Police Station at the Food 4 Less?

I stopped by the Food4Less near the Garey/Philadelphia intersection this evening. I hadn't noticed previously the lettering to the left of the Food4Less sign that says "Pomona Police" (or maybe it says "Police Department" -- I don't recall exactly). The store front below the sign was totally blacked out.

Does anyone know what this location is (or use to be)? It sure looks defunct, which makes me wonder why the sign still remains?

Crime Prevention Unit on the Chopping Block

Here's an excerpt from the 2010-2011 Proposed Budget Review - Study Session, dated May 19. Sadly, the Crime Prevention Unit is on the chopping block -- big time. Just look at the list of programs coordinated by the CPU. My heart feels heavy.

***********
POLICE -Crime Prevention Program (2015)

Overview -Eliminate four non-sworn positions and one part-time hourly position saving
284 800.

Impact on Program Activity & Objectives

This reduction will require the remaining staff to divide the City into two areas, leaving one
staff person to handle all requests for assistance in each area. Additionally, the ability for the Department to handle the below listed programs will be severely reduced.

• National Night Out
• Red Ribbon Week
• Citizen's Academy
• Business Academy
• Neighborhood Watch
• Business Watch
• YEMP
• Santa Cop
• Every 15 Minutes
• Read Across America
• Open House
• Annual Pancake Breakfast
• Sober Graduation
• Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
• Kids Safety Fair
• Domestic Violence Vigil

Also, the following impacts will be realized:

• Increased council complaints from dissatisfied community members.
• There will be increased number of phone calls to other areas of the Department (Desk,
Dispatch, Watch Commander, Chiefs Office) and City Hall.
• Shifting of personnel due to seniority will result in placing individuals in jobs the may
not be familiar with which will cause a reduction in service while proper training is
conducted.

Area Commander Meeting

The next Area Commander meeting will be help Tuesday, June 8th from 7 - 8:30 PM at Palomares Park Community Center (499 E. Arrow Hwy). This is our chance to talk with police officers about our city's safety. Although this month's meeting will focus on the Northeast area of the city, all residents are encouraged to attend.

(And, yes, I've added this meeting to the Pomona Events Calendar -- look at 'er grow!)

Google Calendar for Pomona Events!

A couple weeks ago I pitched the idea of using Google Calendars to create a one-stop-shop for events in our city. The idea met with some enthusiasm. Thank you to Ed for helping me figure out how to create and share these calendars!

Question #1: I've embedded two possible calendar formats in the blog. Option 1 appears in the right column. This "agenda view" is skinny and easy to position in a highly visible place. That said, it isn't particularly readable. At the bottom of the blog you will find Option 2: the "month view." It is large, a bit easier on the eyes (I think), but buried at the bottom of the page. Which format do you prefer? Other formatting options exist -- what would you ideally like to see?

Question #2: The calendars need content. Can you help out? Let's take a stone-soup approach to pulling together all the events and activities Pomona has to offer. If you are able to contribute to the calendar, please shoot an e-mail to pomonaevents@gmail.com . I will then send you instructions for posting events. (If I have your e-mail address, those of you who have already offered to post content to the calendar should have already received an invitation from the pomonaevents gmail address.)

And, if those of you who already use Google Calendars would like to subscribe to the calendar, search for "pomonaevents@gmail.com".

Fellow bloggers: Care to post a calendar on your site? Drop me a line and I'll send you the code and instructions.

Area Commander Meeting: May 11

From WebWatch:

"The Pomona Police Department invites residents to join us in attending this month's Area Commander Meeting. This month's meeting will cover the Northwest area of the city, however, ALL residents are encouraged to attend.

"The meeting will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at Kennedy Park Community Center, 1150 Fairplex between 7pm to 8:30pm"