Added Police Presence Needed at Casino After Raid

Ever since was in connection to a federal racketeering investigation, the historic casino has been taking measures to increase its surveillance and beef up its worker training.

Nearly a year later, the city has determined that an additional effort is needed: assigning a detective to the casino to deter further criminal activity.

The City Council is expected to vote at its on whether to have Artichoke Joe’s pay the city back for these added services. While the position can be paid for out of the city’s budget because of several vacancies in command staff, a one-time expense of $19,000 is needed to hire and train an officer for the position, a city staff report said.

“The investigator in this position would develop expertise in the detection of gaming related crime, and would initiate and maintain regular contact with investigators from the state Bureau of Gambling Control in order to stay abreast of gaming issues as they relate to Artichoke Joe’s Casino,” the staff report said about the detective position, which costs the city $156,425 a year in salary and benefits.

It is no surprise that there would occasionally be some criminal activity at a casino that stays open 24 hours. But it was a complete shock to the community when federal investigators raided Artichoke Joe’s in March 2011 after had engaged in loansharking and extortion out of the casino’s Asian gaming sections and sold methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy at the casino.

To get the casino’s gaming license back, the casino had to set by the gaming control bureau.

One of the duties the assigned detective will now oversee would be to handle all licensing for casino employees.

Apparently, Artichoke Joe’s president Dennis Sammut has already met with the city attorney and staff to come up with an agreement to reimburse the city on an annual basis for the added service.

The agreement just needs the council’s approval.

In addition to the Artichoke Joe’s agreement, the council will be discussing the and receiving a report from Caltrain about the related to grade separation project work this week.

Correction: This story incorrectly stated that a city staff report said a detective position could be paid for out of the city’s budget to oversee gaming operations at Artichoke Joe's. In fact, the casino has agreed to pay the city $156,425 a year for the position. The city has agreed to pay the one-time $19,000 expense to hire and train an officer for the position. That money has been freed up because of several vacancies in the Police Department's command staff.