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PSC - Minutes - 08-27-15 The mission of Public Safety CONNECTIONS is to: • Serve as a community “think tank” and “information clearinghouse” on ways to prevent crime and to combat drugs and alcohol abuse; • Develop and promote positive and wholesome recreational activities and community service opportunities for young people and their families; • Coordinate with organizations that address human and social services needs to promote a healthy community; and • Promote and encourage emergency preparedness by all community members. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER – 6:03 p.m. by Polly Low. Excused David Montgomery-Scott and Mandy Wong. Minutes were recorded and notes taken by Ron Esquivel. Community Representatives Present Lena Woo, Asian Pacific Family Center Jeff Foutz, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint Chau Tran, Rosemead Buddhist Monastery Art Landing, Rosemead Kiwanis Ron Esquivel, Rosemead School District Joe Basile, Rosemead Resident Juan Tinoco, University of the West Brian Lewin, Rosemead Beautification Committee James Berry, Rosemead Beautification Committee Geralyn Yparraguirre, Advanced Justice City Representatives Present Polly Low, CONNECTIONS Chair and Council Member Sandra Armenta, CONNECTIONS Co-Chair and Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Allred, City Manager Lt. Somoano, LASD Nancy Eng, Planning Commissioner PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Polly Low 1. INTRODUCTIONS/WELCOME 2. MINUTES – July 30, 2015 There was a motion by Brian Lewin and a second by Ron Esquivel to approve the Public Safety CONNECTIONS Forum minutes for July 30, 2015. Minutes were unanimously approved. CITY OF ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM REGULAR MEETING ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER 8301 GARVEY AVENUE EOC ROOM THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2015 ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES August 27, 2015 3. SIGNIFICANT LAW ENFORCEMENT INCIDENTS Lt. Somoano provided an updated crime report including the following: o Auto theft is a continuing problem. There has been an increase in activity North of 10 freeway. There’s been nine (9) auto thefts north of the 10 freeway. Possible existing or new Sangria Gang members are behind the increase. The deputies will be spending more time up there to gather intelligence to help curb auto theft. Fortunately, there has been a decrease in the area around Hellman Avenue and Del Mar. o Several Lomas Gang members were arrested for possession of shaved keys (an affiliated female with a warrant was also arrested). Due to high levels of activity, suspects with possession of shaved keys (a burglary tool) are booked at Temple Station but are then released immediately until their court date. In the meantime, suspects are out in the community continuing their criminal activity. o A squatter took up residence at a house on the 4700 block of Bartlett. The squatter has since been removed from the property. o The Garvey Bridge has been cleaned-up and transients have relocated themselves in other areas of the community. Some of them relocated to the commercial building in the 9500 block of Garvey Avenue. Two were recently involved in an altercation/stabbing. o An elderly woman was the victim of a lottery ticket scam. o Residential burglaries have decreased. Recently a resident reported suspicious activity in a neighborhood. An identified vehicle was stopped on Olney Street. There was stolen merchandise in the vehicle. Two suspects were taken into custody, a third person got away. o A shooting occurred on August 14, in the 3300 block of Del Mar. At this point it is unclear whether it is a rival gang, in-fighting, or a case of the victim being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The incident is under investigation. o The San Gabriel Police Department and Temple Station detectives are working together to curb the problem of tagging along the 10 Freeway by Lomas and Sangra. o Lt. Somoano and the Rosemead Special Assignment Team Deputies assisted with the City’s Moon Festival Event, Area Watch meetings, National Night Out, Summer Survival Campout. o Lt. Somoano urges people to sign up for Nixle to get breaking news about Rosemead and surrounding cities. o Willard Elementary School reported a male trying to get the attention of two young girls through the school fence as they walked to the restroom. The principal informed deputies and requested area patrols. o The theft of older vehicles, mostly 90’s Hondas, has increased. A flyer was created to be placed on older vehicles to urge owners to avoid becoming a victim. In addition, Lt. Somoano and Deputy Nelson met with the Captain of the TRAP Bureau (Target Recovery Autotheft Prevention) in hopes of securing funding for anti-theft devices. . Sandra Armenta mentioned that a resident had their older vehicle stolen twice even though it was parked in the driveway and a “Club” was in use. There needs to be a better police presence and more patrolling. Polly indicated that she suggested, at a recent City Council meeting, that the City do an assessment to determine if we have an adequate patrol system in place. Increased visibility is important, but it also represents a significant budget issue. If additional funding is needed, City Council needs to further discuss it. Seemingly safe areas in the community should be patrolled as well. ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES August 27, 2015 Lt. Somoano mentioned the Special Assignment Team Deputies have been dealing with several projects such as probation and surveillance checks but will return to more patrols and increased visibility. 4. STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR CONNECTIONS FORUM 2016 Jeff Allred led the discussion related to the four components of the CONNECTIONS Mission. These include: Prevent Crime and Combat Drugs and Alcohol; Recreation and Community Services; Human and Social Services Organizations; and Emergency Preparedness. 1. Prevent Crime and Combat Drugs and Alcohol (Crime is a lead or common denominator -about 85% related to drugs and alcohol. • Attend Rosemead High School’s Back-to-School Night and offer the Parents Survival Resource Guide (PSRG) to parents. Others suggested that, given its cost, some could be provided to school counselors. If more are needed, they can be requested. • Assessment of deputy patrols (manpower) and allocation of resources (over response) and follow-up. • Patrols in high alcohol saturated areas. • Develop a plan for the distribution of the Parents Survival Guide. • Consider uploading the Parent Survival Guide to the City’s website. • Continue to publish CONNECTIONS Corner in the quarterly Rosemead Resources. • Have community programs which encourage more parent involvement. • Reach out to Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Councils. 2. Recreation and Community Service • Baseball and Softball • AYSO • Expand hours of RAC • Latch-key kids program Juan Tinoco suggested a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) analysis for each of the four components of the CONNECTIONS mission statement. Jeff Allred liked the idea of the SWOT analysis and suggested analyzing each component during upcoming CONNECTIONS meetings. 5. BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS Juan Tinoco asked where University of the West students would go in the event of an evacuation. Jeff mentioned local schools would be available as an evacuation site. David Montgomery-Scott and Mandy Wong can provide additional information about shelter sites. Per Lt. Somoano, we can address it at the next Business Watch meeting. James Berry mentioned that the city will be hosting a “Civic Pride Day” in April. It is an annual community clean-up day. Lots of volunteers are needed. In addition, the annual Christmas Decoration Award are coming soon. Nancy Eng shared details about an upcoming NAMI educational program. She will forward the flyer to Mandy for CONNECTIONS members. The NAMI walk is October 3. If anyone is interested in being a part of Team Nancy, please contact her. ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES August 27, 2015 Geralyn Yparraguirre works for the Asian Americans Advancing Justice of Los Angeles. They are interested in expanding their work in the San Gabriel Valley and Rosemead. Services provided include citizenship assistance, consumer fraud, health care access, litigation services, worker’s rights, etc. Lena Woo mentioned the planning of the 7th Annual San Gabriel Valley Youth Summit, scheduled for March 5, 2016. Any suggestions are welcome. Contact Lena Woo at lewoo@pacificclinics.org. Ron Esquivel invited everyone to attend the Coyote Awareness Workshop for kids. There will be two assemblies on Friday, August 28 at Janson Elementary School, 8:00 – 9:30 am, and Shuey Elementary School, beginning at 10:30 am. Sandra Armenta asked if Janson School’s security light will be on to help ward off coyotes. Ron also thanked the City Council for all the city’s programs – 4th of July parades, carnival, firework show, Fall Fiesta, and all the family-oriented events. Ron mentioned many cities (more affluent cities) do not have similar events. He also thanked the Sheriff’s Department for their presence at events and for keeping the community safe. Polly mentioned that the City Council works really hard to have the events and its importance for people to come and support the events. Also Sandra mentioned to stop by the Farmer’s Market on Mondays, 4:00 – 8:00 pm in the Civic Center Plaza. Lt. Somoano announced that the city will be hosting a Coyote Awareness Workshop on September 2 at 7 pm at the Public Safety Center to address community concerns. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 7. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. The next CONNECTIONS Forum is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Center.