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PSC - Minutes - 01-26-12 The three-fold mission of Public Safety CONNECTIONS is to: Serve as a community “think tank” and “information clearinghouse” to prevent crime and combat the impacts alcohol and drug abuse in Rosemead. Assist in the effort to educate young people about the adverse effects of alcohol and drugs on their safety, quality of life, and future opportunities. Increase awareness of parents, grandparents and other caregivers of their responsibilities to help young people to avoid the negative consequences associated with alcohol and drug use. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER – 6:05 PM by Sandra Armenta. Polly Low has an excused absent. Community Representatives Present Bhante Chao Chu, Rosemead Buddhist Monastery Daniel Sumarriva, Calvary Chapel Janet Chin, Garvey School District Board Member and Block Captain James Fujitani, Evergreen Baptist Church Jessica Ancona, Muscatel Middle School Josue Delgado, Church of God Miguel Flores, Don Bosco Tech Roy Rosell, Asian Youth Center Ron Esquivel, Rosemead School District Board Member Sergio Medrano, Woodcraft Rangers Afterschool Program Steve Rivera, Evergreen Baptist Church Wenli Jen, Asian Pacific Family Center Yadria Rodriguez, Asian Youth Center Joe Basile, Resident Susan Reyes, Senator Ed Hernandez’s Office Mayra A. Delgado, Church of God Art Landing, Kiwanis Damon L. Sampson II, Residents Sharon Esquivel, Block Captain City Representatives Present Sandra Armenta, Council Member Jeff Allred, City Manager Lt. Tim Murakami, LASD Sgt. Abel Moreno, LASD Francisco Romero, Los Angeles County Probation David Montgomery Scott, Rosemead Parks and Recreation Mandy Wong, Public Safety Department CITY OF ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER 8301 GARVEY AVENUE EOC ROOM THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012 ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES January 26, 2012 Page 2 of 4 WELCOME and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Ms. Sandra Armenta 1. INTRODUCTIONS/WELCOME 2. MINUTES – October 20, 2011 Sandra Armenta asked if all comments and suggestions made by Forum members be included in the minutes as best as possible. It does not have to be verbatim but should be included. There was a motion by Art Landing, second by Ron Esquivel, to approve the Public Safety CONNECTIONS Forum October 20, 2011 minutes. Minutes were unanimously approved. 3. GRAFFITI ORDINANCE UPDATE Jeff Allred shared that the Graffiti Ordinance has been approved and passed by City Council. The ordinance makes parents responsible for damage and/or removal of graffiti done by their child (ren). A lien can also be placed against their property. Lt. Murakami stated that action was recently taken, without the ordinance, against several youth who had etched newly poured concrete at City Hall. Parents have assumed responsibility. The graffiti ordinance will help expedite these incidents in the future. Sandra Armenta stated that parents will be more proactive when it hits their pocket book. 4. SGV YOUTH SUMMIT Wenli Jen provided an update: confirmed guest speakers include State Controller John Chiang, Congresswoman Judy Chu, local City Council Members, and Nick Nevarez. The summit will run two concurrent sessions of workshops, for students only, and allow an extended break time to visit booths. There are 25 booths, 40 workshops, 70 sponsors, and 70 adult volunteers. Flyers were distributed to schools in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles, Covina, West Covina, and in the San Gabriel Valley. Youth are encouraged to register online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGVYouthSummit. Sandra asked Mandy Wong to forward CONNECTIONS email addresses to Wenli so that she can forward flyers to members. 5. THINK SAFETY COMMUNITY FORUM UPDATE Polly and Sandra attended the meeting to seek community input regarding future meeting topics. Sandra stated that it was a very informative meeting and block captains and residents were in attendance. A list of topics was developed for the upcoming year. 6. IDEAS FOR 2012 A copy of the 2012 Monthly Community Safety Meeting topics was given to forum members. Several CONNECTIONS members suggested changes in the meeting schedule. ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES January 26, 2012 Page 3 of 4 The revised schedule is as follows: January 19 Public Safety Kick-off: Think Safety! February 16 Gang Awareness March 15 Counterfeit Merchandise April 19 Quarterly Crime Statistics (January – March) May 17 Drug Awareness June 21 Safety Tips for Parents & Teens (ages 10-18) July 19 Quarterly Crime Stats (April – June) August 16 Emergency Preparedness September 20 Traffic Awareness and School Safety October 18 Quarterly Crime Stats (July - September) November 15 Community Forum/Planning Meeting (Brainstorm regarding Public Safety Programs) Monthly Community Safety Meeting are held the third Thursday of each month, 7 - 8 p.m. at the Rosemead Public Safety Center. Sandra stated that it’s very important to attend the planning meeting in November in order to share ideas and help set priorities for the upcoming year. She also encouraged everyone to attend the monthly Community Safety Meeting. 