RECORDS SHOW PAYOUTS FROM SANTEE

A few claims still in review, could result in compensation

Santee has paid out almost $11,000 to people who said they were hurt last year on city property or by employees, according to public data obtained through a records request.

A few of the 12 total claims, which can be precursors to lawsuits, are still being reviewed and could result in additional payouts.

Officials generally declined comment on the cases but did explain their rationale for denying some requests for compensation.

Although taxpayer funds cover city mistakes, the money represents a small fraction of Santee’s budget, which is $53 million this fiscal year.

Most claims were against the public services department.

One man received nearly $8,000, the largest payout, after he said a tree fell on a fence. Messages sent to email accounts connected to the man were not returned and a listed phone number was disconnected.

Almost $3,000 went to the insurance company representing a woman who said a fire department ambulance made an “unsafe left turn” and caused an accident.

In June 2021, Christina Tanaka was driving to work at the Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center. Her Toyota Prius had almost made it into the front lot when she was hit by an ambulance pulling out, she said in an interview.

The other driver was apologetic and helped put her severed back bumper in the trunk, she said. While she did experience back pain later that day and in the coming months, Tanaka said she did not file a separate claim for her injury.

Fire Chief John Garlow wrote in an email that he was not familiar enough with the case to weigh in.

Her claim was the only one against Garlow’s department.

Two cases are still open, including one from a driver who said they were hit by a public services worker.

Eight claims were either rejected or passed along to a different group.

That includes a person

who said an “unsecured manhole cover” damaged their vehicle. In an email, Human Resources Director Matt Rankin said the street cover was not owned or maintained by the city.

In another case, a person said sparks flew in their eyes from fireworks during a tree-lighting ceremony in November.

That claim was referred to a contractor who settled, according to the records.

The number of claims

Santee faced was lower than two neighbors, El Cajon and La Mesa. That’s likely due to Santee having fewer people, as well as the fact that the city doesn’t have its own police department.

Accusations against officers often make up a significant number of claims against local governments, but Santee’s law enforcement is handled by the San Diego County Sheriff ’s Department.

Sheriff ’s data summarizing local claims wasn’t immediately available.