Earthquake Preparedness: You're Invited

Joyce, a member of the Willie White Park Focus Group, asked me to pass along the following invitation. Sure looks like a great opportunity! (And, I'm guessing the presentation will give us an excuse to meander through the fascinating aisles of M & I Surplus.)

*************

MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETING

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

WORKSHOP

WITH

MR. GEORGE HUNTER

LA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

M&I SURPLUS

On Thursday, March 18, 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., the Willie White Park Focus Group will feature an EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP at Willie White Park & Community Center, 365 Battram, Pomona. Mr. George Hunter from The Pomona Unified School District will coordinate the workshop.

The meeting will help residents be prepared when "THE BIG ONE HITS." It is coming, learn what, when, why and how to be ready.

Also, LA County Fire Station 186 and local merchant M&I Surplus will be on hand to talk about what you need in your kit, what and how much do you need for yourself, your kids and your pets, where do you go and how do you get there, and the role of fire personnel when "THE BIG ONE HITS.? A sample earthquake kit will be on display for your review.

Receive your take-home earthquake preparedness guide and checklist. YOU REALLY NEED TO ATTEND.

As always, refreshments will be served plus door prize drawings.

Beginning in April of 2010, The Willie White Park Focus Group (WWPFG) will move its meetings to the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

The WWPFG is an association of neighbors organized in the early 1990's to address gang problems and to uplift their formerly depressed neighborhood. Former Councilman Willie White is the founder. WWPFG sponsors monthly meetings with guest speakers from local and state government offices, police department, fire department, Pomona Unified School District , and local service organizations.

For further information, call Melba Robison at (909) 596-4273 or M. Joyce Bakersmith at (909) 392-8666.

Preparing for Pomona Beautification Day

The date has been set for the 2010 Pomona Beautification Day. Save the date: Saturday, May 1.

Huddle up with your neighbors and friends to brainstorm a project you'd like to complete in your neighborhood. This is great opportunity to rid your neighborhood of an eye sore or beautify a barren patch of land -- and the city will provide supplies and festivities.

We're hoping the Garfield Park community center will be far enough along by May 1 that the kiddos in the neighborhood will be able to do a little landscaping or maybe a community art project.

The planning committee is looking for entertainment acts to perform at the post-clean up festival-with-food at the Fairplex. If you know of someone who might be interested, please contact them to see if they are game. It would be great to have some Pomona talent headline the festival. Let Rick DeBruyne know about the lead. You can e-mail him at rdebruyne@verizon.net

Stay tuned for registration information.

Reminder: Area Commander Meeting -- Northeast Focus

As a reminder, this Tuesday's Area Commander meeting (7PM, St. Madeleine's Church) will focus on the Northeast quadrant of the city.

Given Ted Greene Park is in the NE quadrant, Tuesday's meeting will afford an opportunity to hear any new details about the double homicide that occurred in the park on Jan. 29.

Block Party Rescheduled for Monday

While I welcome the rain, I'm bummed it will thwart Saturday's block party to celebrate the new playground. Fear not. Weather.com tells me the sun is in our near future. So:

All are invited to attend the Garfield Park block party to celebrate the new playground on Monday, February 8th at 4:00 PM. There will be cupcakes a plenty for kiddos to decorate and devour.

See you there!

Area Commander Meeting -- Northeast Focus

Mark your calendars for the next Area Commander meeting:

Tuesday, February 9th
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
St. Madeleine's Church (931 Kingsley)

The meeting will focus on the Northeast area of Pomona. However, ALL residents are encouraged to attend. As always, the Area Commanders find it helpful to have a heads-up about concerns so they can research issues prior to the meeting. You will find your Area Commander's contact information along the right side of this blog page.

Meeting location?

Has anyone heard where this Tuesday's Area Commander meeting is to be held? The one announcement I was about the meeting say location TBA, but I haven't seen the "A."

UPDATE: The meeting will be held at Pomona First Baptist Church (Garey and Holt).

Area Commander Meeting -- Northwest Focus

Save the date...

Lt. McDonald will host the next Area Commander meeting, which will focus on policing issues north of Holt and west of Garey. All are invited to attend, regardless of the location of residence.

