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PSC - Minutes - 03-29-12 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 – 6:10 p.m. by Sandra Armenta. Polly Low had an excused absence. Community Representatives Present Bhante Chao Chu, Rosemead Buddhist Monastery Daniel Sumarriva, Calvary Chapel James Fujitani, Evergreen Baptist Church Josue Delgado, Church of God Miguel Flores, Don Bosco Tech Ron Esquivel, Rosemead School District Sergio Medrano, Woodcraft Ranger /Kiwanis Steve Rivera, Evergreen Baptist Church Nancy Trinh, Asian Pacific Family Center Young Baek, AADAP, Inc Joe Basile, Resident Art Landing, Kiwanis Mike Pedro, Asian Pacific American Legal Center Kim Dam, Asian Pacific American Legal Center Robert Lee, Evergreen Baptist Church Lisa Bartkowski, San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness City Representatives Present Council Member Sandra Armenta, City of Rosemead Mayor and CONNECTIONS Co-Chair Jeff Allred, City Manager Lt. Tim Murakami, LASD Sgt. Abel Moreno, LASD David Montgomery-Scott, Parks and Recreation Department Mandy Wong, Public Safety Department WELCOME and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Ms. Sandra Armenta CITY OF ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER 8301 GARVEY AVENUE EOC ROOM THURSDAY, MARCH 29 2012 ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES March 29, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Ms. Armenta recognized Sergio Medrano, Josue Delgado and Church of God for their assistance at the Emergency Preparedness Fair. 1. INTRODUCTIONS/WELCOME 2. MINUTES – February 23, 2012 There was a motion by Art Landing and a second by James Fujitani to approve the Public Safety CONNECTIONS Forum February 23, 2012 minutes. Minutes were unanimously approved. 3. DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT LIFE AND YOUTH MINISTRY Miguel Flores wanted to share and thank Wenli Jen and the Asian Pacific Family Center for hosting the Youth Summit. At the Youth Summit he met a DUI survivor and was moved by his story. He wants this survivor to come and share his story with the junior class at Don Bosco Tech during their “Day of Formation.” Miguel stated that forums such as the CONNECTIONS group make good networking possible. Lastly, he shared a copy of Don Bosco’s monthly newsletter “The Gear.” Miguel said he likes to include any important information from the CONNECTIONS meeting in the newsletter. Mandy has asked that the Get Ready Rosemead Emergency Challenge be included in the next issue. 4. DRUG AWARENESS WORKSHOP Mandy reminded the group that CONNECTIONS’ mission is to address issues of drug and alcohol use/abuse among youth and urged that the group use its wealth of resources to host a “Drug Awareness” workshop in conjunction with the City’s Monthly Safety Meeting. CONNECTIONS recommendations for the event were as follows: • Have resource booths • Testimonials of youth that are currently in rehabilitation • Rosemead High School as venue of choice • Proposed date of Thursday, May 24 in lieu of May 17 (Jeff and Sandra are out of town) • Timeline of workshop o 6:00 pm – Hot dogs (while supplies last) o 6:30 pm – Booths open o 7:00 pm – General session o 7:30 pm – Breakout sessions for youth and adults The workshop will offer prevention and intervention resources from law enforcement, clinical, and faithbased organizations. Session topics might include drug recognition, signs and symptoms of use, peer pressure, and how to ask for help. A planning subcommittee was formed to include Miguel Flores, Steve Rivera, Daniel Sumarriva, Josue Delgado, Nancy Trinh (if opportunity permits), Mandy Wong, and Sandra Armenta as she can assist. Mandy will draft a flyer. 5. COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FOCUS GROUP Nancy Trinh shared that Asian Pacific Family Center is conducting a six-month community assessment with the county of Los Angeles Public Health Department on substance abuse prevention. They will be focusing on participants that reside in Alhambra, Rosemead, El Monte, and Monterey Park. The data will ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES March 29, 2012 Page 3 of 3 be collected in three phases. They are seeking volunteers to participate in focus groups In April. Saturday, April 7, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (18 -24 years of age); 11 a.m. – noon (25+ years of age) Thursday, April 12, 6 – 7 p.m. (18-24 years of age); 7 – 8 p.m. (25+ years of age) Participants will have an opportunity to earn a $20 gift card. For more information, email wjen@pacificclinics.org. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Nancy Trinh thanked everyone (presenters and resource booth exhibitors) for the success of the 3rd Annual Youth Summit on February 25th. The 11th Annual Got Skills Talent Show is scheduled for May 11, 2012, 6 -9 p.m. at Barnes Park. It is an opportunity for youth to demonstrate that you can fun without drugs. The S.C.A.L.E. Program is hosting “My So Called Life” life skills summer program for youth grades 6-8. The six-week course begins in July. For more information contact, Jane Wong at (626) 287-2988 or jwong@pacificclinic.org. Tim wanted to thank Pastor Steve for helping a youth that needed guidance and resources. There are times when Law Enforcement can’t help and we will ask other organization to help. This is one of the benefits of CONNECTIONS. Sandra thanked forum members for helping Rosemead to be a better place and to encouraging good values among Rosemead’s youth. The resources that CONNECTIONS members are able to provide to families will enable parents to be more proactive in the lives of their children. Art Landing shared that Rosemead’s waste hauler, Consolidated Waste Management, and its representative Elizabeth Martinez are very proactive in recycling efforts. Sandra mentioned that she talked to Elizabeth and Consolidated has discussed putting decals on their trucks identifying them as safe places in the event local youth need immediate assistance. The vehicles, in some sense, are already “eyes and ears” within the community. Young Baek, from AADAP, has provided flyers regarding the Outpatient Drug Free Treatment provided by the Asian American Drug Abuse Program. Currently, the program is by appointment only and individual counseling and family intervention sessions are available. There are no age limits for this service. For more information, contact Young Baek at (323) 295-0262. 7. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM The next CONNECTIONS Forum is scheduled for Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Center.