PSC - Minutes - 04-28-16 CITY OF ROSEMEAD
PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM
REGULAR MEETING
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER
\ I) 8301 GARVEY
EOC ROOM ROOM
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016
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—6:10 p.m. by Sandra Armenta. Excused Polly Low.
Community Representatives Present
Wenli Jen,Asian Pacific Family Center
Jeff Foutz, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint
Jonathan Wu, Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles
Chau Tran, Rosemead Buddhist Monastery
Ron Esquivel. Rosemead School District
Joe Basile, Rosemead Resident
Juan Tinoco, University of the West
City Representatives Present
Sandra Armenta, CONNECTIONS Co-Chair and Mayor
Bill Manis, City Manager
Lt. Somoano, LASD
Oscar Gutierrez, Los Angeles County Probation Department
Michael Reyes, Public Safety
Mandy Wong, Public Safety
Nancy Eng, Planning Commissioner
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Sandra Armenta
1. INTRODUCTIONS/WELCOME
2. MINUTES—March 24, 2016
There was a motion by Ron Esquivel and a second by Juan Tinoco to approve the Public Safety
CONNECTIONS Forum minutes for March 24, 2016.
3. SIGNIFICANT LAW ENFORCEMENT INCIDENTS
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
April 28,2016
Lt. Somoano provided an update on crime activity, including the following:
o A case in November of 2007, about 8 years ago, where an 81 year old male in the 8500
block of Guess Street was found in his garage, down and injured. At that time it was
suspected the gentleman had a medical emergency. He was taken to the hospital and was
in a coma for 11 months and then passed away when he succumbed to his injuries. Shortly
after taken to the hospital, it was discovered his wallet and other property was missing. Two
years ago, two gentlemen were arrested for the case. It was later learned that the two
suspects robbed the victim in his garage of his wallet and assaulted him where he suffered
a head injury that led to his death. There was not much evidence to go by except the
suspects used the victim's credit card. Later one suspect pled to second degree murder and
was sentenced to 15 years to life the second suspect pled to involuntary manslaughter and
was sentenced to 13 years in state prison. They were both gang members from Montebello
and Whittier.
o Ulta Store in Rosemead was robbed on April 2nd when the suspect displayed a gun to the
store clerk. The suspect was responsible and identified for 10 robberies in LA County. Good
surveillance camera led to his arrest.
o On April 2nd a female was robbed of her purse and pepper sprayed at the 8400 block of
Valley Blvd.
o We had a few purse snatch incidents in the month of April. On April 6th on Pal Jay and Fern
a purse was snatched from a car.
o On April 9'h two male blacks entered the Royal Motel on San Gabriel Boulevard. One
suspect was armed with a hand gun robbed the motel at 10:30 in the morning.
o On April 9h^ sheriff resources were tied up on a call at the 8700 block of Valley when a victim
reported his house was broken into. The victim added that his car was stolen with his gun in
the car as he had just returned from the shooting range. On the next day the victim's car
was found parked on Delta, north of Valley Boulevard, not far from his house. The car was
found abandoned, deputies recovered the car as a burglary investigation. Deputies found
an expended bullet casing and when deputies further asked the victim questions he later
admitted to lying about the crime because he was stressed out over his job. The victim
admitted that he drove around with the gun and pulled over at that spot and fired the gun
out the window out of anger. Out of panic he buried the gun two houses over and then went
home to report the false report. He was arrested for reporting a false police report and
negligence discharging of a firearm in City of San Gabriel. Nancy Eng asked if the victim
was referred for mental health and Lt. Somoano shared, if serviced were needed, they
would have transported him downtown.
o The Special Assignment Deputies were busy with an attempted forgery at the Bank of
America next to City Hall. Two young ladies tried to pass forged checks. Special
Assignment deputies investigated the case and were able to identify the two ladies
associated with the checks. In April, deputies served search warrants in Boyle Heights and
South Los Angeles where the two ladies lived. Both were arrested. The case was still under
investigation.