Tuesday, January 12
7 - 8:30 PM
Location to be announced

Send your questions and concerns about the northwest quadrant of our fair city to Lt. McDonald. You can reach him at 909-802-7493 and areacommander_northwest@ci.pomona.ca.us

Area Commander Meeting -- Southwest Focus

Mark your calendars to attend the next Area Commander Meeting. Lt. Paul Hitt, the Area Commander for the Southwest quadrant of Pomona, will share updates and answer questions about crime related happenings west of Garey and south of Holt.

If you would like Lt. Hitt to address particular concerns during the meeting, contact him directly at:

909-802-7495
areacommander_southwest@ci.pomona.ca.us

Gangs 2.0: The Emerging Threat of Cyberthugs

The following announcement just appeared in my e-mail inbox; I figured others might be interested...

Please join

Assembly Member Norma Torres,
Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico
and the
Select Committee on the Safety and Protection
of At-Risk Communities in California

for a discussion on

"Gangs 2.0: The Emerging Threat of Cyberthugs"
The Use of Technology in Gang Recruitment and Related Illicit Activities

Thursday, November 19, 2009
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Ontario Police Department
Community Room
2500 S. Archibald Avenue
Ontario, CA 91761

Click here for more information and to RSVP

Area Commander Meeting -- Southeast Focus

The next Area Commander meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Come hear Lt. Guzek answer questions about the Southeast quadrant of Pomona. Have a question or concern you'd like her address? E-mail her at AreaCommander_Southeast@ci.pomona.ca.us

Santa Cop Pancake Breakfast

I *just* heard about this event (less than 36 hours lead time -- ugh! How is it that even those of us who really want this sort of information can't get it?!). At any rate, I thought some others might be interested and available.

(Those of us who can't make this event will want to note the alternatives for supporting Santa Cop -- second to last paragraph of the announcement.)

SANTA COP PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Pomona Police Department will be holding their annual Santa Cop Pancake Breakfast to raise funds to purchase toys for the children in need in Pomona. You can enjoy breakfast for $4 or you can bring a new, unwrapped toy. Breakfast will be served at the west parking lot of the Pomona Police Department located on the corner of Mission Boulevard and Park Avenue between 7:30am and 10:00am on Thursday, November 5.

Residents and businesses can assist the department by dropping off new, unwrapped toys at the station or at other drop off sites at the Pomona Public Library at 625 S. Garey Avenue, or Pomona City Hall at 505 S. Garey Avenue. We will also accept cash donations or gift cards to Mattel, Toys 'R' Us or Walmart.

Businesses can request a collection box by calling Community Programs at (909)620-2318.

Meet the School Board Candidates

Meet the School Board Candidates
Thursday, October 15, 2009
7:00 - 9:30 PM

Willie White Park & Community Center
3065 Battram, Pomona CA 91767

Candidates who will be there:

John Avila
Frank Guzman
Steve Lustro
Adreienne Konigar Macklin
Nancy Ann Matarrita
hank Mollet
Robert Perlman
Jason Rothman

Candidates not attending:

Robert Torres
Andrew Wong

Area Commander Meeting -- All invited

The next Area Commander meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Come hear Lt. Rilloraza answer questions about the Northeast quadrant of Pomona. Have a question or concern you'd like him address? E-mail him at AreaCommander_Northeast@ci.pomona.ca.us

See you there!

Do you own rental properties? If yes, take note...

The following announcement just appeared in my e-mail inbox. Although I didn't find the announcement itself particularly informative, the attached brochure gives a better sense of the nuts and bolts of the program. If you own rental properties, consider taking the steps listed in the brochure to keep your properties free of crime.

I love the idea of a "crime free addendum" to lease agreements. I've heard property owners complain about the difficulties they've encountered trying to boot ne'erdowells prior to the end of a lease agreement. This addendum seems like a great solution.

CRIME FREE MULTI-HOUSING PROGRAM

I’m glad to announce the launching of a new crime prevention program and give you some information behind its start.

In March of 2008, Pomona City Council recommended direction to establish a Crime Free Multi-Housing Program within The City of Pomona. Efforts via the Housing Department and Police Administrative Services were initiated to begin the formal process.