7. COMMUNITY OUTREACH Art Landing, of the Rosemead Kiwanis Club, shared that Kiwanis International makes informational booklets available through their website that correspond with some of the issues that the CONNECTIONS Forum addresses. He indicated that the formatted documents can be revised for distribution to the general community. The idea behind the pre-packaged booklets is to make them accessible and copyright free. Some discussion followed. 8. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FAIR Mandy shared that the Community Emergency Preparedness Fair, in conjunction with Rosemead’s Community Yard Sale, is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2012, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Edison parking lot (2255 Walnut Grove). There will be field responders present and demonstrations throughout the day. Vendors will be display emergency supplies that will be available for purchase. Hot dogs will be available for the first 500 people. Volunteers are needed to assist with the food. Several CONNECTIONS Members (Josue Delgado, Sergio Medrano, and Sandra Armenta) offered to assist. Forum Members further suggested inviting local water companies and looking into volunteers from Rosemead High School to assist with the event. 9. GARVEY SCHOOL DISTRICT CLEAN-UP DAY Jeff shared that on Saturday, April 21, 8 a.m. to noon, Garvey School District is hosting its annual clean up day. The focus this year is on improving the “curb appeal” of all elementary and middle schools. If there are enough volunteers, they hope to do some additional work in the community. Such efforts help ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES January 26, 2012 Page 4 of 4 promote community pride. If any agencies/organizations are interested in volunteering, please contact Mandy Wong. Further discussion included assisting older residents with their homes and creating a monthly clean-up effort, as in other cities, to have a greater impact. The effort would not have to require staff. Some shared of their involvement in previous years and the resulting impact. An adopt-a-park program was suggested to develop a sense of community ownership and to assist with ongoing maintenance. Someone asked if any businesses would donate t-shirts or other materials. 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS First-time visitor Damon Sampson recently moved to Rosemead. He commented that Rosemead had no activities in commemoration of African-American Heritage Month. He also informed Forum members of a recent incident involving a Sheriff’s Deputy in which he believed he was poorly treated. He reported the incident to Temple Station and was appreciative of the Watch Commander’s response. Sandra apologized to Damon on behalf of the City and thanked him for his military service. Mandy mentioned that there have been requests to change the time of the CONNECTIONS forum to 7 p.m. After some discussion, it was unanimously determine to keep the current start time. Susan Reyes, of Senator Ed Hernandez’s office, shared details about upcoming activities: •••• February 11: Cash for College event at Mt. San Antonio College •••• Women of Achievement Award nominations are being accepted through February 20 •••• 18th Annual Adelante Mujer Latina Conference is scheduled at Pasadena City College on April 21. For more information, visit www.pasadenayouthcenter.org. Miguel Flores, of Don Bosco Tech, shared the following: • 5K Walk-a-thon on January 28, 10 a.m. to noon. The proceeds will fund the purchase of musical instruments for the school. • Bosco students are active in hunger awareness and other programs to help the community. They are now looking at ways to raise funds for the Muscatel Middle School Science Olympiad Team. • May 19: Bosco Relay for Life Sergio Medrano announced several job openings with Woodcraft Rangers including Data Entry Clerk, Network Administrator, Payroll/Accounting Clerk, Marketing Manager, and Club Leaders. Ron mentioned that Rosemead Educational Foundation is having a Casino Night on February 4 at the Almansor Court. Tickets are $45 per person or $50 per couple. Dinner and some game chips are included. Proceeds will go toward the district’s Music Program and Science Olympiad Team. 11. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM The next CONNECTIONS Forum is scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Center.