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
April 28,2016
o Deputy Farley arrested a male Asian by the Rosemead Shopping Center near Target for
driving a stolen vehicle. The vehicle had been stolen 12 hours prior in the Boyle Heights
area.
o April 2141 the Special Assignment Team worked with eight Probation Officers doing probation
compliance checks, the first home visited was at the 3200 block of Gladys. This home is
known to have a Lomas gang members. At the probation compliance check, % lbs of
methamphetamines was found along with stolen guns, credit cards, and other identification
cards. With his priors, the suspect is hopefully looking at 5 years in prison.
o On April 23 at 12:45 am at the 2600 block of Del Mar, a pizza delivery man was cut off by
another vehicle while en-route to deliver the pizza. The delivery man's vehicle was then
blocked and he was robbed at knife point of his personal belongings along with the pizza.
o Part 1 Crimes are up by 2.8%. Temple Station is up 1%. There is a decreased in aggravated
assaults by 55%, most were domestic violence. Auto thefts are down compared to last
year. Property crime still remains a challenge, including thefts form vehicles.
o Biggest challenge is drug offender not held accountable (no Jail time) and the reason that is
so challenging is prop 47. Sheriff McDonnell has spoken publicly about the negative effects
of Prop 47 and hopefully some changes can be made through lobbying in Sacramento.
Nancy Eng asked Lt. Somoano the volume of calls for mental health crisis. Per Lt. Somoano it
Fluctuates. A few months back, three deputies (two are Rosemead Special Assignment Deputies)
will be recognized with a "Life Saving Award". The deputies were able to stop a suicidal man from
jumping down to the 60 freeway. Sandra Armenta asked Lt. Somoano to forward the names of the
deputies so they can also be recognized at a City Council meeting.
4. REVIEW OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SWOT ANALYSIS
Sandra Armenta went over the SWOT analysis on emergency preparedness that was discussed at the
last CONNECTIONS meeting. Those in attendance were interested in the Map Your Neighborhood
(MYN) program and Mandy Wong shared information about the program in hopes of implementing and
encouraging Rosemead residents to participate in MYN. Further discussion on how to entice
participants was discussed.
There was a motion by Jeff Foutz and a second by Chief Somoano to approve the Emergency
Preparedness SWOT analysis from the March 31, 2016 meeting.
5. SWOT ANALYSIS ON HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Some members of the CONNECTIONS Forum were unable to attend and have forward their items to
Mandy Wong. Mandy compiled the information and gave all attendees a copy of the SWOT to further
the discussion. Michael Reyes transferred the dialogues onto the white board. There was much positive
dialogue and interaction shared on the Human and Social Services SWOT analysis. Mandy will transfer
the information on the white board and send it out to CONNECTIONS members to review before the
next meeting in May.
ROSEMEAD PUBLIC SAFETY CONNECTIONS FORUM MEETING MINUTES
April 28,2015
6. BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wenli Jen shared University of the West will be hosting a Foster Parents Workshop. For more
information, contact Wenli Jen at wienna pacificclinics.orq. In addition, Wenli will be emailing the group
on upcoming APFC events.
Bill Manis thanked everyone for being part of the CONNECTIONS Forum and is looking forward to the
meetings in the future.
Sandra Armenta mentioned the first Civic Pride Day event is Saturday, April 30 from 8 am — 12 pm. The
beautification effort is to help restored the Savannah Memorial Cemetery. There a lot of mulch to be
spread. Lunch will be provided by Panda for all the volunteers.
Ron Esquivel thanked the City for the proactive approach on graffiti. Recently a wall on Marshall Street
was graffiti and it was removed rather quickly.
Mandy Wong expressed and thanked Sandra Armenta and Polly Low for their leadership and dedication
as the Chair and Co-Chair of the CONNECTIONS Forum since the conception in 2009.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:43p.m.
The next CONNECTIONS Forum is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Public
Safety Center.