Crime Free Multi-Housing is specifically designed for property owners and managers to reduce crime on rental properties. The program's success rate is widespread and its concept has grown nationally and internationally as well. CFMH works with active management and uses proven crime prevention methods and training to reduce illegal activity on rental properties. To learn more on the program's concept and benefits, please see the attached brochure.

The CFMH program will be coordinated through the Code Compliance Unit of the Pomona Police Department. Program support will be necessary from city resources, so we are asking for your support and cooperation as this program gets underway. Please note, this program is funded via CDBG and Federal Weed and Seed grant sources. A pilot program in Pomona is currently underway. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Respectfully Yours,

Teri Baker

Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinator

Code Compliance Unit

375 S. Main Street Suite 101

Pomona, CA 91766

Phone: (909)620-2184

E-Mail: crimefreehousing@ci.pomona.ca.us

Crime Free Brochure

Do you live South of Holt and West of Garey?

The August Area Commander meeting is slated for Tuesday, August 11 at 7PM in Council Chambers. This meeting is open to all Pomona residents, regardless of address, but will focus on issues in the Southwest quadrant of our fair city (previously defined as South of Holt and West of Garey, though the current flier indicates Mission serves as the N/S divider; hmmmmmm).

Lt. Hitt will facilitate the meeting. To the extent you are able, please let him know ahead of time what questions or issues are on your mind. Doing so will allow him to look into your concerns before the meeting so that he can provide concrete answers at the meeting. You can reach Lt. Hitt at 909-802-7495 and areacommander_southwest@ci.pomona.ca.us

Now for a personal plea. When raising concerns, please be as specific as possible. Having sat in on about six of these meetings, I'm stunned by how often people say things like, "There's this weird corner in our neighborhood where people just hang out. Have the police talked to these folks? What's that about?" Often speakers don't provide addresses, times, etc. It seems to me totally unreasonable to expect the police to be able to respond to such vague concerns. So, for the sake of our city, please bring to the table as many details as you can.

Tuesday night: National Night Out

As a reminder, National Night Out is tomorrow night -- that's Tuesday, August 4. This event, intended to celebrate community and police partnerships across the land, kicks off at 5PM and ends around 8PM in the Pomona Civic Center (southwest corner of Mission and Garey).

Free raffle prizes. Hot dogs & soda for $2. K-9, SWAT, Traffic Units. Kids corner (last year's event boasted a really impressive bounce house).

Stew and I plan to arrive around 5:30. See you there?

Today's image from: overlandparkcrimewatch.com/Events/NNO_2006/NNO%202006.htm

Last Chance: The Great Campout at the Fairplex

I'm guessing someone somewhere made announcements about the Great Campout, but I just heard about it this evening. Alas, the deadline for signing up your kiddos is this Friday, July 19th. Hop to it. Here's what you need to know...

Great Campout at the Fairplex

Friday, July 31st
For Pomona school students 9 - 12 years old
Free food, activities, door prizes.
All campers will receive a free sleeping bag.
Police supervision all night for a safe and fun event.

All campers MUST pre-register by Friday, July 19th. To pre-register, call 909-620-2408.

This event is hosted by the Pomona Police Department, The Community Engagement Group, City of Pomona Recreation Department, and the LA County Fairplex.

2009 National Night Out Flyer

For those of you considering preparing an entry for the National Night Out flyer contest, it seems knowledge of the baseline might come in handy. Here is a copy of this year's flyer.


NNO Flyer

Do you live East of Garey and South of Holt?

If you live East of Garey and South of Holt, you will want to attend this month's community meeting with the Pomona Police Department. The meeting is slated for Tuesday, July 14th at 7 PM in Council Chambers. The Watch Commander for this quadrant of our city will discuss issues specific to this area. That's right, this meeting offers residents a chance to talk to _the_ person in charge of supervising and coordinating policing efforts in this area.

Of course, all are invited and encouraged to attend, even if you live in one of the other fair quadrants of our city!

National Night Out: August 4

Mark your calendar for a celebration of police and community partnerships:

National Night Out
Tuesday, August 4th beginning at 5:00 PM
Pomona Civic Center

I had a great time last year -- food, demos, information, and lots of neighbors.